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Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year completed

Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year completed


Postby Petr Dakota » Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:11 pm

Route description: Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête

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

Date walked: 22/04/2015

Time taken: 8.28 hours

Distance: 20.92 km

Ascent: 1599m

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This story began at the end of august 2010 when I climbed Ben Nevis first time. It was really great big day in the mountains with my son, my step-sister and her boyfriend. I remember that the weather was changing very slowly during the day: light rain and mist in the morning, then getting better around noon and we started the climb around 13:00 afternoon ( really unusual late start time for me ) :lol: wlking up we met a lot of people on their way down and they told ust that there is very cold, windy and no visibility...some of them were returning back from the half way only. We did not know what we can expect there, but we decided to continue as high as possible and then depend on the situation and weather condition we will see :roll: :? :) Fortunately the weather made a big change, clouds disappeared and we enjoyed sunshine, clear sky and beautiful views. I was really impressed by the views around and by the mighty mountain - Ben Nevis. I fell in love with the mountain and I guessed that I will come back again. My next visit of Ben Nevis was on november the same year in snowy condition, but with clear beautiful views again. I felt that definitely I would return to Ben Nevis more times again 8) :wink: Since the time I climbed the great mountain in different conditions and some day later I decided to make it like my personal challenge - collection: to conquer Ben Nevis every month in a year. Some months I had done more times already so I focused to the rest of the months. 8) 8) This report is created after the last remaining month April, which I completed on wednesday 22.4.2015. It was my day off work, weather perfect for this time of year and also the day was special for me because my grandson had 4th birthday...great time to complete my special mission :) 8) Because of the great weather forecast and all the reasons I wrote before, I decided to climb Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and then the CMD arete as I expected beautiful view, especialy in this time when the mountains are covered by snow yet and I really love the combination of rock, snow and blue sky :D 8) Always before I started from Glen Nevis - Benn Nevis Inn carpark or from the visitor centre, including my one previous climb via CMD arete in summer 2014. For this special trip I wanted try different way and I chose the North Face carpark as my start point. I woke up very early, started my journey at 3:30 as I guessed that there will be some stops to make photos of my favorite places in the beautiful Highland on the way :lol: 8) :lol:
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Rannoch Moor in the sunrise
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Loch Leven and the Pap of Glencoe at the sunrise
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Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis from the road...looks still misty early morning
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The North Face car park
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View from the path between car park and the mountains ( looking back )
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Both mountains behind the forest...

Following the path I got to the junction with a sign to North Face on the left and Ben Nevis to the right, it was really bad decision to follow the sign on the left...confusion by the sign-plates, after some distance the path disappeared in the forest and diverted more to the north than I expected...I thought there would be connection to the Nevis Range later probably so I did not trust the way any more and decided to use shortcut through the forest instead to return back to the junction :crazy: :?
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The "shortcut" throught this jungle - forest, made me serious delay
:o :roll: The walk in the forest was more and more difficult as the forest was more and more heavy - inaccessible :shock: :? :o :lol: Too late to return, determined to overcome it 8) Good experience for next...but asked myself why I trusted the confusing sign on the junction... :wink: :lol:
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Finally out of the forest "shortcut"
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Towards Fort William...the forest delay made my steps up to hills faster - good motivation to cut the lost time and another reason why remember this special day forever
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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First top ahead - Carn Beag Dearg
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Towards to Fort William from higher level
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First sign of Ben Nevis over the valley
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Some melting cornice on Carn Dearg Meadhonach. Aonach Mor in the background
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Carn Dearg Meadhonach, part of rocky Ben Nevis on the right
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Carn Dearg Meadhonach and the Aonach Beag behind...
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Towards West: Fort William, Corpach and Loch Eil
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Ben Nevis
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Carn Mor Dearg finally, the CMD arete connection visible behind...
8)
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The C.M.D. and Aonach Beag behind
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Looking back
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the summit of C.M.D. ( Carn Mor Dearg )
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Posing on the C.M.D. summit, Ben Nevis in the background
8) :D
On the C.M.D. summit I met one walker from Switzerland and shortly after also one Scottish walker. We made photos each other there and then also one photo together ( in the continuous photostory - posted below this report )... :D 8) :wink:
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Petr Dakota » Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:25 pm

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C.M.D. summit, international meeting - photo together. From the left to the right: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Scotland
8) :D 8)
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The C.M.D. arete
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Aonach Beag from the arete
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Nice ridge walk with some scramble
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Ben Nevis oposite...there we go !
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Mamores and the Ring of Steall
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Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Beag and Binnein Mor in the background
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Last edited by Petr Dakota on Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Petr Dakota » Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:36 pm

The Monthly Collection: :D 8) :wink:
24.1.2014.jpg
JANUARY 24.1.2014
17.2.2015.JPG
FEBRUARY 17.2.2015
26.3.2014.jpg
MARCH 26.3.2014
22.4.2015.JPG
APRIL 22.4.2015
12.5.2013.JPG
MAY 12.5.2013
24.6.2014.JPG
JUNE 24.6.2014
26.7.2014.JPG
JULY 26.7.2014
29.8.2010.jpg
AUGUST 29.8.2010
29.9.2013.JPG
SEPTEMBER 29.9.2013
20.10.2012.jpg
OCTOBER 20.10.2012
17.11.2012.jpg
NOVEMBER 17.11.2012
7.12.2014.jpg
DECEMBER 7.12.2014

Ben Nevis done every month in a Year now - 16× meantime.......

Mission Completed...but it does not mean that I will not continue to climb Ben Nevis again...and again...and again... :D :wink: :lol:
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Sun Apr 26, 2015 4:52 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Petr Dakota
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Posts: 1274
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Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby edinburgh36 » Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:32 pm

Brilliant pics & report! I hope to do the arete at the end of May... hope to get weather like that!
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Apr 26, 2015 7:22 am

Well done Petr, mission accomplished :clap: :clap: :clap: :D But no doubt you will be up there again :lol: Some wonderful photographs and a superb photographic record for yourself. :)
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Bruno » Sun Apr 26, 2015 12:27 pm

Wonderful set of pictures - congrats on your achievement, Petr! :clap:
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby NevJB » Sun Apr 26, 2015 5:50 pm

Wonderful pictures - days as clear as that are few and far between - I am green with envy.
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Andy74G » Sun Apr 26, 2015 9:16 pm

well done :clap: 16x wow.. I hope to walk up it for the 1st time this year :D .......
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Happyfeet » Mon Apr 27, 2015 6:06 am

:clap: :clap: :clap:
YEEEAAAHHH PETR!!
Well done Mountain Spirit :D
Love the monthly pics, all but one in the red jacket!
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Petr Dakota » Mon Apr 27, 2015 5:59 pm

Thank you for all the comments :) i appreciate and I am glad that you like the photos...it was really great day and also good feeling that the collection is completed 8) Good experience and comparability of all the seasons -individual months in a year :D It's nice to see the same place in a different condition always :D 8)
Anyway, the weather is most important...as sometime in the cold season - winter, late autumn or early spring can be better day out there even in freezy, snowy condition if sunshine, no wind...than some days in warm season at summer if rain and wind :roll: :lol: :wink:
I wish to all of you great time always in the mountains and many safe returns with a good unforgettable memories :) 8) :D
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Petr Dakota » Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:07 pm

...and here is the culprit: :lol: :roll: :lol:
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Dont follow the sign plate: North Face on left, use Ben Nevis path on right and then turn left to ascent of Carn Mor Dearg
8) :wink: :)
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Petr Dakota
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Posts: 1274
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Silver bullet » Wed May 06, 2015 12:31 pm

Smashing pictures ; well done i know how much you wanted this :clap: .
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby skuk007 » Thu May 07, 2015 4:07 pm

Great report Petr, I do like a target to reach for - well done on completing this unusual one.
Now for the In Pin every month :wink:
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby rockhopper » Thu May 07, 2015 11:26 pm

Interesting idea - you've certainly stuck to your go through some difficult conditions. :thumbup: have to admit that I've only ever walked Ben Nevis once and wasn't convinced I'd want to go back - far too busy for me :shock: - cheers :)
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Re: Ben Nevis via CMD - Mission each month in a year complet

Postby Petr Dakota » Sat May 09, 2015 6:39 pm

Silver bullet wrote:Smashing pictures ; well done i know how much you wanted this :clap: .

Thanks mate :) I see you did Lochnagar after the 6 in Glenshee...well done :clap:
skuk007 wrote:Great report Petr, I do like a target to reach for - well done on completing this unusual one.
Now for the In Pin every month :wink:

Thanks :) and also for the tip :wink: :lol:
rockhopper wrote:Interesting idea - you've certainly stuck to your go through some difficult conditions. :thumbup: have to admit that I've only ever walked Ben Nevis once and wasn't convinced I'd want to go back - far too busy for me :shock: - cheers :)

Thanks :) ...and never say never :wink: :D
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Petr Dakota
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Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

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