While it is definitely possible for an amateur to reach the summit, the main thing to keep in mind is that Ben Nevis is not to be underestimated. It is a difficult and potentially dangerous climb, and takes an average of 4 hours to climb with a further 2-3 hours to climb back down.
September is possibly the best time to do Ben Nevis. There is a good balance between weather and congestion (yes the mountain can get busy). I have climbed as early as Feb and as late as Oct and would say Sept is the best month.
There are public toilets at the Glen Nevis visitor centre. If you find yourself in a position that you have to go to the toilet on the mountain please follow the advice in the Mountaineering Council of Scotland's information sheet.
Anyone who is reasonably fit with no health problems should be able to walk up and down Ben Nevis in under 8 hours. You shouldn't need to 'train' specifically for the walk, but of course any extra uphill walking beforehand will help and the fitter you are then the more you'll enjoy it!
During this time we walked 10.32 miles, making 22,197 steps and burned well over 3000 calories.
Anyone who is reasonably fit with no health problems should be able to walk up and down Snowdon in under 8 hours. You shouldn't need to 'train' specifically for the walk, but of course any extra uphill walking beforehand will help and the fitter you are then the more you'll enjoy it!
As well as the above mandatory equipment we would also recommend taking the following kit on your Ben Nevis trek;
- Walking Poles (depending on personal preference)
- Camera.
- Sun Cream / Sunglasses / Sun Hat.
- Change of Socks.
- Insect Repellent.
Can I take my dog? Yes, preferably on a lead so as not to impede other walkers. Be aware that sheep graze up to around 700 metres. Also the second part of Ben Nevis is a terrain of scree, loose stones which can be hard on a dog's pads.
While it may be the lowest peak of the three, Scafell Pike is often considered to be the hardest, possibly because it has to be climbed first thing in the morning after having done the punishing Ben Nevis climb the previous evening and having had little sleep in between, and possibly because the usual Wasdale route
Ten Most Dangerous British Mountains
- Ben Nevis (the summit) Overview.
- Cairngorm (plateau)
- Pen y Fan (Brecon Beacons)
- Helvellyn (Striding / Swirral Edge)
- Snowdon (Grib Coch / Pyg Track)
- Scafell (Broad Stand)
- Aonach Eagach.
- Buachaille Etive Mor.
4) Ben Nevis, Lochaber
Nicknamed “The Ben”, this is the highest – and one of the toughest – mountain challenges you can undertake in the UK, with an altitude of 1345 metres above sea level.For the first time in 11 years there is no snow on Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Across Scotland, only three patches of snow survive in Scotland's mountains - one on Aonach Beag in Lochaber and two on Braeriach in the Cairngorms. A lack of snow last winter has been a major factor, he said.
You just walk out of Fort Wiliam and straight up Ben Nevis. From the centre of Fort William to the start of the path at the Ben Nevis Inn is less than 2 miles. Nevis Range gondola is about 4 1/2 miles.
The three peaks are: Ben Nevis / Beinn Nibheis (1,345 m or 4,413 ft), the highest mountain in Scotland. Scafell Pike (978 m or 3,209 ft), the highest mountain in England. Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa (1,085 m or 3,560 ft), the highest mountain in Wales.
Of course you can climb ben Nevis at any time of the year, but in March it'll be more like winter mountaineering than walking. You will need winter clothing, map, compass, ice axe and crampons - and the skill and knowledge to use them.
Overall the feedback I hear from clients completing the 3 peaks is that Scafell Pike 'feels' harder than Ben Nevis. However, doing this as you are, as stand alone mountains, you will likely find Scafell Pike easier than the Ben. Hope this is helpful and that you enjoy your time on Scafell Pike.
How much does it cost to climb Ben Nevis? Climbing Ben Nevis is free. There is, however, a charge to use the car park at the Glen Nevis Visitor Center, currently, £ 4 per car and £ 10 per minibus / motorhome / coach, per day.
A: It is estimated that over 150,000 people hike Ben Nevis each year with several deaths annually. Two climbers were killed by avalanche in 2009.
Dont attempt Ben Nevis (North side),should only be attempted by experienced climbers. The tourist route path is easy to follow,well worn path and large cairns marks the route across the plateau. I think your children will enjoy this trip aswell as yourself.
Is it safe to drink the water from the mountain streams on Ben Nevis? You can drink from the streams but the water is not tested and there is no guarantee of its purity. Just remember that some days there are over 1000 people on the mountain and there are no toilet facilities.
Yes, of course. If you are in real difficulty you can telephone the Emergency Services, however, there is no guarantee you will get a phone signal at all as coverage on Ben Nevis is patchy or that they will be able to reach you in time.
Even with the best of forecasts, it would be unwise to head up Ben Nevis in April without full winter clothing and gear. This includes a decent waterproof jacket and trousers, warm layers, hat and gloves, sunglasses and/or ski goggles, as well as the aforementioned crampons and ice axe.
The average time taken to climb Ben Nevis is 7-9 hours, with the climb to the top taking around 4 hours, and the return 3 hours.
Camping on the summit of Ben Nevis (late March 2017) Camping on the summit of Ben Nevis was an absolute amazing experience. To be there when everyone else has already turned around and have the sunset and sunrise only for you was an blissful experience.
Ben Nevis is a mountain, the UK's highest, and as such is exposed to the absolute worst conditions the weather can throw at it including bone-chilling winds, sub-zero temperatures, heavy rain, snow and blizzards - sometimes all at once, therefore it is essential that anyone climbing it takes suitable precautions and
A: It is estimated that over 150,000 people hike Ben Nevis each year with several deaths annually. Two climbers were killed by avalanche in 2009.
The three peaks are: Ben Nevis / Beinn Nibheis (1,345 m or 4,413 ft), the highest mountain in Scotland. Scafell Pike (978 m or 3,209 ft), the highest mountain in England. Snowdon / Yr Wyddfa (1,085 m or 3,560 ft), the highest mountain in Wales.
The name, 'Ben Nevis,' is from the Gaelic, 'Beinn Nibheis. ' While 'beinn' is a common Gaelic word for 'mountain' the word 'nibheis' is understood to have several meanings and is commonly translated as 'malicious' or 'venomous' therefore giving the meaning of 'Venomous (or malicious) mountain. '
Accommodation
| Walk | Distance | Time |
|---|
| Dun Deardail fort, Glen Nevis | 10km | 2.5 - 3.5 hours |
| The North Face of Ben Nevis and the Allt a' Mhuillin | 10.25km | 3.5 - 4 hours |
| Cow Hill circuit, Fort William | 11km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Glen Nevis and Polldubh Falls | 13km | 3 - 5 hours |
Ben Nevis is all that remains of a Devonian volcano that met a cataclysmic end in the Carboniferous period around 350 million years ago.
