To many people, The Ben is all about mid- to late-season ice routes and gullies. These are brilliant, but they are far from all that the mountain has to offer. The early season mixed climbing in Coire na Ciste is amongst the best and most reliable in the country. The big ridges also give great outings in almost any conditions.
Ben Nevis also has a crucial place in scientific history. A meteorological observatory operated on the summit from 1883 to 1904, i.e. during the period when the first winter climbs were being explored. This had an obvious influence on the naming of routes and features, both directly (e.g. ‘Observatory Ridge') and indirectly (e.g. ‘Gardyloo Gully'). The observatory is now ruined but a small emergency shelter sits in its place.