Ben Nevis - deep snow, clear sky and...R.A.F. Tornado !

[Petr Dakota]

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My sister with Family finally came visit us to Scotland. They came for 10 days, so during the time I wanted show them as much the Best of Scotland as possible... I prepared plans for some trips, the Weather forecast was important factor in the preparation and by the way we decided to do two really long day trips in two following days. Not sleeping away, returns back home between... The first big trip was Isle of Skye 25.3.2014 and I added some interesting places to the route. We woke up very early and started at 03:30 am from home. 1st stop The Commando Memorial in sunrise, then Loch Ness - beginning, then Eilean Donan Castle and circle around all Isle of Skye with nice walk up to the Storr. After nice long day out we returned back home around 21:30. Another day 26.3. we woke up very early again and started our way at 4:00 am for this trip: Glenfinnan and Ben Nevis. Glenfinnan is not far away from Fort William, so it's good to add the beautiful place to the route. The plan was: start very early, visit Glenfinnan first ( because of the weather forecast for better visibility later morning - noon for Ben Nevis ), then Ben Nevis and then Glencoe and Rannoch Moor - just some stops for photos on the way back...

We started our day by a wee trip to Glenfinnan before the walk up to Ben Nevis. I wanted show them the beautiful Glen and the famous Viaduct, but main reason was the weather - very cloudy in the morning, but clear sky and good visibility promised by weather forecast later morning...I wanted the timing - good visibility on Ben Nevis for them

From Glenfinnan back to Fort William...Ben Nevis looks great, but still cloudy. I hoped the forecast will be right about the improvement, I was on Ben Nevis many times before, but they came first time to Scotland and I really wanted the best views for them for unforgettable memories...

Usual view of Glen Nevis with the Sgurr a'Mhaim, Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean in the background. The sky is getting clearer slowly...

Photo together shortly after 1st half of the way up

Looking back on the path - my sister posing

Straight up ! Shortcut in snow as the usual path is a little around, too many footprints straight up there and they need warm up by the steeper ascent . Then, sure, they will not forget the trip

Looking back down...really good visibility

Short break in safe place...refreshment and catching breath

Enough ! Come on...come on !!!

The angle of the slope splits us by fit-condition after the break

Summit over the horizon, no wind, some white clouds only...

Looking back...the visibility is good, despite the clouds as they are in higher level

On the snowy plateau...Mamores and more and more behind

...and one more

My Sister's Family on Ben Nevis, well done - the youngest Girl is 11 years old...good effort from her

Really deep snow on the summit, the summit post is almost covered !

Snow...and snow...and snow...and blue sky ! I am happy that they have great views around, they deserved it after the effort

The edge with a cornice...don't try to go closer there !!!

Another cornice from respectful distance...

The Mamores with the Steall Waterfalls in the front, Buachaille Etive Mor in the background...and many more

My special place of Tribute...Peak of Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Mor & Aonach Beag behind

Some loud noise above the summit...sky focused very quickly...R.A.F. Tornado !!!

Summit photo Together...unforgettable day ! Happy and grateful...

Some adrenalin on the descent - overcoming the avalanche near the Waterfall

After Ben Nevis we visited Glencoe, Rannoch Moor and some more nice places on the road home. It was a great day out ! I hope they have some unforgettable memories from Scotland... After the trip we got home after 21:00 and after refreshment by shower, dinner and sharing our stories from the trip, we slept deeply and very well

[MunroMadMen]

Great report with some crackin pics, well done you guys

[The Rodmiester]

What a fabulous day you got, some superb photographs but still not as good as the real thing. Your family must have been impressed, you deffinately got your timing right Petr for the summit. The memories will linger on for a very long time.

[Mal Grey]

Wow, you really got a good day for it!

[Mountainlove]

Great that you managed to get your family up a Munro Some lovely pictures!!! I am sure they will remember that trip for ever .

[Petr Dakota]

Great report with some crackin pics, well done you guys

Thank you

[Petr Dakota]

What a fabulous day you got, some superb photographs but still not as good as the real thing. Your family must have been impressed, you deffinately got your timing right Petr for the summit. The memories will linger on for a very long time.

Thank you Rod Happy for the timing - reward for watching the forecast and lucky of course

[Petr Dakota]

Wow, you really got a good day for it!

thanks...really great day

[Petr Dakota]

Great that you managed to get your family up a Munro Some lovely pictures!!! I am sure they will remember that trip for ever .

Thank you I hope they will remember

[Petr Dakota]

Some more photos: