CMD Arete....all it claims to be and so much more.

The bad news struck late last night when Chris could not make it..next time bud..but worse was to follow in the morning..Derek made it..he is as mad as a hatter and should be banned from ever taking his top off in public..especially on a hill with me!!

We started the day early, meeting at the Glen Nevis visitor centre at seven..not the Nevis RANGE car park Derek..NOR the north face car park either..oh well, to think I missed one of Isabel's breakfasts for this!! When Derek eventually sorted out his navigation issues and arrived at quarter past seven, I had to answer a call of nature..it must be hill karma!!

We departed at seven thirty along the tourist route..admiring the view as we went..watching the mist think about settling then deciding not to..slagging off all the throngs of sheep (sorry I mean morons) heading up the tourist path in totally inadequate clothing..but more of that later..

We trudged up to the halfway lochan (loch meall an t-suidhe) then left the busy tourist route and headed off in search of the REAL route up Ben Nevis..

Derek complained about the loss of height as we walked round to the north face of the Ben..but soon stopped when he saw the gnarly cliffs..sweeping buttresses..towering ridges..Castle ridge..Carn Dearg Buttress..Trident Buttress are all passed on the way to the CIC mountain hut beneath the north face.

With the views being so good all the way along the route we had plenty of time to contemplate the best way of ascending the exceptionally steep slopes (are there any other kind when I go walking??) leading to a path between Carn Dearg Meadhonich and Carn Mor Dearg...there were plenty of expletives sounded out on that particular climb!!

The upshot, however, is the magnificent views of the north face...I must take my hat off to all the climbers out there who risk their necks climbing there..perhaps one day I will have the bottle to do it. Sweeping views back down to Fort William also..but you soon realise you cannot take your eyes off the line of sharp rocks that make up the north face of the Ben.

The mist attempted to roll back in at one point..but it was a half-hearted attempt at best. We ascended the remainder of the route to Carn Mor Dearg with awe struck looks back at the Ben..perhaps if some of the morons on top of the Ben bothered to come round and admire this they would realise that trudging up the tourist path is no more daunting than an afternoon on Union Street!!! They can spend all afternoon in the Ben Nevis Inn pretending to be climbers or walkers but when their stories expire with "yeah its a tough slog on that tourist route man" they should finish their pint and leave in disgrace!! Anyway..less ranting more description..

We arrived on the summit cairn of Dearg and took the usual pics..assessing the route along CMD Arete..

I dont mind admitting that it was making my bottom twitch just looking at it.

As someone not having the best sense of balance in the world..and slightly reticant at height..I love the adrenaline rush something like this gives me..edging along ridges no wider than two feet in places..hands on rocks..danger of death moments galore..exposure to the possibility of falling down the steepest rockiest cliffs (most probably dying)..the weather factored in..would I really want to be anywhere else..doing anything else?? Eh..NO!!!

The Arete took us about 45 mins to complete and they were all memorable..the highlight of the day by far. Derek just loves hopping from rock to rock, regardless of the drop awaiting any slip, and is brilliant to have along on any ridge for the experience and enthusiasm he brings. Once off the CMD Arete you climb again to gain height up the steep rocky east face of Nevis..coming out on the summit some way short of the Observatory and ruins.

There is a small cairn above the north face..well away from all the tourist route people..that gives stunning views of the route just traversed..a perfect place for Jelly McBaby to stretch his legs in the sunshine.

Unfortunately we had to head along through the throngs of people on the summit to get off. On the way we passed people in t-shirts and denims and trainers..with no jackets in case the weather changed..morons climbing on the roof of the observatory (yeah, that's why it was built after all) to pose for pictures of their daring ascent..more morons climbing all over the trig point and cairns..showing no respect for others..a completely horrible experience for anyone with any love of the Munro's!! We saw food and empty bottles being left lying around..idiots in fancy dress..someone blaring music (I thought they were called PERSONAL stereos!!)..and to top it all on the way down the tourist path we saw a man carrying a toddler in his arms heading for the summit..with no pack on or thought for what he would do if an accident occurred..unbelievable!! We must have passed around 500 people today all in...only three others on the CMD Arete!! The least you expect of anyone venturing onto the hills is that they will be aware of the etiquette required to stay safe and how to treat their fellow walkers. It is not good etiquette to stop in the middle of a path to discuss the time of day..or block the way when others clearly want past..or walk three abreast so you take up ALL the path..I felt myself praying for the weather to change and serve them all right!!!

We tutted our way down the path at the majority of the people we passed..and were grateful when we arrived back at the car..all in it took us exactly 7 hrs..meaning Derek would be back up the road to collect his daughters in plenty of time. The rain eventually arrived (the power of prayer) when I was in the middle of writing this..Munro's 121 and 122 under my belt...until next time...happy walking everyone.....

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