6 weeks holiday 3 Peak challenge - Ben Nevis
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2015 5:06 pmSaturday 22nd August - Red Sky at night...
The Ben
Well this is the last one for the family challenge the 3rd of the 3 highest peaks in the UK. We saved the best till last I think. Having done Ben Vane 2 days earlier and had a rest day in between the only thing to stop us was the weather once more. Fortunately the skies we mostly blue; however, there was a small issue of wind or should I say gale force winds, 70 - 90 mph above 500m was forecast. Having got up and sorted nice and early we felt we should push on and see how it goes. We left Glen Nevis campsite at about 9.45am and headed up the road to the Youth Hostel.
It was nice to start out on a walk this summer without the wet kit on!
Once across the bridge we started off nice and steady to join the main path.
Joining the main path
A mini scramble!
Family picture on the foot bridge
We continued on and stopped occasionally to take in the views. A little haze but we were thankful for high cloud and no rain.
Path around the southern part of Meall an t-Suidhe.
Resting again
Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe
Looking back
Approaching the waterfall before the zig zags start.
Family picture at the waterfall
Up up we go... faster faster the wind becomes...
This man was blown into this posture just as I click the camera. It was really gusting!
Snow!
Gardyloo Gulley I think.
We could not all stand on the summit cairn and touch the trig point so this had to do!
We managed to squeeze Bode and Fiona onto the top to a sitting position!
Me holding on very tightly before being pinned there for some time by a very strong gust.
Observatory ruins and a man struggling to walk!
Here is a video of Bode walking over to the summit. let me know if it does not work. https://youtu.be/gPs4zUKSyVk
To get out of the wind we quickly made tracks to descend on the zig zags once more.
The walk was absolutely brilliant and even though the wind was
we really enjoyed the challenge. The views, people and flora were just brilliant.
Almost down and still smiling.
Well all was to do now was get back to the campsite, shower and go out for a celebratory meal at the Glen Nevis Restaurant. The food was top notch and the desserts were to die for. The staff and surrounding were fabulous. Thanks Scotland for not disappointing and making the end to our family challenge memorable.
Fiona having vegetarian Haggis Neeps and Tatties
She loved it.
The Ben
Well this is the last one for the family challenge the 3rd of the 3 highest peaks in the UK. We saved the best till last I think. Having done Ben Vane 2 days earlier and had a rest day in between the only thing to stop us was the weather once more. Fortunately the skies we mostly blue; however, there was a small issue of wind or should I say gale force winds, 70 - 90 mph above 500m was forecast. Having got up and sorted nice and early we felt we should push on and see how it goes. We left Glen Nevis campsite at about 9.45am and headed up the road to the Youth Hostel.
It was nice to start out on a walk this summer without the wet kit on!
Once across the bridge we started off nice and steady to join the main path.
Joining the main path
A mini scramble!
Family picture on the foot bridge
We continued on and stopped occasionally to take in the views. A little haze but we were thankful for high cloud and no rain.
Path around the southern part of Meall an t-Suidhe.
Resting again
Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe
Looking back
Approaching the waterfall before the zig zags start.
Family picture at the waterfall
Up up we go... faster faster the wind becomes...
This man was blown into this posture just as I click the camera. It was really gusting!
Snow!
Gardyloo Gulley I think.
We could not all stand on the summit cairn and touch the trig point so this had to do!
We managed to squeeze Bode and Fiona onto the top to a sitting position!
Me holding on very tightly before being pinned there for some time by a very strong gust.
Observatory ruins and a man struggling to walk!
Here is a video of Bode walking over to the summit. let me know if it does not work. https://youtu.be/gPs4zUKSyVk
To get out of the wind we quickly made tracks to descend on the zig zags once more.
The walk was absolutely brilliant and even though the wind was
we really enjoyed the challenge. The views, people and flora were just brilliant.Almost down and still smiling.
Well all was to do now was get back to the campsite, shower and go out for a celebratory meal at the Glen Nevis Restaurant. The food was top notch and the desserts were to die for. The staff and surrounding were fabulous. Thanks Scotland for not disappointing and making the end to our family challenge memorable.
Fiona having vegetarian Haggis Neeps and Tatties
She loved it.