Despite the pleasant sunny springlike start to the day on Ben Nevis there was a chilly wind blowing over the plateau and a feeling of winter trying to hang on in there. Forecasts of sub zero temperatures over the weekend and into next week look set to preserve the considerable amount of ice remaining high on the Ben for a while yet.

Michael continued his Mount Vinson (highest peak in Antarctica) training today with an ascent of Tower Gully. The 700m vertical height gain on stiff sustained neve reminded me of the only slightly tongue in cheek saying of 'The Himalayas is good training for Ben Nevis'...

Other teams were enjoying the ice on Comb, Green, Zero and Tower Scoop or dry rock with stiff snow on Tower and Observatory Ridges. There was ice, but no teams, on Point Five, Hadrian's, Indicator Wall, Psychedelic Wall and Smiths route.

More photos from Ben Nevis today