The Ben via CMD Arete

10k Star

26/06/2012 at 09:47

Hi.

I may go to Scotland for an ascent of Ben Nevis in August and my girlfriend might accompany me. Her fitness level is not so gr8.

In terms of physical effort, which route up the Ben is easiest, the Tourist or via the CMD Arete?

Thanks in advance for any useful advice from experienced parties

AT (http://AyrshireTiger.wordpress.com/)

26/06/2012 at 09:56

CMD is without doubt the harder and longer route. However the "tourist" route is still a very arduous walk especially for someone whose fitness level is not great. Would be useful to know what you mean when you say your girlfriend's fitness level is not great as I'm sure many of those who do the Ben every year are not in the peak of physical fitness!

Guy Hurst

26/06/2012 at 12:49

From memory you need to be pretty fit to do the CMD in reasonable time and safely, whereas most folk could do the tourist path, even though it is a pretty hard slog.

* Diddi * Im on Mars btw !!!

26/06/2012 at 15:25

No real paths to the start of the CMD that in itself is hard work,Tourist route was my wifes first ever mountain walk and she was fit and did it in 5hr 30 mins but she was knackered when finished...as Guy says the CMD is a long days walk took us around 9hr start to finish....slightly beer rough didnt help!!! (thanks to the BEN NEVIS INN)

Edited: 26/06/2012 at 15:25

Lindsay Boyd

26/06/2012 at 16:11

I have taken folks up the so callled 'Tourist Route' several times and folks have been surprised how demanding it is. They've taken between 7 and 10 hours there and back. It is not a walk in the park by any means.

However top class runners do the Ben Nevis Hill Run from Fort William in under 90 minutes, that is up an down.

A bit of training is needed for the ascent and that is not a stroll round the block at home as some found to their disadvantage.

Hope you make it.

Slainte

Lindsay

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