Ben Nevis via CMD

[JimboJim]

Plans were made for another meet-up with Steve, but alas, last minute family duties scuppered his plans and left me at Tyndrum, contemplating what to do? An hour's drive back home, do nearby walk, or press on and see if I could manage to tackle this challenging hike solo? Blood thirsty midges soon persuaded me back into the car and a further few minutes of contemplating made me decide on the "come this far, so might as well carry on," option

Gratuitous early morning shot of the Buachaille about to erupt :)

Ben Nevis begins to emerge.

A backward look at Loch Eil.

Chose to do it, as per route on WH's, i.e., from the North Face Car Park. Wasn't too sure about some of the path taken up through trees, but eventually popped out, with Ben Nevis lying ahead, so must have done it right. Fair trek up towards Carn Dearg Meadhonach, but plenty of excuses to stop and enjoy the views over to Loch Eil, or Ben Nevis. Passed a few folk and caught up with three dutch lads, just as we got to the ridge, so tagged along with them parts of of way to Carn Mor Dearg and then the arete.

Carn Dearg Meadhonach and my three Dutch pals for the day.

NE Buttress, Tower Ridge, from Carn Dearg Meadhonach.

Out to the Ring of Steall, beyond the arete.

Looking back to Carn Dearg Meadhonach. Time for a wee bit refreshment, before moving onto the ridge.

The views from CMD were just superb and I felt happy enough to try the arete and see how it went. A guy had taken the by-pass to the left, but in all honesty, the ridge wasn't too troubling at this point, just requiring a bit of caution and hands on, here and there. There was the occasional bit mind you, which made you think, what if .....

CMD summit. Looks steep up to BN!

Off we go! One can see a walker taking the by-pass route to the left.

Looking back to Carn Mor Dearg.

Dutch lads on the arete.

Anyway, conditions were good, so no worries, as we got round to the cairn, where we stopped for a wee drink and contemplate the steep hike, up the boulders. Nearly took a nasty fall here, as I lost my balance at one point, stumbling forward, one step, after the other becoming more horizontal, from one boulder to the other. Quite how I got my balance and didn't fall onto a sharp boulder, or put my leg, down a hole, I don't know. Scary Concentrate!

The by-pass man, has now opted for the arete :)

A low flyer coming through Glen Nevis, past the Falls of Steall. Not sure on my plane identification, but am going for a Hercules?

Anyway, no further mishaps, as I emerged onto the summit of the Ben. Wow, what a crowd! Wow, looks a bit like a building site Didn't really fancy the palaver of trying to get a shot on the summit 'cairn,' so quickly said my goodbye's to the Dutch guys, who had been nice company and some reassurance on the arete and thankfully, never saw my embarrrasinng stumble

Made it.

Well timed!

Busy summit, or perhaps not?

Looking back, over to Carn Dearg Meadhonach.

Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Mor.

It was a bit better walk off the summit, viewing some of the steep gully's and even having a patch of snow to negotiate. Downside was having to give way to other walkers heading up and down. Why did they all come the same day as me? Wonder what it must be like on a Saturday? Anyway, fair play to everybody who makes it up and down.

Back up to the summit.

Heading down. Loch Eil, away in the distance.

Out to Caol, Corpach.

After much zigs and zags, the path finally splits at the lochan and i was happy to leave the crowd behind as I made my way to the far end of the loch. From here it is onto open hill, though there's a fair semblance of path by some of the burns, as one makes back for the style at the forest. Fortunately, crossing the Allt a'Mhuillin, wasn't too difficult, but would be in spate.

Back on the path, didn't take too long to make my way back to the car. Well chuffed with having made it round the arete and in not much more than 6 and a half hours, too

[JimboJim]

Time for another hike, with Big Jasper. Conditions looked decent for Ben Nevis and though I'd done the arete before, I never gave it a second thought, when Jaf suggested going round again. As before, went in from Torlundy and found paths up/down slightly confusing. Passed a few other guys once out the forest. Couple were heading for Tower Ridge. Perhaps this distracted us, as we missed the initial track up Carn Beag Dearg. Ooops Soon became obvious that we were too far in, but a somewhat steep, but shortish ascent northwards, soon got us back on track.

Panorama of North Face and arête.

Carn Dearg Meadhonach.

Jaf, moving in on CMD.

The only climbers we spotted, heading for Tower Ridge.

Looking down on the CIC Hut.

It is quite a grind, taking us just under the three hours to the summit of CMD, but that gives one the sheer delight of checking out the cliffs of the North Face and the arête, as it gradually emerges. Spoke to a Welsh geezer in his mid 70's, near the top and spied him going round ridge, as we progressed. Well done Taff Was a bit cold and breezy for a while, but never really troubled us, aside from making sure of footing as we went round.

Cairn near foot of the boulderfield.

Pano, Aonach Beag, Mamores and many mores :)

Big Jasper on the ridge, NE Buttress behind.

Looking back round the arête, to CMD - and Taff, a wee speck on one of the points :)

The arête and Ring of Steall and many others behind.

Ben Nevis.

At the cairn, the wind dropped and it became quite pleasant as we made it onto the boulderfield, however the snow and boulders, were less fun Took us 4hrs and 20, to the summit of Ben Nevis. There were about a dozen, or so folk about initially, though this number was growing, every few minutes. Quickly jumped on the cairn, to make sure I got a photo there this time without queueing

Sgurr a'Mhaim, Glencoe and a host of hills beyond.

Stob Ban, centre. Cruachan way in the background.

Me & my buddy, Big Jesper.

Toward summit. Carn Mor Dearg and Aonach Mor behind.

As near the edge as I dare.

Towards Loch Linnhe and Mull.

Some summit architecture.

Him again.

Had as close a look into Gardlyloo Gully as we dared, then made for the long trek down, passing plenty others on their way up. Feet were beginning to nip by time we were down by Lochan Meall an t'Suidhe, but by now BigJesper was in full stride, making up time for our wee diversion and loads of photo's, getting back to the car just over the 6 and a half hour mark, to complete another cracking day out!

Nice view of Coire Leis and the arête, as we head out.

Looking down towards Lochan Meall an t'Suidheg.

View towards Corpach.

Cornicing around Gardyloo Gully.

Summit, Ben Nevis. Now grown to 1345m :)

Another look back to the top.

[Coop]

Both reports fantastic.
What date did you go up lately- my mates planning on going up and doesn't really believe me when I tell him there's still some snow pockets around.
Cheers

[JimboJim]

Both reports fantastic.
What date did you go up lately- my mates planning on going up and doesn't really believe me when I tell him there's still some snow pockets around.
Cheers

Thank you, Coop. The most recent trip, was on the third of this month, May. The snow started at the foot of the boulderfield. Obviously, nothing to cause concern now, but made for good scenery

Jimmy

[Mal Grey]

Great views, the North Face is a spectacular place.

My memory of the climb to CMD is of an interminable 4000ft long grassy slope.

[JimboJim]

Great views, the North Face is a spectacular place.

My memory of the climb to CMD is of an interminable 4000ft long grassy slope.

Yep, am ready for another lap, anytime
Think I must have followed your route, as it was also a 4000ft long, grassy slope
But, fun!

[jacob]

Impressive set of photos there JJ.

[JimboJim]

Impressive set of photos there JJ.

Thank you, Jacob. Give anyone a half decent camera, stick them up there on a half decent day, keep clicking and voila! At least, that's how I do it

[Big Jesper]

Another fantastic day on the hills Jimbo anda great set of pictures.