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Sunshine, no clouds - a perfect morning for another walk, and what else could it be than Ben Nevis, the highest, on such a sunny summer day in Octobre! We had considered to take the Carn Mor Dearg Arete route but kept the decision for later. That's why we parked at the visitor center and set off around 10:20 am to take what I have learned the pony track
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- Sunny start of the walk
It was already pretty hot on the way up, so we had several stops for a lot of sips of water
Above Loch Meall an t-Suidhe where the pony track turns right we finally decided to go over the Arete. Everything else would have been a real waste on a day like this!
First we followed the North Path until we started to descend a grassy slope to cross the Allt a' Mhuilinn, and up again the grassy slope on the other side.
- Allt a' Mhuilinn and the Arete in the background
- Glen Mor and Loch Lochy and the Lochy-Mountains
We zigzaged the steep slopes uphill until we reached a seemingly endless slog over stony ground to Càrn Beag Dearg.
- Loooong slog towards Càrn Deag Bearg
At the Cairn we took a breather and enjoyed the views. A little chat with a walker and some information about the route and time had been exchanged - Thanks for that! We made our calculation and thought that we should be able to finish the walk in daylight. Well we nearly managed.
- Happy David at the cairn of Càrn Beag Dearg
- Great visibility offered views to the mountains around Glen Shiel
- Fort William, Loch Eil and faintly Cuillins of Rum in the far distance
- and sweaty me
After the slog it was almost easy going up to the Top of Càrn Deag Meadhonach.
- Cairn of Càrn Dearg Mheadhonach
- View over the ridge of Aonach Mor and Schiehallion in the distance
And an hour later we have reached the Cairn of Càrn Mòr Dearg.
- Cairn of Càrn Mòr Dearg
- Looking back
- and me
The following walk over the Arete accompanied by the great views over the Marmores and with Ben Nevis towering from the right was very special and enjoyable. Of course, it needed care and concentration to cross the ridge but after the steep slog from the beginning it was pour pleasure.
- The Arete with great views to the Ring of Steall and part of the Grey Corries
- Looking back to Càrn Mòr Dearg
- Allt Coire Giubhsachan and the Marmores; some of the Grey Corries I guess to the left
- having fun
- What a bulky swing
- Me on the Arete
Finally we reached the cairn and the setting sun was casting the late sunrays over the Marmores.
- The flat shoulder with the cairn beneath on the final pull
But what was this now
?
- Unbelievable!
Seeing the big boulders of the final pull I suddenly felt quite dispirited. From the distance it never has looked so rough. Vainly I was looking for an exit but then I got mesmerized by the scenery behind. That brought back some energy
- looking down from the boulders
- golden Marmores
Keep going, keep going, I plodded behind my friend wondering how he managed to go over the boulders so quickly. At some time I was afraid we might loose the path, but than, out of a sudden, the ground leveled. But only after about 200 meters I realized that I really have arrived on the summit
And now it was WOW! Blue Hour on Ben Nevis!
Being late was a good advantage, only few people had been up on the summit. The amazing views kept us busy for a while admiring and marvelling, what a reward after such a great day! I really regret that I was not better equipped but these are the best pics I can offer to give an impression of the scenery.
- The old observatory
- Ben Nevis plateau and the Cuillins of Rum and Skye in the distance almost looking as if floating
- Impressions form the summit
- my favourite sight
Finally we started the descend down the pony track route.
- Look back over the almost empty summit - a rare sight
Never can get enough of the vision of the Cuillins.
- floating Cuillins
- Amazing! Cuillins of Rum and Skye at Blue Hour
- Spot on!
After the zigzag the light faded more and more, the moon came out and finally the torches and our pace slowed down.
- The moon is out
The pure walking time was about 6 hours and half but as we didn't rush and have taken some time along the Arete and at the summit we had been back at the car after almost exactly 11 hours, tired but happy and very glad about our decision. For the legends of the pictures I have tried to reconstruct what is visible and hope I made not too many mistakes, still learning
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It was a very happy day in great weather with amazing views on this superb ridge walk we both enjoyed immensely - can't help myself using these supelativs. The slogs over the boulders was quickly forgotten.
This walk is definitely worth a 10 on a scale out of ten