What to wear and what to carry on a walk up Ben Nevis
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2020
- Many people climb Ben Nevis every year, but you should always be prepared for the conditions you will face with the appropriate knowledge and equipment. You need to know what to wear and what to c arry with you. The weather can change dramatically in a matter of minutes, and it is always a lot colder, windier and wetter on the summit than in the glen.
There can be snow on the ground from September or October until well into July. We sometimes get snow falling on the summit in July and August! Or it might be sunny and hot.
In this video, Mike Pescod of Abacus Mountain Guides, shows us what to wear and what to carry with you on a walk up Ben Nevis.
Just subbed, vid still helpin folk in 2024. Cheers bud
mate, I respect you for saying about the food because I've been on trails and hikes and there always ends up being rubbish somewhere and it disheartens me and I appreciate that you took your time to say that about what u take up food-wise you take down thank you
Hi Joseph, thanks for your comment. It's a real problem, banana skins in particular. The message is "Leave No Trace".
I take a black bin liner as there's always rubbish to be collected. Found various bottles on Crib Goch and the corridor route on scafell appeared to be sponsored by Snickers :(
I've been up Ben Nevis twice, once by the CMD. I had a bit of food and a waterproof. Oh and some sunblock, map and compass. That was it, lightweight and nothing more than the basics. If the weather looked dreadful, I wouldn't waste my time doing the walk. Bill
Mike was the guide for our London based group back in 21 May 2011 and I cant recommend him highly enough - We had a fantastic hike to the snowy top and weather turned for the worse. Felt safe all the way all due to Mike and his mountain experience.
Great to find you on UA-cam Mike!
Brilliant, thank you. That was a fun and challenging day!
Love a good gear video.
Grand advice.
I'd add a pair of goggles. In case the horizontal sleet comes in.
A small gas burner. A hot brew when needed is magic, wherever you are
And what I lerned walking in the snow in France - a good wine weighs no more that a bad wine.
This is really useful, thank you!
Thank you for your professional guidance.
Top man thanks a lot for the indepth guidance
Excellent video..thank you
Great review ,I'm doing this trek next month so some great information 👍
A great help for my hike up in May 2022 Thankyou
I’m planning to do a solo hike there very soon so this information is very useful. Thank you! Subbed!
Thank you very much i will take your advice x
Great video, thanks subbed
Great video mate
i loved what you said about bringing your rubbish down wirh you my time up ben lommond was great i went and took a seat on a rock and i noticed there was some old rusty aluminium cans and it upset me
Brilliant video! I'm planning to climb Ben Nevis in a few week's time, so your video is very helpful! Thank you for mentioning the rubbish collection! I hope more people will take your advice and keep the mountains clean!
Have fun on Ben Nevis. You are right, it would be so much easier if everyone took their rubbish home.
Thanks , this helps...
Thank you.
this is a big help i'm planning a trip up Ben Nevis in march with my father next year
Hi Kyle, thanks. I hope your trip in March goes well. Remember that it will be very snowy and wintry in March, so this one might be more useful - www.abacusmountainguides.com/blog/what-kit-do-i-need-to-climb-ben-nevis-in-winter
cool vid fella,
Thank you for the video 👏
Everyone needs s to carry their rubbish back down with them..🙏
Spasibo 👍
thanks
Planning on a hike to mount Ben Nevis and this video was what im looking for, thanks alot for sharing 😅
Great video. As a complete novice looking to climb Ben Nevis in August, are there particular brands you would recommend? In particular for trousers. I know you tend to get what you pay for, but not looking to completely break the bank. Thank you
Thanks for sharing! 👏🙌
You're welcome Tash, hope it's useful.
A torch!!
I'm bean on that pik one year ago with shoe's a steal cap. Big disaster felt for next couple of days. Not recommended to any one. View woz phenomenal, clear sky, beautiful in every corner. Love Scotland and Ben Nevis is my good time remainder , not often you can get clear sky over there...
Well done Ted, I'm glad you got to see the view.
Excellent advice, thanks for sharing. My son and I are planning to climb BN in late October!.. (weather permitting).. so I really appreciate this video. Don't suppose you could brand name your clothing choices?.. coz I'll probably buy the cheap stuff from market stall for £20 and live to regret it!... (like when we climbed Scafell Pike! 😆🤣).
If you are going to do more walking in the future it is worth investing in some good kit. Scarpa or La Sportiva boots are good boots that will last for a long time. Jöttnar clothing is excellent. If you are on a budget try Decathlon - great gear at a good price.
Cheers, I'll start shopping 🛍 now thanks 👍
Hello mate just wanted to ask how long this took you to reach the summit and make it back down
I done Ben Nevis me and my wife 5 yr ago I was 61 wife was 57 . Found it was a long walk to get started . However we done it with just jeans shirt trainers bottle of water , that was it . Was surprised how many people were on it hundreds. It was May when we done it .
Hi loved the video great advice I’m planning to do the three peaks solo at the end of October, I’ve done a lot of trekking but looking for some advice please. I’m living in London and been told you would normally start with Ben Nevis is this right ? I have done all three peaks at different times and would probably be more comfortable doing Ben Nevis or snowdon in the dark , any advice please 🙏🏼 thank you 👍🏼
It's pretty dark in October, so if you want to do all three in 24 hours you will certainly be walking in the dark. Ben Nevis is often done first so that the longest section of driving can be done over night. Skafell Pike is quite tricky in the dark so do this one during the daytime. Snowdon can be the easiest walk, so doing this one last is probably quite a good idea.
@@abacusmountainguides3295 thank you for your advice, would it be a good idea to aim to finish Ben Nevis as it’s getting dark but then I’ll be doing scarfell in the dark as well I think. Or should I aim to do scarfell in daylight ? Thank you very much mate 👍🏼
looking to attempt Ben Nevis at some point in the future. Can you recommend a good map for the hike. OS like to split the major places into 2 so you have to buy 2 maps and, while I don't mind paying for maps, it is very inconvenient having to work off 2
Hi Matt, all of Ben Nevis is on the OS Landranger 41 and Explorer 392. The Harvey XT40 is very good too.
Those boots are overkill for Ben Nevis on summer/walking season. I've done Ben plenty of times during summer and a decent pair of trail runners are more than adequate.
Also checking the weather forecast and bringing the appropriate clothing system based on that forecast is better than bringing innumerable layers for all the what ifs.
I'm moving more towards good walking shoes these days, especially for people who are used to walking and have strong enough ankles.
@@abacusmountainguides3295 I did 450 miles in the Pyrenees and did 80% of the Wainwrights with walking shoes and I was fine - boots are fine for winter but it's a lot of extra weight to carry and I find I can place my feet much better wearing shoes than boots.
Decent trail runners are good enough for me. They designed the hoka speedgoats for the Appalachian way and the traction in the wet is unbelievable. Did Scafell Pike in them up and down last year in 3:08 and Snowden 2:43, looking to add Ben Nevis this month but wife in tow might mean it takes a bit longer 😎
Lol! It's true I do most of my Local hills in Angus using walking shoes with MDF soles. I've done Nevis a few times now first in Dr Martens and I buried my Cat Boots at the bottom last time as they'd seen better days. All we carried last time was a warm jumper and a bottle of Single malt to celebrate my hat trick. The Ben can be unpredictable though so care is important.
Great Video. What mid layer is that you have on?
Hi Daniel, thanks. The base layer is one of the original Jottnar yak wool shirts. Not available now unfortunately, but mine is still going strong.
i am going to wear a polyester tshirt and my cadet uniform including a fleece i think
Planning on going wild camping in May (near Ben Nevis) . Travelling their by train from Manchester. Any suggestions on what I should bring / pack for 2 nights wild camping. Would be much appreciated!
You'll need all the stuff mentioned in the film plus a tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag, stove, fuel, pans and food/drink. It could be quite snowy on the summit in May so be ready for that but there will be no midges out yet. I like to take a spare pair of socks for each extra day I am out camping.
Thank you!
Hi there
Could you please suggest me long and advance track. I’m planning to stay for three or two days up there, if the weather is good. I’ve been to summit twice, I don’t wanna just stay there at the top, I rather wanna be on the move most of the time.
Hi Andrey, look up the Lochaber Traverse. It's a 2 or 3 day tough walk along the Grey Corries, Aonachs and finishes with the CMD Arete onto Ben Nevis.
How is the mountain like during April/May? I am going there end of April/beginning of May. Any advice would be great for my survival lol
There will be some snow patches left on the path on the highest sections. If it is freezing, the snow will be hard and icy. But if it is above freezing on the summit the snow will be soft enough to walk on without crampons or an ice axe. The snow covers the path though, so you can't see the path to follow it. There is often a boot trail in the snow, but this gets covered in fresh snow. So, navigation can be difficult, especially in the mist. Stay away from the edges because the snow will overhang the big cliffs in things called cornices.
@@abacusmountainguides3295 Woow. Thanks for the life and death advice. Very mi h appreciated. Hopefully the weather is n8ce and sunny for a first timer like myself
Surprised you only advocate 1 litre of water at the beginning, would that still be the case on a hot Summer day, even allowing for a cooler summit etc as I’m slightly concerned 1 litre may not be enough to get me to the halfway burn? I’m all for carrying a little less weight though!
Everyone drinks different amounts, but if you start well hydrated, drink 1ltr up to half way, fill up and drink 1ltr going to the summit and back to half way, then another litre on the way down, you drink 3ltrs altogether. This is seems to be enough for most people on most days, but if it's really hot and you know you drink more, you should certainly take more.
Can you tell me what make of jacket your yellow one is please
Yeah I was thinking the same, I always carry 2lts. Even if planning on using puretabs along way.
What boots are these?
Hi Euan, they are Scarpa Ribelle CL HD.
No crampons or ice axe?
In winter and spring you definitely need crampons and ice axe. Usually until the end of April. Here's the winter kit video - ua-cam.com/video/d7sZn4X8h24/v-deo.html&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE
Don't forget your flask of whiskey and a pack of smokes 🤫
Climbed Mount Snowdon in my trainers in the pouring down rain.
Personally; I think you should have mentioned. . . "A WHISTLE" . . .!
Hi Clive, that's a very good point, a whistle is a really good item to have with you in case of emergency.
Wear barefoot boots. Those big thick boots are like wearing cement blocks on your feet. Absolutely no give for the natural movement of your feet. Bit of a pet hate of mine but thanks for the upload all the same 👌
No thanks I'll only take advice from q true qualified guide your so called advice is nothing but a danger
Thanks David. What qualification do you mean? I'm an IFMGA mountain guide, a member of the British Association of Mountain Guides. There is no higher qualification in mountaineering, worldwide.