Mal Grey wrote:I don't know what's happened with the snow this week, but just last weekend Ben Nevis was in full winter condition. No place for a novice if it still is, and you will need winter equipment (ice axe/crampons) and the skills to use them.
In summer conditions, the only difficulty is navigation if the weather clags in. The summit plateau can be a confusing place and you need to be able to follow a bearing confidently.
So, sort of depends on conditions really, but the summit plateau is a notorious place for navigational errors leading to people falling on steep ground.
Sorry to sound negative, but this winter is hanging on so it might be worth putting it off a few weeks, or doing something a little lower where there is less snow likely?
Totally agree with the above. My brother is part of the RAF Rescue team and he's been to 3 jobs in the past 2 weeks recovering dead bodies from Nevis and Oss.
Yes, I'd say Nevis is very reasonable target for a novice even if fairly unfit. I personally walked Ben Nevis at a bad time for me, I was 20 stone in weight and the weather was totally blazing. It's a hard slog, remember you are walking from sea level to the top of the highest peak in the UK...people will always try to belittle you for doing the pony path but if you get into hill walking you can always do an alternative route in the future.
People always tell you to prepare for bad weather conditions but you need to prepare properly for really good conditions as well, plenty of water a sun hat, shades and screen etc.
Good luck with your walk whenever you get around to it.