
A reconnaissance for my Tumour Support Scotland charity walk to the Ben via the CMD arete on 10th June. It had been more than 10 years since I'd last followed this route, plus I wanted to see if it was better to start from the Tourist Path car park at the Visitor Centre, or use the North Face car park. We followed the Tourist Path to the Half-Way Lochan, then descended to the Allt a' Mhuilinn before ascending Carn Mor Dearg via the "Munro" path. Today I was accompanied by my wife Marion in hot, dry conditions (up to 20C in the glen) with very little breeze. We started well-hydrated but carried only our usual 0.75l water flasks (topped up occasionally en route) but this proved inadequate in the conditions. The loss of height from the lochan was tough to take on such a hot day, and I resolved to start from Torlundy the next time! Our elapsed time was over 10 hours: the stops included helping an exhausted walker we met on the zig-zags. He had no food or water, no sunhat, it was his first Munro, and he was more than 1000' short of the summit, lying down and complaining of cramp, the time was about 5.30pm. Several other parties had passed him before we stopped. I talked to him, stretched his quads, gave him some water, and most importantly persuaded him to turn round, which he did. Snow buntings and ravens on the summit. I had studied a new book I had obtained from The Nevis Partnership "The North Face Survey", but didn't linger long looking at geology or flora on this occasion!
This was an important re-familiarisation with the route and its demanding nature, particularly the relentless ascents and descents involved . It will certainly challenge the less experienced members of my group and I have been forewarned again of the need to carry plenty of water and protection from the sun if the weather turns out like today's.
Area :
Ben Nevis (Fort William To Loch Leven)
This area covers the mountains between Fort William, Loch Leven (to the south) and Loch Treig (to the east). The area includes Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg, The Mamores, The Aonachs and The Grey Corries. An impressive 20 Munros are split equally by Glen Nevis and the waters of Abhainn Rath. Relatively accessible from the A82, these mountains hold some classic walking and climbing routes such as The Ring of Steall in the Mamores and Point Five Gully on Ben Nevis. Includes all major peaks above 600m.