BEN NEVIS: A COMPLETE GUIDE on how to hike to the summit (in a blizzard)!

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 15. 10. 2022
  • Ever wanted to hike to the summit of Ben Nevis? Is it achievable for even a casual hiker? All the answers are in this full guide on hiking Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, at winter.
    The journey begins at Glasgow Queen Street railway station before travelling to Fort William and then hiking to the summit of the mountain including directions, tips, incredible scenery and blizzards.
    -------------------
    HI! I'm Sports Travel Tom. If you liked this video I would love you to SUBSCRIBE and join my community on the following channels:
    Website: www.sportstraveltom.com
    Instagram: @sportstraveltom
    TikTok: @sportstaveltom
    X: @sportstraveltom
    --------------------------
    Other videos you may like:
    HOW TO HIKE TO THE HIGHEST PUBLIC POINT IN THE UAE:
    • JEBEL JAIS: How to HIK...
    EDINBURGH'S BEST HIKE? AN EXACT GUIDE TO WALKING THE SEVEN HILLS OF EDINBURGH:
    / @sportstraveltom
    CONQUER 5 PEAKS ALL IN ONE DAY ONLY 40 MINUTES FROM EDINBURGH:
    • PENTLAND HILLS SUMMIT:...
    HIKE THE STUNNING HUDSON HIGHLANDS 90 MINUTES FROM MANHATTAN:
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUmA1...
    ____________
    Having recently relocated to Scotland, Ben Nevis was on the top of my list for my The Sports Explorer journey's and it didn't disappoint.
    I started my journey from Glasgow Queen Street, at this is the only main terminus direct trains depart from. There are 3 trains a day.
    The summit sits at a height of 4,411 feet and is not only the highest point in the United Kingdom, but also until you reach Norway.
    Thankfully, it is a fairly straightforward climb, with it's well laid out mountain path guiding hikers to the summit. You will start at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, where there is a gift shop and snacks and drinks to be bought. The Visitor Centre is a short taxi ride from Fort William.
    Once you are on the mountain trail, you'll head uphill in a southbound direction climbing out of the Glen. The path on this stretch is the steepest you will encounter. After around 2 hours, you will reach Lochen Meall, known as 'halfway lake', it is here the path offers it's only moment of flat walking so enjoy it!
    For the next phase, you will hike away from Lochen Meall and continue upwards before entering a switchback section. Whilst this is not the steepest section, it is tough going, especially in winter conditions.
    Finally, you will make a left turn and follow the path (and cairns) all the way to the summit - don't stray form the path as the summit is surrounded by deep gorges that would be deadly if you were to fall.
    As you pass the old Observatory and the emergency shelter, you will see the summit a few feet away.
    If you are to hike Ben Nevis in the winter, make sure you take plenty of supplies, and wear the correct clothing. The proper layers, water, a hot drink and food are all required. And whilst you may not need hiking polls going up the mountain, they are a great help coming down.
    Thank you for watching this latest video. The Sports Explorer channel is all about telling the story of our world through sport & adventure, so I hope you have fun on the mountain when you do the hike.

Komentáře • 56

  • @sportstraveltom
    @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

    If you love exploring our world through the power of hiking, Ben Nevis should absolutely be on your bucket list. Thank you for watching the video, if you have any questions, let me know below!

  • @davidferrier5355
    @davidferrier5355 Před 8 měsíci +1

    Thanks very much for a comfortable, " vicarious" hike up Ben Nevis.
    I love videos of people enjoying the Scottish Highlands.😊 😊😊

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 8 měsíci

      Thanks David! It was a great trip... and my second Ben Nevis video is coming soon.

    • @davidferrier5355
      @davidferrier5355 Před 8 měsíci

      I will look forward to seeing you next adventure 😮

  • @tomherbert4335
    @tomherbert4335 Před rokem +1

    Fantastic video. Really enjoyed it. Thank you

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      Thanks Tom! Glad you liked it - it's a brilliant mountain to climb.

  • @starryeyed8744
    @starryeyed8744 Před rokem +1

    Well documented!!

  • @kelvincarr6172
    @kelvincarr6172 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Climbed Ben Nevis when i was 13 in cloud and snowing .Beautiful experience which i never forgot . Am now 60

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 11 měsíci

      Amazing! Thanks for sharing. Have you climbed it since?

    • @kelvincarr6172
      @kelvincarr6172 Před 11 měsíci +1

      ​@@sportstraveltom only time i climbed it . The only time we ever went on holiday was subsidised school trips.

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 11 měsíci

      @@kelvincarr6172 that’s a great school trip. It’s a great achievement - especially at 13!

  • @spookyduck7279
    @spookyduck7279 Před rokem +1

    Very well done video. Just got back from Ireland a few months ago and hiked Carrauntoohil while I was there. Weather was absolutely hellish - saw nobody on the entire hike except for the mountain rescue team that was coming down and saying it’s too dangerous to continue and that I’d be on my own (looking back… probably shouldn’t have played with life/death like that). But Ben Nevis is definitely next up on the list when I venture across the pond again. This video was great and I’m looking forward to seeing Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the video and lovely reading about your hiking adventures! Let me know when you do Ben Nevis!

  • @uilleachan
    @uilleachan Před 6 měsíci +2

    The summit of the Ben is quite a dangerous place in poor visibility and a life and death micro navigation challenge in winter whiteout conditions. Fun fact, most folk who get lost and end up falling from the summit, tend to do so on the southern side of the hill by falling into five finger gully, the confluence of which is quite extended just to the south of the navigable path across the summit plateaux. Meaning that an un-arrested slip on hard snow (normal winter & spring condition) anywhere in the five fingers catchment pulls the unwary traveler into the gully, which is 2000' long and can be extremely difficult to recover bodies from, usually having to wait until summer.

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 6 měsíci

      Great knowledge and thanks for sharing your insights. It is certainly a place to be careful and stay dafe. Keep to the path!

  • @Ashtaggym
    @Ashtaggym Před rokem +1

    Love your energy mate! We also share the same birthday 🎉🤝

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      Thanks mate! Thank you for watching. And good to know you’re in the Oct 7th club!

  • @kennethdeed1199
    @kennethdeed1199 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Great video, brought back fond memories. I would like to add to your commentary that the conditions you experienced was not true winter conditions. Though i don't dispute they were wintery in nature. True winter conditions on the high peaks should only be attempted by those with great experience. Thank you for your wonderful video. And happy (soon to be) 41st birthday!

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 9 měsíci

      Well said! Don’t think my cameras would survive full winter conditions! Thank you watching & loving your comment. I’m doing a second Ben Nevis in a few weeks so stay tuned 🙂

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 9 měsíci

      Also thanks for the birthday wishes! 🤣

  • @Lilacandhoney_crafts
    @Lilacandhoney_crafts Před 7 měsíci +1

    (Belated)Happy birthday 🎉. I am watching with my son who is learning about mountains at school. He found the video very interesting

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 7 měsíci

      Thank you! And I’m pleased to hear it! Best wishes to you & your son’s mountain adventures. My latest Ben Nevis video you might enjoy too… 🙂

  • @JohnHikes86
    @JohnHikes86 Před rokem

    Amazing Video, I'm doing ben Nevis this week so found this very helpful!

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      Thank you John! Enjoy your hike up there this week. The weather looks good for it! Let me know how you get on.

    • @JohnHikes86
      @JohnHikes86 Před rokem +1

      Stayed on the camp site and set off at 5am hit the summit in 2 and half hours don't know if that was good but the weather was brilliant and had the summit to myself! Route back down is when the rush of hikers were climbing. Glad I set off early.

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      @@JohnHikes86 2 & 1/2 hours!!? Blimey - mind you, I was filming so that slows me down? Glad you had a good run & had the sun it to yourself, it’s an incredible place. Congrats on completing it 🎉🥂👍

    • @JohnHikes86
      @JohnHikes86 Před rokem +1

      Thankyou. Please keep up the awesome videos! As this helped me alot.

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      @@JohnHikes86 thank you! And will. Growing the channel as best I can so I hugely appreciate your support!

  • @Delta-fs8jm
    @Delta-fs8jm Před 5 měsíci

    I'm still waiting to see the "blizzard" that you mention!

  • @johnmcananey
    @johnmcananey Před rokem +2

    did it a few weeks ago, about 4ft of snow on the top, great hike

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      Agreed! One of great day hikes around. Bet the snow was good!

    • @johnmcananey
      @johnmcananey Před rokem +1

      @@sportstraveltom it was great but tough as it was fairly steep in places

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      @@johnmcananey It certainly has its challenges. It's a slog all the way up, but well worth it.

    • @johnmcananey
      @johnmcananey Před rokem +1

      @@sportstraveltom oh it's amazing

  • @sportstraveltom
    @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

    Let me know what you thought of the video guys... was it helpful in your quest to reach the summit of Ben Nevis or inspired you to do it soon?

  • @alistairsmith783
    @alistairsmith783 Před rokem

    Bro, I ve stayed here its really nice, you can walk from train station to that hotel saved you 2hours and missery :( - great video though

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      Hah - thanks! You can walk it, but I was trying to keep everything dry ahead of the hike! Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed!

  • @cherno2483
    @cherno2483 Před rokem +1

    Hi, in what month did you climb ben nevis?

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem

      HI Cherno, I climbed the mountain in October - just last week in fact.

  • @boozytortoise
    @boozytortoise Před rokem +1

    I'm doing this in July but via the cmd arete

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      Enjoy! Hope the video guide is useful.

    • @boozytortoise
      @boozytortoise Před rokem +1

      @@sportstraveltom yeah it's great to see as we will be coming down the tourist route :)

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      @@boozytortoise Enjoy the pint at the bottom at the Nevis Inn!

    • @boozytortoise
      @boozytortoise Před rokem +1

      @@sportstraveltom or a few whisky:)

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před rokem +1

      @@boozytortoise haha indeed!!

  • @Pshady
    @Pshady Před 7 měsíci +1

    October 1982 gang

  • @1pauljs
    @1pauljs Před 4 měsíci

    Did you really wait 2 hours at the station for a taxi to take you 4 minutes down the road (20 walking) 😜

    • @sportstraveltom
      @sportstraveltom  Před 3 měsíci

      Haha, I did. I was wearing my hiking gear so really didn't want it all soaked for the next day's hike. On recent visits I have walked it you'll be pleased to know.

    • @1pauljs
      @1pauljs Před 3 měsíci

      @@sportstraveltom makes sense. All kidding aside it is a great video. By far the best for anyone looking to make that climb. ✌️

  • @geaverhaar376
    @geaverhaar376 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Be aware of white outs

  • @NickHansonPhotography
    @NickHansonPhotography Před 10 dny

    No information on clothing to wear, or equipment to take with you, and no information on checking the weather forecast beforehand - is this really a 'complete guide'?

  • @ashleythorpe7933
    @ashleythorpe7933 Před rokem +1

    5:37 1343m. I'm SICK of archaic imperial measurements, metric only please!