Ben Nevis

Clarkson

Clarkson

Clarkson

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Thinking of doing this 'bad boy' with a friend since we're too poor to go and do kilimanjaro or what not :p

Has anyone been and if so did you stay overnight somewhere, and where?
Have had a look about on the net, but was wondering if anyone has any experience of a particular hotel/inn/place which was good value. Would only be for a couple of sleeps.

Also, anyone got any idea what kind of ballpark rail fares would be in, travelling from the west midlands to fort william (closest train station to the mountains.) Just wondering as a comparison to how much it would cost in petrol.

I tried checking national rail site but it just came up with error. :o

Ta.
 
Hello

Climbed Ben Nevis last year as part of our 3 peaks challenge. We stayed at the Premier Inn in Fort William the night before we started. Quite cheap as I recall, Beefeater pub next door, with a Morissons supermarket about 200 meters down the road. 10 minute walk from the town centre which has all the usual camping and mountaineering shops.

There was 6 of us so we had a minibus. Just looked at National Rail Enquries for tickets from Birmingham New Street to Fort William, I just put the date in as a month today as you didnt say when you were going. Shortest rain journey that day is 8 hours 47 minutes (leave 0719hrs arrive 1606hrs), and is £23.50p.

Great mountain and will be going back when I have more time, and can take my camera. No time to look at the scenery when we were doing the three peaks I think we were up and down in under 5 hours, I was knackered. I recall the bloke in the visitor centre before we started said a relaxing climb was at least 8 hours!!

Brian
 
Cheers for that. ;)

Never actually been to Scotland before let alone the highlands, but the pictures I see of the mountain and its surroundings look amazing. That rail fare seems very reasonable, so I'll look into it a bit further.
 
Awesome place. I did as part of the 3 peaks also and promised myself I would go back and see more.
Not sure of rail travel as we drove. We stayed in a hotel in Fort William can't remember the name though. There is a campsite very close which was reasonably priced.
 
Did it last year ( 3 peaks) just back from slovenia climb loads of mountains from 1,400 meters to just over 2500 meters + makes the mountains in the uk look like small hills. :)
but on plus side I live in Cumbria and climb every week.
 
What's the terrain like on BN? Is it steep walking, climbing, ropework or snow and ice?

I quite fancy a bit myself, but not sure what I'm up against :)
 
Jonny69 said:
What's the terrain like on BN? Is it steep walking, climbing, ropework or snow and ice?

I quite fancy a bit myself, but not sure what I'm up against :)
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All of the above depending on route and time of year.

You have some of the most technical climbing in the UK and you have world famous ice climbing.

Of course, the backside you can practically drive up in summer. In Winter you will need to be very experienced, and take full avalanche gear, crampons and ice axe. I
 
Jonny69 said:
What's the terrain like on BN? Is it steep walking, climbing, ropework or snow and ice?

I quite fancy a bit myself, but not sure what I'm up against :)
Click to expand...

If you go the usual touristy route, it's not steep at all and (obviously depending on time of year) it's only really snowy at the peak, with its sheer edge etc, it's not fun doing it in the fog :o
 
Done the Ben about 20 times, if you are a novice you are better waiting till next year now, as there could be snow on the summits at any time, plus the daylight hours are rapidly fading.

The back way is far more interesting, but you need plenty experience, the winter climbing is awesome. The mountain (tourist) track is just a long slog and pretty uninspiring.

Plenty pubs in Fort Bill to get pished in!
 
Looks like there's a few routes up then. Tourist route being the easiest, a steeper scramble followed by anything up to a full climb. Might give it a go next year then.
 
snowball1 said:
The back way is far more interesting, but you need plenty experience, the winter climbing is awesome. The mountain (tourist) track is just a long slog and pretty uninspiring.

Plenty pubs in Fort Bill to get pished in!
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What would you say about the route that starts at Torlundy on the A82 road that follows the path alongside the Allt a' Mhuilinn? I used to do quite a lot of hill walking and climbing in cadets, nothing serious, but got out of it for years and years. I can navigate with a compass. Did Peny Y Fan a few weeks ago and didn't find it much bother, though the weather was very kind. Reckon I'd be up for that next year?
 
Remember, if you decide to follow footprints in the snow, follow the ones coming towards you not away! You don't want to be following in the footsteps of people who have fallen to their doom!
 
There's a campsite right at the base if you're interested in that. I would say not to underestimate how dangerous a mountain Ben Nevis can be, even on the tourist route. The weather will be turning for the worse at this time of year so expect plenty of snow near the summit and poor visibility. I went up during easter one year, after completing the west highland way. It was snowy and fully clouded at the top and we actually ended up saving a guy's life (he'd attempted to climb the north face on his own and gotten stuck on a cliff, just below the summit). We climbed the tourist track which does require a certain level of fitness but most people should be able to be up and down reasonably leisurely in 6 hours. Also, an OS map and compass is essential, incase you do find yourself in thick fog. The path isn't always obvious.

Having said all that, have fun! The scenery is simply incredible up there. I believe everyone in britain should experience it.. which is why i want to drag my girlfriend up there at some point!
 
Sorry to drag this thread up but I am thinking about climbing this as I may visit Fort William in the coming month.

I read that there is a tourist path which should be used for people that are novices should use. However I have never done anything like this before. Not to sound like a wimp but is it safe for someone like me to attempt it? Baring in mind I am not a fan of steep drop offs and about the only 'climbing' I have ever done is up the stairs. :p

I think the main thing on my mind is how steep is the tourist path? Is the climb extremely steep?
 
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Clarkson said:
Thinking of doing this 'bad boy' with a friend since we're too poor to go and do kilimanjaro or what not :p ...
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I have been up Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike and they are all pretty easy - given the right path. You really need to make clear whether you are planning to climb Ben Nevis (i.e. with ropes) or walk up it (hill walking).

If the latter, I would suggest that rather than Fort William and the somewaht boring Ben Nevis, you should consider Keswick and some of the 'bad boy' mountain walks there (i.e. Jack's Rake, Striding Edge & Sharp Edge). You will find plenty of B&Bs in Keswck and you can get there by bus from Penrith Station - try to avoid school holidays if possible :)
 
/jumps on the bandwagon.

LOLSTOCKHAUSEN?

Am I doing it right?

/on topic, make sure you take lots of pics from the summit, I've gone half way up Snowdon as a child and that was good, if you're going with a friend are you going to be walking up it?

Require a much different focus and level of gear / preparation I'd imagine for going up it in a more complicated manner then walking :p
 
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