CLIMB BEN NEVIS IN SUMMER IN A GUIDED WALKING GROUP

1 day - ​Hard grade
Guide/Client Ratio; Max 1:6

AIM

Join an open group on a scheduled date to climb Ben Nevis. A guided day out on Ben Nevis for those wishing to rise to the challenge of attempting the summit of the Scotland's highest mountain. 

OUTLINE

​A full and challenging day out scaling Ben Nevis' 1,345m height above sea level with the enormous satisfaction that comes with a successful summit of a high peak. With an experienced guide you can learn more about the mountain and local area and make some new friends by sharing the challenge.

CONTENT

Armed with the latest forecasts and a sense of adventure, we will set out for a day on the mighty Ben Nevis by the mountain track, which is typically a full 8hr day.

Leaving our starting point at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre car park in Glen Nevis near Fort William, we cross the River Nevis by bridge and head off up the rough mountain track getting the legs working from the start. A few bridges later the path will eventually start to flatten out as we approach the optimistically named 'halfway lochan' or more correctly Loch Meall an t-Suidhe. Still not quite half way though, and a bit more effort is required to get you to the Red Burn, closer to the true halfway point.

The good path of the plateau starts to disintegrate again after crossing the waterfall of the Red Burn (the more accurate half way point) and this is around where the rockier path of the upper mountain begins. From here we head up the steep section known as the zig zags, for obvious reasons, for what feels like a long time before reaching out next plateau, still not quite there though. One final short rise known as MacLeans Steep and onto the flat relatively featureless top of the Ben.

The summit plateau whilst flat isn't all plain sailing in 'pea soup' conditions where expert navigational skills are required to safely reach the top avoiding the 600m cliffs leading to some of the classic climbs on the North Face such as Tower Ridge, which you may see climbers on in good conditions. Avoiding the equally dangerous descent of the increasingly steep Five Finger gully on the return leg, which is all to easily done for the unwary, is required to make it back to the safe track off the summit. It is worth remembering there can be snow on the summit in any month of the year!

Upon reaching the summit of Ben Nevis you can learn about the history of the old hotel and observatory ruins that are visible, snapping that all important instagram shot of the summit cairn before retracing our steps back down the mountain for tea and medals!

Included

  • ​​The services of an experienced and equipped  mountain professional who:
    • has a recognised professional mountain qualification at, or above, the level required for your chosen itinerary
    • is outdoor first aid qualified
    • carries appropriate safety related equipment

Not Included

  • Transport; unless arranged as an extra, contact us for a price based on your requirements
  • Accommodation; we can help advise good places or areas to stay based on the itinerary, so get in touch before booking
  • Food/drink; everyone has their own tastes and dietary preferences and requirements so please come prepared with lunch and plenty of snacks
  • Guide tips; whilst always appreciated, this is at the client discretion
Picture
Looking down on Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil in the background with the 'halfway lochan' in the forground from the taken from Zig Zags. This and the header image from Ben Nevis courtesy of Ray Allwood

Confirmed scheduled dates

Picture
View of the the North Face of Ben Nevis from the summit plateau.

PREREQUISITES

  • Experience of high-top full-day summer mountain walking
  • A high level of hill fitness and ability to cope with a day out in possibly inclement conditions
  • Suitable warm kit and waterproof kit and hillwalking boots
  • Small daysack containing lunch and snacks, drink and spare warm layers, hats and gloves recommended year round

A map of the start and of local accommodation providers

Start point will be the car park for the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre as indicated by the UA logo.
Accommodation providers are listed solely for your convenience and we receive no financial gain from any bookings made.

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