Extreme Sports Ice Climbing Special

On a cold wet morning, shy of 7am, I stood at the bottom of 'The Ben' more commonly known to us non-extreme types as Ben Nevis.

Strapped up in a funny looking harness, with big boots on my feet, a dodgy plastic helmet & swathed in every jacket, jumper & waterproof leggings combo I could fine, I stood awaiting my fate.

I had agreed to go Ice Climbing up Ben Nevis of all places.

7am

There didn't seem to be any ice at the foot of the mountain - this is where I got suspicious, "when do we start?" I asked our Super-human-arms-the-size-of-my-thighs instructor Andy Turner... "oh, we have to walk to the ice - takes about 3 hours"

You're having a laugh... I'll be dead by then.

about 11am

I stopped chatting about 2 1/2 hours ago, choosing to concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. I feel slightly sick & totally knackered. But, we're finally here & I can see snow! Yey!

Strapped into our crampons (look like roller skates you strapped onto trainers, but with spikes instead of wheels), and tied a rope between us all & we were off...

12 - 5pm

Oh yes, for 5 hours we steadily ice climbed up 'The Ben'. Basically, you have these hand-held pick axes which you ram into the ice one after the other, then walk up kicking your boot spikes into the ice.

It was wild.

At one point the air was slightly bluer than the minus temperatures from my horrendous swearing - but like all damsels in distress, once I'd actually got into it - it wasn't too bad.

We steadily climbed, one after the other - over 1000ft up the mountain over sheer ice & round big boulders - at one point I was hanging backwards thinking 'Who's going to have my car? I don't even have a will...'

5pm

Our fabulous stronger-than-He-Man guide Andy Turner had done a great job - he'd calmly led us (swearing & chuntering) to the top of 'The Ben' to admire what truly was a fabulous & incredibly rewarding view.

Only issue being we had to walk home now - all 3 hours home... (cue more naughty words)

Ice Climbing - the basics

We totally loved our ice climbing experience & would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure.

Try ice climbing at North Face, Deansgate Manchester - for a risk-free, 1/2hr trial (they have an indoor ice wall).

If you fancy doing it for real, see www.jamesthacker.com - a fabulous team of guides who will take you out in Scotland, Wales or anywhere in Europe for around £150 per day. Andy Turner happens to be one of the UK's best ice-climbers - so you know you're in safe hands.

You'll need your own waterproof pants & jacket but all other equipment can be hired on the day. Ensure you have a nut bar or two & some water with you as it's a long trip. We took sarnies - which ended up battered & bruised & a tad soggy.

Ice-climbing is a really addictive sport but a very dangerous one, so make sure you have a knowledgeable guide & the right kit - it's your life afterall!

Lots of love

Lucy x