Just hanging on in there: No. 3 Gully Buttress, Ben Nevis

Day four out with the three from Sheffield.  With a good forecast, and not many other options, heading up high on Ben Nevis seemed to be the sensible choice, and 'No. 3 Gully Buttress III' high in Coire Na Ciste the most appropriate route.  The great thing about the route is that every pitch is different, and the line makes it's way through some very impressive scenery.  There is also scope for much variation, allowing additional difficulties to be included, depending on conditions.

Goodeve's Buttress and Raeburn's Wall

As we entered a deserted Coire Na Ciste, we had great views over towards Goodeve's Buttress and Raeburn's Wall, and it looks as though the first couple of pitches of 'The White Line III' are still holding on in there, and could be used to gain 'Raeburn's Easy Route II'.  'The Gutter III,4' and 'Beam Me Up Scotty III' also look just about complete, so a combination of the lower pitches of 'Glover's Chimney III,4' and then moving onto 'The Gutter' may also provide a good day out.  The lower pitches of our route, No. 3 Gully Buttress, could also be clearly seen, and looked to be in good conditions, and having climbed the route earlier this season, during another thaw, I was confident that there would be enough snow and ice to complete the route.  I chose to head directly up the first pitch, taking in a nice section of steeper (and very hard) ice, which the others all enjoyed, before moving across the big traverse, underneath 'Quickstep V,5' and 'Two Step Corner V,5', which is complete, but dripping wet, and no doubt quite unstable.  Above the traverse, I opted for a rocky pitch, which heads straight up to the plateau.  There is enough ice on this pitch, but again, its very hard in places, shatters quite easily, and required care to climb.

The big traverse on No. 3 Gully Buttress

Topping out on a cloud free Ben Nevis

We were treated to blue skies and sunshine (a surprisingly reoccurring theme this winter!) on topping out, and enjoyed the quickest way off the mountain, the Red Burn bum slide, which has developed a few gaping holes. Another great day on Ben Nevis! We only saw two other teams climbing, both on 'Green Gully IV,4'. which is holding on well, and Mike Pescod was out on 'Comb Gully IV,3' and reported good ice.  Forecast is for cooler temperatures, so the ice that's still there should last a bit longer...  It's not over yet!

Ben Nevis this afternoon