Tower Ridge

 

Scotland Tower Ridge - Ben Nevis

Tower Ridge is the classic mountain ridge in the British Isles. It is almost a kilometer long and rises 600 metres vertically making its ascent a route of Alpine proportions especially if it is started by walking up from Fort Wiliam at sea level.

It is at its best as a winter climb which is often covered in snow as early as November. Generally apart from a few days in December and January it is not till February that the snow build up and consolidation of the surface is adequate for it to be called "under good winter conditions". Once in condition it often stays good till the middle of April after which time the sun and thaws gradually denude the ridge making it a fine mixed climb till mid-May.

The winter grade is about III but this can be more under poor snow conditions early in the year. The Tower Gap is a notorious obstacle which appears just as the summit plateau seems to be just a stones throw away. As a result the Great Tower is one of the most common locations on the Ben for groups to bivouac (involuntarily!) - they reach the gap late on a short December day and in the gathering gloom they come across the dark yawning chasm that has to be crossed.

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