BEN NEVIS TO AONACH BEAG
Ben Nevis and the ridge to Carn Mor Dearg. Sgurr a' Mhaim and Stob Ban from Rob's previous leg seen over ridge. Photo Colin Matheson
6.8 miles 1934 metres
Start Saturday 01.39
Ben Nevis 04.09
Carn Mor Dearg 04.52
Aonach Mor 05.38
Aonach Beag 05.56
Finish 06.18
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeover. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 3.30 Actual 4.39
Alwyn writes:
Rob's “mystery tour” of the west Mamores resulted in a 1.30 am start on this leg just when I had reached a deep sleep in the transit! With a dark night and low cloud I decided the safest option was to start from Glen Nevis Y. H. via the tourist route.
John's torch, kindly lent, packed up early on and after the Red Burn I was enveloped in mist and rain. I reached the summit plateau by the shoulder of Carn Dearg, and continued to strike upwards.
Coming upon a “snowfield” in the mist and gloom, alarm bells jangled. Closer inspection and I could just discern the cornice edge over the northern pricipices, with a 2000 ft drop to Coire Leis below. I traversed to the right, following the edge of the snow , still catching glimpses of the cornice edge. Eventually the snowfield heads downhill. I retrace my steps and try the other direction following a path which begins to zig-zag; the tourist path! I follow it back up to the snowfield, and by now it is light enough to see the cornice edge. Carefully traversing through the mist some 20 yards in from the edge I reach the summit at 4.10 am. I have spent the last hour within 400 yards of the summit!
The going very rough and rocky to Carn Mor Dearg with continuing mist, rain and vicious wind; the going easier after Aonach Mor, but still very wet and windy. A last steep grassy descent to Tony at 6.18 am.
Peaks done 145 time taken 7 days 3 hours peaks to go 132
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