The Ben & Co.

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Our route takes in Ben Nevis and its three neighbours on the north side of Glen Nevis. We travelled up on Friday night which was a last minute decision after hearing the forecast for the Sat. Sunshine, warm with little wind would provide an excellent opportunity to get around the big tops before the Autumn mixed weather sets in.

We had a comfortable but cool night in the tent at the upper car park. Up at 05.15am and away by 06.00am, with the lower temperatures keeping the midges under control. The sky was high but not as clear as expected. Our ascent starts from the back of the car and heads north for The Ben....... no long walk in with this route. The path creeps up the right hand side of the waterfall at the back of the car park and very quickly views open up of the Nevis gorge and the Mamores.

Steall Waterfall & The Mamores

After a steep climb we reached the ridge with the Carn Mor Dearg Arete still clear but the cloud quickly lower and restricted views for the next two summits.

Carn Mor Dearg Arete

The Ben summit

Carn Mor Dearg Arete Traverse

It wasn't until we dropped off Carn Mor Dearg to the col heading towards the Aonachs did the sky start to rise and break.

View west to The Ben & Carn Mor Dearg

Tops eventually clear on the Aonachs with stunning views all around, particularly east along the Grey Corries.

Aonach Mor

Aonach Beag

View east from Aonach Beag

The route from Aonach Beag heads south west from the cairn towards the steall ruin and the gradual angled shoulder of Sgurr a' Bhuic presents a super path to drop into Glen Nevis.

Shoulder of Sgurr a' Bhuic

View west from Sgurr a' Bhuic

The day was now as promised with high temperatures and a glorious day. The path back to the car park was busy with a steady stream of tourists heading up to the Steall waterfall..... great that the visitors had conditions to make the effort worth it.

Steall Waterfall

A cracking day..... If you fancy quick journey around the route take a look at the movie of our day.