Ben Nevis
date: 23 Sep 2008 -- updated: 25 Sep 2008
I have dreamt of this day for a long time -- the opportunity to climb to the summit of the highest mountain in the UK, and one of Scotland's treasures. My original plan was to take the standard route to the top, departing from Glen Nevis. As I pondered the guidebooks, however, I came to the conclusion that a much better route would be to traverse over to the valley of the Allt a'Mhuilinn, ford the stream, climb the Carn Mor Dearg, and then follow the arete over to Ben Nevis. I stopped in to the Glen Nevis visitor center the day before, and a kind gentleman there advised me to start from the North Face Car Park, thereby avoiding the descent into the valley after I had passed the Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. That turned out to be splendid advice, and I am glad I took it.
The entire route was about 19 km in length, ascending and descending approximately 1300 metres. I departed the trailhead at 7.30 and arrived back at just past 15.00. I was utterly exhausted after all that. The weather cooperated, being crystal clear when I started. Clouds moved in during the ascent, and the final leg was under overcast skies. Perfect conditions.
This shot was taken from the A82 just before I arrived at Torlundy and the car park.
Early morning in the Great Glen, looking North.
The pathway along the Allt a'Mhuilinn. Soon I'll be bearing left, and up the ridge.
After leaving the trail, I bushwhacked for a bit until I picked up the ascending trail. The ground was quite soft and mucky, but the going was relatively easy over the tussocks of grass, the moss and especially, the heather.
My first glimpse of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, which I shall pass on the descent.
