Hiking up Ben Nevis

[Jungfraujoch]

So having done Snowdon up and down last weekend I've got the bug!

Anyone on here to share their Ben Nevis experience please?!

[lljkk]

It's a pretty easy one in decent weather. Not too steep or technical or sloppy etc. Bit of a motorway too at busy times.

I'm , don't know when I'll ever get up a mountain again!

[TheHelpfulHiker]

It's fine and straightforward navigation wise if the weather/visability is good. The views are amazing, it is a long hard slog though-and you'l probably go up in a procession. Having said that I did enjoy it, although I wasn't very fit at the time. I'd love to do it again when now I'm in better shape (and not pregnant!)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I found coming down quite tricky. There is a rocky section and my legs were tired so I was finding it difficult to control my descent. Going up was a long slog but other than the ability to just keep plodding on there are no special skills needed.

Just dont try it in 30c. we went up last summer in the heat wave. We didnt have enough water for those temps and I felt pretty unwell due to mild heat exhaustion.

[Jungfraujoch]

Thehelpfulhiker - your name indicates you are experienced in this sort of thing!

Have you done Snowdon? How does it compare? The only slight thing that concerns me is that I've read it's easy to take the wrong path down if visibility is bad as its a much larger plateau at the top than Snowdon.

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I did it a couple of years ago with my DD then aged 12. I found it pretty tough to be honest, particularly coming down. The only advice I would give is go as early as you possibly can, maybe 6 in the morning. I was falling over people on the way back down. And count the turns that you take going to the summit as the path zig zags. Then if mist sets in you have got some idea where you are.

[Jungfraujoch]

OYBK - coming down Snowdon pushed my thighs to the limit so I'll make sure I'm fitter for Ben Nevis!

[Jungfraujoch]

Bear left - that is exactly my worry if the cloud descends!! Better get handy with a compass!

[bearleftmonkeyright]

Deffo take a compass and map. The path is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. But it is worth bearing in mind that accidents do happen and to be prepared as you possibly can be. Good luck, it is well worth it, the view when I went up was just breathtaking.

[myotherusernameisbetter]

Here is a couple of photos taken at the top at the end of June - it's not a walk in the park. It's a long hard slog with little change of a view from he top. My OH had to guide a group back of the top and also help a woman whose leg got stuck in the snow up to her thigh and her boot was trapped. I know there are young children who have done it, I haven't but my OH has done it a few times mostly not for the main path and my teenage boys have done it too but the younger one found it tough going - he isn't super fit but had done some training prior to it.

there are better mountains in Scotland (and England).

[Wotshudwehave4T]

Remember it well, 5th October and it snowed once we were half way up and did not stop, although turned to rain as we came lower down on the decent, it was really windy too. We went up the CMD arête route and was a white out on top with about 2' of snow. If visibility is poor on the top, check your map as it is flat, but there are steep/cliff drop offs. Have plenty spare clothes and snacks and trust your compass. Enjoy, hope you get some views.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Make sure it's a clear day, wouldn't be worth doing if visibility was poor - the walk isn't exactly the most enjoyable IIRC. I remember there being a strange mix of serious-looking hikers and people wandering up in trainers, sandals and even heeled shoes! (just realised it's over 30 years since we did it, more people nowadays have something approximating to walking boots I'd hope!)

[Sunshineandsilverbirch]

I climbed it aged 12 so it's not too bad, however:

Please bear in mind the the weather in the highlands is really, really Unpredictable.

I've only ever climbed it in summer and there was always snow (not just a smattering either.

If you are thinking if doing it this year don't leave it too late (unless you have winter training). Summer is well and truly over here, it was 2 degrees at my house first thing this morning.

[lljkk]

We went in late July, no snow :). Very overcast, no view from the top. Impossible not to follow the right path with so many other hikers around.

Go down the direct route, don't go 8 miles around the long way like we did (arghggghghghghghghg).

[MuttonDressedAsGoose]

I've climbed other munroes. I'm given to understand that Nevis isn't that difficult.

As for running out of water... I frequently drunk water from streams on the hills. Never had a problem.

[ibbydibby]

We did it about 3 weeks ago..I found it "easier" than Scafell Pike, esp the coming down. Was a glorious day, we were v v lucky - but at the top it was so windy we couldn't really safely stand up and enjoy the view. To my surprise I enjoyed the descent (I don't usualy) because of the glorious views, which I hadn't really seen on the way up.

Agree a good forecast is a must.

[Jungfraujoch]

Thank you all for the tips! Planning it for next year, possibly early September.
Ibbydibby - view is fab! Myother - that is NOT the sort of view I want!

[Jungfraujoch]

This was top of Snowdon last Saturday, no view!

[BlueChampagne]

Did it in trainers aged 15. One of the few times our Dalmatian was tired! Pick decent weather and have an extra layer for the summit. Had done Snowdon a couple of years before.

[BackforGood]

There are loads of more attractive walks - if you are in Scotland, then look up the Munroes for inspiration. Some beautiful scenery in Scotland, but I wouldn't count Ben Nevis in that category.
If you are in England, and new to walking, then spend time in the Lake District - some challenging walks but much nicer scenery and usually slightly more predictable weather.

[Jungfraujoch]

Thanks for the suggestions back for good. I hear you, but as I will be doing it for charity Ben Nevis is the one that catches everyone's attention!

[CottonSock]

Did it as part of three peaks challenge, not much view and bloody freezing (in summer). I remember someone having to put gloves on for me. I don't remember it being very hard, but I was fit then.... Unlike now

[CottonSock]

Oh yeah, and so busy I remember sprinting down for a wee as no where to hide Iol

[PeaceOfWildThings]

We went up the day Charles and Diana married. Lovely a quiet rhat day, hardly any tourists at all!

[AnnaBegins]

DH did it this summer in five hours on a lovely day, it's still freezing and snowy at the top and so many people forget this. You still need lots of water, decent boots, an extra layer for the summit. Don't expect a view, DH has done it several times since the age of 6 and only this summer did he get a view!

If you want a gorgeous view whilst you're in the area, walking around glen nevis to the waterfall with the wire bridge (might be towards spean bridge?) is gorgeous!

[Fadingmemory]

I have been up several times. I am a regular walker and fit for my age (old) and it took me around four hours to go up and roughly two and a half hours to get down. Once on the mountain, the path goes upwards pretty relentlessly with few level stretches. Walking boots are essential. Give yourself plenty of time - I don't know how fit you are. Take plenty of water. The climate on the top is described as sub-arctic. There is a website with a monthly climate history for the mountain which should give you some idea of what to expect. Be prepared for anything though, even in summer (gloves, hat, extra layers, hot drink/soup).