Hadrian’s Wall Direct, Ben Nevis

: Spindrift showers the Orion Face and the big smear of Hadrian’s Wall Direct in the early morning gloaming

: The long slog up to the base of Hadrian’s is certainly made up for by the surroundings!

: Andy on the final steepening to the base of the route, aiming for the peg belay on the right of the smear

: So it begins – Andy makes steady progress on pitch 1 as the realisation dawns that there would be no respite for 50m

: Andy nearing the top of the relentless first pitch with the team ahead just beginning the second. Photo credit: Wil Treasure

: Wil Treasure and partner setting off on the first pitch of Point Five Gully after dodging lots of fallen ice and a flying jobby, gross

: Chilling above the steep bit at the start of pitch 2. Photo credit: Andy Harrison

: Andy traverses to the belay at the top of pitch 2 as the exposure begins to build, along with the calf pump!

: The chimney at the start of pitch 3 provided a short and sharp section of steep ice, protected by rock gear low down

: Nearing the top of the easy ground. The final ice pitch trends up and left around the headwall to the prominent rock fin on the skyline

: Heading for the base of the final ice pitch at the end of the easy ground. Photo credit: Andy Harrison

: Andy approaches the belay before the final ice pitch with all the ambience of an alpine face

: Andy embarks on the final steep ice pitch which kept on giving right to the top!

: Jacob Davies topping out Zero Gully after cannily using a deadman snow anchor to protect the final section

: Looking south down Loch Linnhe to the Isle of Mull in gorgeous afternoon light