Overview
The East Ridge on the North Buttress of Stob Ban is a deliciously long and varied route. Away from the crowds, its quartzite summit gives magnificent and photogenic views of Ben Nevis.
Route Length
300m
Max Ratio
1:2
Experience Grade
Difficult - Grade 3 Scramble
Approach Length (Approximate)
2.5hrs
Total Trip Length
10km
Meeting location
Fort William
Experience Duration
1 Day
Pre-requisites
Good summer hillwalking experience. Some experience of scrambling, ideally at Grade 2 or above.
Is it for me?
The East Ridge is one of our most highly recommended experiences. Tucked at the back of a quiet Glen which frames the mighty Ben Nevis for most of the route, this quality mountaineering route has interesting route finding and dramatic rock features.
We start our day a set of impressive waterfalls and if we are lucky, we may see some daredevil kayakers paddling down them! Our route takes us steadily uphill in a long glacial corrie, the Mamore mountains at its head, our target is the impressive pyramidal peak of Stob Ban at its South-West corner. Soon after encountering steep ground, we make a crafty traverse of a broad shelf to gain the start of our route.
The route follows a long spur of the main North ridge, beginning as connecting grooves through buttresses and leading to knife-edge aretes as the route narrows. The different styles of climbing give the route a varied feel and the sharp aretes are very airy and exposed. Some moves are quite technical, but well separated and you will have a qualified and experienced instructor guiding you, giving you the opportunity to attack the finest and most exposed sections of the route head on. The route has several options of difficulty and several opportunities for retreat if required. With a brief detour, we can also summit Stob Ban for panoramic views of The Mamores.
Once summited, we follow the long North ridge gently downhill, with excellent views of Ben Nevis, before dropping East off the ridge to skirt some steep sections, before joining our original path just a few kilometers from the car.
Mountains included in route
Stob Ban 999m (optional)
Additional information
You will be guided on the route by a suitably qualified, fully insured and competent Mountaineering Instructor. All mountaineering equipment required for the route and instruction on its use is included. However, clients must ensure they bring appropriate clothing as listed on our kit list page. In case of dangerous weather conditions an alternative activity or a full refund will be offered. Please read our Terms and Conditions for further information.