Walking up Ben Nevis - any tips?

[zerofeeling]

Early September. I've been saying I'll do this for years and somehow it never happened but I've finally arranged it. Just me and adult ds, we're both pretty active people (even though I'm overweight 😬) ds has been up Scaffel Pike and we both hiked up Snowden a couple of years ago.

Any special tips we should know for Ben Nevis? Is the weather likely to be ok at that time or completely unknown? Thanks!

Can one or both of you use a map and compass reliably? In case of mist.

I would say take a power bank but don’t rely entirely on your phone for navigation: signal can be patchy etc.

Take clothing layers, a torch, a whistle, a space blanket… all things that I have in my rucksack when fell / mountain walking.

Get as fit as possible. It helps with stability on rocky ground etc.

Cover off all your risk / safety factors so that you can just go ahead and enjoy the day.

Plan for 10 hours (ie have enough food and light for 10 hrs), if you do it in 8 the great. There are workouts for hikers, that help build some quad and leg strength to help with the descent. As others said, that extra few 100m’s of climb can really change the weather. So pack enough layers so you can add as you ascend. It’s not hard, just long. If you want to use poles, practice before hand and find a YouTube video to show you the correct technique (running with pole videos will be fine here, look at the Harrier run free video). Pack snacks, extra snacks and emergency snacks, if the weather is rubbish you won’t to stop, so ensure these are easy to grab.

I would have loved to go by train but I'm really strapped at the moment so we'll be driving up and staying at the Glen Nevis camping grounds which apparently are amazing and just a short drive in the morning to the start of the tourist route.

Start early - ideally near dawn. The days can be shorter than you think in September. Check the weather forecast before you set off. Don’t be afraid to turn around before the top if the weather turns. Keep eating as you go. Take 2l of water each and drink a litre before you set off. Take waterproofs, a warm lightweight jacket, and food. As above, trekking poles if you’re used to them. Headtorch each in case you do get benighted. Manage your phone battery carefully. Have fun!

I did it in June, was a hot day, but take layers. I actually found i couldn't really eat lots . We agreed to stop each hour for a few minutes which worked as I could focus on getting to that. Took sandwiches ( only ate one) nuts, biscuits, jelly babies, oatcakes. Loads of water although I didn't need to wee so probably didn't drink enough. Coming down was the worst bit, the last hour dragged on forever. Walking poles are an absolute must, my fear was becoming a star on the news for having to be airlifted off after twisting an ankle. I therefore made sure I was well equipped and probably took a bit much in terms of food and clothes but better safe than sorry. There are so many unprepared people doing it, would only take the weather to turn, clouds to come down and you get cold and wet. We took ten hours which felt comfortable for me, probably a bit slow for lots of others but I was in a considerate group. I would say I'm average fitness for mid 40s, can do a slow ( 40 mins) parkrun and swim 1200m in an hour, so not fit but more than a totally sedentary person. Remember to enjoy the view coming down, I was so focused on the ground and not slipping as there's loads of stones, big and small that makes it quite hard. With clear visibility the navigation is easy, nearer the top would be a bit scary in cloud as there are sheer drops all round. Enjoy and don't plan anything for the next two days, I couldn't walk!!

This is probably obvious but I’ve not seen it mentioned - check the summit forecast, including the wind. For instance according to the Met Office app, this Sunday….and Monday with the ‘feels like’ option.

The hardest bit is the first part of the ascent, as it is via uneven steps cut into the rock which are all about 2 feet high. Fine if you're a tall man but if you are a short woman or have knee problems, it's a challenge. These are also tough on the way back down when you are tired and they can be very unforgiving on the knees.

Don't even think about it on a bad weather day. I know experienced climbers who abandoned the mountain due to poor weather. The rock is very slippy. If it's too foggy to see clearly it would be dangerous.

Douse yourself in anti mozzy spray as there is a thick cloud of midges by the tarn about half way up.

If you need a water refill the stream water is crystal clear and delicious. Nice for a footbath too, on a mild day.

Buy walker's poles and practise using them before you do the climb. They saved my knees and hours of time coming back down.

My memory is that it took about 8 hours all in for me. DC took about 6 hours. It's definitely not 6 hours each way.

I LOVED it.

We did it with DS in July when he was 9, there was still snow at the top! If you've done Snowden then you'll be fine IMO. We had it really hot, then were in snow at the top then had rain on the way down! We didn't use hiking poles - they're just another thing to carry IMO but can help your knees of course. We went up light, just water, snacks and map, kagool round our waists and decent hiking shoes which are the most important thing IME. I think we took 7 or 8 hours, definitely not more than that. Surprisingly we had no trouble with biting insects.

Someone mentioned loo roll…it’s a heck of a time since I walked up Ben Nevis but I don’t remember anywhere with cover to use it! That’d probably be the difference between Ben Nevis and snowdon for me nowadays - a tea and a wee at the top😂

I walked Ben Nevis in June a lot of years ago. Decent boots, first aid kit, map, compass, whistle, survival bag, waterproofs, torch, food and water and emergency rations are in my walking rucksack. There was snow at the top in June so take a hat and gloves.
The round trip took 6 and a half hours.
Enjoy OP it is a fab walk!

Good luck! Enjoy the views, weather permitting.

Thanks for inspiring me to make more of an effort. 😀

got to make the most of it all! ♥️

I second a pp who said about the doms. I couldn't walk properly for a few days afterwards. I also slipped on my ass a few times on the way down.
Take a packed lunch, layers, drink and charged phone. Stick to the path. Look where youre putting your feet especially on the way down.. If you start/park at the gate in the industrial estate then make sure you have a pint of Thistly Cross cider at the pub when youre done. Have fun but be careful.

Just wanted to come back to say I did it! 🥳

It was HARD!! The hardest physical thing I've done for years. I really thought I might not make it but ds refused to allow me to give up 😭 The trekking poles were invaluable both ways - helping to lever myself over miles of steep stony uphill and steady myself on the way down (tho I still fell a couple of times and currently wearing some impressive bruises!)

Thanks so much to everyone for your advice and good luck on your own adventures ❤️

Ah @zerofeeling, huge well done.
It's done now and you will never have to do it again 😂 Congratulations

Thanks@Hellohah ! I must admit that was my overriding feeling when we got to the bottom. ds says I need to go up Scaffel Pike now...😨😂