Ben Nevis

[Noglassjustthebottleandastraw]

Hi, I am just wondering if anyone has climbed up Ben Nevis? I am planning on climbing the Ben at the end of May. Any help, tips would be great. Also is there phone internet service on the way up?

Wear decent walking shoes, not trainers. Wear layers as it will be cold at the top, even when you’re planning on going. Be prepared to turn around and cancel if the weather closes in. Allow plenty of time…it’s slow and a bit of a slog but not difficult if you stick to the usual tourist trail. Take plenty of high energy nibbles you can have loose in your pocket so you don’t have to stop a lot. A thermos of soup is great for the top! Use a water carrier like a camel-bac and take around 2 litres. Take a thin easy pack waterproof layer to keep away the worst of the weather. Take a map and know your route! Make sure you let people know when you’re expecting to be back down and make sure they know the route you’re planning on following. Take your litter home with you.
I can’t help with the internet query!

It’s incredibly exposed, there’s no shade or shelter at all so be prepared for the elements. There may well be snow patches up top in may.
its not actually the most exciting walk but it is satisfying. I highly recommend the pub at the bottom but beware that’s still about three miles from ft William centre - I’ve seen a lot of people need to call a cab from there as they can’t walk again once they’ve sat down and stiffened up.

It’s been a couple of years since I did it but from memory the phone signal was patchy… not to be relied on if you really needed it.

This was taken at the summit in June a few years ago. Prepare for anything. Its a pretty boring slog of a hill with limited chance of a nice view, there are nicer things to climb

Take a waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers, hat and gloves and lots of layers. Have a map and compass and know how to use them, as if there's thick mist it is easy to lose the main path. I always carry a survival bag too for in emergencies.
Enjoy your walk.

I’m with 3 and had mobile service pretty much the whole way, as did my friends who are with different providers.

I would not rely on this though.

DH did it in may and the summit looked like that minus the snow, it was glorious sunshine when we set off, I turned round at the lake as my knee was playing up and by the time I got back to the car you could see the Scottish mist descending at a ridiculous speed. It’s a great walk but don’t underestimate the weather.

There's a website with specific weather for Ben Nevis itself worth keeping an eye on it and being ready to change your plans according to the forecast. Check the temps for May it will certainly be a lot colder at the top than you expect.

Have you done plenty of hill walking before? If not, get in practice before.
Walking poles look naff but make all the difference.
I'm on EE and had signal all the way up and down.

Good luck OP -- it is wonderful.

unintentional strikethrough, sorry!

Yes, all the above. Remember on any mountain you want to have enough kit and extra food that if you broke a leg and laid there overnight you'd survive, and know enough map reading that you could get down in thick mist. The main track is a simple path but there are cliffs on other sides.

Don't rely on a mobile phone map - I know a proficient hiker who dropped hers off a waterfall by accident last week! Drops even on the path could mean it's unusable.

The Ben is not hard by the pony track but is long - have you done other longer hill hikes?

Thanks so much everyone for your fantastic tips and photos. I've not done this sort of thing for a long time so feeling a little bit nervous about it. I will definitely be taking a pack and have the correct boots etc on. During lockdown I promised myself that I would climb the Ben once things had settled down. I am planning on doing training weekly up to may to help improve my fitness.

Take your time. It's straightforward but it's a marathon, not a sprint. I'd also set off early - it can get busy busy. Stay away from the edges at the top too.

Agree with the other posters, my advice would also to be get up early and get out on the hill before 7am, it gets much busier as the day goes on. As others say, it is a slog, up and down but satisfying none the less. Best pint ever at the bottom!!!

Sorry cross post there!!

We went up the Carn Mor Dearg arête (the other side of the mountain to the pony path) several years ago. We took a guide with us, which I would recommend for that route as it is technically demanding. It is utterly beautiful but parts of the route are very exposed with terrifying drops on either side.

it was satisfying but I could not move the next day. My glutes have never had such a great workout!!

DH and a his friend did that one winter - they got some stunning pictures. They didn't use a guide but were both pretty experienced and equipped (and roped).

I climbed Ben Nevis in my early 20s. There was snow at the summit in August.
You've been given great advice here. My knees took a hammering on the last part of the descent - I still remember how much they ached. Sadly that's what I think would stop me from doing it again (plus the fact I'm so physically unfit and 25 years older!) Good luck!

I have been up BN several times. You may need factor 30+ & a sun hat, extra layers, gloves, warm hat & waterproofs in succession! Weather conditions at the top can differ markedly from those at the foot. The Mountain Weather Information Service gives detailed daily forecasts.
Carry plenty of water - suggest a litre. It’s heavy but vital. Once the path begins to ascend, it goes up relentlessly - even the so-called tourist path.
Last time I went up (May) it was a fine day (15C or so at the foot) but there was snow at the summit and a cold wind. I took four hours to go up & about another two and a half to come down (am in my 60s and pretty fit).
Hope you have a great day.

I would not attempt to go on your own; if you don't have a walking partner, it's possible to go with one of the organised trips and a guide.

The weather can be so changeable as you climb, so prepare for all weathers. Take plenty of layers and have some spare with you, a scarf/buff, hat and gloves, as well as waterproof trousers and jacket - decent walking boots are a must. Have a backpack with plenty of snacks and water, as well as fist aid supplies.

Some find it helpful to take walking poles - I certainly used them to dig into the ground on one of the more exposed corners or I would have been blown over!

I went in September and although it had been a very hot summer, there was still a lot of snow even before we reached the summit, it was -11c at the top and the wind chill made it feel a lot colder!

Although there's phone signal, it can't be relied upon for online maps / gps / calls, as the extreme cold can make some phones shut down.

Leave early, take your time and stay safe. It is a worthwhile experience, but challenging, so make sure you do some training beforehand.

I’d recommend doing more training than weekly for the next 3 weeks! Especially as you haven’t done anything like this for years.

Its long and boring.

@SoonToBeQueenCamilla yeah a lot of people says it's long and boring. Sorry I meant training a few different times a week with rest days. I've started my training with a mix of flat and hills.

@soontobeamama I am climbing up with a few others so won't be myself.

Everyone on this thread has given me such great tips and advice. Thank you all 💐

Please take a map and know how to use a compass! Do not rely on a phone Internet! Mountain rescue get multiple call outs from people lost as they think googlemaps is sufficient!
The tourist trail is well marked and obvious if visibility is good.
Set off early ish (it takes bwtween 6-9 hours up and down depending on fitness).
Don't rely on the weather in Fort William check the mountain forecast including wind speed before you set off

Went there recently.
Everything said above by PP is correct.
The climb to the summit is on the south face. It's a boring walk up a hill with not the greatest views from the top.
However if you take the south face you'll have a stunning walk up to the CIC hut and maybe beyond depending on weather. You won't reach the summit but it's such a beautiful hike. I'd recommend looking into it.
If you do the CIC hut walk, you still need to follow all the pp advice about wearing layers, taking snacks, 2l water per person etc. Even though you aren't going to the summit.

I have and agree with all those saying be prepared, conditions can change.

Wear layers (hat for the windy top, suncream too) and take plenty of energy foods and snacks as well as keeping hydrated, lots of water and you could take an emergency water filter pump. The msr one is good.

Walking poles can be helpful, and wear appropriate sturdy and comfy footwear. First aid kit, including blister treatments.

No matter what conditions are like when you set off, prepare for the worst.

I had a phone signal but wouldnt rely on it. Map and compass a must, especially if visibility is not good.

Get appropriate insurance!

Thanks @WhereIsMyGlasses
This might be a silly question but why would I need insurance?