Arctic test of endurance - Ben Nevis, gales in december

[Petr Dakota]

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Weather Forecast for the day - sunday 7th of December 2014:
"Sunday will be very cold and windy. Snow and hail frequently and occasionally thunder as squally showers come in frequently. Gales on higher slopes. Cloud base will vary very quickly, but views of the summit will be few. Due to wind chill, it will feel as cold as minus 24 Celsius on the summit."

A good opportunity for test of endurance, as I love challenges

Here is the photo-story:

Usual view on the bottom of Glen Nevis: light rain showers, snow on top of the mountains only, good visibility...light wind

Getting wet slowly, but prepared for it...determined !

Darker clouds are coming...

The Waterfall on half way, no much snow in this level, but looking up, I guess there is a different world...

Looking back down

...and looking up

walking up in the hail - attacking my face strongly & frequently, feeling the sharpness deeply. continue without an protection not possible...my mask was very useful & helpful

The white kingdom: it can be heaven and it can be hell

Armoured...Let's go !

1st cairn

Almost there...near the cliff ( I am not goint there so close when climbing Ben Nevis in whiteout...using GPS and keeping my steps far away - around to get the summit safely )

The sign of the summit - all together...no much snow in this time yet ( beginning of december ), I remember snow there in the same level with top of the post, but usually between end of january and may...

another view - all of them in the line

Summit selfie...nobody else there, not even on the path, but not surprised

Self-timer - my secret important place behind the summit

The gale is changing me, can't stay in one place without moving if I want avoid to become a frozen sculpture

the visibility there...and one almost sculpture

Walking down...frozen !

A sign of better visibility at lower level...finally !

...better and better

Peaceful feelings...

Enjoying the change

view from the descend: Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean oposite

Back near the car park - Ben Nevis Inn...wet, wet, wet

[The Rodmiester]

Balaclava and Goggles required there I think!

[AnnieMacD]

Wow, that looks cold. Good job keeping with it!

[Petr Dakota]

Balaclava and Goggles required there I think!

Exactly ! can't imagine without

[Petr Dakota]

Wow, that looks cold. Good job keeping with it!

Thank you it was cold, but another great experience. My last report from Creag Meagaidh ( today ) looks much warmer despite all the snow and ice there...

[Petr Dakota]

...a refreshing photo for the summer: no sweat, no boggy wetness and no any midges...that's the advantage of winter walks !!! View towards East from the very end of the summit plateau, you can imagine the C.M.D. and Aonachs behind

[Petr Dakota]

Printed from this trip: