How you can Climb Ben Nevis

The Scottish mountains are genuinely distinctive. Barren, tree-less mountains descend into deep valleys (“Glens” in native parlance), giving it an ambiance and ambiance all of its personal. To say there may be nowhere fairly like Scotland is not only hyperbole – it is fully correct. Most mountain ranges on Earth are larger than the Scottish Highlands, and just about all have higher climate, however stand in a type of glens because the clouds swirl across the brooding peaks above, and you will perceive for your self why individuals journey from around the globe to expertise them.

When planning your first journey to Scotland, the purists would possibly ship you to the Torridon peaks, the realm round Ben Lawers, or – for the really adventurous – the wilds of Sutherland. Nevertheless, many hikers head to Scotland with their eyes set on the nation’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and with good cause. “The Ben” (because it’s affectionately identified) is simply above Fort William, one of many Highland’s largest cities, and is well accessed from a number of instructions, making it a logistically easy peak in addition to a coveted one. Fort William is a bustling little city, bordered on one aspect by the Lochaber mountains and on the opposite by the shores of Loch Linnhe. If it’s good to choose up any last-minute gear or have simply descended from the mountain and are looking for some conventional fish and chips – Fort William has you lined!

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Ben Nevis is probably the most well-known mountain above Fort William, and it may be climbed in any month of the 12 months, however – with out wishing to state the plain – winter circumstances will change the height past all recognition. Even summer time days might be wild in Scotland, and it could snow on the summit any day of the 12 months, so be ready for unhealthy climate no matter which month it’s! Saving your ascent for a sunny day is strongly suggested, however such issues are a rarity within the Highlands, so no less than purpose for the least horrible climate doable. Even if you happen to set off with an ideal blue sky above and a forecast for it to proceed all day, carrying some emergency gear continues to be really helpful as a result of operating into hassle anyplace close to the summit of Ben Nevis is a critical state of affairs.

The most well-liked path to the summit of Ben Nevis is by way of the “Mountain Monitor” (previously known as the “Vacationer Path”), and it is a technically simple however bodily difficult hike in good circumstances. The path is well-marked and straightforward to comply with, however it leads you onto the barren summit plateau, which may rapidly grow to be a brutal place to be if the climate turns. The path might sound apparent in good circumstances, however downloading the related a part of the FATMAP map and keeping track of your location as you climb is strongly suggested. 

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The journey up the Mountain Monitor is standard, so do not count on to have it to your self, however the views from it are totally spectacular. The journey begins with the light climb out of Glen Nevis after which follows a steepening ascent as much as the light hillside, which overlooks Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe – a surprising mountain lake. The climb continues onto the scree-covered higher slopes, the place the path turns into a lot rockier and requires much more focus. The vistas enhance as you get larger, however keep targeted on the path and carry on grinding!

The scree slopes gently ease as you method the summit, and the path leads previous the (typically corniced) prime of Gardyloo Gully to achieve the well-known summit hut. The hut is just for emergencies (so please do not stay in it) and supplies some shelter in unhealthy climate. 

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Hopefully, you end up on the summit below a blue sky, and if you happen to do, you are in for a deal with! The view is completely magnificent, with the Lochaber mountains disappearing off into the gap, damaged solely by the area’s many lochs (lakes) and the North Atlantic Ocean stretching off to the horizon. If time permits, merely sit and take all of it in earlier than descending again the identical means you got here up.

For the extra adventurous hikers and mountaineers on the market, Ben Nevis is a playground! The mountain bristles with ridges, gullies, and buttresses, and there are over 500 recognised climbs on the mountain. Nearly all of those lie on the mountain’s looming and legendary north face, which is house to the whole lot from cutting-edge combined climbs to basic ice routes and rock partitions. Climbers from the world over have heard of and traveled to the north face of the Ben, and it stays among the finest mountaineering locations on the planet.

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If all that sounds too critical, however you’d nonetheless like one thing tougher than the Mountain Monitor, the Carn Mor Dearg (CMD) Arete is likely one of the greatest ridge journeys within the UK. There are different terrific choices, such because the North Face Path and the journey over from Aonach Mor (1221m) and Aonach Beag (1234m). Different basic scrambles on the mountain embody Tower Ridge, Ledge Route, Fort Ridge, and Northeast Buttress. There are mountain guides and newbie climbers who spend a lifetime exploring Ben Nevis and are nonetheless making new discoveries yearly. 

Climbing Ben Nevis could be a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, or it’d begin a lifetime of exploration! Both means, a visit to the very best level within the UK is a should for any adventurous hiker.

Take a look at our guidebook to a number of the best hikes within the Ben Nevis area: