“The best climber in the world is the one who's having the most fun”
Alex Lowe
Two of the great walks in the mountains of Scotland, on Saturday we take in the classic Ben Nevis by the CMD Arête, a wonderful route to the highest mountain in the UK.
On Sunday we climb the Ring Of Steall, a classic horseshoe walk to the south of Glen Nevis.
“Doubly happy, however, is the man to whom lofty mountain tops are within reach”
John Muir
Ben Nevis by the CMD Arête
From the North Face Car Park we will climb above the valley of Glen Nevis on a good path climbing through the woods until it emerges onto the open ground above.
From here we will take the path climbing the long slopes of Carn Mor Dearg, a long but steady climb with some wonderful views across to the North Face of Ben Nevis.
From Carn Mor Dearg we will descend a short distance onto the ridge below. The CMD Arête is a fine narrow ridge, although not to difficult, the hardest parts of the ridge can be avoided to the left if needed.
From the southern end of the arête a short climb will bring us up the final slope to the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, and one of the greatest viewpoints in Scotland.
We will descend west from the summit on the zig-zag path with fine views west over Glen Nevis and over the coast. Half way down the Tourist path we will detour from the path and descend the heather slopes back down to meet the path back to the North Face Car Park.
Ring of Steall
From Glen Nevis we will follow the valley by the Waters of Nevis and climb to the impressive Steall Falls, a 400ft cascade. We will cross the cable bridge here and climb the steep northern slopes to the summit of An Gearanach, our first Munro of the day.
The ridge continues south over the narrow ridge of An Garbhanach before climbing again to the summit of Stob Coire a' Chairn with it's great views across the Grey Corries.
A gentle descent from Stob Coire a' Chairn brings us to the rocky ascent to Am Bodach (The Old Man).
The easy western descent from Am Bodach leads too a short climb over Sgor an Iubhair (now no longer considered a Munro in it's own right). The ridge now leads north, a narrow arête known as The Devils Ridge which leads to the final summit of the day, Sgurr a'Mhaim, and probably the best viewpoint.
The north western slopes of Sgurr a'Mhaim provide an easy path down to the valley and a walk back either along the roadside or riverside path back to the start point.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Saturday:
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Where to meet: The North Face Car Park, Torlundy
Postcode: PH33 6SW
Grid Reference: NN 145 764
Directions
Take the Torlundy turn-off the A82. There is a small sign for 'The North Face car park' if you're approaching from the south. Drive through the village, over the single-file railway bridge and take the first right along an un-made up road to reach the car park.
Sunday:
Where to meet: Glen Nevis, Fort William
Postcode: PH33 6PF
Grid Reference: NN 168 691
Directions
Follow the A82 north through Fort William, at the mini-roundabout turn right, Belford Road, signposted to Glen Nevis, follow this road to the car park at the end of the road.
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