Perfect day for Ben Nevis via CMD
Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2015 12:14 amHaving walked the WHY in September 2014 in perfect weather, I've fallen in love with the highlands, and have been back three times since then. Coming from Ireland and having to book cheap flights in advance, it's always a bit hit and miss with the weather. I made my first attempt at the Ben on 1st June this year but had to turn back at 1100 metres due to snow. My luck was definitely in then on my latest visit which I think probably coincided with the best spell of weather enjoyed by Scotland this year. Conditions were so good that I decided to go the full hog and approach via the Carn Mor Dearg.
It was foggy setting out from Glen Nevis Hostel but mountains looked clear.
I didn't have to climb too far to get above the fog. It was great looking down over sea of fog in glen.
Having turned off the Mountain Path towards North Face Path, the air temperature seemed to drop significantly. I think Fort William is down there somewhere.
The views walking round the foot of the North Face were tremendous. Unfortunately my photography skills don't do them justice.
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Going was very tough after hut. I wasn't sure of route, which turned out to be straight up side of CMD. Lot of loose rock and scree to negotiate. Views were breathtaking when I finally reached the summit.
Arete looked daunting from a distance but not so bad close up. Glad though that I was doing it on a calm day with good visibility.
Having negotiated the arête the summit was in sight but still quite a way to go.
The view back towards CMD was fantastic. The route so far had been so peaceful and I'd seen very few walkers.
Having negotiated the rocky way up to summit it was so rewarding to look back and appreciate the route I'd taken
Going down the Mountain Path was a lot busier than my route up. I was surprised at numbers heading up quite late in the day. My knees tend to suffer on long descents and I was glad to finally reach the bottom. The Ben looked great in the evening sun.
I can't believe how lucky I was with the weather on this trip. What a pity I didn't buy a lottery ticket when I was booking my flights!
It was foggy setting out from Glen Nevis Hostel but mountains looked clear.
I didn't have to climb too far to get above the fog. It was great looking down over sea of fog in glen.
Having turned off the Mountain Path towards North Face Path, the air temperature seemed to drop significantly. I think Fort William is down there somewhere.
The views walking round the foot of the North Face were tremendous. Unfortunately my photography skills don't do them justice.
Going was very tough after hut. I wasn't sure of route, which turned out to be straight up side of CMD. Lot of loose rock and scree to negotiate. Views were breathtaking when I finally reached the summit.
Arete looked daunting from a distance but not so bad close up. Glad though that I was doing it on a calm day with good visibility.
Having negotiated the arête the summit was in sight but still quite a way to go.
The view back towards CMD was fantastic. The route so far had been so peaceful and I'd seen very few walkers.
Having negotiated the rocky way up to summit it was so rewarding to look back and appreciate the route I'd taken
Going down the Mountain Path was a lot busier than my route up. I was surprised at numbers heading up quite late in the day. My knees tend to suffer on long descents and I was glad to finally reach the bottom. The Ben looked great in the evening sun.
I can't believe how lucky I was with the weather on this trip. What a pity I didn't buy a lottery ticket when I was booking my flights!
