SUCCESS ON THE 2ND ATTEMPT ! After my 2021 West Highland Way disaster, success climbing Ben Nevis.
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- In 2021 I walked from the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow with the intension of walking the West Highland Way and then on to the summit of Ben Nevis. 5.5 kilometres from the summit, the legs gave way. I felt I had let my viewers down, so this year I tried the walk again, and this time I succeeded. I used the North Face Path which I believe is far more dramatic than the crowded Mountain track.
*** WEST HIGHLAND WAY 2021:
STAGE 1: (Glasgow to Milngavie) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 2: (Milngavie to Balmaha) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 3: (Balmaha to Inverarnan) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 4: (Inverarnan to Bridge or Orchy) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 5: (Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 6: (Kinlochleven to Fort William) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY: Gla...
STAGE 7: (Fort William to Ben Nevis) • WEST HIGHLAND WAY DISA...
*** MY BOOK:
End-To-End, the world's longest train journey from Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
www.amazon.co.uk/End-End-Worl...
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*** MUSIC:
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
*** TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:06:18 Allt a Mhuillin
00:13:15 CIC Hut
00:13:54 Castle Ridge
00:17:57 The False Flat
00:19:06 Joining the Mountain Track
00:22:30 The Summit
00:23:57 Closure and reflection
![Eminem - Houdini [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/22tVWwmTie8/mqdefault.jpg)
![Pretty or ugly? HRENSKO [CZ], Schmilka and the German border. The best and worst of Hrensko and area](/img/n.gif)
Superb, knew nothing of this path, and much more interesting seeing the north face vs the gruelling slog of the mountain path. well done Sir!
Well done!
As to your Austrian flags, I’m afraid that's not what they are. There is an international system of trail markings in the Alps. There are three types:
1. Yellow - an easy trail - stout shoes possibly required, but trainers will do. On valley bottoms the trails may well be wheelchair friendly.
2. Red-white-red flashes - moderate to tough trails - the vast majority. Can include really steep sections and scrambles (all four limbs required!) but can be relatively easy.
3. Blue trails - ice equipment required, even in the Summer. A trail is a blue trail if for instance you have to cross a glacier, or if you’re above the snow line in the hiking season.
This system was developed first in Switzerland where it is ubiquitous. It has been adapted in Germany, France, Austria (though rather more haphazardly) Italy and I believe Slovenia. It also very carefully gives you distances to the nearest village or hut and a timing, and sometimes a height to be gained.
At the top of the Rigi, a mountain near Lucerne, by the rack railway station there is a sign which says Rigi Kulm (summit in Swiss German) to the right with a red/white/red grade and a pictogram of an ordinary hiker, and to the left a sign which says Rigi Kulm with a yellow flash and a pictogram of a bent old man with a long beard and a stick! Of course that path takes longer! But old folk do get up there via the rack railway, so it’s useful.
A most engaging and awe inspiring video thanks Scott.
Success at last. That is something I would love to try. Definitely give way to people coming down. It's a way to pay respect to a fellow hiker who made it.
I'm always impressed how many people congregate at the tops of such mountains. Good video.
Good for u not giving up.the secret to getting old is setting goals or challenges and to keep going .
Superb, I climbed it last June, that second part scrambling over boulders to the top was a killer. I would always try and pass people on the left and give way when I’m climbing. You must respect this mountain!!
Brilliant, well done. Always harder coming down I find.
Great to see that there's another quieter route up. Personally I try to keep to the left as I do driving and cycling and I try to give way to people coming up the path. They are easier to see than you would be as your eyes are naturally looking down and so I have more time to stop. 🙂
Great effort young sir !! Thought there would had been a greggs and a ice cream van there when you got to the top !! lol
Brilliant Scott well done 👍👍
Well done Scott, it’s not an easy slog .
About 25 years ago my son and I, e was 10 then, were camping in Glen Nevis and, after seeing several photos of the path in the shower room we decided to try to get up Ben Nevis.
Of course, the way we took was the one with one step after another. Not only that, we wore brand new walking boots only bought the day before in Fort William.
After about 5 hours we made it roughly half way up, having been overtaken by probably hundreds of people running up those steps. I could see my son was a bit suffering so I decided to turn around to which he objected but I told him that going downhill is often harder than going uphill.
As it turned out I made the right decision as we made it down and he was at the brink of collapse. There was a pub where we had some cold refreshing drink and a bite to eat before we walked back to the camp site.
Nice one Scott well done. I don't think I'll be doing the Ben anytime soon far to many people.
Walking etecate : I would try and stay on the left this isn't a hard and fast rule. I've always given way to people coming up a hill if the track is narrow. Comeing down you need to take a brake every so often.
We would love to see some walking in the alps, please.
Brilliant. This is on my bucket list, along with the caledonian sleeper to Fort William
Here in Central Portugal the local hiking trails are marked with red and yellow painted stripes. They lean or bend in the direction of travel. There are just enough to define the route and I keep finding more.
Well done, Scott. I always use walking poles when coming down off a summit. They give you that extra stability to prevent injury and take a lot of weight off your knees, especially when using stepped paths.
Who gives way to who, especially on a tough hill I always give way to the people coming down, so I can catch a breath.
Congrats on making the summit. I was absolutely staggered by the number of hikers at the top. As a serious bushwalker in 🇦🇺I never experienced such crowds. Indeed on a weekend hike sometimes you never saw anyone at all other than your own party from Friday set off to Sunday evening return.
Fair play to you, as for the questions i don't know, it depends on how safe it is at the time, enjoying your videos, keep safe, take care🍀
Waliking poles are a must.
Fantastic video, the views are absolutely stunning! Back in the 70's I was on a bus tour with Mum while visiting from Canada and saw Ben Nevis so this was a treat. Always enjoy your videos. While not a hiker per se, I would think you'd give way to the downhill hikers simply because of the downward momentum; I would think you'd have more control ascending. Looking forward to the next.
In the 60s we had a maths teacher who climbed Kilamanjaro, a 5 day affair. He (Piggy Poulsom) advised coming down is more dangerous, and more jarring on muscles. VERY WELL DONE!
I generally keep to the left, except when meandering! I always give way to those coming down as pressure on leg joints,coming down, is way more than when climbing! My daughter and son in law, from NZ, spent part of their honeymoon in the UK travelling in a camper van. They stopped in Fort William and the son in law went for a run up Ben Nevis and back to Fort William. He’s a fitness nutter and his idea of pleasure is running up mountains in NZ South Island! At my age, 70 plus, I’m more the meandering type eg. down the drive to the letterbox and back! 😳
Well done on reaching the top of the Ben, I did it at my second attempt too. as for your questions, I meander when walking and I agree it's better to give way to people coming down. I found it very hard coming down, took me as long as going up did. [ 3 hours 45 minutes]
Thanks Scott great video. Climbing up you're right to meander to take the path of least resistance. Coming down it depends on how many you meet but I like to find a place to stop to the side of the track, say hello, and then continue as it gives me a short break and you are right, descending is harder because of the stress on your less muscular areas of your legs and in many ways you need to concentrate to watch you steps more so that you do not fall even if you are wearing good footwear.
Fantastic that you made it! Incredible views from the top. My knees would not allow me to even think about attempting this so I appreciate your video all the more. Way to go!
Congrats, Scott, brilliant. Cape Wrath Trail next?
Fantastic day for it
I made light work of this when I climbed last year, the PA on the other hand struggled with all the luggage.
Brilliant well done ❤
Glad you made it! I was gutted for you last time.
Well done, glad you made it. As for the questions. #1 I would stay on the left unless there was a reason to move over. #2 Would depend on the situation. For example how safe each of the walkers were.
Great video Scott. One thing I did notice during my years of hiking. People from the UK seem to keep left while people from the rest of Europe keep right. Greetings from Denmark.
Fair play to you Scott. I wish I could do it, but I'm too unfit.
I’m in the going up crowd!
Congrats. My friends were up there and climbed Nevis 2 weeks ago
Saw a mountain rescue documentary about that very tourist trail before it was name changed, i doubt you let anyone down there Scott, esp getting that far up that trail. the mountain rescue guys actually confirmed everything you said, Nevis has an active death count just like the Matterhorn or many other mountains do only perhaps not so hair raising. that was something on my bucket list and unless i could get my Ebike up there easily, it would be right out of bounds for me now. i would become that percentage that could not make it also, fair play for giving it another shot.
Bloody good job mate (excuse my Australian Scott 🙂).
Well done. Mount Everest next !
last time i was up ben nevis wes in 1976 and that was on a training trip in the RAF not been up since
This brings back memories of climbing Ben Nevis
Congratulations, Well Done 👏 👏👏💐💐💐.
As a climbers rule; Down goes first
I claimed a 'mountain' in Germany a few years ago only to find when I reached the top that there was also a bus service to the top.......
Answer the first question, you tend to meander, but for when passing stand to the left (for the UK; with a caveat that the person who has right of way has the easiest path of residence, eg. if the is mud on the right and your the one giving way, stand to the right, so the person who has right of way has the easier way. As for Q2, the person who steps aside is the person going UP, so the person coming down can pass. Again here is a caveat, it depends on track layout, who much gear the other person is carrying, etc.
I did the West Highland Way N-S last May as part of the first stage of the JOGLE, got fed up very quickly of giving way, as I found I had to regarding of terrain because of the mass of people coming the other way. This got very annoying alongside Loch Lomand, where at some points I was waiting 10 minutes for the slow coaches with no backpacks to come down, whilst I with a 20kg pack had to wait. Eventually, I came other all British and asked in a polite, but straightforward manner, ''Excuse me, coming through, excuse me, Thank you'', or other variations to get out of the way.
Try doing the WHW back to front, you'll soon disband etiquette, and come over like the formerly Queens Guards, who'd shout to podgy tourists ''MAKE WAY FOR THE QUEEN'S GUARDS'',
So yes, a complicated answer to those questions
Regarding the path signages.... we got red Ts in Norway on all major paths.
Congratulations
The north face trail is awesome but you spoiled it by turning back after the CIC HUT and heading towards the mountain path (Tourist Path) CMD and the CMD Arête is awesome have you tried it ? Done Nevis twice in a week back in July and your right respect Nevis or it will test you to the limits tough mountain coldest summit i have ever experienced great vlog mate thanks 🙏
Yes there are red and white markers all across Europe
Certainly an interesting point you raise about who should give way to whom. Sitting here in my comfortable armchair I would have said, those coming down should give way to those struggling on the way up. But as you quite rightly point out, most injuries occur to those coming down who have the weight of downward momentum to contend with. So although superficially it seems to be reverse logic, it certainly does make more sense for those going up to give way to those coming down. That was certainly a very good point you covered there. So well done... On another note, if you are looking for subject matter for future vids, how about a series about taking folding bikes on trains: As Brompton are so darned expensive, a series on cheaper Brompton alternatives such as Dahon, the Japanese brand: would be helpful and very interesting. Especially for those of us who prefer trains, to flying.
Great walk Scott, the scenery looks amazing and worth the second attempt
Have you ever done the tour of central station - under the existing station. Did this last year and it is fascinating. Think you would like it too. Not sure if you would be allowed to film tho. X
geeze!! the number of people at the top part (summit) is absolutely horrendous, image if just half of them left their plastic water bottle and/or crisp packets there, and of course everyone must have the obligatory selfie
Great walk you've taken the most sensible way up this classic walk thankyou for sharing it whatever age and fitness level doesn't have to be a toll,great views too
I admire your courage in taking on the challenge again and winning. If the ascent was anything to go by I imagine the descent was very demanding. Thank you for undertaking this adventure so that I don't have to. I used to be fit but alas those days have passed by and now I am more suited to gentler perambulations.
You clearly had a better day than when I climbed Ben Nevis many years ago. I had to cross some snow at one time and the visibility at the summit was zero! I met some guys who were using a tourist map and wetren't sure which path to take at one point si I had to take my compass out (they didn't have one) and point them in the right direction!
Hello Scott, great film and well done. Looked stunning in those perfect conditions
Well done sir! You are an inspiration to me.
I’d love to do that on my mountain bike. The ride down would be spectacular. Well done sir.
Well done, Scott!👏
You're a brave man!
Congratulations! Great video as always!
1. most european tracks have paint on the rocks. a lot just have a single red stripe. austria being an exception
2. as per roads, keep left in the uk, keep right abroad
3. assess the situation, but generally give way to descenders. (so you can have a rest while climbing)
It should be said you had very benign conditions. you need to have a map and compass, as low visibility can give you to some very dangerous conditions. i have only been on the Ben in winter, where a map and compass were definitely needed. also almost all the cairns on the summit indicate the top of climbs, rather than markers for the path.
Beautiful views 😍
Well done Scott.
Well done Scott fantastic achievement
Well done Scott
fantastic - looks great and well done
Huge congratulations I did Nevis in 1977 😮couldn’t do it know with regards to Q1 I go to the side that’s furthest from the edge 😂😂 Q2 definitely give way to those coming down also it’s a good excuse for a breather
❤
Well done Scott massive achievement love your videos and crazy things you do.
At the CIC hut you should have traversed to the right up the Garadh Buttress Route, a very moderate scramble, no equipment required. To be honest going up some of the routes at the back (ranging from easy to very difficult) of the Ben is really the only way to appreciate the hill, because The Ben Nevis tourist route is one of the most boring accents in Scotland.
Beautiful scenery, well done, I knew you could do it ☺️
That was well worth the watch.
I alway give way to people coming down, but only because their going quicker and waiting for me coming up is like that scene with the runner in the distance from monty python.
Some great questions! I haven't done much continental European hiking, but there were painted rocks in Greece on the non-obvious hike I did do. Having said that, the markers were few and far between, or the paint was wearing away when I did find markers. I was fortunate to get off the mountain that day in one piece....
Generally I will give people going down priority over going up, because I can use the micro-break to catch my breath. However, I will yield or take priority based on being in a safe place to let people pass.
As for passing on the right or left, I wonder if it's based on what side of the road people drive. Most everywhere I've passed on the right because people drive on the right where I've hiked. The exception was when I hiked Glyndwr's Way in Wales, but nobody was going the other direction in the ten days I hiked the path!
I've found markers in Italy and Spain and have said UK paths should be marked either nationally or to each nation.
Also the Ben Jariag ridge is fun.
Should mention last time I did the "tourist" path there was an Indian Bolywood Musical being filmed!
Well done. But where is the snow I always remember walking up in the Nineties?
Meander and give way to who ever has the harder path up or down.
they have trail and route markers in Slovakia on the national trail network , very well sign posted and information on distance and walking times
Well done Scott 👍
I wondered where you were at the start 😵
I might get up there after all
Certainly plenty of people on the trail...
We walked up The Ben (Tourist Path) in early November 2007 on a reasonably nice day and only saw 2 other people on the mountain. I was expecting many more because, although it was November, the sun was out until we reached the top, only after then it began to rain a little.
Great video! You should do the fife coastal path next. I’m from lochgelly and still haven’t done the full walk 😂
Well done for getting to the top!
Well, I try and stay on the left, but it depends on the terrain. Always say hello to people, and most answer cheerfully, yet some don't. I try and give way to the people coming down, usually. Marvellous to see the top of the Ben, and using a different route to most people....did you go down the same way?
Great video. Regarding your questions - alpine paths are always marked in Europe. There are variations between countries but in Slovenia we have red and white target markers. In regard to etiquette - my experience in Austria and Slovenia., again up in the mountains - is you give way to those coming down for the reasons you outlined. Left or right? I stick to the right in Europe.
Yes of course we have walks markings in Switzerland and I think they have in Germany, Austria and so on.
Red-White-Red is not the Austrian flag it is the indicator for a serious mountain path, yellow or yellow-white-yellow is the marker for normal track.
Well done sir
Would walking poles help doing that climb?
Congrats- so if you got up at 5 am to do this, when did the others who were coming down past you get up to do this?
Hiking etiquette is uphill has priority, but some people don't follow the rules unfortunately.
I did this when I was forty - 35 years ago! (Ouch)
Hi Scot.
Have you done any videos in Italy..?
Carn Mor dearg arete isnt as bad on the knees. Starts at Torlundy and isn't as bad as it looks, even in winter.
walking
Here in north east Italy signs are usually made by two red and white stripes. Some are circular and painted in red. Wooden post with details of the paths are present too. Contact me if you want to try our Dolomites or lower eastern alps. We will appreciate to hike with you.
I'll make way either going up or down.
well done the on climb .Very good video and did you have super weather .I allways enjoy visting scotland .I live near Dartmoor devon worth a vist have look at my video dartmoor summer 2022
gosh it was so crowded up there
Did the North Face route in 2020 and the mountain path 2021. 2020 I got about 3/4’s of the way up and found out I had left my phone in the car so no photos! Made sure in 2021 but, on the descent, I blew my knee around 30 minutes off the summit and took 4.5 HOURS to descend!!!! Never again 😅
keep to the left and give way to people coming down
Q1 to the right as I would walk on roads without footpaths Q2 give way to those coming down
What? That deadly? In Scotland? Come on, first world country, that is nuts.🥜🌰
As a rule, Americans stay to the right, driving, going up steps etc. but I would seek the easier terrain if I could.
pronounce it ahllt na voolin