Following a night of wild camping, it's an early start to Fort William and our...it would be rude not to...climb to the summit of Britains highest mountain, Ben Nevis. At 1,345m we were expecting all weathers in one day.
As this hike was planned, it goes without saying that we pre booked a spot at Glen Nevis Campsite and even before we began the climb, I was already looking forward to a long hot shower on our return to ease my aching legs (aching being the understatement of the century).
Ben Nevis is not a mountain you can, just decide, to climb. it's very important to properly prepare. Supportive footwear is a must, preferably walking boots for added ankle support, lots of lightweight layers for warmth and an effective waterproof coat. It's very important when taking on such an arduous hike that you remain hydrated and energised. Take a reusable water container which you can refill in streams and waterfalls on the way up and make sure you have lots of high carb snacks to keep you going. Trust me...it takes longer than you imagine.
We started the walk from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre where there is a car park as well as off road spaces to leave your vehicle.
From here the path is easy to follow across the footbridge and up a well worn path to join the main trail. The first half of the hike is most definitely ALL up and a fairly steep ascent at times but the path has been stepped and so is obvious and easy to follow. There is a point where you pass a small Loch on your left and it is here that the path appears to split. You will need to take the right hand path to follow to the summit. Take your time and enjoy the views which get better and better as you get further up...until the mist and cloud roll in!
The route remains obvious until you are about 45 minutes from the summit when the path gets lost in scree. At this point it is important to know where you are headed as if the cloud comes down it can be tricky to navigate your way to the trig. There is generally snow on the top for most of the year so depending on the weather, the path can also be covered in snow. There are plenty of large cairns on this top section so use them, they are there for a reason, they mark the path to the top. Just be careful and if visibility is poor it's probably best not to take any chances.
It is possible to get up and back down in around 4 hours, we took 6 and that was with plenty of stops to snack, remove or add items of clothing and rest to enjoy the stunning views along the way. No views from the top for us though due the cloud rolling in thick and fast!
My advice is BE PREPARED. You don't have to be an experienced hiker to reach the summit but you do need to know that it is a long, tough and obviously steep climb, You do need to have the correct clothing and footwear. You do need plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy levels up and you do need to be prepared (on your way back down) to answer the same question from almost every person you pass - "How much longer is it to the top?".
Enough said...the photo's say it all.
INCREDIBLE BEN NEVIS
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