CMD vs Crib goch

Hi,  I went over Crib Goch in April for the first time.  I have to admit to being absolutely petrified at times on the scramble up to it and on the ridge.  However i feel very proud to have done it.  It is my 50th birthday August 2012 and i would love to do Ben Nevis to celebrate it. My partner wants to go via the CMD arete which looks amazing, but im scared i am going to be petrified again and spoil my birthday.  Has anyone done both, and which is the scariest, Crib Goch or the arete?  Can i manage the arete if i have done crib goch?  Please advise!

yeah you'll be alrite its alot less exposed, though if you do fall off its still a long way doooowwwwwwwnnnnnnnn...

Thank you for all your replies.

I have decided, weather dependent to go for the CMD route!

Will feed back to everyone.

Hey if I did it anyone can. Stick to the very top od the rocks it is easier. I tried to go a little bit below the top rocks and it was dodgier. It is a nice view down if you don't have a fear of heights and the bit near the last climb up has a load of abseil posts on it down into Coire Leis where the CIC hut is. Nice route. Did it on a very warm and sunny Easter and thoroughly enjoyed it despite being totally unfit and slow. We did it in 12 hours but 10 is usual to do the whole loop from the golf course.

Do it! Seriously good route and the best way up Ben Nevis if you are not a climber. Never done Cirb Goch I think, but I did stuff there as a student that could have been that ridge. Crib Goch is probably harder than Sharp edge in the Lakes and I think CMD is nicer than Sharp edge.

Rodney, you should just do crib goch, as long as the weather is ok, clear with no winds.

I havent done the Watkins path, but i know it is not a walk in the park.

I hate heights, but there is a lot of cameraderie up on the ridge and people help and encourage others.  The feeling you get after succeeding is like no other.  It has helped me in other parts of my life.  After doing the crib i applied for a promotion and got it.  You feel like you can do anything once you have conquered something like crib goch.  Go for it, its amazing.  I would love to do it again.

Hi

I've not yet done Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg, but understand it to be fairly straightforward with the added bonus of impressive views of the Ben's North face which are not seen on an ascent of the main tourist path.

Re Crib Goch - particularly for those who haven't yet done it - although the 'fear factor' can be very subjective, I consider that aspect to have been somewhat exagerrated by walkers/scramblers in general. After my first go, having sat astride the main part of the ridge and nervously shuffled along, I concluded that it wasn't quite as terrifying as many had made out. If anything, the ascent of the East ridge was more challenging.

On my second time, I was far more confident, even walking 'no-hands' along the top of the arete at certain points. I imagine that you might be somewhat bolder on another attempt.

But like I said, these things can be subjective. Nevertheless, Crib Goch should never be underestimated. It IS dangerous.

Best wishes