by eddygee » Tue Jul 29, 2014 1:31 pm
Munros included on this walk: Ben Nevis
Date walked: 26/07/2014
Time taken: 7.5 hours
Distance: 17 km
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Last saturday 26th July 2014, I attempted to reach the top of ben nevis and busk for a few hours to raise funds and awareness for ayrshire hospice. after a long hard slog, a voice demoralising busking session that attracted people from all over the world and a descent that poured from the heavens and a mist where you could barely see 6 feet in front of you, I did it. I contacted Guiness records but they said the event was in teir words "too specialised". so, i have declared this as a new personal 'specialised' world record of my own as the highest busk ever, so far. thanks for all your support. and donations.
the day started at 6am from Glen nevis Tourist car park (£3 for the day, not bad but you have to be there early). I started the walk with a full rucksack with water and dry gear etc plus my guitar. felt like a mule. water was vital as the first took a wee while to get into due to the steep track. that time of the morning there is peace but I noticed as the day went on the path was very busy with all types of levels having a go. some form of fitness should be essential, I regard myself as a healthy 60 year old and found that halfway the tops of my thighs were suffering and a blister forming on my heel (which I repaired). making necessary stops certainly helped and taking in the views was breathtaking. one irritating thing was people conatantly asking how far we had to go and time. the paths o the top, are fairly steep but constant and their appeared to be no respite (flat ground, apart from a bridge). the paths zig zagged a lot and it certainly was not a straight walk on fairly rough torrain. I was told that it was an easy path, but, i think it was the zig zagging and length of time that saps your energy. getting near the summit, I had to walk over a huge snow patch and the progress to the top.
the top was a surprise as I felt I had landed on the moon. it was all rough boulders hardly any flat surfaces, but the views were stunning. I stood by the observatory for shelter to busk with my guitar and the reception from the people was excellent. people from all over the world enjoying the music. after 2 hours on the top busking (i was thankful for those dry clothes and jackets as cooling down from the ascent could have caused cramps.
we saw a massive cloud appear and spits of rain so we started to pack up and head down but the weather really changed dramatically, pouring down and visability poor. you relied on hearing voices at times to check whether yo were on the right path. keep with a group if possible. the hike down was treacherous due to the rain making the path slippy and your clothes, ruck sack etc slowly getting wet adding to the difficulty. the last hour was the worst for me as I felt my emergy and pain levels on my legs making me almost give up. but do stop when you need it, take stock and get going again. water is essential.
after reaching the bottom, the feeling of achievement was great. to look back and see where you were a few hours before was teriffic. not an easy climb due to the time, I took around 7 half hours plus 2 hour up top singing. its not what you think. be prepared.
- Attachments
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- busking below the observatory