Ben Nevis via CMD Arete - A not so amazing trip report

[bootsandpaddles]

I am saving the CMD arete for my last Munro. It looks as though a winter ascent might be the best bet. All those people AAAAARGH!!!!

[davetherave]

Never got round to climbing the Ben yet Stretch. Now looks like a mid week walk for this one when the time comes. I have not researched the CMD Arete yet, but im sure this will be our chosen route.

Saturdays weather was a bit of a let down, i changed my plans, and went on to do The Aonoch Eagach ridge... the weather never turned out as expected.

Loved your pic of the vanishing Arete..

[mountain coward]

I think you're being very hard on yourself there Stretch - those first photos (before you reach the summit of The Ben) are great - really atmospheric with those swirling mists! I'm surprised you haven't had most of your weather like that in 78 Munros - we have!

[houdi]

It's a great pity you had such a poor day weather wise. The Ben via CMD Arete is my absolute favourite route of all. Not because of the Scrambling - the arete is certainly the longest, but not the most difficult I have done - but for the sight of that awesome north-east face and the stunning views out across the Mamores to Glen Coe which, unfortuntaely, you didn't get. I have been lucky. I have done this route 3 times and had clear weather each time. My advice is don't be put off and to do it again. The end of May/beginning of June has always given me clear views. On a fine day it's magical. Less crowds on the summit as well.

[Stretch]

I'm not really being hard on myself as much as I am complaining about the weather which in turn led me to take only 37 photos of a day I had been looking forward to. But what I experienced on the eastern Mamores yesterday has now wiped the cloud from Nevis from my mind. A full report will follow after I sort through over 200 pics

[mountain coward]

200! Wow! doubt I take that many in a year!

[kinley]

But what I experienced on the eastern Mamores yesterday has now wiped the cloud from Nevis from my mind. A full report will follow after I sort through over 200 pics

Bloody students

Get on with that PhD!

Glad you got the Mamores

[Stretch]

But what I experienced on the eastern Mamores yesterday has now wiped the cloud from Nevis from my mind. A full report will follow after I sort through over 200 pics

Bloody students

Get on with that PhD!

Glad you got the Mamores

My supervisor would be proud of the fact that I finally got a great glimpse of Nevis and the CMD arete

[skuk007]

200! Wow! doubt I take that many in a year!

I used to be the same. Film and developing costs money.
Time to go digital MC Then you can snap to your hearts content (or until your card is full), clear it when you get home and start all over again.

[kinley]

Lead balloon

[petejkenny]

Hi - some good pics - I did the Ben by your route and was amazed by the crowds when I got to the top. However it's the biggest hill in the Uk and accessible so you know there's going to be a few folk there - it doesn't detract from the rest of it for me.
I also did reflect that to a martian I was just one of the crowd!