 There are proposals to cairn the summit path on the Ben as a possible safety aid to mountaineers and walkers, what do you reckon?
|
 |
 It's complete nonsense, why not VF the whole thing so anyone can do it?
|
|
VF?
|
|
 How the hell would some VF help anyone get up the Pony Track? Maybe an escalator.
The problem with sticking some cairns up there, is that every Tom, Dick and Dick would just have to put another rock on them and then perhaps start building a new one and before you know it you'll have a wall stretching from the summit down to the Halfway Lochan.
Be nice if they removed the existing crap off the summit though.
|
|
 I think that it should be done, as novices/tourists do go up the "tourist path". If it can save a life then I'm for it.
You can't say if they can't navigate not to go. Ben Nevis is climbed by people who do not know one end of a map from another and ill equiped, it's a fact.
I think there is a point there somewhere
|
|
 I concur Darren. This idea of wilderness? Pah, there is no wildernes anymore, so why bother to say there is.
I am not saying that it should be really obtrusive, but some form of waymarking that fits in with the local environment is the right thing to do.
|
|
I believe Ben Nevis isn't wilderness it's a tourist attraction just like Snowdon. Between the two it attracts the tourists and keeps them safely away from more interesting places, and more importantly me.
Wilderness is elsewhere.
By sacrificing these two mountains the rest are free from the tourists (generally).
SO waymark Ben Nevis so they can do it safely, clean the summit.
And if you really want to get up Ben Nevis and down again with out the crowds do Towwer Ridge or something.
|
|
If they're going to put wee cairns everywhere to mark the way, they should make them like they do on Kilimanjaro: three or four stones high and painted one colour for the way up and another one for the way down. But then, that only really works well if you have "up" routes and "down" routes like they do there. Regardless, an obvious sign at the bottom of the tourist path might work.
|
|
 A little guidance wouldn't hurt but there is a limit. Lets hope they don't cross it.
|
|
Via Ferrata
|
|
 I can see the reasons behind the proposal but I'm concerned about the precedent it would set. What about the route to Macdui from Cairngorm, that's full of tourists.
I suspect that the people who will ultimatly decide will not pay too much attention to the general mountaineering public and it might be best to argue that the whole summit is cleaned up, removing "misleading" cairns before they go installing more.
|
|
 why not "signpost" routes. you won't be using them or looking at them because you'll be looking at the map, won't you and these won't appear on your map so you can navigate to your heart's delight.
if your nav skills aren't great, and the only way to learn is to try and that means always pushing the comfort zone, then these will provide a non-battery powered safety net.
as a leisure resource if it gets more people off their butts and out to do some exercise all the better.
properly managed it will benefit everyone.
still too much arguing over the bread and the butter.
e.g. can't do this cos people will do that - yeah! right!
(enough he cries)
|
|
 Having witnessed some frightening examples of people going on to Nevis ill equiped (ie platform boots, denim jackets and Mickie Mouse ponchos!!) I think they need to have very large maps/signs at the start of the tourist route to warn people of the dangers.
As for the cairns I've mixed views. Definately agree with clearing up the summit.
Just need to see what happens
|
|
the terminally stupid will be with us forever elaina, mmm! could make money by renting out a tracker bracelet for when they get lost or perhaps build cairns around them.
|
|
Big signs at the start is a good idea to make it very plain this is a big hill!
But its the thin end of the wedge.
I was doing the Fairfield Horseshoe a couple of weeks ago and near the summit of Fairfield it was dense hill fog and as you know the path just fades away. I must admit I did get a little worried but at least I knew I could just retreat the way I came on a back bearing, if I didn't find the shelter, which I did thank goodness!
So the same could be said for many Lake District Fells, and many of them are just like motorways with cairns all the way to the tops.
We just have to take balanced view and educate more people on mountain safety.
|
|
 Wilderness doesn't have man made paths - if it's got a path it might as well have a cairn or 20.
And a Mcdonalds drive-thru.
|
|
Maybe we can have a Nail Bar at the top of Snowdon to go with the Cafe?
|
|
I'd like that, I always chip my nails on Crib Goch.
|
|
 What's next? A train to the top? A cafe at the summit? Then change its name to something English?
Whilst we're at it we could have a hand rail up Tower Ridge, railings round all the gulleys that break through to the summit (of course with coin operated telescopes), and replace the CIC Hut with a nice shiny hotel.
|
|
I know....a shop selling england flags for your car at half price after we get knocked out by the Swiss on Thursday.
|
|
