Ben Nevis

Richie had suggested that we walk Ben Nevis as a plan that he had of walking all of the highest peaks of England,Scotland and Wales. It also means that we bag our first Munroe. Ben Nevis 1344m, Snowdon 1085 and Scafell Pike 978 (Ireland has mount Brandon at 952)

So, me, Richie, Bob and Mark had made our way to Fort William for a couple of days, allowing ourselves a couple of days to select one with the best weather.The plateau is snowbound six months of the year and has cloud cover for n average of 300 days! We set off in a mild drizzle from Achintee Farm on the Mountain track, previously called the 'Tourist route' , or the pony track as it was created in the 19th century to serve the observatory at the top using ponies.

The first part of the climb ascends the Meall an t-Suidhe this part is mainly large rocky stepped hairpins as it winds around the shoulder of the mountain.



It wasn't particularly steep, but was relentless. The next col is where Ben Nevis starts properly and we crossed the waterfall after passing Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe.




Now we start the final eight hairpins and it becomes a series of massive head winds forcing you backwards and then as you round the bend a massive tailwind pushing you up the mountain :) for a stretch here the path all but disappears and it becomes a huge jumble of large, odd shaped rocks.



Toward the end of the hairpins, the red granite gave way to the black basalt and it started to get colder.



We also started to see some patches of snow, which I found very exciting and couldn't resist putting my footprints in :)We then followed the cairns, which looked like large shadowy Daleks fading in and out of view as the mist and clouds parted and then closed.



The weather began to close in as we ascended through the snow line and visibility became quite poor. Next we met the steep snow section, called Maclean's Steep. (after the contractor who built the track) This bit was great fun,as the snow was quite deep and slippery.



As we crested, we could see the cornice of snow on the north face. This where people can become lost in the snow and stumble off the edge.



The final push saw us reach the summit and we crawled in the the shelter, the highest accommodation in Britain!!!



Our mistake here was to spend too much at the summit. When we left the hut to take the summit photos, I was already shaking with the cold. My hands had become numb and I was feeling a little bit unwell. I was concerned that I could get into trouble and had to descend very quickly. I started off heading down and shortly Mark passed me at speed, saying that he too was in trouble. I tucked in behind him and we set off at quite a speed. We caught another guy and let him pace us down the mountain.




It was a good half an hour before I started to feel warmer, and once out of the cloud cover it was a reasonable day! :) We eased up once we were warm and saw Richie and Bob talking to a couple near the waterfall. Unknown to us, Bob had tripped and sprained his ankle. So they had to take their time.

At the bunkhouse we had a coffee and watched the track through the window for any sign of Richie and Bob. Once they arrived we set off back to the hotel, whereupon we donned kilts and danced the night away!


I was a great trip and great fun hiking with Richie, Bob and Mark. I even went to a pub!!!! Maybe next time I'll have a drink too!






The next trip is in the planning stage and will be Scafell