BEN NEVIS ANYONE?

[steadysteve]

Just testing the water to see if anybody fancies making up a group for a trip away w/c 23rd June?
Me and my lad climbed Snowdon in 2012 and Helvellyn, via Striding Edge, last year sooo the next big one is Ben Nevis.
We are not by any means hardcore climbers and usually do these climbs in about (or slightly less than) the times quoted in the guide books, so would probably go via the 'tourist' route described on t'internet.

I am looking at the w/c 23rd June but can be flexible within that week and could set off on the sat/sun 21st/22nd if it suits, although i would imagine it would be quieter during the week.

Intending doing 3 or 4 nights, cheap hotel/ B&B.

I am based near Grimsby and Google says it is 440 miles- which is probably do-able in one good day.
I'm not bothered about a set itinerary but in my little head I imagine getting up there in one day, climbing the mountain the next day and leaving one or two days(depending on number of nights) to explore the roads in the area. Never been that far north but i hear the riding is pretty good?

I've never organised a group trip, or been on one for that matter, so if anybody is interested and has any 'top tips' then feel free to speak up, barack/ heckle as appropriate!

The weather would probably dictate the best day to climb anyway.

If anybody is interested let me know and i will get details for hotels etc, or local camping if anyone wants to come along and camp.
Cheers,
Steve.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

It's easily do-able in a day. We stopped in Dingwall & went via Fort William & Loch Ness. We even had time for a wee gander around Ben Nevis & Loch Ness on the day. I used to do Glasgow & back in the one day, from Lincoln when I had a season ticket for Sellick Park.
Once you get off the A1 at Scotch Corner it's pretty nice riding (for motorways) & you'll make good enough time until you're north of Glasgow. It's steady from Loch Lomond onwards but by then you're really in the lovely scenery & won't want to rush anyway.
Have a great trip & be safe.

 

[Davey B]

It's only 300 miles to Fort William from Grimsby, so very doable in a good half day...5-6 hrs..or 8 hours with plenty of stops and sightseeing.
Depending how fit you are, anything between 3.5 to 7 hours to go up and down the Ben so again, at that time of the year, morning or later afternoon ascent is fine if weather is an issue for part of the day. For your day up there without the climb, I'd heartily recommend riding to the Isle of Skye, a circumnavigation and then the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig and then a blast along the Road to Isles...an amazing route from start to finish.

 

[steadysteve]

Cheers fellas.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Very good campsite at Glen Nevis, just near the start of the tourist route. Sorry 'Mountain Track'.

 

[Davey B]

I'd be tempted to use the Corran Bunkhouse. 7 miles south of FW on the main road. Great place, free ferry across the water (2 mins) to a great pub at Ardgour

 

[ossa eck]

Theres a big cycle event on that weekend,10 under the ben ,so the area will be very busy and accommodation hard to find.

http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/event/10-Under-the-Ben---Fat-Tyre-Weekend/2959/

 

[Davey B]

It will also be rammed with a variety of charity events starting or finishing the 3 National Peaks so not only will the town be packed, so will the hill. Go and do it Thursday or Friday or the following Monday and it'll be lovely and quiet...so ride north on the Saturday and Sunday and escape the throng

 

[Johnnymac]

I'll second that. Stayed at Corran Bunkhouse last September. Great place, and pub over the water excellent!
Shame about the snoring room mates I had, but that, as they say, is another story....

 

[mitchy]

Hi Steve,

I could be up for it with you, I've just come back from a 5 day Scottish trip staying at Loch Lomond (6 hrs from Wakefield 50/60 mph A1 A66 M74 M8) then on to Skye/Ullapool/Fort William home from Fort William left at 8 am home 3pm steady! You planning to take the bike and is your son doing the trip with you?
Here's a photo VIDEO of the trip to inspire you http://vimeo.com/88357313 stayed here in Fort William Great!!
http://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/ben...id=fc3754235d2246a843d2b12f21435684c2bae543X1
It would work best for me either Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue home Wed or Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun home Mon or just 3 nights home on the 4th day arrange to suite yourself and let us No. Could have a couple of may be's I'll put it to them but I don't think they will be up to the climb which doesn't matter!!
let us No your plans enjoy the film
Mitchy

 

[steadysteve]

Hi Mitchy,
I'll do a bit more research and find out the score with the cycle event- maybe the back end of the week would be better but I would need to be home on the sunday. 3 nights is fine by me. Definitely taking the bike, don't know about my lad- he finishes college and not sure what dayshe has free between exams etc. Either way I'll be going.
How soon do you need to make firm plans?
Steve

 

[skytramp]

Hi steve
I used to do a lot of snow and ice climbing on the ben
Lots of walkers get killed by walking down the wrong gullies off the top
Make sure you get the proper directions for the route down in case mist comes in
Compass bearings map ect tourist office will be able to supply safety leaflet
Frank

 

[Skid06]

Ben Nevis inn is on the start or the route and has cheap hostel accommodation good food and some live entertainment or it did when I did 3 peaks http://www.ben-nevis-inn.co.uk.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[mitchy]

Hi Steve only need 2/3 weeks notice. Looked at some b&b for the dates almost fully booked looked at the Ben Nevis Inn have rooms in the week no w/e trouble with hostels you can't leave gear. Hillview guest house has vacancies for a twin room for 3 nights 26/27/28 £240 breakfast included up on thurs climb on fri skye/apple cross sat or where ever home Sunday and miss all the commotion but going to have to move quickly or we will be wild camping (now there's a thought)

 

[steadysteve]

Hi Mitchy, those dates seem okay. Just waiting on the boy to get some definite word on college dates/time off/exams etc. Any news on your 2 'maybes'?
Obviously going to need more rooms if my lad plus your 'maybes' are coming.
Tried to PM you but that option doesn't come up?....

 

[mitchy]

Hi Steve,
Yes have mentioned the trip and dates to couple of lads who are very keen but would join us on a last minute basis as they are self employed as am I and would be happy finding their own digs nearer the time. I'm happy to book a room now and go with the dates to avoid disappointment or leave it nearer the time and pick 3/4 days in any week during June / July and pick a good weather window as I've had my fair share of Scottish bad weather.
Like to have a Dales / North Yorks run out with you in a couple of weeks if you're up for it
Graham

 

[steadysteve]

I would need to go with those dates as my shift pattern dictates my weeks off (every 7th week is a 9/10 day break)with only 5 floating days which are already used up with family hols. Family hols in august so that puts me another 7 weeks down the line for a pass out....
Probably an idea to get it booked sooner rather than later. I have had a bit of a look at B&B's but they are all around the same price, with the odd one just under the £200 for 3 nights.
Ride out sounds like a good idea, great minds think alike! I work a lot of weekends with varying days off in the week but i dare say we could come up with a date to suit.
Any idea why the PM not working?
Steve

 

[mitchy]

Morning Steve
Watch for the cheaper B&Bs as they are often a bunk of 5/6 in 1 room, don't mind that but we will be carrying extra gear for the climb so don't want to leave good gear lying around and I'd like to think we could leave it in a locked room while we're out enjoying Bonny Scotland not tying everything to the bikes and taking it with us!
A rideout in the week suites me down to the ground you just let me know what day your free and I'll work around you.
Cheers
Graham
07946299399