When you take the Three Peaks Challenge, stay at Chase the Wild Goose
Hostel near Ben Nevis Fort William Scotland for comfortable, friendly affordable backpackers accommodation. The best of youth
hostels Fort William Scotland.
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Page reproduced by kind permission. Take part in an organised Three Peaks Challenge
Three Peaks Challenge
Ben Nevis (1344m)
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Ben Nevis from Corpach
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| Situated in the Highlands region of Scotland, Ben Nevis is the highest peak in Britain. The coastal
town of Fort William is at the foot of the Ben, and has many outdoor sports and climbing shops, good accommodation and
places to eat. It is at the end of the West Highland Way, and popular with tourists in the summer, and with
skiers and winter climbers during the winter, so arrange accommodation before you arrive. |
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The start of the Tourist Path is only two minutes drive from the centre of the town and the railway station.
The original path (now named the 'Mountain Track') was constructed in the 1880's to service the observatory which was being built
on the summit plateau. This is now no more than a badly derelict building, however the path remains. The path on the summit
plateau is not distinct, and should be treated with upmost care in poor visibility. Large cornices will sometimes remain well
into the summer months, disguising the top of many gullies. Footprints onto the cornices are from climbers.
The 'Mountain Track' Route.
From the car park at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, cross the footbridge and walk
beside the river a short while, then left beside a wall up to the start of the main path. Climb steadily and soon the path
from Glen Nevis joins from the right. Continue upward, crossing two Alpine style footbridges, then more steeply to Lochan Meall an
t-Siudhe, where a second path joins. Please note any erosion diversions in force.
Bear right at the junction and head up the zig-zagging trail. After the zig-zags, the path eases onto the summit plateau, which
should be treated with caution, especially in poor visibiliy.
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Descending from the summit.
This advice comes from Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, and is printed on the summit
area map which they produce.
Warning : these bearings and distances are only likely to be of any assistance if you are already a competent
navigator. Even very experienced mountaineers can have great difficulty navigating accurately in severe wind or white-out
conditions, such as occur frequently on the Ben Nevis plateau.
1. From the summit trig. pillar walk 150m on a grid bearing of 231` to near the top of Gardyloo Gully (first
marker pole*).
2. Then follow the grid bearing of 282` to clear the plateau (a second marker pole is situated 300m along this second bearing, at
the top of McLean's Steep*).
Marker poles are removed regularly by people who disagree with their placement, so do not count on them being in
situ
Walking on BEN NEVIS information leaflet/webpage from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland. Lots of good information - take a look.
Walking times
As a rough guide, you should be aiming to achieve
these times at least on the mountain
From the Visitor Centre:
2.5 - 3 hours climb,
2 - 2.5 hours descend.
Remember that as Fort William is at sea level, you will have to
climb almost the full 1344m to the top. The start to Scafell and Snowdon both allow you to gain some height in your vehicle
first. This is one good reason to start your challenge in Scotland rather than Wales !!
The path to the top is steep or very steep for it's entire length, but is well maintained. Good navigational skills are required
for the summit in poor visibility.
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Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with permission of Ordnance Survey and Multi Media Mapping.
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At 'Chase The Wild Goose Hostel' we aim to provide simple shared accommodation where you can meet with
like-minded people, perhaps share a meal with them, talk or even walk with them for a while. We hope you can find courage
to try something new. We hope you can rest awhile for refreshment of body and spirit. We hope you can experience
that unique relationship with your environment, intertwined physically and spiritually, with the natural and
super-natural. We hope you can grasp the deeper meaning and purpose of Life. We hope your dreams can spring to
life...
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