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Day - 8 - Ben Nevis
We always planned to do Ben Nevis on the Saturday but I must confess
I had mixed feelings about it. Having been up twice before, once in
good weather and once in terrible conditions and knowing that it is
a long grind to get up
both Dale and I didn't have a burning desire to do it again. Seeing
it again on Friday and how big it is we both knew it would be hard
work. Team paraffin being young and daft had already decided to do
the Ben by using the
path over the Carn Mor Dearg Arête. Being old and sensible there was
no way I was going over any arête however spectacular. Anyway we
decided we would do it via the tourist path especially as Bruce and
Hilary probably wouldn't get another chance. So Dale dragged me out
of the pub early before anymore than 1 whiskey had been consumed,
reminding me that we needed an early start and climbing 4406 feet
with a hangover is not that clever. Just when things were warming
up!
Team taxi lived up to their name by ordering a taxi to take us to
the start point at the visitor centre. They were a bit later than
planned but it was fine. We met Matt there who was coming with us.
Unfortunately Karen and Mike couldn't come as Karen had a huge nasty
blister on her heal and they took the opportunity to pick up the car
in Glasgow to bring it to Fort William so they could all get an
early start on Sunday.
View from the top with cloud lifting
So, the 5 of us set off at about 10am to climb the highest mountain
in Britain. With it being a bank holiday Saturday we were not alone
as many others were doing the same. As usual there was a mix of
people of all ages and abilities but what amazed me again was the
stupid inappropriate gear some people had. I'm not surprised the
mountain rescue people are kept busy. The weather was looking good
with the occasional rain shower that turned to snow and hail higher
up. We made it to the half way lake in good time and continued on
the slog up to the top. Once you got within a few hundred feet of
the top the snow got pretty thick and we had to climb a snowy bank
near the top. The best thing was though, as we neared the top the
cloud lifted and we were rewarded with fantastic views from the top.
We could see the arête the paraffin boys would be crossing which
looked pretty scary. The snow had made some cornices at the edge
which looked nice but were very dangerous if anyone ventured close.
There was even a snow bunting, which had made its nest in the old
weather station. We lingered for a while on the top as it was so
beautiful and took our pictures. The cloud came down again after
about half an hour and that was our signal to leave the top. We were
all quite euphoric and we were all glad we decided to do it. The
walk down Ben Nevis is just as hard on the knees as going up but we
did ok and had a break for our sandwiches and were back down for
5pm. So 7 hours not bad for an old sod like me.
At the bottom we went straight into the Ben Nevis pub, which is a
converted barn with long wooden tables in. It has a great atmosphere
and the beer was flowing quite nicely. Karen and Mike joined us and
we were quite settled
and getting a little merry. We would have stayed all night as the
food looked great but the whole place was booked out for a 40th
birthday bash so we had to leave. A shame really.
Karen very kindly gave us a lift back to the B and B and after a
quick shower we all met up in Fort William and went for a
celebratory currie. Team Paraffin were in ebullient mood after their
day and we were 4 pints worth merry so it was quite entertaining. We
finished up at The Grog and Gruel for a couple of pints and a wee
dram. It was a little sad when we said our goodbyes although we did
say we would meet up in the morning to help Matt
shop for a present for his girlfriend. We have been giving Matt some
sagely advice on les affaires du coer which if he has any sense,
he'll ignore.
Before I sign off for today just a quick note on breakfast. Ok
although self service it's decent stuff and they have porridge.
Porridge has been ever present since the highlands at Kingshouse so
perhaps it's a highland thing rather than Scottish thing. Anyway it
gets a 7. The snoring was bad though after 2 good nights. Ah well.
Photos from Day 8
Sign up Ben Nevis
Mountain next to Ben Nevis (don't know it's name sorry)
Dale on the path near the halfway lake
View on the way up
Half way lake
Dale and me at top
Hilary, dale, me, Bruce, and Matt at the top feeling very pleased
with ourselves
Carn mor Dearg Arete
Views from the top of Ben Nevis
Views from the top of Ben Nevis
Views from the top of Ben Nevis
Fort William from Ben Nevis
View from Ben Nevis pub
Ben Nevis pub
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