Final Information To Mountain climbing Ben Nevis: Sensible Ideas And Recommendation

Mountain climbing Ben Nevis shouldn’t be solely a wanted Scottish journey, however a hiker’s bucket checklist objective. Ben Nevis is the best peak in the UK and the most effective methods to immerse your self within the stunning landscapes of Scotland.

Whereas it’s not essentially the most treacherous stroll within the UK, it’s one the place you’ll definitely have to be ready. I climbed Ben Nevis firstly of October and confronted many challenges on the best way. Whereas this well-known peak attracts greater than 100,000 walkers yearly, it isn’t for the faint of coronary heart.

On this information to climbing Ben Nevis, I’m going to share my private experiences from conquering this Scottish munro. I’ll share sensible recommendation, mountain climbing suggestions, and primarily every little thing it’s essential to know earlier than mountain climbing Ben Nevis.

Mountain climbing Ben Nevis: Sensible Data to Know

Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibheis) is certainly one of 282 munros (Scottish mountains) in Scotland. Munros are mountains with a top of 3000 ft or over. There’s a passion amongst hikers/walkers in Scotland known as “munro bagging” the place the objective is to achieve the summit of all 282 munros. Ben Nevis is the best of all of the munros, although there are others which can be tougher and fewer excessive.

At Ben Nevis, the mountain and the paths are saved as pure as doable. There aren’t any path markers, painted rocks, and nothing to mark the journey apart from the trail itself.

On the Mountain Monitor, the primary path for Ben Nevis, there’s actually just one option to get to the highest and it’s one fairly apparent path. So, there’s no want for something artifical to be added to the trail (excluding cairns close to the highest, which I’ll discuss later).

I hiked Ben Nevis as a part of the Basic Walks of Scotland journey with Intrepid Journey with two superb, useful, and educated guides, John Walker and Ray Allwood. I had such an pleasant week of mountain climbing with John and Ray, plus the entire group who attended the journey organized by my sister web site, Ontario Mountain climbing. All of us traveled from Canada to stroll the Scottish Highlands collectively.

John taught me one thing very invaluable that caught with me by my Ben Nevis climb. When mountain climbing uphill, solely go as rapidly as you may with out getting out of breath and needing to cease. In case you’re mountain climbing too quick after which stopping to catch your breath, you’re pushing your self too exhausting.

You’ll save time by mountain climbing at a slower tempo with out stopping. As soon as I found my tempo, regardless that I felt it was gradual, I barely needed to cease and I steadily made my approach up Ben Nevis. And because it turned out, it wasn’t very gradual in any respect.

The place is Ben Nevis?

Ben Nevis is positioned within the Scottish Highlands close to the city of Fort William. It’s located on the western facet of the Grampian Mountains within the area of Lochaber. Ben Nevis varieties a massif (mountain mass) with three different munros which can be over 4000 ft tall: Càrn Mòr Dearg, Aonach Beag and Aonach Mòr.

How excessive is Ben Nevis?

Ben Nevis is 4411 ft (1345 metres) above sea stage and it’s the best peak within the British Isles. It’s the highest land in any route for 459 miles (739 kilometres). Of the 282 munros in Scotland, Ben Nevis is the tallest one. The summit is the collapsed dome of an historical volcano.

When ought to I hike Ben Nevis?

Fort William is a kind of locations the place you may expertise all 4 seasons in in the future. It may be wet one second, sunny one other second, and torrential downpour the subsequent.

There are some Scottish jokes about Fort William. “It only rains twice a year in Fort William. October to May, and June to September”. And one other one: “If you can see Ben Nevis, it’s going to rain. If you can’t see Ben Nevis, it’s raining.”

It’s greatest to appreciate that it’ll probably be raining when you’re there, and also you probably gained’t see any form of view from the highest of Ben Nevis. Now that you simply’ve accepted that, I’ll say that the very best time of 12 months to hike Ben Nevis is from Could to October.

I hiked Ben Nevis firstly of October. It was wet, sure. However, there wasn’t any snow but. And there weren’t any bugs or midges. Plus, it was not crowded or busy in any respect.

Probably the most favorable climate is likely to be in July and August, however you’ll encounter many crowds this time of 12 months. I believe the very best instances to stroll Ben Nevis are June, September and October, although my vote goes for the tip of September and begin of October.

How lengthy does it take to stroll Ben Nevis?

Mountain climbing to the highest of Ben Nevis and again usually takes between 7 and 9 hours. I’m a gradual hiker and took my time, and I completed in 7 hours. Some members of our group completed the hike in simply over 6 – 6.5 hours. I’d count on it to take anyplace between 7 and 9 hours, particularly if you happen to resolve to cease for some time on the high for a lunch break.

Do I want to coach earlier than mountain climbing Ben Nevis?

I wouldn’t say that I skilled actually exhausting earlier than strolling Ben Nevis, however you do must have an inexpensive stage of health. I don’t contemplate myself to be a brilliant match particular person, however I’m able to stroll for hours at a time with none hassle.

At dwelling in Ontario, we don’t precisely have any mountains to coach on, and our mountain climbing trails are extra of a stroll within the park than those in Scotland. In case you aren’t in a position to follow on any inclines for hours at a time, I recommend doing a little stairclimbing. Climb some precise units of stairs up and down or use the stair climber or stepper machine on the fitness center.

On the very least, I’d try to go for a day lengthy hike at dwelling, with or with out hills, to see the way you handle. The worst case state of affairs for Ben Nevis can be turning round and heading again if the state of affairs acquired to be too powerful.

How troublesome is mountain climbing Ben Nevis?

It’s a problem. Mountain climbing Ben Nevis isn’t essentially the most troublesome stroll on the earth. I wouldn’t contemplate it to be mountaineering within the sense that you simply’re scaling any rock faces or doing any rock scrambles (on the primary Mountain Monitor, anyway). It’s a regular uphill climb for the higher a part of 4 hours.

Then, you have to to stroll for 3 hours or so again down the mountain. It’s one of many harder hikes that I’ve ever accomplished, however I don’t reside in a mountainous space. For individuals who are used to mountain climbing mountains, you might not discover it as powerful.

Yearly, about 130,000 folks stroll Ben Nevis. I’ll repeat that it’s a problem, but it surely’s extremely rewarding. I’m so proud that I conquered Ben Nevis. After which if you happen to really need, you may deal with your self to a t-shirt stating that phrase from one of many memento retailers in Fort William.

Can I deliver my canine to climb Ben Nevis?

There aren’t any guidelines in opposition to bringing canine to hike Ben Nevis. I’d contemplate your canine’s skills. Can your canine stroll this far of a distance uphill? Would your canine take pleasure in a 7+ hour stroll?

Are there services on Ben Nevis?

There aren’t any services or restrooms on Ben Nevis. It’s saved as near nature as doable. There are bathrooms on the Ben Nevis Customer Centre (open 08:00-16:00) to make use of earlier than or after your hike.

Can you are taking a gondola to the highest of Ben Nevis?

You can’t take a gondola to the highest of Ben Nevis. The one option to attain the summit of Ben Nevis is by foot. There’s a close by cable automobile, the Nevis Vary Mountain Gondola. It’s positioned on the north face of Aonach Mòr, the eighth highest mountain in Britain. From the Nevis Vary Mountain Gondola, you may admire views of Ben Nevis from a distance.

Particular person vs Guided Walks: Ought to I e-book a information?

You don’t want to e-book a information to stroll Ben Nevis. It’s doable to do that hike by yourself. With that stated, I hiked Ben Nevis with a information and located it to be actually useful. We had two guides with our group as a part of my small group journey to Scotland with Intrepid Journey.

I walked Ben Nevis with my mountain climbing information, John Walker, and he was so useful all through the trek. Via cheering me on to loaning me a pair of gloves, he ensured that I made it up and down Ben Nevis safely and fortunately. It seems like you may rent him for a mountain climbing journey by his web site. If you find yourself mountain climbing with him, let him know that Lauren from Canada despatched you his approach!

Listed below are some extra choices to rent a information for the day to stroll Ben Nevis with you. You possibly can e-book a gaggle guided hike up Ben Nevis, or e-book a personal guided hike for simply you and your group. In case you’re a bit nervous or unsure about climbing Ben Nevis, I’d recommend going with an knowledgeable information.

Mountain climbing Ben Nevis: My Experiences

Okay, now that we’re accustomed to all issues Ben Nevis, let’s get into the precise hike itself. I’m going to element every little thing to know in regards to the Ben Nevis stroll itself with my private experiences. We’ll begin with arriving on the base of Ben Nevis after which embarking on the hike.

I’ll divide the stroll up into sections as we go. Please notice that I don’t have many images from the previous few kilometres of the trek. It was so extremely windy, wet, chilly and moist that I wasn’t in a position to take my cellphone out of my pocket. I did handle to seize a pair images on the summit itself the place you’ll be capable to see the climate situations from my journey, which will be typical!

The place to Begin and The place to Park

I began my hike from Glen Nevis on the Ben Nevis Customer Centre. There’s a parking zone on the customer centre the place you may depart your automobile when strolling Ben Nevis. In case you’re mountain climbing Ben Nevis on the weekend or the busier summer time season, parking fills up quick. I recommend arriving early to make sure you get a spot.

If the primary parking zone is full, there’s one other automobile park simply up the street for Ben Nevis. Moreover, if you happen to’re mountain climbing in the course of the shoulder seasons (April-June, September-October), I like to recommend beginning your stroll fairly early, too. It will get darkish out earlier and you do not need to stroll again down within the darkness.

As I descended again down Ben Nevis round 3:00pm, I seen some folks ascending that weren’t even near the midway level of the stroll. I actually hope that they rotated in some unspecified time in the future as a result of they’d completely find yourself strolling throughout uneven and steep terrain at the hours of darkness.

In case you don’t have a automobile, don’t depend on a taxi pickup. We thought that we’d attempt calling for a taxi on the finish of the hike, however nobody needed to come back out to the Ben Nevis Customer Centre to select us up. They have been just too busy at the moment of day (round 4:00pm) with youngsters getting out of faculty, and so forth. Fortunately, one of many hikers in our group had a automobile and got here to select us up.

There’s a bus cease proper on the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. I recommend ready for the bus there. You’ll find the schedule for the N41 bus right here. I’d check out the bus schedule forward of time and plan your route. There’s one other bus cease proper exterior the Ben Nevis Customer Centre, however I’m unsure if common stops are made there. It may not be as dependable.

The Mountain Path: The Fundamental Route I Hiked

The Mountain Path, the Pony Monitor, the Vacationer Monitor…these are all names for a similar path that begins on the Ben Nevis Customer Centre and ventures to the highest of Ben Nevis. I desire the Mountain Monitor or Pony Monitor myself. Calling this path the Vacationer Monitor makes it appear to be a stroll within the park when the truth is way from it.

Coronary heart Assault Hill

After strolling throughout a brief bridge, the incline begins almost right away. Our group’s information known as this part, “Heart Attack Hill”. He stated that this can be a good take a look at of the way you’ll endure mountain climbing Ben Nevis. Could as properly get the steepest half out of the best way first, proper?

In case you’re nearly spent after climbing this primary very steep part, there’s a path close to the highest of it that takes you proper again into Fort William. There’s no disgrace in turning round if by this level you uncover that strolling Ben Nevis shouldn’t be for you.

I meandered round many curves as I walked up the seemingly countless hill. Nonetheless, taking a fast cease for a drink of water and to catch my breath was an equally good time to admire the unbelievable vistas of the city and countryside down under.

The “Halfway” Loch

This subsequent part of the path evens out a bit of bit. Ultimately, I ascended above the valley of the Purple Burn. On this plateau, take a look at the surroundings of Loch Meall an t-Suidhe, also called the midway loch.

I’m unsure if that is the precise midway level or not, however I felt fairly completed for making it this far. Upon persevering with the hike, I noticed that it’s uncertain that that is really the midway mark, however perhaps someplace between 1/3 and 1/2 approach level. It was at this level that I began including some layers and waterproof jacket as a result of the wind picked up and it began to rain.

Whereas there aren’t any path markers and the trail itself is fairly apparent, there’s one level the place you would possibly make a incorrect flip right here. As you stroll alongside the plateau with the loch in your left, you’ll attain a spot the place the path bends sharply to the proper and up the mountain.

Be sure to stroll to the proper and proceed strolling uphill. There’s a path that additionally ventures straight ahead. Don’t take that path. It doesn’t lead anyplace and it’ll lead to a lifeless finish.

As I continued up Ben Nevis, I got here throughout a small cascading waterfall. That is the Purple Burn stream, and it’s a great spot to replenish your water bottle (supplied that your bottle has a filtration system). The Purple Burn stream flows throughout the path. I needed to stroll throughout some rocks and thru the water to be able to cross it.

Eight Zigzags of Ben Nevis

Subsequent up: the well-known zigzags. There are eight zigzags in complete as you climb Ben Nevis, every getting progressively shorter. Imagine me, I counted every zigzag. The climate situations acquired worse as my mountain climbing progressed.

Typically, the mountain supplied some reprieve from the wind and rain. Different instances, I used to be left to the weather. The wind picked up and the rain really harm because it pelted my face and physique. Lastly, I conquered these eight zigzags.

Stone Cairns

By this level, it acquired very foggy, wet and windy. My visibility was diminished. It wasn’t an excessive amount of farther to the highest. My information, John knowledgeable me that there are steep cliffs right here and plenty of have perished.

There are stone cairns lining the trail. I caught by these cairns to make sure that I wouldn’t find yourself too near the sting. These are actually helpful in foggy and dreary climate. They’re additionally useful when there’s snow as a result of the path turns into utterly buried. Solely the cairns information the best way.

The Summit, at Final!

After about 2km of mountain climbing alongside the cairns, I walked a bit of bit farther to achieve the summit. There’s a stone marking the summit of Ben Nevis and that is the place you completely ought to get a photograph if you happen to can. I did it – I climbed the best peak in Scotland, the best peak in the UK!

There wasn’t any form of view from the highest of Ben Nevis and it’s uncommon to see a view from the summit. If the climate is obvious for you on the high of the height, contemplate your self to be extremely fortunate.

There’s additionally an outdated climate observatory from the tip of the nineteenth / begin of the twentieth century. Climate readings was taken at this outdated observatory shelter.

The summit of Ben Nevis may be very rocky. It’s a great place to cease for a relaxation and have lunch if the situations aren’t too unhealthy. In my case, the wind was completely wild and the rain by no means let up. I had a pair bites of a snack and was prepared to go again down. As quickly as I finished, I used to be freezing and extra uncomfortable.

Again Down the Mountain

It took me about 4 hours to hike to the highest of Ben Nevis and about three hours to hike again down. Mountain climbing up and down was merely a matter of “slow and steady”. On the best way up, I walked a gradual and regular tempo as to not lose my breath. On the best way down, I saved to a gradual and regular tempo to look at my footing and never slip.

Strolling Ben Nevis will be as a lot a psychological feat of endurance as a bodily one. I needed to be conscious of each step. Ben Nevis is roofed with rocks of varied styles and sizes. A few of them are pointy and never the very best to stroll on.

Probably the most harmful part whereas strolling down was none apart from Coronary heart Assault Hill. Whereas on an open space of the mountain, the wind was so fierce that it blew me straight backwards and I landed on my bum. I’ve by no means been blown over by the wind earlier than, so I suppose there’s a primary for every little thing.

Then, I almost slipped extra instances than I can depend on the moist rocks on Coronary heart Assault Hill. It’s crucial that you’ve the very best mountain climbing boots. Whereas I believed my mountain climbing sneakers have been wonderful, I believe they might have had a greater grip. I make some suggestions for mountain climbing boots in direction of the underside of this text.

Finally, I made it! I conquered Ben Nevis. It took me about seven hours, which is a mean period of time. I’ve learn that it may well take the typical hiker between 7 and 9 hours to hike Ben Nevis, so I felt very completed. There have been some members of our group that hiked Ben Nevis in about 6 to six.5 hours, which was distinctive!

Alternate Route: Carn Mor Dearg Arête

Carn Mor Dearg Arête is a second route you may take to get to the summit of Ben Nevis. It’s a tougher path and by far a much less traveled one. It entails hill climbing and rock scrambling. That is for knowledgeable hikers and climbers solely.

For these pondering of taking the Carn Mor Dearg Arête strolling route, you’ll be handled to a number of the greatest views of the mountain’s north face. It is a far longer trek than The Mountain Path, taking 10 to 11 hours to finish. As I didn’t hike this specific path, I can’t give you any suggestions apart from to go to the Stroll Highlands web site for extra particulars.

Keep in mind to Go away No Hint

Ben Nevis is saved as naturally as doable and let’s maintain it that approach! Please pack out what you usher in. This implies any wrappers, plastic baggage, bottles, packaging and fruit peels and cores. Please don’t scatter bits of banana peel or orange peel as a result of it’s biodegradable.

It doesn’t belong on the height and can take many months to interrupt down. Are you able to think about if each hiker left trash like this behind? Please clear up after your self and perform what you carry in.

Tips on how to Put together Earlier than Strolling Ben Nevis

Don’t merely present as much as Ben Nevis in shorts and flip flops anticipating a stroll within the park. It is advisable be ready earlier than you conquer this peak. I’ve acquired some suggestions for you, particularly after mountain climbing Ben Nevis and realizing that I may have been a bit of extra ready myself.

Examine the Climate Forecast

There are some days with unfavorable climate and a few days with downright treacherous climate. On unhealthy climate days, mountain climbing Ben Nevis will be harmful. Because of this, it’s crucial that you simply keep watch over the climate forecast earlier than you head out. Check out the Met Workplace and Mountain Climate Info Service for up-to-date climate data.

If the climate takes a flip for the more severe as you’re mountain climbing Ben Nevis, there’s no disgrace in turning round and heading again down. It’s significantly better than getting your self right into a harmful state of affairs and turning into caught. There are various mountain rescues annually on Ben Nevis and sadly, over 100 fatalities in complete (and presumably extra unreported ones). Being protected is all the time the primary precedence.

What to Put on and Deliver

It’s vital to decorate in layers and put on the right footwear for tackling this munro. Put on a rugged mountain climbing boot that’s appropriate for strolling throughout steep and rocky surfaces.

I need to admit that my mountain climbing sneakers weren’t the best. Whereas they have been properly damaged in and cozy (you may be strolling for 7+ hours), they weren’t the very best for strolling throughout jagged rocks and slippery surfaces.

Particularly, while you come again down the mountain, it is likely to be slippery. As I approached the underside (coming again down the “Heart Attack Hill” portion, I saved slipping with almost each step and this added a lot time to my stroll. I nearly fell on so many events.

Because of this, select a rugged mountain climbing boot (3 season boot) that may stand up to uneven, muddy and slippery surfaces. Having waterproof boots helps immensely, too. Whereas there are lots of appropriate mountain climbing boots and all of us have our favourite manufacturers, I like to recommend trying out the Merrell Siren 4 Mid Gore-Tex mountain climbing boots (and listed here are the boys’s mountain climbing boots).

Preserve Your Cherished Ones Knowledgeable

Earlier than you go mountain climbing anyplace, let another person know the place you’re going. That is vital for solo hikers, but in addition for these mountain climbing in pairs or in a small group. Let your family members or anybody know the place you’re going, while you’re going, and once they can count on you to return.

If one thing occurs to you when you’re away, at the very least somebody can have tabs on you. In case you don’t return on time or by dusk, they’ll be capable to name for assist.

Lauren is the full-time journey blogger and content material creator behind Justin Plus Lauren. She began Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 50+ international locations world wide. Lauren is an knowledgeable on vegan journey as one of many very first vegan journey bloggers. She additionally focuses on out of doors journey journey, eco and sustainable journey, and creating superb journey itineraries for cities and small cities.