Lindsay. Thanks for the warning - I've read that one needs to keep centrally between the NE cliffs and Five Finger Gully.
By the way, when you say "...most of them have found it tough enough" do you mean tough in terms of the going underfoot, the amount of ascent, the exertion required, or what?
The majority of folks were from the south and some just didn't appreciate the amount of ascent involved, starts from near sea level, and the amount of time it takes, 3 -4 hours for the ascent although I've taken longer, on one occasion in excess of 10 hours up and down. The path is quite rough except near the half way lochan, which in fact is only around a third of the way up, where the going is good. Some find the descent more awkward than the ascent because of the loose stone.
As kinley says lookout for the shit on the summit, it is pretty bad and of course the regulation banana skins. Other than that I'm sure you'll enjoy it, lots of folk to say hello to as you pass. You'll also be asked on the descent how far it is to the top, even as far down as the half way lochan as some have no idea of distance and have no map. You'll find it very interesting seeing the state of attire of some folks and their fitness levels.
.... didn't appreciate the amount of ascent involved, starts from near sea level, and the amount of time it takes, 3 -4 hours for the ascent ...
Ah, I see. Thanks, Lindsay. All but one or two of the group have been up other hills with me (including Scafell Pike and Snowdon) so I'm reasonably confident they will cope - or, at least, that the terrain and ascent won't take them completely by surprise. And, of course, we'll go at the pace of the slowest.
As kinley says lookout for the shit on the summit, it is pretty bad and of course the regulation banana skins....
I'm used to banana skins, water bottles, sweet wrappers and so on. But excrement and sanitary wear is new to me - I've never come across either in Snowdonia, on any Lake District tops or along the SWCP. Maybe I've just been lucky?
I'm always worried about giving advice here in case I'm wrong But is sounds like you and I have similar experience (a few big hills, but nothing overly technical, knows one end of compass from the other).
I went up late July last year and stayed 4 nights at the Glen Nevis site. It was good, the wardens were strict on noise which was nice for me as a solo camper, the shop was well enough stocked but i didn't get time to try the buttie van. It's a 40 minute walk into town along the road, but if you use the Cow Hill path you can cut a little bit out and walk off some of the food/beer from the Grog and Gruel (which I can't recommend enough).
I found the Tourist Path easy enough to navigate as others point out it's very busy that time of year. It is LONG and quite trying in that regard, there's nothing technical but I was very sore-footed by the bottom. Partly I was out of practice and partly I think I went a little too thick on the socks and overheated my feet a bit. One thing I did find weird was I was warm enough to just have my base layer on until I stopped at the summit, it really can chill you quickly up there even if it doesn't feel like a strong wind. I tseems obvious I know but I haven't felt the same effect anywhere near as strongly elsewhere.
I'm hoping to be one of the group heading up there with Skip. Unfortunately with regards to the time alloted to the trip I think it will be more a case of what people can take in annual leave than it will how long people want to devote to the trip. I'd love to spend a week up there, but financial constraints and it being a busy period for leave will probably hinder that.
The Cow Hill area is nice, with great views over the town. I walked up there when I was staying at a B&B at the foot of the hill. It would be nice to take a wander up there again.
Sadly I'm one of those with very limited navigation skills since I usually stick to long distance paths which tend to be well signposted. One day I need to get around to learning more about navigation, but for now I freely admit that I would never tackle Ben Nevis alone and will be quite happy to trudge up the tourist path. I also do not especially like heights either, so I'll be quite happy with the less "interesting" routes!
I just want to finish the trio since I've already done Snowdon and Scafell Pike, so this will complete the set.
Many, many years ago, I spent a summer in Glen Nevis. We used to wander up the first part of the tourist path on our way to the north face. Where it swings round into the wee valley to climb up towards the half-way lochan, we commonly got tourists asking "how much is there left". We used to take a viscious delight in pointing way, way up and asking "Can you see those red rocks where the path crosses the burn. Well, that's half way." I think we saved the MR from a few outings.
There are many competitive B&Bs along the road out of the Fort towards the south. We turned up with the whole family (five people) in the middle of July last summer and had no problem finding accommodation. Nearer the pubs and eateries and safe from the midges
Yeah I stayed at a great B&B, the owners were very friendly and knowledgeable about the area and helped me a great deal. I like camping though and have never done so North of the border, so I'd prefer to do things that way.
book early tho...
