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Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC


Postby GillC » Mon May 14, 2012 4:28 pm

Route description: Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête

Munros included on this walk: Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg

Date walked: 12/05/2012

Time taken: 13 hours

Distance: 15.1 km

Ascent: 1585m

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:? EPIC!!! in more ways than one.

Ben Nevis has always been a bit of an ambition, obviously, but I didnt want to do the mountain track (theres a big push on to rename the 'tourist' track, to help dispel the myth that its a stroll in the park). Had read reports about the CMD route and thought, "thats for me".

Margaret and I took the route of booking with an official group/guide for this, mainly due to a) probable tricky weather conditions and b) the route over the Arete itself. Its worth doing if you're unsure, think we paid something like £30 a head.

We travelled up to FW on Friday,,couple of drinks in the Ben Nevis Bar in the afternoon.
DSCN1919.JPG
West End Car park,,lots of trail bikes
We then walked nearly 2 miles south to our hotel, a wonderful example of coach tour establishments but it was really good, smashing food, lovely clean room etc. Evening entertainment was a bit questionable, but hey,,theres only so much excitement the blue rinse brigade can handle :lol:

Anyway, I digress.....We had been eyeing the Nevis forecast for several days, been snowing at the top for at least the last 3-4 days, temp rising slightly to -3 ish with wind chill taking this to -16!!!!!!!! so we were prepared for this to be a non event as the guide company wont risk it if conditions are too bad. On Friday, the weather reports were moving in our favour and on waking up to a gorgeous blue sky over Loch Linnhe, couldnt believe our luck.
DSCN1923.JPG
Wonderful evening before the big day


Headed off to Torlundy in a cab to the meet up at the North Face car park, planned kick-off was for 10am. Met up with the guide and other climbers, 16 in total and 2 guides so ended up in 2 groups of 8.
DSCN1932.JPG
Kitted up and raring to go.


Due to the amount of snow, we were kitted out with crampons, ice-axe etc but it was actually very warm at sea-level so layers at this point were a bit of a gamble as you head straight up through the forest and gain height (and sweat) very quickly.
DSCN1934.JPG
Think thats sign language for 5 Finger Gully
For some reason, today was one of those where my body just didn't give me any boosts. Energy filled breakfast, psyched up but all I could muster was a plod... still,,,plodded on anyway.
DSCN1935.JPG
Views up the Nevis from the forest track
DSCN1939.JPG
The day ahead


At the top of the forest path, there is a Forestry Commission car park and a stile, (theres also a gate if youre REALLY worried about saving your legs :? ) At this point, we split off into our groups of 8 and the first party headed off. The views up to the Ben here were amazing, very rare that you get such a clear view of the whole route.
DSCN1947.JPG
View through to the main man
The views North were fab too.

The route climbs up the side of Carn Beag Dearg, at 1010mtrs, you skirt past the top but an option would have been to go to the top and just follow the ridge up to CMD. Our guide however, kept below the top and carried on past the top of Carn Dearg Meadonach and joined the top of the ridge here. We started seeing patches of snow on the ground around 650mtrs but we were still in the sun and had shelter from wind in the shape of the mighty 'Ben' so no need to layer up yet. By the time we were at about 950-1000mtrs, we were on full snow. This is a real slog,,nothing too steep but its constant and as I said earlier, I was finding it hard to draw much energy - sometimes you just have one of those days, why did it have to be today? :?
DSCN1958.JPG
Aonach Mor to the East


By now, we were in full kit, waterproof/windproof etc, cloud and mist coming in over the Ben from the West, this turned to icy snow on a few occasions and we resembled Arctic explorers for a while, ice and snow sticking to everything on our right hand side, felt like gravel hitting your face. Ouch!
DSCN1961.JPG
The long trek up to Carn Mor Dearg
DSCN1962.JPG
"wheres the loo?"


The views of Nevis remained pretty good,,the top had gone all modest on us and was hiding but it looked really dramatic and moody, towering over us in its big rocky glory.
DSCN1966.JPG
Wheres the top gone?


We reached the summit of Carn Mor Dearg around 2:15, little over 4 hrs,,,happy enough with that. Im struggling to remember if we had a food stop before or after this point, it was around here somewhere anyway, just a short break,,only managed 1 roll and half a bar of chocolate.

CMD is 1220mtrs and Im pretty certain I'd heard the guide say we passed freezing point a little below the summit.

As we headed off, we could see our other group of 8 crossing the Arete and 1 or 2 other parties of 2 slightly ahead of them.
DSCN1964.JPG
The arete,,aaaarrrrgggghhhh


Before going on to the ridge, the guide moved us into position, we had been pretty spread out coming up the main drag but time to stick together now. The weather had really closed in, snow, wind, ice, low cloud. It was all moving across us pretty quickly so views came and went. Amazing place, yet when you looked North,,,there was Fort William, nestling down under blue skies,, it was a bit like looking into a crystal ball,,another time, another place.
DSCN1955.JPG
Snow in the foreground,,and below,,,clear and bright,,lovely.


The Arete is about 1km and the vast majority is climbing and scrambling over and round rocks. Tricky in places. The rocks were slippy but I think if we hadnt had the footprints of previous climbers to follow, it would have taken a bit longer. The wind whipped up in places and just as we got to a short but very narrow/flat section, it really started gusting, so, with the guide on the other side of the 'bridge', all that was left for us was to crouch down and sit it out. The drops off to the right and left of us were all too visible. AAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH.
DSCN1969.JPG
Up, up and up


Very hard to keep an eye on the time up here, something I tend to do more when we are climbing ourselves,,with a guide,,you tend to let go of these things a bit.

After the ridge, we had a minute or two to look back and take it in before tackling what was the most frustrating half hour of my life. Steep slope, normally very rocky but pretty much covered in fairly soft snow. Getting a foot hold was hard, even other peoples steps just gave way under you so it was a bit '3 steps forward, 2 back', slow progress indeed. By now, visibility was about 30 yards then people just became pale grey shapes in the distance so we tried to make sure we all kept together,,sorry to the rest of the team as my lack of energy made me the 'coos tail' so they got a few more breaks than normal but we still made pretty good time. Then, after a long 6hrs or so, we reach the top of Ben Nevis. FANTASTIC.
DSCN1973.JPG
Couple of tired, but happy birds


The cairn on which the trig point sits is about 7 or 8' high,,but the snow here was so deep, we only had to step up about a foot from the snow. (Saw a pic in a brochure the following day showing it without snow)

Our happy wee band all shared a hug, hand shakes all round, lots of snaps taken here and at the Observatory hut,,it looked like a wee ice house.
Ben Nevis crowd.jpg
Happy bunch of Nevis baggers at the top
How cute :)
DSCN1977.JPG
Must be hobbits living up here!
DSCN1976.JPG
....and theres a hobbit going in! lol (sorry Margaret hehehe)


We had the summit to ourselves. Couldnt believe my ambition had been achieved. It had been a hard climb, conditions deteriorating with every meter for the last 2 hrs. But, we were there, comfortable and proud as wee proud things. Our co walkers had travelled from all over the UK and here we all were, at the highest point in the UK. Felt like the top of the world to me. Margarets been up before, a couple of years ago, but we were both chuffed we had managed this by what is commonly known as "the hard way" :lol:

We spent maybe 10 mins on the top then headed off towards the descent on the Mountain track. Broad expanse of snow here, cairns make the path down easy to find. It was very slippy underfoot, mainly due to compression of the snow under the feet of countless other climbers. As we curved to the left slightly,,we met some upcoming walkers who were part of a 3Peak challenge group,,must be off their heads haha.

Very shortly,,the path,,some 10' wide, was crawling with people but we heard someone radioing that they were now stopping the 3 peak challengers going any higher due to conditions at the top. Ha! done it!

The path was pretty tricky, people sliding about, easier to walk in the looser snow on the edges but this then just broadened the compressed area.

Not much in the way of pics after this point. About 20 mins off the top, I unfortunately took a bad tumble, by the sound I heard and felt from my left ankle,,I was convinced it was broken before I came back down and hit the ground. Banged my head too but my big thick hat prevented damaging anything there that might have been at risk. (some would say, no harm there then! lol )

I must apologise to the droves of walkers at this point for the very loud shriek. Thankfully, I was able to move my foot so no breaks apparent. However when back on my pins, I realised all was not well. Won't go into the 6 hrs of hell, tears, gritting of teeth etc that followed. Our guided route was due to turn East at Half Way Lochan and head back over to Allt a Mhuilinn and back to Torlundy but Margaret and I suggested after a distance that she and I continue on down the main path to Glen Nevis, the heathery bog looked impossible in the state I was in. Our guide agreed and would meet us at the Ben Nevis pub later.

Our guide eventually raised us on the phone and walked up the path to meet us, reached us around 9ish. Head torches essential shortly after this point.

By this time folks, we had been out, climbing, scrambling, hobbling and greetin for 13hrs on only a roll and some chocolate,,getting anything else out to eat just seemed like such an ordeal,,so we munched on nuts and emptied our hydration packs (a first for me, I tend to under hydrate)

It took me 6 hrs to get down, 11:15pm when we got off the hill. God Bless my wee pal Margaret for putting up with the cursing, screams, growling etc on the way down and thanks to all the other climbers who offered help, drugs, advice etc on the way. Luckier than some,,the helicopter was out to pick up a woman with a broken leg,,around the same place I came a cropper. Hope she's ok.

Hotel were great too,,late night supper brought to our room after midnight,,sat there mashing sandwiches, cold meat, crisps and coffee down our necks,,,then a wee whisky before bed before falling into a short but coma like sleep. Foot elavated on pillows and bruises changing colour by the minute.

Excrutiating pain aside, epic day,,not to be forgotten and very probably, not to be repeated. But, we did it and wouldn't have missed it for the world.

As for the pain,,severe ligament damage, iced up and elevation for a few days will hopefully do the trick. Descending around 3500ft on that, Im such a hero! :lol: :lol: :lol:

DSCN1943.JPG
In the bag!

Day after fall.JPG
Morning after my fall,,,

3 days after fall.JPG
...and 3 days later OUCH!!




.
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Last edited by GillC on Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:29 pm, edited 7 times in total.
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GillC
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby monarchming » Mon May 14, 2012 5:43 pm

Very well done Gill! Hope you get back to hills soon and get marching again! :thumbup:
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby GillC » Mon May 14, 2012 5:45 pm

Cheers, 5 Sisters pencilled in for June,,hoping alls well by then.
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby Jock McJock » Mon May 14, 2012 6:05 pm

Well done on getting yourself down through the pain Gill, an epic day indeed!! Still, a wee story to tell and it all ended well, which is never a bad thing :D Hope the 5 Sisters are just as epic but a little less painful :D
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby Banditman » Mon May 14, 2012 7:03 pm

Great report Gill. :)
I remember struggling down the bottom half of the mountain path with a sore hip and every step is a nightmare on those big stones so I've no idea how you managed it with ligament damage.... :clap: Hat's off. Hope you get to do the 5 sisters. I'm aiming for them in July. Can't wait. :)
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby jonny616 » Mon May 14, 2012 7:09 pm

Well done you. Hope the leg is better soon 8)
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby gammy leg walker » Mon May 14, 2012 7:56 pm

Now there"s a wee tail to tell the grandweans,glad you got back safe & well,saw the rescue copter you were talking about,a few of us were coming of The Ring of Steall around 8.00pm and saw it doing a few passes and we new that was not a good site a that time of day.
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby PeteR » Mon May 14, 2012 9:33 pm

An epic indead :shock: Glad you made it down safe and sound in the end :D Other than the fall it looks like you had a great day. I hope the ankle recovers soon enough.

I'm taking part in the Maggies Nevis Night Hike this weekend coming, so seeing the conditions you had on the summit is interesting. My fellow "walkers" aren't as mad for this hillwalking lark as me, so perhaps I won't show them your report..........but then again............ :lol:
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby GillC » Mon May 14, 2012 9:42 pm

Thanks PeteR,

Im sure you are well organised for your night hike,,dont be giving the Mountain Rescue Teams any more work eh! Show your mates the report,,,if a wimpy burd from Weegie land can go through the pain I did, and believe me,,this was roaring pain (and ive been told off by the girl i was with for playing it down in the report) then they can breeze it. (just dont fall over :lol: ) Best of luck with your walk,,enjoy the experience. GillC
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby mgmt! » Mon May 14, 2012 11:12 pm

well done gillc. it s a great feeling to finally achieve your goal, its a pity your little slip soured the day. :D
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby coreen connell » Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:00 pm

Well done GillC! hoping to do the big one in a few weeks. Managed to do the Five Sisters last week - had a great walk & the weather was good too. ENJOY :D
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby BobMcBob » Fri Jun 15, 2012 10:23 pm

Well done! I did this route on a hot summer's day and it was a tough day. By the time I got to the bottom (10 hours I think) my feet and legs were killing me, so for doing it in the snow and then getting down in that much pain I salute you. :clap:
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby GillC » Sat Jun 16, 2012 9:55 pm

Thanks guys,, best of luck next week Coreen,,,wish the 5 Sisters had happened for us but was just way too soon. Bob,,saw pics of the climb up from the arete to Nevis,,would have been MUCH easier without the snow,,lol still,,the challenges added to the day,,memories are made of days like that. Fab,,, :clap:
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Re: Ben Nevis/CMD - EPIC

Postby GillC » Mon Dec 11, 2023 3:25 pm

I just revisited this report after a reminder about snow conditions on Nevis,,, re reading my last line,

"As for the pain,,severe ligament damage, iced up and elevation for a few days will hopefully do the trick. Descending around 3500ft on that, Im such a hero! :lol: :lol: :lol:"

Remembering how those "few days" turned in to crutches for about 6 weeks, many months where standing on as much as a matchstick was excrutiating and it took about a year for the swelling to reduce back to normal lol :shock:
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