Happy Tourist on Ben Nevis

[Grisu]

It is not quite the right time to post another report of my backlog about a walk on a hot summer day. But I think it is worth if not for the report then for the pictures.

After yesterday's great experience with my first two munros I was happily looking forward to the next which was nothing less then the highest of all british mountains.
It was another lovely sunny morning but before we left Altshellach House in North Ballaculish I had a tough negotiation with today's guide. I simply couldn't stand another hot day in boots so I begged and pleaded to get permission to walk in my walking sandals. I made all kind of vows and promised to put my boots into my rucksack and to put them on if needed (although I hardly could imagine it after the briefing about the pony-track-trail the evening before). But the guide wouldn't allow. I was desperate and determined not to give up. Suddenly the guide said that he'll ask his colleague from yesterday's walk and he thought I would be okay and finally agreed. I didn't mind the extra weight in my rucksack and very relieved I got into the bus.

With about 20 people we had been a much bigger group than yesterday but we were all in a good mood when we set off from the visitor center.

Last instructions at the start

Everybody on its own pace during this part

Keep going

Above Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe we had our elevenses before we tackled the ZigZag.

Looking back to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe

It became very busy now and we had to stop many times to let the people pass.

Scenery during the ascent

Nevertheless and to the surprise of our guide we reached the top well ahead of time.

Snowy patch short before the summit.

Thanks to that we had some more time for our lunch and to cue at the busy trigpoint for some tourist-pictures

Party on Ben Nevis

Happy tourist

Everybody was quite excited about the stunning views - a 2% chance the guide said to have such good visibility - how lucky we had been!

The huge plateau with the Cullins of Skye in the distance

Fascinating crags

Impressive escarpment

Views

and more views

Proudly I figured out my first two munros of yesterday's walk.

Sgorr Dhonuill and Sgorr Dhearg

The Cullins of Rum at the end of Loch Eil and Skye to the right

The Cullins of Rum zoomed

Loch Eil towards fascinating Cullins of Rum again

Finally we gathered to go back now facing the scenery which disappeared slowy in front of us while we descended in a leisurely pace.

View over Loch Linnhe

and towards Ben More

Happy tourists heading for the Ben Nevis Inn and Bunkhouse

At one point the group splitted involuntaryly. A smaller party of us was following the guide's wife in front who took an early turn right to a path which lead to the Youth Hostel.
Below we separated. While the others were heading for a pint at the Ben Nevis Inn and Bunkhouse I ambled along the River Nevis and finally made myself comfortable on a wall waiting for the others to come down.

View from my spot on the wall

Group is coming

Of course there was some talk about my sandals and when the guide was inspecting my feet at the end of the day he acknowledged not without some astonishment that I hadn't even a scratch on my painted nails.

Happy feet

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Marvellous photos! - and some stunning long distance views.

[Marty_JG]

Some great photos from the pony path / mule march / donkey direction / tourist traipse / sloth slog / heifer haul / yeti yomp.