Ben Nevis – Mountain Path
Posted by Max Hunter on 17th December, 2014
Trail breaking from about 55m
A white Meall an t-Suidhe 711m
On Tuesday with a great forecast Tom and I set out for a walk up the mountain path on Ben Nevis. We were happy to find the sky clearer than was perhaps forecast, with only high level local clouds, and slight winds, and no precipitation. The walk started off easy, but when we got to the final few zig-zags before the half way lochan comes into view, we had to start trail breaking – or at least the team of 4 in front of us did. The team of 4 rotated the role of trail braker, and so kept ahead of us, all the way to the summit (or was that tactical on my part?!). We only needed to stop on our way for food, water and photos – it was going to be one of those stunning days – only a few of these come around every winter.
At least 5 people had got to the summit before us, and as we left, Ken approached, with his client, on their way to complete the CMD.
On the way down we saw Mike P. , Donald K. & Lou R. and their teams on Ledge route (last photo below – click on it to see the teams clearer) – they later made fast progress down the Red Burn.
We managed to find our first few slides on the snow on our way down – and we all ended up having a social gathering at the Waterfall – even Dave A. joined us after his CMD circuit.
A great day.
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Rime covered cairns
Tom on the last approach
Tom on the summit
Rime encrusted
Tom, with a clear summit
Looking down at Tower Ridge
The summit all to ourselves
Mike and team on Ledge Route, click to enlarge