An Otter on Ben Nevis

Glen Nevis

It’s been a while so it was good to return to Ben Nevis recently for what proved to be an ascent with a difference!

Going Strongly For The Top!

Torrential rain and gale-force winds during the previous 48 hrs did not bode well for the climb but come the day, the bad stuff was all gone by breakfast leaving us with a calm and largely clear day.  That said, there was plenty of groundwater about the place and a million new burns cascading down the mountainside to contend with.

A Very Full Red Burn

We made excellent progress and didn’t enter cloud until well up the zig-zags at about 1000m.  A light, but chilly, breeze on the summit was the only adverse weather we encountered all day and we were on top in exactly 3 hrs.  No view, but spirits were high after such a quick ascent - and the guys had plenty of energy left for the descent.

A Murky Summit!

This was accomplished at a similar pace and we needn’t have worried about the shortening winter days as we were back at the car in 5¼ hrs!  

Glen Nevis

However, my own personal highlight has to be the amazing sight of an otter crossing the main path right in front of us!  He was heading in the general direction of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe at 600m above sea level and we were so surprised, no-one had time to grab a camera before he had slunk out of view!

Autumn Colours In The Glen

I’ll be ready for him next time mind… 

Check out my plans for this winter at:  http://www.hillways.co.uk/   

Ben Nevis – A Winter Ascent 2014

Looking South Across Glen Nevis

The inspiration to try something different often leads to new, and unexpected,  experiences.  And so it was for Donal, Kevin and Sean, three of Ireland’s finest, who decided it would be a great idea to initiate their nascent mountaineering careers with a full-on winter ascent of the highest mountain in the land!  Not that they regretted it for one moment, as it proved to be both memorable and enjoyable – as well as successful!

Heading Up

Their efforts were all the more impressive given that they didn’t reach their previous night’s accommodation until 2AM having driven up from London in a Fiat 500!  Still, they were in fine form as we set off up the tourist track from Achintee on a dry, windless but overcast morning. 

Approaching the Snow Line!

We crossed the snow-line at 500m just below the saddle and a frozen Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe.  Any prospects of a trouble-free conventional ascent up the zig-zags were dealt a terminal blow when we reached the Red Burn.  Weeks of unrelenting snow fall and high winds have created a snow wall that effectively blocks the way ahead, at least for hillwalkers.  The only option was to investigate an alternative route up the left-hand side of the line of the Red Burn - the burn itself is currently buried under several feet of snow!  It was crampons from here on in.

High on the Ben Looking West

Whilst this route offered a more direct way to the summit plateau, it was also a good bit steeper than the route taken by the zig-zags.  Nevertheless, it all balances out in the end and after 90mins of fairy unrelenting steep snow, we intercepted the normal route at the top of the zig-zags.  From here, all but the last 3 of the stone pillars that mark the way to the summit are completely buried so it was back to old days of following a compass bearing in limited visibility to the turning point at the top of Gardyloo Gulley and then on to the summit itself.

The Summit Emergency Shelter Encased in Rime Ice

Here, the ruined observatory was completely buried and both the emergency shelter and the summit trig point were at snow level, their supporting plinths of rock being hidden under layers of snow and rime ice.  

The Summit

There was a brief hint of a clearance in the clouds, but it didn’t last and we were soon re-immersed in mist.  The wind was mercifully light.

Afternoon Light

One final advantage of all the snow cover was it enabled us to take a much more direct route down, rather than be tied to the twists and turns of the tourist track.  Consequently, we made it back to the car in just 2hrs, enjoying some afternoon sunshine and stunning views along the way.       

Meall an t-Suidhe & its Frozen Lochan

  

Check out my plans for this coming winter at: http://www.hillways.co.uk/winter-hillwalking.htm

Ben Nevis International

Sgurr a'Mhaim & Stob Ban From the Tourist Path

A run of regular trips up Ben Nevis is about to come to an end after a trio of international clients has provided welcome interest and entertainment on the well-worn Tourist path during August.

  

Quan Pauses for a Quick Snap

After American Marisa’s impressive romp in the rain at the beginning of the month, I was joined by Quan from Vietnam in mid-month.  Conditions weren’t great and the top of the mountain was particularly unfriendly with thick cloud, wind and rain enforcing the briefest of summit visits.  We did find time, however, to satisfy Quan’s insatiable appetite for photographs which led in turn to myself being handed cameras from half a dozen other summiteers as I briefly became the resident photographer!

The Highest Vietnamese in Britain!

The clouds did part on the descent and Quan finished the day bounding down the path and returning to the car in a creditable 6hrs 20 mins.  I now know an awful lot more about Vietnam!

Quan Heads For Home!

Last week, it was my pleasure to guide a young Hungarian lady who lives in Holland and speaks 3 languages (mind you, that’s only 2 more than  do)!  Typically for such a clever clogs (see what I did there?), Adrienn had picked just the right day and it remained clear and dry all day.

 

The Crowds Head Up

Given the kind conditions, the mountain was, of course, very crowded and a veritable snake of assorted families, individuals and couples from around the globe provided constant accompaniment.

Nearing the Top

Adrienn wasted no time in shinning up the Ben yet still found time to take several hundred photos – that was until her camera ran out of charge!  She may have been good at languages but she was rubbish at keeping phones and cameras charged!  Well I suppose you can't have everything...

A Rare View of the Upper Mountain

We were on top in under 3 hrs and soon found the hardest part of the climb to be trying to find somewhere to sit down on the crowded summit! 

Gardyloo Gulley

It was a refreshing change to get a clear sight down both Tower and Gardyloo Gulleys and the clear air gave us good views from Schiehallion to Skye!

The Crowded Summit

We left the crowds behind and raced down the mountain (it seemed) returning to the car in 5hrs 40 mins which left plenty of time to go into town looking for phone chargers…….  

  

Ben Nevis – Fund Raising & Adventure

Sarah’s charity quest, Fiona’s new-found pursuit of random adventures and an active cold front all conspired to provide an enjoyable, if wet, meander up Ben Nevis last weekend.  Brian came along too to lend Sarah some moral support.  Despite the weather – wet & windy throughout and no views to speak of – we managed the summit in reasonable time and were back in time for tea!

There were fewer charity events evident than during my last visit in June but I distinctly remember doing a double-take on passing Bugs Bunny and Minnie Mouse late in the day!

This was Sarah’s first (and probably last) mountain although further challenges await her this year as she continues  her valiant fund-raising activities.  I think the next item on Fiona’s list was sheep shearing….

Good luck ladies!