Hillwalkers planning a bank holiday trip to Ben Nevis have been warned to expect “unseasonable” winter weather at the summit.
Mountain safety experts of warned of snow drifts more than 6ft 5in deep and poor visibility on Scotland’s highest peak, especially above the 3,000ft contour.
Many of the navigation cairns used for traversing the summit plateau remain completely buried under snow, heightening the risk of accidents on the mountain’s notorious cliffs.
Heather Morning, safety adviser with Mountaineering Council of Scotland said: “For most of Britain, spring and early summer is definitely upon us, but on the high plateau of Ben Nevis it is a very different story.
“The conditions up there are very difficult to imagine when you set off from Fort William, which can easily lead walkers to underestimate what dangers they will encounter. Appropriate clothing, footwear and navigation skills are essential to make a safe ascent of the mountain.”
Ben Nevis’ status as the highest peak in the UK brings a high proportion of inexperienced walkers and many “Three Peaks” charity walkers.
Navigation skills are a particular concern for the MCofS due to the unseasonable weather making it harder to follow clues such as footprints.
Ms Morning said: “I often meet walkers on snow covered hills whose only method of navigation is to follow the footprints in the snow ahead.
“Footprints can get covered with new snow or wind-blown snow drifts within minutes on Ben Nevis. They can also lead you off into dangerous and steep terrain.”
The MCofS have suggested calling into the Glen Nevis ranger base at the foot of the hill to obtain a map and up to date information on underfoot conditions and weather forecasts.
Ms Morning added: “People have often invested a good deal of time, effort and money to attempt their climb on Ben Nevis and it is a difficult decision to turn around, particularly if other people are carrying on.
“But, the mountain will always be there, the trick is to make sure that you are too”.