Ben Nevis via CMD arete 21-23 May 2010

[MG1]

What month suits most people for this trip we should try and get it arranged and booked asap.
Was also thinking, not everyone has to go via the CMD a group could take the tourist path or tackle another hill. What do you s think?

[NeilB]

Sometime in May maybe, what do rest of u guys think

[billy backpack]

Sometime in May maybe, what do rest of u guys think

Sounds ok . I think we should maybe try to arrange an informal meet to discuss the logistics etc as to try and organise as a group on the forum could be difficult. If there were enough we could rent a mini bus and go as one as was mentioned on a previous thread. Are we considering say going on a Friday then home on a Sunday or something longer?

[chris]

Would it be cheaper to all book on the ferry as foot passangers and pick a mini bus up at the other side or just take a mini bus from here?

[simon]

I'm unlikely to be going on this with you (unless I get round to doing the WHW this year and it just happens to be the same weekend that I get to Fort Bill), but depending on how many people go check out the ferry-and-rail deals and the ferry-and-bus too - it used to be that you could get to Fort William pretty cheap that way.

[chris]

depending on price it might be cheaper to fly! could be a fun exercise in lightweight camping getting your gear into a hand lugage sized ruck!

[RedLeader]

depending on price it might be cheaper to fly! could be a fun exercise in lightweight camping getting your gear into a hand lugage sized ruck!

You'd need to set aside a few hours to get through security - between the gas cannisters and assortment of sporks you'll all look like international terrorists

[chris]

good point. You'd def have to pick your gas up at the other end.

[suspectmonkey]

but depending on how many people go check out the ferry-and-rail deals and the ferry-and-bus too - it used to be that you could get to Fort William pretty cheap that way

The Ferry & Bus deals seem to be about the cheapest way of travelling, and its dead easy to book through the Stena Line website.  Only downside is that it takes a crazy amount of time to get from Belfast - Fort Bill when you factor in the ferry and bus journey.  That said, I'm someone who quite likes travelling by bus/rail so dont mind watching the scenery passing me by   I priced a few different options for doing the WHW, and I'm going to get the Ferry/Bus from Belfast to Glasgow to get to the start, then Bus/Ferry from Fort Bill back to Belfast at the end.  Think it works out around £40-50 and no restrictions on luggage etc. so its hard to beat IMO.

[666_pack]

but depending on how many people go check out the ferry-and-rail deals and the ferry-and-bus too - it used to be that you could get to Fort William pretty cheap that way

The Ferry & Bus deals seem to be about the cheapest way of travelling, and its dead easy to book through the Stena Line website.  Only downside is that it takes a crazy amount of time to get from Belfast - Fort Bill when you factor in the ferry and bus journey.  That said, I'm someone who quite likes travelling by bus/rail so dont mind watching the scenery passing me by  I priced a few different options for doing the WHW, and I'm going to get the Ferry/Bus from Belfast to Glasgow to get to the start, then Bus/Ferry from Fort Bill back to Belfast at the end.  Think it works out around £40-50 and no restrictions on luggage etc. so its hard to beat IMO.

But them your fate is totally in the hands of public transport. I like the idea of hiring a mini bus at our end.....depending on numbers I really don't think it will cost that much.

[NeilB]

I agree with 666, don't like the idea of being reliant on public transport. If there is enough people wanting to go then mini bus would work out cheap as any with the advantage of us being able to come and go as we please.

On a side note I have mini bus licence through work so we have a driver for said bus if needed

[suspectmonkey]

But them your fate is totally in the hands of public transport. I like the idea of hiring a mini bus at our end.....depending on numbers I really don't think it will cost that much.

You have a fair point there   Well if there was enough people to fill a mini-bus its bound to be a cheaper option any way?  After all, if 10 people were going to take public transport that would be around £400 any way.  More than enough I'm sure for mini-bus hire, ferry tickets and fuel?  And as Neil says you then have the flexibility to travel to your own schedule.

[kendogbaggio]

You can pick up a 12/15 seater transit minibus at prestwick airport (10mins from troon) for £285 and the ferry from larne is £48 each rtn as a foot passenger. Do the maths it would be cheap as feck

[billy backpack]

At those prices there should be no shortage of peeps for this trip then 

[suspectmonkey]

You can pick up a 12/15 seater transit minibus at prestwick airport (10mins from troon) for £285 and the ferry from larne is £48 each rtn as a foot passenger. Do the maths it would be cheap as feck

Just ran the prices through both P&O and Stena there out of interest.  If you went for a weekend in May it would work out as follows:

P&O Larne to Troon return
8ppl & minibus - £468
8ppl foot - £432

Stena Line Belfast to Stranraer return
8ppl & minibus £458
8ppl foot - £400

So looks like it would definately be cheaper to go on foot and rent in Scotland.  Mind you, for the convenience of not having to get a vehicle on the other side it only works out at £7.25 extra each.

No idea why I'm even pricing this though, I wouldnt be able to go in May   Am dying to do the CMD but dont know if it will be this year...