Nicki's 40th in Scotland blog: The climb to the summit

Recommended Equipment:
Compass, Map, Torch and Whistle (the distress call is 6 blasts each minute). Phone coverage in the mountains is unreliable!
A strong pair of hiking boots, waterproof jacket and trousers and hat. Spare warm clothing is also recommended as it can change to freezing conditions!
Food: pasta, cereal or potatoes make good food before the climb. Mars bars and chocolate make a good source of energy. Bring a water bottle, you'll likely refil this from one of the streams on the mountain.

The Climb to the top
There are a number of routes to climb Ben Nevis including the very steep slopes of the North face used by mountaineers, however we'll be taking the tourist route which is the easiest to climb but can become quite busy. Starting from Achintee, the path up is easy to follow until it disappears at the upper slopes. This isn't so much of a problem on the ascent but the descent requires good navigation to return to the path and avoid the dangerous cliffs and gorges of more advanced routes. Once the mist or clouds descend the route becomes impossible to detect so a map and compass is thoroughly recommended.

The route starts at the footbridge over the River Ness, past the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and up Meall-an't-Suidhe (the Hill of Rest which leads to the Shoulder of Ben). This part of the climb isn't too steep and the path is very well laid.
The ascent to the lake and the shoulder of Ben is a worthy climb offering excellent views of the valley including our campsite. You're likely to see Kestrels, Buzzards and Bunting in this area but if you're lucky you may spot a Golden Eagle. Beyond here you'll need to be equipped for a more strenuous climb and prepared for the weather to change very quickly as well as to be immersed in cloud. It can become wet with little shelter and very cold. The summit receives over 7 times the annual rainfall as in London, Edinburgh or Inverness and snow can be found on the mountain throughout the year. The return trip totals a hike of approx 10 miles.

The path gradually climbs, swinging to the left and into the valley where Lochan Meall An T-Suidhe lies. This loch makes a great resting place but its a mile short of the half-way point. As you ascend the hill alongside the loch the path turns to the right heading South, to cross the Red Burn (do not continue alongside the lake as this leads to the dangerous North Face). The path now zig-zags up the mountain about a dozen times until it reaches the plateau. The path now flattens out which means the last hike to the summit is relatively easy however you'll probably arrive at temperatures just above freezing even during hot summer days. The summit, and much of the climb past the zig-zags is boulder strewn rock and there are the remains of the observatory and the shelter on the domed plateau. However whilst our trek was gentle slopes there are steep drops on the North face.

The sheer cliffs at the top of Ben are often topped by snow, please don't feel its safe to stand near the edge unless you're completely sure of the ground underneath.

In white-out conditions you'll need to navigate off the summit:
1. From the summit trig. pillar walk 150m on a grid bearing of 231` to near the top of Gardyloo Gully (first marker pole*).

2. Then follow the grid bearing of 282` to clear the plateau (a second marker pole is situated 300m along this second bearing, at the top of McLean's Steep*).

*Note* Marker poles are removed regularly by people who disagree with their placement, so do not count on them being in situ.

See you at the bottom in the Glen Nevis Inn \o/

The Tourist path