Lots of Ben Nevis questions
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 10:53 pm
Fellow SPers (this is my first post, after joining a couple months ago, and lurking for a couple years prior),
I'm flying out from NYC to ascend Ben Nevis via the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête route (and descend via the Pony/Tourist track). I'm landing in Edinburgh at 8:30am this Thursday, July 5th and I return to NYC on Wednesday, July 11.
The plan is:
Day 1- Arrive in Edinburgh, drive to Glasgow for sightseeing, drive to Fort Williams and sleep.
Day 2- Rise early around 4:30am, climb Ben Nevis, go to Island of Skye
Day 3- Explore Island of Skye and drive to Inverness
Day 4- Drive down from Inverness to Aberdeen, Dundee, and Stirling
Day 5-7 Edinburgh and return home
Regarding the climb, I have these questions:
1) What is the best/closest place to stay in Fort Williams? Money is not a major concern.
2) Assuming that this climb will be difficult for me (and my girl), and thus minimizing walking/climbing, what is the best starting point? The Distillery? Tolmundy? Glen Nevis? I had also read that one can start on the Tourist Track, and then split off at Lochan Meall. What is best/easiest?
3) My girlfriend is (reasonably) a bit nervous about the arete (the airiness, not the climb itself; she's in great shape). Any thoughts?
I'm not a strong climber, but have climbed Mt. Washington (winter), Mt. Mitchell (spring), Mt. Elbert (spring), and (almost) summitted Mt. Baker (winter).
Thanks!
I'm flying out from NYC to ascend Ben Nevis via the Carn Mòr Dearg Arête route (and descend via the Pony/Tourist track). I'm landing in Edinburgh at 8:30am this Thursday, July 5th and I return to NYC on Wednesday, July 11.
The plan is:
Day 1- Arrive in Edinburgh, drive to Glasgow for sightseeing, drive to Fort Williams and sleep.
Day 2- Rise early around 4:30am, climb Ben Nevis, go to Island of Skye
Day 3- Explore Island of Skye and drive to Inverness
Day 4- Drive down from Inverness to Aberdeen, Dundee, and Stirling
Day 5-7 Edinburgh and return home
Regarding the climb, I have these questions:
1) What is the best/closest place to stay in Fort Williams? Money is not a major concern.
2) Assuming that this climb will be difficult for me (and my girl), and thus minimizing walking/climbing, what is the best starting point? The Distillery? Tolmundy? Glen Nevis? I had also read that one can start on the Tourist Track, and then split off at Lochan Meall. What is best/easiest?
3) My girlfriend is (reasonably) a bit nervous about the arete (the airiness, not the climb itself; she's in great shape). Any thoughts?
I'm not a strong climber, but have climbed Mt. Washington (winter), Mt. Mitchell (spring), Mt. Elbert (spring), and (almost) summitted Mt. Baker (winter).
Thanks!