Anyone climbed Ben Nevis?

Anyone climbed Ben Nevis?

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vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

155 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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Doing a charity climb of Ben Nevis at he end of May, it's one of the sunrise ones, so leaving at 2am! I believe it's about 12 miles in total.
Has anyone done something similar before? Just how strenuous is it, and how much training should be put in. I walk fairly regularly. Also what is the bare minimum outdoor gear I will need, other than good boots and a waterproof jacket?

BoRED S2upid

19,641 posts

239 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Which route are you taking? Have you walked the other of the big three?

I've done the three and the main difference is than Ben Nevis is steep from the start the others have a more gentle start and get steeper Ben Nevis your going up straight from the car park so no warm up.

As always wear layers especially when your going up at dawn as your coming down at mid day it could be a lot warmer. Make sure you take plenty of water there's no cafe at the top unlike snowdon!

vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

155 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
No this is my first one! I'm not sure which route, I'll have a look through the briefing e-mails.
Yep, I sweat quite a lot when I exercise so will invest in some decent underlayers.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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It really isn't hard you'll be fine. A couple of tips though:

The weather can be horrible so make sure you have some decent waterproof clothing.

You say you're a sweater. Take a spare base layer and socks and change them on the summit; you'll be warmer on the way down and you'll reduce the risk of blisters.

Take some walking poles as the descent can be murder on your knees.

Good luck and I hope you get decent weather as the view from the top can be spectacular.

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
It really isn't hard you'll be fine. A couple of tips though:

The weather can be horrible so make sure you have some decent waterproof clothing.

You say you're a sweater. Take a spare base layer and socks and change them on the summit; you'll be warmer on the way down and you'll reduce the risk of blisters.

Take some walking poles as the descent can be murder on your knees.

Good luck and I hope you get decent weather as the view from the top can be spectacular.

sjabrown

1,910 posts

159 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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Make sure you're able to navigate with waterproof map and compass. The conditions on the summit plateau can be horrendous and visibility nil. If you go wrong you can go very wrong and end up in five finger gulley or off the north face. I presume you're taking the 'tourist path' which is the route 95% take: it is a steady slog on mainly rock. Easy to follow low down but can become indistinct on the summit in poor visibility. Carry full waterproofs, food and water. Generally the last drinkable water is from the red burn just below half way.

And top tip: if the weather looks iffy and you're unsure just don't bother.

I'm up and down the Ben regularly and over the years have been involved in the aftermath of too many where it has gone horribly wrong.

It's not unusual to meet folk somewhere on the tourist path asking me how much further it is to the top. I'm fairly
blunt and suggest they look at their map, and if they don't have one to turn back.

austinsmirk

5,597 posts

122 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Yes. Even in July there was snow on the top.

So pack yr bobble hat and a kit Kat

You'd have to be a moron to get lost, it's like a motorway with people tramping up it.

Joking aside someone needs a map and compass though.

tertius

6,838 posts

229 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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The Ben is just a long slog, nothing difficult on the normal (easy) route, but you start practically at sea level so it is a heck of a long way.

As others say prepare for all conditions - I've been on the top in a blizzard ... in June.

vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

155 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice.
This is a group ascent so I assume all organised and guided in terms of navigation. I'll go along to my local Cotswold Outdoor and tell them what I'm doing. I'm also hopefully sailing the Hebrides on a wildlife research boat the week after so some of the kit might match up for that.

Lotus Notes

1,197 posts

190 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
vrsmxtb said:
Doing a charity climb of Ben Nevis at he end of May, it's one of the sunrise ones, so leaving at 2am! I believe it's about 12 miles in total.
Has anyone done something similar before? Just how strenuous is it, and how much training should be put in. I walk fairly regularly. Also what is the bare minimum outdoor gear I will need, other than good boots and a waterproof jacket?
I've been up there many times over the years and it will be strenuous..1300m vertical ascent/descent is not that to be undertaken lightly. The short walk-in leads to many zig-zags on rocky terrain, a fit party will be up and down in 5 hours.

Good boots that have been tested and some lightweight breathable clothes with a base layer to wick away perspiration are essential. At that time of day, a head torch would be useful. Take some water in a camelbak to keep hydrated and few energy bars.

Most importantly enjoy it!

Ynox

1,702 posts

178 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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The zig zags are horrendous - really not fun.

It's a pretty easy walk from the youth hostel up. It'd be difficult to get properly lost in good conditions, but weather can change so I'd probably recommend a map and compass even if doing it as a group. Think of it as cheap insurance.

Did it as part of the 3 peaks in 2011. Even at the end of July there was snow on the summit so I'd recommend a couple of layers.

Don

28,377 posts

283 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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vrsmxtb said:
This is a group ascent so I assume all organised and guided in terms of navigation.
All the same I'd advise carrying a map and a compass. Also carry a phone with ViewRanger on it.

Ben Nevis is a friendly mountain, like Snowdon, that a lot of people summit. This does not stop people dying on Snowdon every year...because they've done something dumb or multiple things have gone wrong at once.

You, of course, will be absolutely fine because you'll take it seriously. But it is that "taking it seriously" that brings you safely back down the mountain.

soad

32,825 posts

175 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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A lot of puffing/panting and wheezing? wink


Meoricin

2,880 posts

168 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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People have pretty much summed it up here already - I did it as the first of my three peaks a couple years ago in October, and the weather was fantastic until we got near the summit (rocky areas with small pillars to mark the route). Then visibility dropped to around 5m, and this unearthly silence descended. Walking from pillar to pillar until eventually reaching the top, it was absolutely fantastic as an experience, and I'd love to go again.

firemunki

361 posts

130 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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If you're just walking walking up anyone can do it, I walked up the path with my folks when I was 12.

moribund

4,030 posts

213 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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100's do it every weekend but it' s a long tiring walk and surprisingly confusing on top especially in the usual mist.

Very satisfying to complete and the Ben Nevis Inn at the bottom has good food and beer to look forward to smile

Lots of useful info here: http://www.threepeakspartnership.co.uk

AlasdairMc

555 posts

126 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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vrsmxtb said:
I assume all organised and guided in terms of navigation.
Never ever assume this. One of the key principles of mountaineering (of which this is not) is that you and only you are responsible for your own safety. Delegation to someone else really isn't the right way to be going about this.

At worst case, take a map and compass, and know how to use them. If you need to navigate off the summit, from the shelter go on a bearing of 233 for 150m, and then 284 and you'll end up back on the path down.

Billyray911

1,072 posts

203 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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And a a decent whistle,just in case...

BoRED S2upid

19,641 posts

239 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
And flares and a tent just incase. I jest. Seriously guys he's doing the tourist route as part of a guided fundraising walk it will be a case of following the hundreds of others up and down. Providing he's not wearing flip flops (and I have seen people in flip flops and trainers) he will be fine.

sjabrown

1,910 posts

159 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
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I don't want to be scaremongering but the following all followed the "tourist path" and have got it wrong. Small number compared to the 1000s that walk the hill, but amongst others so far in 2015...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-is...

http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2015/02/25/man-fa...

http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2015/03/05/walker...

This is why I earlier said make sure you know what you are doing. Waterproof map, compass etc.