ben nevis

If your just going up the footpath its not that hard going if I remember correctly. I went up when I was 13 or 14.

Just make sure you have enough layers and waterproofs and you should be fine.
 
Avoid the tourist track if possible, its just a long slog, far more interesting going up the alt na mhuillin way, or the carn mhor dearg arete as you see all the cliffs that are brilliant for climbing, but you need to know what your doing going that way.

Just remember it can be about 10c cooler on the summit. There is also a nice wee bar near the bottom of the tourist track if you do go that way! Give yourself about 5-6 hours as previously mentioned.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/fortwilliam/bennevis.shtml

Take note of chapter 7!

I've been up it nearly 100 times, using various routes, that was mostly on mountain rescue call outs, so it can be a dangerous hill!!
 
Did a little trip to Ben Nevis two months ago, we took our time going up as theres some lovely things to see if visibility is good, around 4 hours but I'd say around 3-3 1/2 hours would be normal, then it took 2hours 15mins down. We went to and from the Visitor Center car park (tourist track)

Top may have a little snow on it still but nothing to crazy, it will most likely be in cloud so some light waterproofs would be good just to keep you dry while you're near the top (plus the weather could well mean it's raining all the time)

Apart from that the usual take water (2L or there abouts each) lunch, waterproofs, something warmer for the top (most likely be about freezing and when you stop for photos on the top you'll soon get cold) and a camera.

Me at the top doing some pointy pose.

dscn0815pl3.jpg
 
me and a couple of friends want to do the nevis trek, weve never done long distance walking before, is it going to be a suicide mission for us?

we plan to go with osprey adventures so we'll probably have someone responsible with us :p

theres not going to be a like a gust of wind that blows us off the mountain is there :eek:

Ukadder - did you go with a couple of mates? or with a large group / company

also do we need to hire / buy specific clothing or can we wear normal gear
 
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<maddness> said:
also do we need to hire / buy specific clothing or can we wear normal gear
Click to expand...

How would you describe normal gear? Wearing jeans for going up a mountain for instance isn't the best of plans, depending on the time of year something fairly lightweight, windproof and quick drying on your lower half is usually worthwhile, take some waterproof overtrousers as well since the weather can change almost in an instant. A wind and waterproof or water-resistant jacket is about the minimum you need for the upper half along with layers to wear underneath it. Some form of hiking boots or approach/trail shoes is worthwhile for your feet, you might well be able to do it in trainers but it's less than ideal.

Remember layering works so have a few layers that you can strip off as and when necessary. Also remember that being overprepared is better than being underprepared, you can always strip off if you want but you can't put clothes on that you don't have rather obviously.
 
I went up in easter with the gf and her family who are all big walkers and me having not done any in a long time :D

Dont go in jeans like I did, especially if its hot
Take windproof clothing/thermals for the top as it can be very cold..Was a few feet of snow when we went up (could only see the hut & trig point) and the wind was extremely strong, cold and biting
Take lots of water & some good sugary foods incase you burn out like I did

We went up in about 2h40mins which I think was v good for me considering I was going as fast as I could to keep up lol. Took me about as long again to get down as I had nothing left in me

HF
 
<maddness> said:
me and a couple of friends want to do the nevis trek, weve never done long distance walking before, is it going to be a suicide mission for us?

we plan to go with osprey adventures so we'll probably have someone responsible with us :p

theres not going to be a like a gust of wind that blows us off the mountain is there :eek:

Ukadder - did you go with a couple of mates? or with a large group / company

also do we need to hire / buy specific clothing or can we wear normal gear
Click to expand...

We just went on a jolly with mates, I'd say if you are semi-fit or even just young and don't mind a bit of pain getting up and down its easy and you'll not need a guide or tour company, it's really not that bad. (I would recommend against a guide just because of the cost!)

This totally depends on what route you go and what time of the year your going mind, if you do the Visitor Center route (most popular, as all my advice is geared around) it's the easiest and can get as hard as you want it to, the paths are very well worn but bring a map+compass as it's always a good idea and helps you keep track of how far you've gone/got left.

As for gear/clothing I'd say bring waterproof jacket+legs (light weight ones you can put in your bag) a decent 20L ish rucksack, lunch, 2L+ or so of water EACH, some nice energy/sugar related snacks, a spare pair of socks and then just something easy to walk in, my usual is a pair of walking trousers with zip off legs (so they can be shorts) and a light t-shirt and wind proof jumper but again this totally depends when your going! there will be snow at some points and it will be cold when your on the top and you stop moving.

Enjoy it thou, take a camera and hope it's clear at the top! Don't feel the need to rush or keep ahead of other walkers, stay and enjoy the sights :cool:
 
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