Scotland, Fort William
Good walking leaves no track behind it
The Big One
If Dave E ever proposes a route with the words ‘it’s interesting’ then perhaps you’d better check what’s in store. In this case the highest mountain in Scotland Ben Nevis at 4409 ft) via the 9th highest Carn mor Dearg (4003 ft). Not to mention the Carn Mor Dearg arête that joins the two – a very narrow ridge of rock that curves to the back of Ben Nevis.
The hardest walk I’ve ever done (not helped by the 6 pints and curry we had the night before having watched England lose to Portugal in the quarter finals of Euro 2004), but what a sense of achievement at the top. Ascent took 7 hours and descent another 4. And the weather was perfect, sunny and blue sky. Even in July there was snow at the summit and Dave and Cookie managed to sledge their way down one part. Total walk was 11 hours!
Saturday was a trip to the Ben Nevis Distillery, and a long lazy lunch. Sunday was a stroll up the Great Glen – spectacular scenery of a hidden valley.
