Advice on Climbing Ben Nevis

[Stan Pinn]

I know this isn't really bushcraft related, but i am hoping someone will be able to help with some advice on what to carry up Ben Nevis. I have booked a trip in to Scotland for the middle of April, my friends and I are all capable but have never attempted a mountain. We are planning to climb the carn mor dearg to assend onto BN. What I would like to know is what kit anyone could recomend. I have the basics covered like waterproof's, Boots, Food and Stove just in case. Should I be taking my sleeping bag and bivi bag in case we can't get off the mountain or will a good emergency foil blanket do instead. I have a gps map and compass and i know how to use them, all will be in the bag in case something happens to the gps. I have also read that walking poles are best left at home for the CMD as they can hinder as some scrabling is on route.
If anyone has any has done this route before i would be greatfull for any words of wisdom.
Cheers Stan

[Wayne]

What mountaineering experience do you have?

I am concerned that even with global warming you could face some serious conditions in April. Make sure your nav skills are A+.

[Stan Pinn]

I have never climbed a mountain before, although my mates and I are all very good at navigation and expericnced hill walkers. I have been thinking of getting an emergency shelter. Cotswold outdoor do one for £35. Not a lot of money if it saves your life.

[Wayne]

Well at least your nav skills are there.

You should be carrying a full set of spare clothes, Waterproofs. Jacket and bottoms. Water. plus food and emergency rations. First aid kit and the skills to use it. Map and compass. Use a GPS if you must be its not a substitute for good map skills.

Make sure you leave a route card with some one responsible and let them know when your off the hill.

A bothy bag is a good peice of emergency kit.

Ben Nevis is a decent sized mountain with a lot of ascent. Your starting from near sea level it is comparable to an alpine day.

[EdS]

take the poles, strap them to the side of the bag. They can be useful on the rougher paths down - especially when knackered and carrying a big sac.

Having siad that I've only every been up the Ben via the North face in winter. Off the top via the tourist path the cut across back to Allt a' Mhuilinn via Lochan Meall an t' Suidhe.

Bet the the spill chucker has fun with that lot

[Stan Pinn]

Thanks very much, I have army 24 hr ration packs so im aqll set for food. I am also a First Aider so thats cool and 2 of us are taking first aid kits incase we get split up. The route card is a good idea, i always leave the route with the wife, but i could leave it with the b&b as well. Good advice Cheers.

[Mr_Rimps]

Study the route you want to take carefully and watch out for the gullies.
There will be snow so take sun classes too. Gloves will also be useful. Other kit has been mentioned.

Be prepared for low vizability, high winds and horizontal rain! If you're lucky enough to have a clear day the views are fantastic! (Did Ben Nevis in May and June last year)

Make sure you time your route. Know what time you expect to reach the summit and return. As Wane says leave a route card with someone...and dont forget to call them when you are safely off the mountain.

Have a good trip
Andy

[fred gordon]

This route MUST be regarded as a very serious mountaineering venture. It is a long day and will require good equipment, good navigation skills and cool head. The aerte between Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis is one of the classic routes in Scotland and is very narrow, so be careful of the wind rushing up on either side as it can unbalance the unwairy. At that time of year there will almost certainly be snow and/or ice on many parts of the hill so you will have to take that into account. If you are in any doubt on the day then do something else.

[Angus Og]

A picture taken from Corrour at the beginning of May looking West towards Ben Nevis and Mamores.

[baggins]

Make sure you have a proper map (as well as a gps type one), The OS map for Ben Nevis is one of the very few that actually has a navigational bearing printed on it. This gives you some idea of the severity of the Ben.
Saying that, it really is a wonderful climb (especially if the cloud gods are on a high).
Have fun and remember, you can always turn back (it's been there for millions of years, so it's not going anywhere in a hurry)
Baggins

[hammy]

Take your walking poles as the descent is relentless on the knee's.
Strap them to your sac on the few rocky scrambles.
You should have no problems if your nav is up to scratch.
Silver foil survival blanket.
Enjoy

[lardbloke]

Make sure you are each carrying an ice axe. During the winter months, the lower slopes may look clear put near the summit it can be knee deep in snow. If you have never used an ice axe, then learn before you go and practise braking (arrest) when there is good stable snow on the slopes. You may need crampons, but is unlikely.
When on the summit, if there is snow be careful with conrnices i.e snow overhangs,as there has been many accidents with people standing on these thinking they are on the edge, yes they are on the edge of a very long drop!!
Above all else have fun!!!

[Dougster]

Take as little as you can get away with. By this I mean carry everything you must. But sleeping bag and bivvy are just weight.

I did the norh face in winter with just enough safety gear - it is a BIG hill.

I have to say everything above is spot on and I have nothing to add - save to say take stuff away. My old climbing teacher said 'Prepare for every eventuality and one of them will happen.' He meant you will be so slowed you'll get into trouble.

Have a great time - I fell in love with the place and can't wait to get back. I believe a camera is always essential!

Richard

[JonnyP]

This route MUST be regarded as a very serious mountaineering venture. It is a long day and will require good equipment, good navigation skills and cool head. The aerte between Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis is one of the classic routes in Scotland and is very narrow, so be careful of the wind rushing up on either side as it can unbalance the unwairy. At that time of year there will almost certainly be snow and/or ice on many parts of the hill so you will have to take that into account. If you are in any doubt on the day then do something else.

Great route......Very hard work, but good fun.....Take the gondola up to 600m, drop down to allt daim, then up onto the arrete, carn mor dearg, the real hard slog up the scree onto the top of the ben. Then down to the shelter at carn dearg and down the north side of the ben, into the leanachan forest and back to the car at the gondola car park....This was a walk I did a few years ago, after seeing it featured in Trail magazine. I have never been so glad to see my car in all my life....Great day out though....
If you have more time up there, I would highly recommend doing buachaille etive mor at the entrance to glen coe, or if you like a good scramble, then the forcan ridge up onto the saddle is great fun, but a bit further away, nr kintail.
Take the advice others have said, esp on the ben...An average of 8 people die every year on there, if your on the top and the conditions get bad, you need to know the bearing to take to get down as it is easy to walk off the edge in a white out. Dont forget to leave a route card.....
Wish I could come with you, I love it up there....

[fred gordon]

Thought you might like to see what you are taking on if you haven't see it before. Please remember that the drops are over 2000 ft. look at the person in yellow to get the scale. - Enjoy!

[Limaed]

Hi Stan
I don't wish to put you off but the CMD in mid April is a potentially serious undertaking with your listed experience.
At that time of year full winter condition are still possible and should be accommadated for, ive been out in blizzards in early May. The arete is graded as a grade one scramble (summer) which means there maybe some areas that need the use of the hands (and there are!) conversly in winter this requires mountaineering skills.
As the other guys have suggested gain some winter hill experience first or consider going a bit later in the year (early June perhaps) Alternatively hire a guide for the day such as Alan Kimber at West Coast Guides.
He has a very good website which tells you off the present hill conditions and guiding options.
If this is not an option take the tourist path. As a Mountain Rescuer with ten years experience I would hate for you to be out off your depth on the 'Ben' or ruin what could be a great trip.
Ed

[Limaed]

Stan
Just to update my post please check out mwis.org.uk this has a link to various guides websites, the Scottish Avalanche Information Service and some hill webcams in addition to the weather.
I would reccommened checking this site before heading out on the hill or the woods as the synoptic charts are a really useful.
Ta Ed

[Neanderthal]

Stan,

If you have the time, you may want to consider something a bit less demanding as a training/shakedown route.

On a big day out taking too much kit could actually be a disadvantage. There is a saying that if you plan to bivyy, you will end up bivvying.

Last time i went up Ben Nevis people thought we were mountain rescue, but we just had the kit appropriate to such a day out. This was May and people in shorts and t-shirts were running out of water but there was still snow on the summit and it is a loooong way back down if the weather should turn.

Hope you have a great trip.

EDIT: Check how much daylight you will have in mid April.

[swamp donkey]

I echo what the others have said.

Make sure everone has a good head torch and batteries as it is a long day .
Have enough kit to make walking comfortable , To bigger sacs on the ridge do effect your balance if your not used to that sort of walking scambling.

[EdS]

take spare batteries for the head torch. Better safe than sorry.

[Stan Pinn]

I would like to thank everyone for their words of advice, I have been talking with my mates about our trip to BN. We have already started some training, but have also decided that we will make a decision on the route when we get there. If conditions are bad we will take the pony track. We still want to do the CMD as the whole point of going is that it will be a challenge! Having said that we have familys at home and we dont want to take any risks. Cramp ons and ice axes are out of the question as my budget will not run to it at this point (Divorce would insue). We will be taking the kit recomeded by some of you and the chances are the pony track will be the best bet. Thanks once again.

[dwardo]

It looks stunning up there, "If this is not an option take the tourist path." i like the sound of this any links/info as i may plan a trip my self

Sorry if im hijacking your thread

[ol smokey]

Hi Stan,
At present I do not have much experience of Bushcraft but I was a member of the Scottish Mountain Rescue Service for thirteen years and I would agree with many of the sentiments expressed by other contributors and I would add that
you should not consider this venture without having both ice axes and crampons
with you and have had some instruction in their use before you go. If you go unprepared in any way and do have an accident which may be fairly simple like
a sprained ankle you willrequire to be rescued. Then you will be crucified in the press.You can expect to be many hours hanging around in arctic conditions waiting on a rescue team. Many of the Rescues up here involve people from
southof the border who having travelled long distances to get here, are not
prepared to turn back when things get dodgy. Do come, do take care, and
do enjoy yourselves. Beg Borrow or Steal equipment if you have to. I have been on the Ben in April when we had to be roped together and could only see the person on either side of you intermittently and that was on the tourist route.
which is no Pony Track.
Cheers and aw' the best for your trip.
Stuart S

[Voivode]

I don't know who this Ben Nevis fellow is, but you might want to start by getting his permission before climbing up on him; perhaps soften him up with a few drinks and perhaps a romantic movie. Are you sure he swings your way? Sometimes embarrassing situations come about when we find the, err, orientation of our target isn't what we thought...










Yes, I know it's a mountain, but that's what went through my head when I saw the topic heading.