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ROUTES AVOIDING THE NOTCH DROP

Harder but less exposed

Five metres before the notch, take a groove down right: it’s steep, but with good well-worn holds. Reach the gravel gully below the notch.

The easiest option

Ten metres before the notch, descend to the right to find a narrow ledge with good handholds, traversing right, to the foot of the steep groove just described (see photo – lower scrambler in blue top).

Notch on Ledge Route, Ben Nevis

Continue up the blocky bouldery ridge. Rocky steepenings can be avoided on the right if desired, but always return to the crest. The crest levels, then a final tower is scrambled direct (good Grade 1) with a photogenic little arête to finish, or else bypassed on the left.

Arrive on the plateau at the 1214m cairn on Carn Dearg. This is the main cairn but not the main summit. Pass south around the head of Number 5 Gully, to the higher but less cairned 1221 summit. Strictly, this is ‘Carn Dearg North’ as Nevis has two tops called Carn Dearg. A shelter marked on old maps here has been removed.