Walkhighlands

This story began at the end of august 2010 when I climbed Ben Nevis first time. It was really great big day in the mountains with my son, my step-sister and her boyfriend. I remember that the weather was changing very slowly during the day: light rain and mist in the morning, then getting better around noon and we started the climb around 13:00 afternoon ( really unusual late start time for me ) wlking up we met a lot of people on their way down and they told ust that there is very cold, windy and no visibility...some of them were returning back from the half way only. We did not know what we can expect there, but we decided to continue as high as possible and then depend on the situation and weather condition we will see Fortunately the weather made a big change, clouds disappeared and we enjoyed sunshine, clear sky and beautiful views. I was really impressed by the views around and by the mighty mountain - Ben Nevis. I fell in love with the mountain and I guessed that I will come back again. My next visit of Ben Nevis was on november the same year in snowy condition, but with clear beautiful views again. I felt that definitely I would return to Ben Nevis more times again Since the time I climbed the great mountain in different conditions and some day later I decided to make it like my personal challenge - collection: to conquer Ben Nevis every month in a year. Some months I had done more times already so I focused to the rest of the months. This report is created after the last remaining month April, which I completed on wednesday 22.4.2015. It was my day off work, weather perfect for this time of year and also the day was special for me because my grandson had 4th birthday...great time to complete my special mission Because of the great weather forecast and all the reasons I wrote before, I decided to climb Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and then the CMD arete as I expected beautiful view, especialy in this time when the mountains are covered by snow yet and I really love the combination of rock, snow and blue sky Always before I started from Glen Nevis - Benn Nevis Inn carpark or from the visitor centre, including my one previous climb via CMD arete in summer 2014. For this special trip I wanted try different way and I chose the North Face carpark as my start point. I woke up very early, started my journey at 3:30 as I guessed that there will be some stops to make photos of my favorite places in the beautiful Highland on the way

Following the path I got to the junction with a sign to North Face on the left and Ben Nevis to the right, it was really bad decision to follow the sign on the left...confusion by the sign-plates, after some distance the path disappeared in the forest and diverted more to the north than I expected...I thought there would be connection to the Nevis Range later probably so I did not trust the way any more and decided to use shortcut through the forest instead to return back to the junction The walk in the forest was more and more difficult as the forest was more and more heavy - inaccessible Too late to return, determined to overcome it Good experience for next...but asked myself why I trusted the confusing sign on the junction...
On the C.M.D. summit I met one walker from Switzerland and shortly after also one Scottish walker. We made photos each other there and then also one photo together ( in the continuous photostory - posted below this report )...

The Monthly Collection:

Ben Nevis done every month in a Year now - 16× meantime.......

Mission Completed...but it does not mean that I will not continue to climb Ben Nevis again...and again...and again...

Brilliant pics & report! I hope to do the arete at the end of May... hope to get weather like that!

Well done Petr, mission accomplished But no doubt you will be up there again Some wonderful photographs and a superb photographic record for yourself.

Wonderful set of pictures - congrats on your achievement, Petr!

Wonderful pictures - days as clear as that are few and far between - I am green with envy.

well done 16x wow.. I hope to walk up it for the 1st time this year .......

YEEEAAAHHH PETR!!
Well done Mountain Spirit
Love the monthly pics, all but one in the red jacket!

Thank you for all the comments i appreciate and I am glad that you like the photos...it was really great day and also good feeling that the collection is completed Good experience and comparability of all the seasons -individual months in a year It's nice to see the same place in a different condition always
Anyway, the weather is most important...as sometime in the cold season - winter, late autumn or early spring can be better day out there even in freezy, snowy condition if sunshine, no wind...than some days in warm season at summer if rain and wind
I wish to all of you great time always in the mountains and many safe returns with a good unforgettable memories

...and here is the culprit:

Smashing pictures ; well done i know how much you wanted this .

Great report Petr, I do like a target to reach for - well done on completing this unusual one.
Now for the In Pin every month

Interesting idea - you've certainly stuck to your go through some difficult conditions. have to admit that I've only ever walked Ben Nevis once and wasn't convinced I'd want to go back - far too busy for me - cheers

Silver bullet wrote:Smashing pictures ; well done i know how much you wanted this .

Thanks mate I see you did Lochnagar after the 6 in Glenshee...well done

skuk007 wrote:Great report Petr, I do like a target to reach for - well done on completing this unusual one.
Now for the In Pin every month

Thanks and also for the tip

rockhopper wrote:Interesting idea - you've certainly stuck to your go through some difficult conditions. have to admit that I've only ever walked Ben Nevis once and wasn't convinced I'd want to go back - far too busy for me - cheers

Thanks ...and never say never