Ben Nevis Via CMD Arete Review

We decided to go for the CMD Arete in the end as the weather forecast was great. This involved what we estimated was a 12 hour day judging by group experiance.

We set off into the mist at 8:00AM after a 6:00AM start.

Then we started to emerge from the fog just to turn back and see that it is still there beneath us. We got a few good pictures of this rare event.

After all of there photos we began ascending again, taking more photos as we went.

We met a lovely old man who was walking up Ben Nevis for charity, he was part of a group and had set off earlier so that they were not waiting for him. We left him to get on with his sponsored walk and proceeded to the Lochain.

The Lochain has came into sight and we are making good time it is now 9:30AM so we are ahead of schedule by 30 minuets.

The path has split so we can see our route of descent behind us, I am sure that most of the group will be happy to be back at this point. We have now been joined by a German man, he is very friendly and is walking the same route as us. 

As the Northerly face of Ben Nevis comes into sight the groups pace slows.

 Our friend decides to say bye and heads off increasing his speed.

As the valley comes more into view the clouds lift more to give us a sight of the task ahead.

Then before the grand ascent we stopped for a bite to eat and put up the bothy for a rest as the weather closes in around us. After a 20 minute break we set off up the steepest part of the walk.

We can hear what sounds like a helicopter in the distance, but carry on.

We then heard the noise getting louder and turned to see the Mountain Rescue Team helicopter behind us (at the same height) so we stopped and watched for a few minuites.

Ben Nevis's North Face emerges from the clouds in a spectacular fashion.

We then after a long climb (where the pace slowed considerably) reached the ridge just before Carn Mor Dearg,

The top of Carn Mor Dearg, but as per usual the clouds come in just as we get to the top.

The beginning of the CMD arete comes into sight.

Then the clouds start blowing over again, revealing the North Face of Ben Nevis again.

The clouds blowing over has left us with a unique view of the CMD Arete and an idea of how the air flows over it.

We then picked a spot to descend and have a bite to eat.

We have had to make a hard decision and some of the group will be descending with Kris and will be meeting up with the rest of us at the Lochain later.

As the clouds have mostly gone and the wind has died down it is looking to be a great day out on the hill.

The group enjoying some easy scrambling on the arete.

Great views, great day out on the hill. The group are slowing a little but it is nothing to be concerned about at the moment.

The views seem to just get better and better as we keep going, hoping it will keep till we get to the top. The group are really enjoying it.

The group all pose for a picture with a beautiful backdrop.

The clouds are closing in again and we are now encountering more snow and ice as expected.

The observatory comes into focus.

Then the refuge hut comes clearly into view but it is absolutely filthy inside and some holes in the side, shame some people can't look after the hills when they get rewarded with such views for the most of it.

Then we decided to celebrate getting to the top of the highest mountain in Britain from one of the interesting ways. We are a little late as it it 5:00PM.

Then while descending the clouds begin to rise again to reward us with a great view.

We meet up with the other group at the Lochain and are surprisingly only a few minutes behind time. We will have to to the last bit of descending in torch light but it has been worth it for such a great day on the hill.

We arrived at the youth hostel at 8:10PM which is only 10 minutes behind schedule?!?!?!

We will be going climbing on Wednesday and reviews to follow. Hope you enjoyed looking through our trip photos.

Overall review of the trip:

The Trip went well, we had great views. We set off early into the mist and emerged above it for some truly amazing pictures over the valley. Then we were ahead of time getting to the Lochain, we then proceeded onto the mountain hut. Upon arrival here the weather closed in so we stopped and had a snack in the bothy. After a short rest we then continued up Carn Mor Dearg where the pace slowed. After getting to the top and having a little rest we descended a little when the clouds lifted to reveal a great view of Glen Nevis and the CMD arete we were going to follow. We carried on the CMD arete until 14:20 when we stopped for lunch in a bit of shelter from the breeze. At this point a member of the party had to descend with Kris as the ridge was getting too unbearable for them. The rest of us carried on and enjoyed great views over the ridge and some scrambling. Then after the CMD arete we then ascended Ben Nevis to find snow and ice greeting us. We enjoyed exploring the old buildings and a photo opportunity on the carn. We then descended down to the lochain where we met Kris and the other member. We then dropped down into the valley in the light of our head torches.
The next day we ascended up to the fort to find an amazing view over the valley. Then we descended and left for home stopping at the Drovers Inn on the way.