PASTA Mick Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I'm meant to be making my way to the top of Ben Nevis on Saturday but never really done anything like it before. Has anyone that done it got any tips? or can I just rock up on Saturday morning in my new walking boots and go for it? There are 20 odd of us doing it and hoping to raise a bit of money for VHL (von Hippel-Lindau Syndrome) UK/Ireland. If you fancy sponsoring my bro's burd, who is organising the walk/climb, you can do here - http://www.everyclick.com/clairesnevisclimbvhl. She's had brain surgery 3 times in the last few years, has another 2 tumors in her head (which probably explains why she's with my bro) & lost her mum to the condition and she wants to give something back to the charity that supports her. Any tips are welcomed, especially tips on where to eat drink the night before and after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stocky Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 The Ben Nevis inn, right at the bottom is a v good stop off point on way down, right beside start of path. good food and good beer. Dont drink loads night before... food in Ft Bill aint that great .. they have a Witherspoons now, so you can fill your boots there... Enjoy, 4-5 hours up.. 3 hours down... prob be snow at summit .. new boots usually means sair feet.. Guid luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 (edited) Mick, If you're just going up the path, then weather permitting yes you can just rock up as long as you've got the essential gear. Warm clothing, waterproofs, water and food. In extreme fog/mist, navigation on the summit could be a wee bit tricky. Best ways up the Ben are on the North side. Carn Mor Dearg Arête, or Ledge Route are both excellent. The former is just an airy ridge walk and the latter an easy scramble. Wouldn't attempt those tho without a walk report and some level of route finding skills. All other north Face route are either very difficult scrambles or graded rock climbs and shouldn't be attempted. Edited May 20, 2015 by Marky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariokempes56 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 New boots ? Fekkin mental. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orraloon Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Compeed blister plasters. Sounds like you're going to need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 New boots ? Fekkin mental. Seconded Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted May 20, 2015 Author Share Posted May 20, 2015 I did have on the new boots today whilst I was watching The Island with Bear Grylls so I'm not too worried about them being new. Thanks for the tips stocky and Marky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariokempes56 Posted May 20, 2015 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I did have on the new boots today whilst I was watching The Island with Bear Grylls so I'm not too worried about them being new. Thanks for the tips stocky and Marky Ya daftie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Bob Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 If im worried about blisters I put a double layer of masking tape on the affected area *before* going for a walk. You have gone for a walk in the new boots so you know where the blisters will form?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted May 21, 2015 Author Share Posted May 21, 2015 If im worried about blisters I put a double layer of masking tape on the affected area *before* going for a walk. You have gone for a walk in the new boots so you know where the blisters will form?? Only round the house. I didn't want to get them dirty before the big walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil r Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Wear 2 pairs of socks. Great help in cutting down on the blisters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Bob Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Take a stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishcumnock Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 A sedan chair may help . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoo Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 (edited) Wear 2 pairs of socks. Great help in cutting down on the blisters. Take a stick These. Try to wear your boots as much has possible before you go up. Take spare socks to change into at the top. when you are going up and are tiring try to focus on a piece of hill some way ahead, conquer it, then do another. Be careful on the way down, i used to think it more dangerous than going up. Edited May 21, 2015 by scoobydoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgowmancity Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Mick, I did it last August, pretty unfit & never done anything like it before. I got boots a few weeks before & wore them a few times before hand, & also got a pair of walking socks & managed to avoid blisters. We did it in 7 hours (4 up & 3 down). Out of our group of 8 only 2 never made it, but that is probably because one of them is quite short so struggled with the big steps at bits. It's not as easy a walk as it's made out to be, from the websites it sounds like a tarmacked path, it's not The weather was changeable, but nothing too bad except rain/hail/sleet/snow & wind at the summit for about 10 minutes. Here's some pictures of our climb Start Finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe545 Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I climbed Ben Nevis in mid-May about 10 years ago and got caught in a blizzard at the top. Had to rest in the emergency shelter for a bit before trying to find the path down. Don't under-estimate the weather at this time of year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShedTA Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I climbed Ben Nevis in mid-May about 10 years ago and got caught in a blizzard at the top. Had to rest in the emergency shelter for a bit before trying to find the path down. Don't under-estimate the weather at this time of year! same happened to me and my brother on Schiehallion in early June - couldnt believe it. didnt have to do the emergency shelter bit but we just sat behind a rock until the shower passed so not so bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jock strap Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orraloon Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I would suggest that after your walk you don't post a photo of your burd on the Tamb. It will only end in tears. Nice bit of stuff by the way, GMC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 I'm one of these lucky people that doesn't ever really get blisters. But yea you should try and wear your boots in a bit. Goingff downhill is the wort for sure, if you have a bad knee it a killer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
werdsdaughter Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 There's still a fair bit of snow at the top so make sure you've plenty of waterproofs etc etc. Also, as someone else said I think, the first part of the path is basically a large pile of organised rocks and large steps (I've only done to the half-way Lochan so can't comment on the top half) so watch your feet esp on the way down. Otherwise good luck and I hope the weather isn't as bad as it has been! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auchinyell Sox Change Posted May 21, 2015 Share Posted May 21, 2015 Did it in 2006 as a farewell lads weekend before immigrating- of course was much drinking night before ; so we didn't set off until about 11am Walked from ft William for full effect ; cut thru railway behind distillery and ascent of Cmd arete : glad we went that way ; as main pony path was packed on return ; even in evening As mentioned ; boozer at base is a godsend Walked past Claggan park on way back to hotel Mare drink & v average Indian food Pack loads of extra grub & water Vaseline on inside of boots / heels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PASTA Mick Posted May 22, 2015 Author Share Posted May 22, 2015 Thanks for all the advice. Heading up this morning ready to start tomorrow. The boots are still unworn outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rorinho Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=684262945034964&set=pcb.684264141701511&type=1&theater Go prepared. This was taken on May 19th. It's still winter up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted May 22, 2015 Share Posted May 22, 2015 I presume you tried your boots on when you bought them? Boots don`t need broken in so much nowadays, so if they`re a decent fit then blisters should`t be too bad a problem. Wear proper walking socks. Not 2 pairs. Do not walk up the north face or CMD route if you`ve never done any hillwalking before. Stick to the tourist route. Still snow on the top but the path should be clear. Give your legs a good stretch before you set off. Good forecast for tomorrow so should be a cracking day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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