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CMD Route for beginners

CMD Route for beginners


Postby Nerro Sights » Tue Aug 16, 2022 11:39 am

Looking for some feedback or more accurately, some validation.

Planning to climb Nevis this weekend with a group of friends. Until this week, weather had looked great and we’re hoping for a clear day to potentially take the more exciting CMD route. However, recent forecasts show rain and 25-30mph winds and 40+mph gusts!

My feeling is as beginners with limited experience, the CMD route was risky in perfect weather. However, in those forecast conditions an attempt to take the CMD route is downright stupid. Am I right?

(Most the group are allowing ego to take hold and want to take the climb regardless)
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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby jmarkb » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:13 pm

If the forecast proves correct, it will be at best unpleasant and there is some risk of an inexperienced group getting into trouble (though most likely they will have had enough well before you get to the arete). I would certainly save it for a better day.

You may need to be quite firm with your friends - manage their expectations, ask them to trust your judgement, and offer alternative(s) if you don't have any flexibility in terms of which days are possible for you.
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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby prog99 » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:49 pm

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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby davekeiller » Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:25 pm

That level of wind will make life difficult, and could be enough to blow you over an edge.
Rain will make it unpleasant, and will likely mean poor visibility. Unless your navigation is spot on, there's a real risk of getting disorientated and lost.
The main appeal of the CMD route is the views, so it's best saved for a really good day.
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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby Veryhappybunny » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:19 pm

The views are tremendous on a reasonably clear day - but if the forecast is right you really are not going to get the benefits of where you are and see the Ben properly. Even apart from the issues of slippy rock and high winds. Unless the forecast improves a lot I'd do something else.

If you are beginners, presumably you haven't exhausted all the other possibilities around Fort William or Glencoe.
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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby WalkWithWallace » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:42 am

Whilst it's not technically difficult in good conditions, with that forecast a gust of wind on slippy rock could catch one of you off balance and a fall on the arete could be fatal!. :o
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Re: CMD Route for beginners

Postby Sunset tripper » Thu Aug 18, 2022 12:18 pm

Keep an eye on the weather, definitely not one for a poor day.

CMD arete September 2018
20180903_102039.jpg
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