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Lochaber 2007

 

Ascent of Ben Nevis

 

 

 

 

Saturday 11th August

We woke to light drizzle and misty greyness down to about 500 feet. However, there was no evidence of the winds that had been forecast, and we decided to climb Ben Nevis regardless of the damp and dismal prospects. We enjoyed a good cooked breakfast and had double portions of toast. Dad drank countless cups of tea. Then we packed hats, gloves, first aid, spare clothes, maps, compasses, torches and whistles; picked up packed lunches; and headed for the Ben.

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain, some 1200 feet higher than our 2006 high point on Scafell Pike. We set off from Achintee, with no view of the mountain and a light constant drizzle.

 

(Above: Setting off from Achintee)

The path stretched onwards and upwards, and many other people were on the same route. Peter pushed on at a fast pace, with dad following behind. As we ascended, the lower mists broke up, giving us glimpses of hills and valleys, while the Ben itself remained in unremitting greyness. Almost half the way up we reached a mountain loch, then headed onto the main part of the mountain, zig-zagging upwards with 8 bends (each of which we counted) before reaching the summit path.

 

(Above: On the way up Ben Nevis, at a bend on the zig-zag path)

By now, although we were in mist, it was not thick or dark, and there was little wind. To our left the huge cliffs and deep gullies of the north face dropped away, with the remains of the winter snow still present. Finally we reached the summit and ate our lunch, exploring the shelter there, and taking one or two photos in the mist as other people arrived.

 

(Above: Peter on the summit of Ben Nevis - he's the highest person in Britain... Below: The shelter on Ben Nevis)

 

(Above: Peter inside the shelter... Below: Snow in August!)

 

Within a few minutes we could feel the cold creeping through us, and we got up to go. Peter set off at a jogging pace, leaping and hopping from rock to rock. The mist came down thicker and the rain set in, and we stopped to talk to people still making their way up the mountain. Near the loch we met a group of four who had no map and no idea where they had to go. We tried to guide them, and then they disappeared into the mist, which by now had enveloped almost everything. Continuing downwards, it was a long time before we finally caught glimpses of the valley bottom. Wearily we arrived back at Achintee - we had taken six hours - where we bought a bowl of incredibly hot chips to share, and some tea and cola. As we were by now soaked to the skin, it was good to sit and steam and feel the warmth returning to our bodies.

Then we walked contentedly back to Fort William, to showers and dry clothes, and a meal out in the town, which we ate with satisfaction. It had been a wet but enjoyable day. The gale force winds that had been forecast had never materialised. Though we got no views of the summit, we had felt fit and we had walked hard. Then we finished the evening with games of cards (Peter leads 172-160) and cups of hot chocolate. We have no idea what we are doing tomorrow. When we wake up, we will see what the weather is doing.

 

next : winding down and travelling home