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Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis


Postby Sunset tripper » Fri Jul 31, 2020 1:24 am

Route description: Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête

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

Date walked: 24/07/2020

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 20 km

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Friday the 24th of July 2020 was the day of my 25th time on Ben Nevis summit and a good way to mark the milestone, Ledge Route combined with a descent via Carn Mor Dearg.

The route - 20km approx.

New_Route (20).gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



An early start from Inverness saw me arrive at a very nearly full North Face car park at 7.15 AM, and off up the great path through the forest soon after.
Looking back from a break in the forest
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I was hoping for some clear weather, the forecast had predicted no wind and little or no rain, fingers crossed. Coming out of the forest the clouds were rolling in from all directions into the North face and it wasn't looking too promising.
Cloudy North Face
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Its a fine walk up the path to the CIC hut where I had a drink from the water point and set off into the corrie. It was thick clag but I didn't really care - I feel at home here :D
After a steep initial climb I was through the clouds in one of the most fantastic settings in the land.
Climber on the "original" Ledge Route :shock:
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The path snaking above the clouds
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You are walking above and below titanic walls up here and the vistas keep getting better and better.
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I topped out from the ridge and walked round to the munro top Carn Dearg. From here it is easy to link up with the tourist path and head back down to the car park, but it wasn't even 11 o clock yet and it was turning out to be a beautiful morning.

View from Carn Dearg
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From this point it takes around half an hour to reach the hustle and bustle of Ben Nevis summit. A short stroll south from the summit takes you away from the crowds to the old wooden water trough that served the observatory over a hundred years ago.
Wraggs Well, Steall Falls and the Mamores
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Now all that is left is the descent via the CMD arete and Carn Mor Dearg.
The wonderful CMD arete
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.......and the aptly named big red hill
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.....and back down to civilisation or Fort William as it is otherwise known :D
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Another great day and probably the finest "walking" route on the ben and one of the best in Scotland :D :D :D
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby malky_c » Fri Jul 31, 2020 10:23 am

Have to agree - this is my favourite way to do Ben Nevis :D . Not been in a while though.

Great day on Friday - was on Ben Alligin.
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby jmarkb » Fri Jul 31, 2020 11:04 am

Some lovely shots there: you had a great day for it! I think you made a good choice in avoiding the original start to Ledge Route - I will do the same next time. There is a lot of loose stuff and it is best left for winter.
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby Sunset tripper » Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:36 am

malky_c wrote:Have to agree - this is my favourite way to do Ben Nevis :D . Not been in a while though.

Great day on Friday - was on Ben Alligin.


Aye, conditions were fantastic, it looked great everywhere from up high on the ben. :D
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby Sunset tripper » Mon Aug 03, 2020 4:10 pm

jmarkb wrote:Some lovely shots there: you had a great day for it! I think you made a good choice in avoiding the original start to Ledge Route - I will do the same next time. There is a lot of loose stuff and it is best left for winter.

Cheers jmarkb. There is another ledge route variation that avoids No. 5 gully which I think takes you up just before the wet slab but I haven't done it and can't seem to find the info I had on it. I have tried the original start once but didn't enjoy it. I felt like I didn't have enough grip. It felt like more than a grade 1 scramble to me.

It was a cracking day indeed, one of my best on the ben :D
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby litljortindan » Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:11 pm

Awesome photos!
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby Sunset tripper » Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:32 am

litljortindan wrote:Awesome photos!


Cheers, It's great just to be back out and about. :D
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby Grisu » Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:18 pm

Really nice pictures!!! enjoyed your
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Re: Ledge Route - a Quarter Century on Ben Nevis

Postby Grisu » Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:18 pm

Really nice pictures!!! enjoyed your report, thanks!
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