Up and Down…Safe and Sound !

I’d decided to do it…and so, even though the wind was still blowing, and it had been battering down with rain during the night..the day was et for climbing Britain’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis at 1344 mts high, and as I was almost at sea level I would have to climb, and descend it all ! http://ben-nevis.com/index.php

I’d written out my list of jobs to do before I set off, including paying for an extra night at the campsite (much against the grain), and filling up on a big bowl of cereal and tea, I was ready and set off at exactly at 9 a.m. into the windy valley, and soon passing the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis I crossed the river, and started ascending the tortuous steps, to join up with the path that starts lower down the Glen

There were only some foreign tourists looking at the notice boards, warning of the ‘dangerous climb’,as I went passed them and up the trail, toward the gloom ahead and above ! At first I didn’t see anyone else, but as I got higher I started seeing other groups in the distance, and so with an objective to aim at, it was quite pleasant as I caught up, and overtook many people, most of them younger than me !

The wind was blasting into my face, strong, but not so strong as to stop me walking into it, and no doubt, a lot less than yesterday.. As I got up to about 500 mts I climbed into the low cloud, initially just mist, however as time went by it became wetter, and eventually I was forced into putting on my gloves Jacket and overtrousers, which were soon sopping in rain, and the rain felt like needles as I got higher, blasting into my face

I kept going finding the summit guidance cairns (meaning I was close) and bang on 12 noon, landed at the summit –cold,chilled,wet – but happy , I was still ‘young enough’ to reach the summit in less than 3 hours, a very creditable speedy climb… as I tried to focus the camera in the mist and rain, with ice lying on the ground at my feet – although I’d been up here many times with lots more snow and ice lying on the top ! Time for another teeth chattering quick photo at the summit cairn  ,and a straight turn around to start my knee jarring descent !

The wind seemed to have changed direction, and again it was blasting me in the face, as I tromped down the trail, this time being cheered up by the miserably faces of the people still tramping up towards me ,with that expression of ‘How far is it now ?’- some even asking ! I skipped down the train feeling rather good, laughing to myself, especially as I neared the ‘Half Way Lochan’ (which isn’t half way !), seeing a rock at the side of the path on which I’d had my picture taken years ago, surrounded by rope in the middle of winter, and convincing my Mother it was the ‘Top of Ben Nevis’ !! (although I did tell her the truth… eventually ), so that kept me going again, as my knees started complaining on the route down and the rain continued coming down, although it finally abated when I was nearly down into the Glen – I knew it was going to stop raining as I could hear those RAF people flying their jets above ! (and they don’t like bad weather…Oooh !)

I got back to Wally and the campsite before 2-45 p.m., so a good climb and descent of 1395 mts, in 5hrs 45 minutes, including stops – Well Done Jotown !!

Then I showered….and collapsed ! – only for an hour or so though, watching the wildlife on the campsite

…and now having my last easy meal in the Restaurant , before moving on tomorrow, not quite sure where, probably Glencoe for a night, and down to Dumfries and Galloway for some star gazing (unless it’s cloudy as usual!) en route home

Oh, and Happy Birthday SW, don’t forget the 5 a Day !