Friends build UK's highest igloo after Ben Nevis climb

"This was all part of a bigger project," explained Stewart. "Last year we built and slept in an igloo on the summit of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains. 

"A lot of research went into this one and it actually took two and a half years to pull off successfully. After building the Donard igloo we realised that it was actually the highest that had ever been built in the UK, but we knew we could do better! The idea of an igloo on the summit of Ben Nevis was born.

"We carried up all the equipment required for the challenge - saws, shovels, material sleds for the ice blocks. The build lasted 11 hrs 38 mins with most of it through the night, finishing at 4:24am in the morning.

"Although the additional height, 495 metres, proved to be a bigger challenge than we originally thought as we were carrying up our equipment as well and it really took it out of us with the climb itself taking five hours.

"The snow was also a bit different than the snow on Donard felt icer and heavier. If it wasn’t for these special sleds my mum made for us out of parachute material to move the snow blocks around I don’t think we would have had the energy to complete the igloo.

"We could not wait to get into bed!

"Inside the igloo is actually very peaceful because the snow insulates all the sound and we slept through until 11am the next day.

"In the morning we got talking to hikers who were arriving and coming over to look at the igloo and we managed to get 10 people inside it at one point.

"We think this is the highest igloo that has been documented in the UK and it has been a great way for us to challenge ourselves, which is something that we all enjoy doing."