Dave B below a steepening on Tower Ridge. Photo Alexandre BuisseAlexandre Buisse and I bivied in the North Face car park on Friday night before awaking at 5 am. We managed to set off up to the North Face of the Ben by 5.30 am heading for Tower Ridge. Pausing briefly at the CIC hut avalanches could be heard rumbling above us in the mists.
Progress slowed in the gully behind the Douglass Boulder where deep slow hindered progress. We pitched the initial step out of the gully and then moved together to the base of the little tower.
As we passed the top of The Great Chimney we were caught up by a camera man who was intending to film Andy Turner (whom Alex and I had climbed with in Utah) and Dave MacLeod as they topped out. They were apparently recreating Jimmy Marshall's legendary week on the Ben in 1960 where he climbed 6 big first assents and one major repeat. We left our regards and I led off up the Little Tower.
A mixture of moving together and the occasional pitch led to the top of the Great Tower and Tower Gap where we briefly waited behind another party who had just ascended Glovers Chimney. Soon we stood on the summit eating chocolate.
Sunday saw us romp up Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor before heading back to Sheffield.
A fantastic weekend that has left my calf muscles screaming.
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