Topic: Ben Nevis via CMD arete 21-23 May 2010 (Read 134797 times)

MG1 · « **Reply #45 on:** February 09, 2010 »

You know you s want to

666_pack · « **Reply #46 on:** February 10, 2010 »

Some info
Our route
The start is the visitors centre car park (grid ref. NN124731) reached by following the signs for Glen Nevis from Fort William). From the car park cross the bridge over the river Nevis at the north end of the car park, turn right and follow a signposted path which leads to the track that starts at Achintee farm. Walk uphill on the track which is hard to get lost on, it’s by far the most travelled path on the mountain. The grade isn't too taxing initially, but it starts to steepen and zigzag after a kilometre or so. It's worth taking it easy on this initial section and conserving your energy for what follows. The path climbs in a steep curve above Red Burn before easing off at the saddle holding Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe.

Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe is often dubbed 'the halfway Lochan' and marks the spot where the track splits. Where the path turns sharp right to start climbing again, take the left fork to head northwards (grid ref. NN147724) and follow it, keeping on the right-hand part when the track splits again after a few hundred metres, basically staying on the higher path. Follow the path round into the corrie as it tracks beneath the cliffs with the Allt a’ Mhuilinn river down to your left, pass the 'luncheon boulder' on the left and continue as it climbs up to the CIC Hut- visible long before you get to it thanks to its wind generator.

From the CIC Hut (grid ref. NN167723), you can now take a direct line in an easterly direction up the bouldery flank of Carn Mor Dearg. There are the odd scratchings of lines of travel now and again, but broadly speaking this is very steep and sometimes loose ground that demands caution. Aim to join the ridge a couple of hundred metres north of Carn Mor Dearg's summit, and be very careful not to continue too far east: there are steep drops off the east of this ridge. This ridge is fairly well travelled with fantastic views to the east of Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag, and a short walk along it in a southerly direction should bring you to the top of Carn Mor Dearg -Scotland's ninth highest mountain.

From the summit of Carn Mor Dearg (grid ref NN178721), to begin its namesake arête you need to drop SSW down a rocky crest which soon levels into a bouldery ridge. High winds are a problem here, so be very careful. Technically, the arête barely merits scrambling Grade 1, slung high above Coire Leis in a slightly bowing slack-line, gently climbing to a pointy apex. After this it shifts direction slightly to SW and climbs towards the shoulder of The Ben, rough blocks of granite give good grip and the few exposed places can be easily circumvented on faint traversing paths.

Once on the final, bouldery ascent, stay well to the left of some marker poles on your right hand side to avoid the cliffs. There is no clear path up the boulder field and the summit arrives suddenly as the slope eases off. A cluster of cairns appears and then the trig point can be seen on top of a large well built cairn.
The summit of Ben Nevis (grid ref. NN166712) can be confusing and dangerous, due to featureless terrain and the presence of several sheer gullies on both sides of the plateau. If the weather is good you can easily follow the path and a line of cairns that pass close to the edge of the gullies on your right and follow this down to the zigzags. However, if visibility is very bad and particularly if there's snow on the ground, from the trig point walk 150m on a bearing of 231° grid to safely skirt Gardyloo Gully. You then need to turn to a bearing of 282° grid, which you need to follow carefully for over a kilometre, until you are sure you are safely established on the Pony Track, paying close attention to the almost invisible threat of Five Finger Gully to the left as well as the hazards to the right. The Pony Track then zigzags down the west flank, crossing the ford at Red Burn and soon you will find yourself at the junction where you left the Pony Track. From here, retrace your earlier steps back to the car park.

Navigation on Ben Nevis (this will be our route off the hill)
http://www.mountaineering-scotland.org.uk/leaflets/nevis.html

6

chris · « **Reply #47 on:** February 10, 2010 »

looking good, I can't wait for this now!

666_pack · « **Reply #48 on:** February 11, 2010 »

ok guys if there no more takers for this trip then I'll put a cap on the list.

the final list is

MG1
BillyBackpack
666_pack
Chris_8764
NeilB.

Now all we need is a date and we can get this sucker booked.

I'll start the bidding with 28 - 29 - 30 May

billy backpack · « **Reply #49 on:** February 11, 2010 »

Those dates seem reasonable to me (let's see what the others think) there's enough time to plan around work, family and other commitments

chris · « **Reply #50 on:** February 11, 2010 »

Yeah thats pleanty of time to get sorted (and fit!).

chris · « **Reply #51 on:** February 11, 2010 »

also since we'll be away for two nights I take it we are planning on camping them?

billy backpack · « **Reply #52 on:** February 11, 2010 »

Oh Yessssss........ I think the plan was to go Friday, set camp then do the deed on Saturday ....... come home on Sunday.

MG1 · « **Reply #53 on:** February 11, 2010 »

How bout the 21nd to 23rd?

666_pack · « **Reply #54 on:** February 12, 2010 »

on second thought stain those dates would be better as I'll be working at the TT First week of June

666_pack · « **Reply #55 on:** February 12, 2010 »

this our route last may

http://tarmachan.blogspot.com/2009/05/ben-nevis-cmd-arete.html

MG1 · « **Reply #56 on:** February 12, 2010 »

Holy shit! Time to think about the kit.

chris · « **Reply #57 on:** February 12, 2010 »

hmmmm.... Crampons?

MG1 · « **Reply #58 on:** February 12, 2010 »

Looks like it.

666_pack · « **Reply #59 on:** February 12, 2010 »

maybe May is a wee bit early.

Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Useful Links

Follow NI-Wild

Linked Events

Author Topic: Ben Nevis via CMD arete 21-23 May 2010 (Read 134797 times)

MG1

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

666_pack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

chris

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

666_pack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

billy backpack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

chris

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

chris

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

billy backpack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

MG1

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

666_pack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

666_pack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

MG1

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

chris

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

MG1

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

666_pack

Re: Ben Nevis via CMD arete

Bottom Sponsor

Recent Topics