Ben Nevis via CMD arete 21-23 May 2010

[billy backpack]

Okay guy's we need to meet at mine on Friday morning around 6.00 am as we have to be down approx 1hr before the boat leaves.

It would seem that if all goes according to plan we will be off the Ben on Saturday afternoon and as the return ferry is 8.20pm on Sunday we may have some time to kill ..... any suggestions ?

Is another mountain possible    or climbing/scrambling  even a big shopping spree in Ellis Brigham 

[suspectmonkey]

Hehehe... the thought of NI-Wilder's having to meet up on time to catch a boat... thats never gonna work

[MG1]

I'll have to get up at 4.00am it'll be tight. that'll be harder than Ben Nevis.

I vote mountain climbing/scrambling

[fatty-arbuckle]

We could hit the town....

Or the Ice factor, has indoor ice climbing and I believe it is one of the few places that you can place gear whilst climbing indoors.

Or 

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=807

[billy backpack]

The Ice Factor looks really good, there seems to be plenty of facilities and things to do.

I gave them a quick call to suss out costs etc, I was told if the group was competent enough we could sign ourselves in for £9.00 each and use the wall or if we wanted to book an ice climbing session its £35.00 each or £55.00 for 2 sessions (though we would have to book before we go)

They hire everything you need and theres a sauna for a bit of relaxation afterwards 

[chris]

The Ice factor sounds like the place to go. Is that two hours for £55? plus £9 for ice axes and crampons etc.
The rock clmbing seems like a better deal all round £9 and a pair of shoes for you guys and you can climb and boulder all day. Plus it'd prob be of more use to you guys for when you hit the ozone as you'd have a little knowledge of knots, belaying etc so you can get stuck in from week 1.
The wall seems awsome aswell it's even set up for multi pitches!

[billy backpack]

I think the fee included instruction but not crampons, axes etc ...... although its another £55 to spend for around 2hrs as opposed to £9 for whatever time we can afford before going to the boat.

[chris]

Yeah £9 for the whole day seems like a lot better value than £55 plus I think its £20 for each hour after that!

[MG1]

Yeah the climbing wall sounds good to me.

[RedLeader]

So are you guys all packed and ready to go? What are your gear lists like.

[MG1]

I'm not that organised i'll pack on thursday nite.

[chris]

I'm not that organised i'll pack on thursday nite.

same here.

[MG1]

The weather seems to be half decent at the min, just some light showers.

[666_pack]

here's a trip report form the 5th may. Looks good.

http://www.scottishhills.com/html/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7967

And the ridge looks pretty clear. Glad I never bought those ice axes now

[chris]

yeah that looks fine. It'll still be nice to have an axe tho. Take it we're not going to bother roping up then.