How easy will it be to meet people in the area to climb on Ben Nevis and the surrounding area? i'm having problems finding partners from the states, so, i'm just gonna head out on my own. will i be able to meet people there to climb with? i'll be there in Feb of 07.

I would say that you´ll meet people OK. Where are you staying?

When do you plan to go over...

Hmmmmmmmm was on The Ben last week, only other persons i saw was the Sheep, most people go up the tourist path.

But you can hire a guide, who would take rock climbing, check out guides on BMC website dude

http://www.thebmc.co.uk/

Would have loved to hook up! but im off to play in the french Alps soon.

i'll be there from feb 5-20th, 2007. i haven't made reservations yet, but, i was hoping to stay at the hostel in Glen Nevis. does anyone know how far in advance i should make a reservation? do they fill up pretty fast in the winter? so far i am going out alone so if anyone is gonna be in the area around the dates i've mentioned i would love to hook up and do some climbs. pretty experienced on mixed and ice, but, this is my first trip to the area.

I think your likelyhood of finding a partner depends on what ascent routes you're thinking about. Multiple choices between walks, scrambles, and rock climbs. But at this time of year, I dare say with the window that you've got that you'll find a few folks that are game. I'd be very surprised if there was much snow up there at the moment though!

Tower Ridge on the Ben in Feb has to be a must

Tower ridge is VERY high on my list.

Drop me an email nearer the time, I live in Scotland. Always keen and often free mid week. dan@houseofbailey.com

The mountain should be totallly snow covered in feburary and there should be many ice and mixed routes of all standards on the north face. Watch out for avalanches round there.

Try www.ukclimbing.com/forums

for partners nearer the time.

what kind of gear or rack is typically needed for the mixed climbs? i hear that pins are very helpful. any kind in particular or just a good all around selection?

Hi,

First the bad news. Last february was aweful for Scotish climbing. Things improved dramatically in March and April and in the last couple of years these have definately been the best months to climb.

UKclimbing.com is definately the best site to find people. Most people don't commit until they know what the weather is doing as Scottish weather is very unpredictable. Alan Kimber's website is the best place to check climbing conditions. Google "Alan Kimber" and you'll find the site.

So far as a rack goes it depends what kind of route you're doing. A lot of routes on the Ben are mixed so bring atleast one set of nuts. Two ideally- I also place micros a lot as the rock is very good on the Ben. Hexes also get used a lot. I usually bring the full set for a mixed route but a lot of people don't. Ben Nevis is pegged to death but I usually bring some angled pegs as well. Number of ice screws depends on the conditions. If lean you may not need any! For something like Tower ridge I wouldn't bring more than a short and a medium.