#100 and the CMD arete
Route: Ben Nevis by the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête
Munros: Ben Nevis, Càrn Mòr Dearg
Date walked: 21/10/2016
Time taken: 9.25 hours
Distance: 15.5km
Ascent: 1539m
I'd been hoping to do something spectacular for my 100th hill and, luckily, it seemed there would be reasonable enough weather over the CMD arete to attempt it. Dropped off at the North Face car park we set off at 0719 and headed up the track. The signposting here is a bit confusing - follow the signs for the CIC hut, not the "North Face Trail", no idea where that goes but it isn't up the hill.
After crossing a large stile it's a short distance up the well made path till a boggy line can be see baring off to the left and up the slopes of Carn Mor Dearg.
Looking back: boggy line just about visible
There's no real path here and the route is sufficiently well used that the vegetation has been tramped flat to a width of about 15 feet in places. It doesn't last long though; as the slope steepens, the grass gives way to rock and a path of sorts is reestablished. From here it a prolonged but simple slog up to the crest of the ridge with views of the north face improving as you climb.
Aonach Mor
#100
The Arete itself is not particularly exposed, nor is there any real scrambling involved. If you stick to the very crest for the length of it, you will come to narrow sections that you wouldn't want to fall off but these can all be bypassed.
Although there's no scrambling, it is slow going: the crest is jagged and comprised of large boulders which have to be picked over and around to make progress - you won't be strolling along with your hands in your pockets:
I could never figure out the scale of the rocks when looking at photos of the arete. If you look closely,you can make out a man in red in front of us in this picture
By the time you reach the pillar where the arete joins the broad southern slopes of the Ben (oddly not marked on any map I've seen) you've already done half the ascent from the lowest point of the arete - there's about 500' left up a steep slope over large boulders. Then, suddenly, you're on the summit plateau.
Look at her feet...
Then it's just a question of following the touri... the Mountain path back down to the Achintee Inn.
Well earned
Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Comments: 3
Ben Lawers 7 from the North
Munros: An Stùc, Beinn Ghlas, Ben Lawers, Meall a' Choire Lèith, Meall Corranaich, Meall Garbh (Ben Lawers), Meall GreighDate walked: 01/10/2016
Distance: 27km
Ascent: 2100m
Comments: 3
Views: 4767
Sunrise on Mount Keen
Munros: Mount KeenDate walked: 13/08/2016
Views: 2130
The wee Buachaille for valentine's day
Munros: Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag), Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag)Date walked: 14/02/2016
Views: 1943
The Redeemer - Drumochter reminder that it's all worth while
Munros: A' Mharconaich, Beinn Udlamain, Geal-chàrn (Drumochter), Sgàirneach MhòrDate walked: 22/11/2015
Distance: 23km
Ascent: 1100m
Comments: 1
Views: 2445
Morning Mist to Blazing Sunshine on Ben Cruachan 4
Munros: Beinn a' Chochuill, Beinn Eunaich, Ben Cruachan, Stob DaimhDate walked: 17/10/2015
Distance: 26km
Ascent: 2000m
Comments: 4
Views: 6162
Loch an Daimh curcuit
Munros: Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon), Stùcd an LochainCorbetts: Sron a' Choire Chnapanich
Date walked: 29/08/2015
Distance: 21km
Views: 2596
Ring of Steall and Friends
Munros: Am Bodach, An Gearanach, Mullach nan Coirean, Sgùrr a' Mhàim, Stob Bàn (Mamores), Stob Coire a' ChàirnDate walked: 23/08/2014
Distance: 22.4km
Ascent: 2201m
Comments: 8
Views: 7124
Afternoon quickie on the summer solstice
Munros: Beinn ChabhairDate walked: 21/06/2014
Comments: 1
Views: 2428
Unfinished Business in Glen Falloch
Munros: An Caisteal, Beinn a' Chròin, Beinn Tulaichean, Cruach ÀrdrainDate walked: 26/05/2014
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 1599m
Comments: 1
Views: 3820
-
garyoppolis
- Pub: the Laurieston
- Munros: 136
- Corbetts: 9
- Fionas: 4
- Donalds: 6
- Wainwrights: 1
- Hewitts: 4
- Sub 2000: 11
- Filter reports
- Trips: 4
- Distance: 42.5 km
- Ascent: 3639m
- Munros: 12
- Trips: 3
- Distance: 70 km
- Ascent: 3100m
- Munros: 10
- Corbetts: 1
- Trips: 3
- Distance: 41.4 km
- Ascent: 3800m
- Munros: 11
- Joined: Nov 30, 2012
- Last visited: Jan 28, 2024
- Total posts: 235 | Search posts