The weather on Ben Nevis can change dramatically from a sunny hot day to heavy rain and strong winds, with very limited visibility – it is therefore very important that you pack for all eventualities and all weather conditions! They came back with Atlas Mountaineering. He also told me how many people disappear climbing Ben Nevis each year as the weather comes in so quickly and destroys visibility. Next time I come I will spend more time here. I was up early my first morning in Fort William and drove to meet my guide, John. I would probably be too chicken to attempt to summit in such a total whiteout. We we're buzzing for days after. Ben Nevis: Mostly a climb in rain - See 2,457 traveler reviews, 2,362 candid photos, and great deals for Fort William, UK, at Tripadvisor. Rain or shine, Ben Nevis is an excellent location for climbers of every calibre. Great blog. ⇒ Baden-Baden Spa Guide: Naked or Clothed? I covered all of the costs associated with my climb up Ben Nevis. Didn't get the full winter conditions that I was hoping for, but was such a fun climb nonetheless. I emailed the hotel I was staying at (The Lime Tree) and asked for a recommendation.. This in your pocket wifi can be picked up at Heathrow or Paddington Station. Itineraries They came back with Atlas Mountaineering. She was worried about herself at this point so we decided to turn back as a team. It's a truly beautiful area to visit. If you’re planning on exploring the Highlands and the islands of Scotland then a better option is the BritRail Scottish Freedom Pass. ⇒Wineries in Montepulciano: 12 Not to Miss. Read an overview of the climate. Another hour and a half of painful walking as my soaked socks made my foot slip inside every step – guaranteeing me another lost toenail. Thank goodness I had my boutique hotel booked – The Lime Tree. Finally, after another hour we could take off the crampons. THe U.K. does have great places to go to. British Rail Passes for Overseas VisitorsRail is a brilliant way to get around Scotland. I asked John how our day had compared to previous times climbing Ben Nevis – on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the toughest where would this sit? It really is the most lovely way to see Scotland in my view. Most of the time the Ben is hidden in deep cloud. Check out my posts on 13 Unusual Experiences in London, the best London Food Tours, my virtual London Travel Blog, some great Earlsfield restaurants, 14 Things to do in Notting Hill, restaurants near Clapham Junction and Victoria Station restaurants, 16 Famous Landmarks in Europe, a mad hatter afternoon tea party and a day trip to Brighton and Cotswolds tour from London options. If you are heading to Scotland from London, in particular, it can be a lovely experience to take the train. Finally, I was able to eat something although I was so exhausted by that point I could barely be bothered. ⇒ 6 Best Places to watch Sunsets in Seattle. John was keen to get us down as quickly as possible – so was I but it was hard work on the knees heading down – and scary stuff heading down at quite a fast pace in crampons. This place is so beautiful and the views are breathtaking and everything is so green. I’m Amanda, an Australian who has called London home for over 15 years. There are some fantastic UK City and Sightseeing passes which offer free entry to all must-see attractions & great deals. The climb from the loch up to the half way waterfall was still relatively easy and we had not hit the clouds by this point.Everything after the waterfall and hitting the cloud layer was unbelievably intense. LOTS of water! Ideas like these are so useful for a hiking freak like me! Here are five essentials you need to put in your backpack when hiking Ben Nevis: First Aid Kit – at least a basic one with some blister plasters. These are our 4 best routes up Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. If you’re staying in Glasgow check out my post on the best tours to take in Glasgow. It was a great day. It is recommended that amateur walkers should only attempt to climb Ben Nevis between June and September. How Long Will it Take to Climb Ben Nevis? And the ice axe was heavy but fine. If you haven't climbed Ben Nevis (which most Scottish people we spoke to hadn't) then i suggest you do it. ⇒ And whilst in Edinburgh, I highly recommend that you explore Underground Edinburgh. Ben Nevis, in Fort William, Scotland, is the highest mountain in the UK, standing tall at 1,345m. It’s the best preparation in England for Ben Nevis, so if it’s your local mountain you’ve got an ideal practice ground ahead of climbing Ben Nevis. Luckily there was a snow-covered rock that I could put my hand on and get a photo on my phone. Weather was dry but visibility was poor. I have visited over 70 countries and love finding hidden gems, boutique hotels and great food and wine. A 'bunch of idiots' who decided to climb Ben Nevis in trainers and without a map during Storm Ciara are 'lucky to be alive' after mountain rescuers saved the group from hypothermia and 80mph winds. mobile wi-fi rental wireless internet anywhere you go in. I would also be careful going up in a group (which they run in the summer) and stick close to the guide and other members of the group. It’ll make it a more fun climb. I have visited the site but never climbed it. Taiwan's export orders likely rose in December for a 10th straight month, a Reuters poll showed, buoyed by continued demand for technology products during … Sure Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK. Ben Nevis is a beautiful place to visit for fantastic views over the Scottish countryside. My legs ached, my knees hurt, my feet were stinging and i was absolutely soaked, plus the thought of the distance back down was unnerving. I asked where we were and he replied that we had reached the summit of Ben Nevis. This makes tower gap a fun little adrenaline surge, for sure. Hiking distance: 10.5 miles Hiking duration: 6 – 8 hours Altitude: 1,345 meters Elevation gain: 1,145 Difficulty: moderate When to hike: From May to September. It's an experience you'll never forget and though it's not what you'd call relaxing, the buzz you get when you finally arrive back at ground level is as good as any drugs. ⇒ Looking to explore the South and South West of England? Your photos are really amazing as well. I’m Amanda, an Australian who has been living in London for over 16 years. He looked at me like I was a bit mad and said well it doesn’t get worse than total whiteout. I can certainly see how this is the case. Our daily dog walks gave us some reprieve and and a small taste of our surroundings. I thought oh well maybe the weather will be better than he says and stayed very positive. The best time to climb Ben Nevis is from late spring to early autumn. I woke up in the morning to a rather sore body and a very big appetite for the large Scottish breakfast that was awaiting me. If you like the idea of staying super close to Ben Nevis but after something more decadent you can actually stay at Inverlochy Castle – but prices do start at £313 per night. I also went through 3 pairs of gloves that day (soaked) and John went through 5 pairs. ! Most hiking ascents of Ben Nevis start from either the Achintee Inn or theVisitor’s Centre, both in Glen Nevis. – Take at least 2 litres of water with you! your pocket wifi can be picked up at Heathrow or Paddington Station. I just kept riding towards Fort William under the rain. There is a BritRail MPass which has an e-ticket that can be downloaded onto a mobile. Every inch of me was covered and thank goodness I was exerting myself so heavily or I would have been freezing. I am not sure there is a ‘best time’ to climb Ben Nevis. I emailed the hotel I was staying at (The Lime Tree) and asked for a recommendation. I really didn’t think climbing Ben Nevis would be that big a deal. However, the summer months can be quite wet, and Scotland gets some bad storms in June and July. Either way, enjoy spectacular views in the crips and clean air of the Western Highlands. Access WIFI at local rates with the mobile wi-fi rental wireless internet anywhere you go in Britain. Climbing Ben Nevis in winter is a challenging day out but still very attainable for all kinds of levels and we are available to guide you to the summit safely in winter conditions. Stay in Touch in the UKGrab a WorldSIM PrePaid Global SIM Card to stay in touch at reasonable prices. However, it has one key restriction which is that the travel must be taken on consecutive days so make sure you check if this suits your plans before purchasing. After crossing the bridge over the River Nevis, you will start to climb steeply using the steps conveniently provided. Weather phenomena recorded in previous years in Ben Nevis ☃ Water Temperature in localities in Ben Nevis ☀ Weather forecast for Ben Nevis in October ☔. After I sent him an email the owner Connor actually rang me and asked if I knew what I was getting into. Being with my brother made the climb up Ben Nevis enjoyable because there was somebody else I knew going through the same struggles and emotions. We didn't actually make it to the summit due to one of our team wanting to turn around due to her being a little scared. So me and two friends stayed in Glen Nevis in one of the lodges which was well worth the money we paid and i would recommend it to anyone who is considering climbing this beast of a mountain. At one point John turned to me and said: “We’re here”. The rocks were slippery and climbing down some of the big rocks was very risky, exhausting and painful at the same time. Ben Nevis Mountain Track hike details. The navigation is generally very easy and the weather conditions are just like Ben Nevis and Snowdon. However, this post does contain affiliate links. Read an overview of the climate. It would be so easy to get confused up there and make a wrong turn when the weather comes in. We continued to climb this path in near zero visibility and sideways rain. Once you arrive in Scotland I would highly recommend that you hire a car. Enjoy a work out to the top or learn the sport’s basics on other rock faces on the mountain. Again, start at the North Face Car Park near Torlundy. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I pitched my tent at the campsite in Fort William, right at the one of the starting point to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. ⇒ If you are travelling around Scotland don’t miss the lovely Edinburgh! All rights reserved | Bamboo on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. I was very wrong. Best Spa  Food and Wine Weather phenomena recorded in previous years in Ben Nevis ☃ Water Temperature in localities in Ben Nevis ☀ Weather forecast for Ben Nevis in September ☔. It's at this point we hit the dreaded zig-zags. more. Ridge was very slippery from all the rain, then got icy about 400m up, then finally a snowy/icy finish to cap it off. If you are travelling solo and heading to Scotland check out these organised tour options: Don’t leave home without travel insurance. Travel guide and advices. I haven't been to Scotland yet, and this guide will surely be a big help If I climb this mountain. We headed off and decided we would review how fat to climb about an hour or so in. Learn how your comment data is processed. And this can, of course, continue once you arrive. And if you are traveling solo definitely get a guide. With a very wet and very windy alpine climate, you are never guaranteed views on the Ben. The most important thing to pack is solid footwear. ⇒ Another great option is to drive through the stunning South West of Scotland – don’t miss the lovely areas of Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire. Here is a fantastic itinerary that covers everything great to do in Edinburgh in 4 days. Winter climbing boots have a much firmer base so work better with crampons vs normal hiking books. Do bring a water bladder and/or water bottle with at least 2 litres of water. If you are in this kind of mindset, you probably want to get on top of the UK and climb Ben Nevis. A restaurant meets you at the top. The Ben Nevis Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is noted for a diverse range of habitats and wildlife. When we run group walking and private guide services, we often leave enough time for a 8-10 hour excursion. ⇒ Whale Watching Hermanus: Best Place in the world to see whales? Instagrammable There is nowhere to buy supplies once you are on the climb so make sure you bring snacks, some lunch etc. This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Gale force winds and rain that stings was the order of the day apparently. He was very experienced and gave me a lot of warnings about climbing Ben Nevis. Privacy Policy The video of Dave Macleod making the first ascent of the mixed climb Nevermore on Ben Nevis, followed by two other first winter ascents in the Glen … The path is very well trodden, and apart from in very poor weather hard to miss. Boy, 7, climbs Ben Nevis after his parents were told he would never walk. Be prepared. The wind was more powerful than anything i've ever witnessed and my face was stinging constantly from the rain. One guy said the descent is much more dangerous, and he was right. Weather in Ben Nevis in September 2020. He also explained that the weather changed very quickly climbing Ben Nevis. Summer days are quite long in Scotland – the sun comes up around 5am and it gets dark around 10pm. National Trust Passes cover entry to a large number of major attractions & stately homes in the UK. The other option is to fly to Inverness which is on the east coast and drive through Loch Ness and head down to Fort William. The terrain changes over and over again as you ascend, from loose gravel, big bouldery scrambles, man made rock paths and mud track. The visibility on Ben Nevis was not great – although at that point I was only concerned about taking photos rather than actually being able to see where I was going. But it’s up and back in the day. Pick up the good path beside the river (on the east side) and follow it for several kilometres into the bowl of the mountains, between Ben Nevis and the Carns. That means if you click through on them and end up making a purchase I may receive a small commission. Don’t be fooled by the weather conditions down in Fort William, it will be very different on the upper slopes of Ben Nevis, so make sure you take warm and waterproof clothes including hat and gloves. The first third of the climb was much easier than expected with the only annoyances being trying to get around the groups of slower hikers and the fact i was soaked to the skin after about five minutes. The views were blocked by cloud for much of the walk although when the clouds did occasionally clear the views were great. After I sent him an email the owner Connor actually rang me and asked if I knew what I was getting into. To be honest i'm still buzzing now. An hour later we stopped climbing Ben Nevis for the first time that day – it was about 3 pm. Thanks Denny - the truth is I didn't know what I was getting into so I don't think I was that brave!!!! There are several levels of ski trails to suit most people.One key point to remember during winter don't arrive after midday as the lifts will shut down around around 3 - 3.30pm. BritRail Passes for Overseas VisitorsIf you’re planning on travelling around England and Scotland then the best option is to buy the BritRail GB Pass. Like all of the Bens, Nevis is a hugely more impressive experience on a clear and sunny day. While the view from the top is nearly always hidden in clouds, the views from your journey up will astound you and will give you many opportunities to take stunning photos as you take a break from walking. How Long does it take to climb Ben Nevis? Even in summer, Ben Nevis can be very cold, wet, windy and covered in snow; and remember, it will get colder and windier the higher you climb. That marks one of my greatest solo achievements in my nearly 60 years of life. We were a small group and we enjoyed the challenge of the climb, made more challenging given it was raining for most of it. The fact conditions were so bad probably made the experience better in some ways as i loved the intensity. ... Fortunately the weather had been absolute shit and the rain helped to dissolve the guilt of our entrapment. The BritRail Central Scotland Pass covers the key central cities in Scotland – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Fife Station. I would highly recommend climbing Ben Nevis in better weather than I did – preferably June before the midges. Climbed Ben Nevis in August with my partner and 8 year old son plus our friends with their 8 year old son and teenage daughter. Check out my posts on Ockenden Manor Spa in Sussex, wonderful Things to do in Winchester, a Day trip to Brighton, Exeter Cafes, Exmouth Boat Trip options, 9 The Crown Filming Locations you can visit, Fun things to do in Cardiff, 7 Boutique Hotels in Cornwall Places to visit in South Wales, Where to Stay in the Cotswolds, Cotswolds Tour from London, Luxury Hotels Yorkshire and spa hotels South West England. The Ben Nevis walk lets you know what you are in for from the beginning. Group Walk up Ben Nevis from Fort William, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Fort William, Hotels near Nevis Range Mountain Experience, Hotels near Loch Eil Outward Bound Station, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Fort William, Canyoning & Rappelling Tours in Fort William, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Fort William, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Fort William, Game & Entertainment Centers in Fort William, Fort William VisitScotland iCentre: Tickets & Tours‎, Glen Nevis Visitor Center: Tickets & Tours‎, Old Fort of Fort William: Tickets & Tours‎, Private Tour of Ben Nevis from Fort William. Airline Reviews An hour later we put on crampons and I had my first go at an ice axe. Shoes should have good ankle support and a solid grip. Video: Dave Macleod winter climbing in Scotland planetmountain.com. Temperature of water and air, precipitation, amount of days with rain and advice on the best time to visit Ben Nevis. 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