Ben Nevis & Carn Mor Dearg
| Start Point: |
Two
paths lead from Glen Nevis and join further up the hill.
However, we accessed the hill from the Glen Nevis Youth
Hostel (Grid ref 127717) |
| Grid Reference: |
OS
sheet 41, Grid ref 127717 |
| Time: |
7
to 9 hours |
| View Location: |
Click
for Scalable Map |
| Buy OS Map: |
Buy
Map at MapsWorldWide |
Introduction
On
Saturday 4th August 2001, there were at least 400 walkers on
Ben Nevis alone. But the majority of these walkers just plodded
up the well worn tourist route past "Half Way Lochan"..........this
route can only be, at best, described as exceedingly dull....
So
if you are looking for that little bit more excitement and variety,
the route described below takes you on a circuit by Carn Mor
Dearg and Carn Mor Dearg Arete to climb Ben Nevis from the South-East. |
 |
| |
|
This way you'll get a real view of the mountain and a full appreciation
of the sheer size of the buttresses and couloirs that dominate
the North-Eastern side. It is however, a fairly demanding route
and should only be attempted by experienced and properly equipped
walkers. |
| |
 |
Route
- Leaving
the roadside, cross the River Nevis using the footbridge opposite
the Hostel. Follow the path until it joins the path from Achintee
House (GR 132721) and widens considerably to form the
"motorway" up the mountain.
- The
path zig-zags up to Half Way Lochan (Loch Meall an t-Suidhe)
at GR 146724. From here the faint hearted can follow
the tourist route that meanders towards the summit.
- More
hardy members can turn left at the Lochan and follow the path
around te Ben towards the CIC Hut (GR 167 723)
- At
any stage before you reach the hut, leave the path and descend
to the river and cross carefully. Pick any route from there
to the western side of Carn Mor Dearg. It's a slog, but worth
it when you reach the ridge (see photo to left)
- Once
on the ridge, head south taking in Carn Dearg Meadhonach before
reaching Carn Mor Dearg itself (GR 177722). It's possible
to take Carn Beag Dearg at the north end of the ridge by leaving
the path at Half Way Lochan earlier
|
-
From
the Summit of Carn Mor Dearg, head south and west along
Carn Mor Dear Arete. This is a magnificent ridge and although
not up with to the "trouser filling" experience
of Aonach Eagach, it is a moment
to savour as it curves west towards the Ben.
- The
ridge joins the shoulder of Ben Nevis and a faint path winds
its way across the rocky surface, heading north-west towards
the summit. As the terrain begins to level out, accurate
navigation is essential to find the summit cairn and the
ruins of the old weather observatory (GR 167713)
|
 |
| On
your descent, follow the tourist path to Half Way Lochan and back
to Glen Nevis Youth Hostel. |
Click photos for larger images |
