Ben Summit Warning From MCofS

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland is warning walkers and climbers on the summit of Ben Nevis to be extra careful with navigation in the current winter conditions.


There's so much snow up there that the newly erected 1.8 metre cairns marking the change in direction at the top of Gardyloo Gully are virtually invisible making navigation a matter of careful direction finding and pacing in poor visibility.


 If you're a newcomer to the Ben, take a look at the MCofS summit navigation page at www.mcofs.org.uk/ben-nevis-navigation.asp which gives detailed instructions for navigating off the summit plateau safely complete with distances and bearings.

It's notoriously easy to stray into the top of the dangerous Five Finger Gully, which has been the site of numerous accidents over the years.

Anyone venturing out on Scottish winter hills should also check the latest forecasts from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service at www.sais.gov.uk and the various mountain weather information sites.