Ben Nevis x 17

[K0MOS]

I never had the pleasure of hiking Ben Nevis [yet], but it is certainly on my list.

I just came across this article of two guys who will attempt 17 continuous ascents of Ben Nevis; a total climb of 21,900 metres, more than two and a half times the height of Mount Everest and equivalent to the height of Olympus Mons, a volcano on Mars.

All for charity. Here the article for more details: https://www.burnleyexpress.net/news/people/two-royal-marines-are-climbing-ben-nevis-17-times-consecutively-for-charity-5373022

I sure hope they will be successful and raise a good chunk of money.

73, Matt/K0MOS

[MM0EFI]

I did three times last year. Once as part of a much bigger hike, and twice in two days up the tourist path.

I wouldn’t wish that challenge on anybody!

Getting Ben on The Ben - REPORT

Getting Ben on The Ben - Report Ben @GW4BML messaged me some time ago. He wanted to activate Ben Nevis GM/WS-001 with me, which was fine because I also wanted to activate Ben Nevis. The only problem was how? I’ve summited The Ben 13 times previously via different ridges, rock and ice routes and even via the long mountain path a couple of times. I fancied repeating one of the classic ridge – Tower, Observatory, Castle or even the NE Buttress. However, Ben planned on an April visit, to that wa…

[G8ADD]

Ben Nevis suffers from dissociative identity disorder, a split personality. From the Fort William side it is a huge grassy bump and the Tourist Route is just a long boring plod - with too much company. From its other side it looks positively alpine, a mass of steep cliffs and gullies. Climbers love that side - and I mean LOVE! It overlooks a climbing hut that you have to book years in advance. Seventeen consecutive ascents of the Long Climb on the Orion Face, if humanly possible, would be a mere 23,800 feet, 7254 metres, but at least it wouldn’t be boring! Tower Ridge would clock up 10363 metres, plus the ascents to the start of the ridge. I’ve experienced both personalities of the Ben, in summer and winter, and I know which one I prefer…!

[GW4BML]

What a fantastic day that was too!

[MW0WML]

@G8ADD

Climbers love that side - and I mean LOVE!

Yup! Had some fun days…. All winter for me though.

I cannot imagine doing the tourist path ever again, let alone many times back to back. I’ve guided groups on it many times. It’s a really boring walk.

[G8ADD]

@MW0WML

All winter for me though.

Yes, mainly winter for me, too - unless you count Polldubh on the Glen Nevis side, which I probably spent too much precious north of the border time on!

[M6GYU]

50 years ago I went up the Ben via the tourist path. I’ve never walked up that path since. The North Face is much more sporting - and enjoyable, especially in winter conditions.

My last outing was for SOTA (The Ben GM/WS-001 ) and I used the Ledge Route which is pretty straightforward, across the CMD Arete and activated Carn More Dearg. GM/WS-003)

[G5CJA]

i remember doing Ben Nevis back as a kid we did the tourist path. Was horribke plod of uneven stone steps! If I went up there again I’d want to do the CMD arete route.

[G8ADD]

@G5CJA

If I went up there again I’d want to do the CMD arete route.

The arete is good fun, but the climb from the arete to the summit plateau involves some rather unpleasant boulder hopping. As suggested above, the Ledge Route is a good alternative, involving some easy scrambling with views of some nearby very impressive rock scenery. You can also go up from the car park at the end of the Glen Nevis road, some steep grass but good views of the Mamores.