Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:24 amFriday the 24th of July 2020 was the day of my 25th time on Ben Nevis summit and a good way to mark the milestone, Ledge Route combined with a descent via Carn Mor Dearg.
The route - 20km approx.
An early start from Inverness saw me arrive at a very nearly full North Face car park at 7.15 AM, and off up the great path through the forest soon after.
Looking back from a break in the forest
I was hoping for some clear weather, the forecast had predicted no wind and little or no rain, fingers crossed. Coming out of the forest the clouds were rolling in from all directions into the North face and it wasn't looking too promising.
Cloudy North Face
Its a fine walk up the path to the CIC hut where I had a drink from the water point and set off into the corrie. It was thick clag but I didn't really care - I feel at home here
After a steep initial climb I was through the clouds in one of the most fantastic settings in the land.
Climber on the "original" Ledge Route
The path snaking above the clouds
You are walking above and below titanic walls up here and the vistas keep getting better and better.
I topped out from the ridge and walked round to the munro top Carn Dearg. From here it is easy to link up with the tourist path and head back down to the car park, but it wasn't even 11 o clock yet and it was turning out to be a beautiful morning.
View from Carn Dearg
From this point it takes around half an hour to reach the hustle and bustle of Ben Nevis summit. A short stroll south from the summit takes you away from the crowds to the old wooden water trough that served the observatory over a hundred years ago.
Wraggs Well, Steall Falls and the Mamores
Now all that is left is the descent via the CMD arete and Carn Mor Dearg.
The wonderful CMD arete
.......and the aptly named big red hill
.....and back down to civilisation or Fort William as it is otherwise known
Another great day and probably the finest "walking" route on the ben and one of the best in Scotland
The route - 20km approx.
An early start from Inverness saw me arrive at a very nearly full North Face car park at 7.15 AM, and off up the great path through the forest soon after.
Looking back from a break in the forest
I was hoping for some clear weather, the forecast had predicted no wind and little or no rain, fingers crossed. Coming out of the forest the clouds were rolling in from all directions into the North face and it wasn't looking too promising.
Cloudy North Face
Its a fine walk up the path to the CIC hut where I had a drink from the water point and set off into the corrie. It was thick clag but I didn't really care - I feel at home here
After a steep initial climb I was through the clouds in one of the most fantastic settings in the land.
Climber on the "original" Ledge Route
The path snaking above the clouds
You are walking above and below titanic walls up here and the vistas keep getting better and better.
I topped out from the ridge and walked round to the munro top Carn Dearg. From here it is easy to link up with the tourist path and head back down to the car park, but it wasn't even 11 o clock yet and it was turning out to be a beautiful morning.
View from Carn Dearg
From this point it takes around half an hour to reach the hustle and bustle of Ben Nevis summit. A short stroll south from the summit takes you away from the crowds to the old wooden water trough that served the observatory over a hundred years ago.
Wraggs Well, Steall Falls and the Mamores
Now all that is left is the descent via the CMD arete and Carn Mor Dearg.
The wonderful CMD arete
.......and the aptly named big red hill
.....and back down to civilisation or Fort William as it is otherwise known
Another great day and probably the finest "walking" route on the ben and one of the best in Scotland