(Now before I start showing you pictures, I'll admit that they are not all mine. I'm giving credit to some fellow mountaineers and their expensive cameras that captured the mountain in all its beauty... thank goodness for facebook eh?)
So.. 23 other mountaineering club members and I hit the road at 5:30 on Saturday morning to start the full day climb: Ben Nevis, here we come.
The sunrise was beautiful to see for those of us who managed to stay awake for the ride (I was not one of these people unfortunately, so this is what I missed ^)
... but when we got there, I was all smiles and totally pumped to get started.
The beginning and the very end were probably the most painful stretches - it was like going up stairs for about 2 hours straight >
View of Glen Coe - one of my favourite pictures.
It was hard to look at the view while we were hiking, so every once and a while when we stopped, it was cool to see that we were making progress - despite what our legs were telling us.
My favourite line from the day (as we were all taking pictures of the view above): "I feel like I'm looking at a screen saver!" So true.
We had a snack break at a random Loch 3/4 of the way up. It was warm enough to take off a few layers and break out the sunglasses - take that Scotland!
For the last 2 hours to the top, we traded in the steps for loose rock - a little easier on the knees.
About 4 and a half hours after getting out of the van... WE MADE IT!
Between everyone in our group, we represented 10 countries! This made for endless conversations on the way up to pass the time. Here are a bunch of us... looking very satisfied.
So what is at the top you ask??
An old observatory and a whole bunch of rock formations:
(v Another one of my favs)
... because when you climb 1344 meters up a mountain and all there is is rock on the top... you pile it up.
An incredible view to look at while eating lunch... not a cloud in the sky! I still can't believe how lucky we were with the weather. Apparently, on average Ben Nevis has 20 or so days a year when it has a clear view at the top. I think we saw the best one :)
And now we begin the hike back down...
A few new friends from Belgium and Switzerland - thanks for the company guys!
Sheep!
We didn't take as many breaks on the way down and it seriously felt like my toes were going to fall off. Every time I stopped my legs would start shaking - the key is to just keep going.
After an 8 hour climb, we were all ready for a warm meal and a few drinks. On the way home a few Scottish guys in the van taught us a bunch of new words that I need to start incorporating into my vocabulary. Maybe I'll do another post with all of them. I got back to my res at around midnight and I have never been so happy to see my bed. And 2 days after... my calves are definitely feeling it. I'm going to be a tank by the time I leave this place.
It was an epic climb and with great company - I'm honestly speechless and so thankful for such a great day, I love this place :)
Cheers Ben Nevis!
Yet another incredibly sun-shiny day in a country renowned for rain--how do you keep lucking out? The view from the top was definitely worth it for me--thanks, Al! All gain, no pain for us Blog readers...now that's my kind of hike!
ReplyDelete:-) Mom
P.S. I've managed to beat Lili to the post this time! By the way, happy Thanksgiving!
Beautiful pictures! I'm impressed you made it all the way to the top, you must have been exhausted. And I may steal one of these shots and make it my screen saver... :)
ReplyDeleteWow those pictures are amazing! Must have been exhausted by the time you made it to the top, but that view is so worth it. Good job!
ReplyDeleteAllison... this hike looks amazing! I wish I could be there with you.
ReplyDeleteInstead, I've spent the past few hours eating cookies. Time to go do some yoga to reduce the size of my handles o' love? I think so :)
I feel like I've not checked back for a short while, and you already have several posts! Thanks for keeping up with this... and for letting us back home keep up with you!
xoxoxo...
Joanna