Big lad on Big Ben!

 At the beginning of 2012 a very good friend of mine (affectionately known as Grandad) decided he wanted to reach the summit of Ben Nevis as his target for the year. Easy for some difficult for others, well 'Grandad' has spent all of his adult life in the gym lifting enormous weights and becoming a 'bit of a unit' with legs definitely not made for ascending 1365m over a distance of 6.5km and return!

 'Grandad' had 'the Ben' in his sights and set off on a routine of treadmill walking at full incline with the aim of literally stretching the tendons & muscles in his legs and getting them used to walking uphill distances rather than squatting weights. Over the Spring and into the Summer we took a number of training routes over and around Whernside, Ingleborough & Pen Y Ghent - the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.
  Despite what could be described as 'minimal' kit, a slightly worrying 'ignorance is bliss' attitude saw all these routes polished off without problem through some inclement Yorkshire Spring weather!

 So on Monday 18th June 2012 we headed off to 'Ben Nevis' which turned out to be a very successful, though tiring day -

'Grandad on the summit of 'Ben Nevis'.

Glen Nevis

Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe

   The highest mountain in Britain can be a beautiful yet dangerous place at any time of year, there was still plenty of snow on the summit on this mid summer trip and special attention should be taken to the weather forecast, proposed route and equipment.
  We took the 'Mountain Track' (which has been/is  known also as 'Pony Track or Tourist Track') from the Glen Nevis visitor center.
  The ascent took us 3hrs and descent an additional 2hrs at a pace 'Grandad' dictated, but would not have liked to of increased.
  Weather conditions were good with a few small showers and a mist from approx 900m to above the summit.

Relevant Maps - Ben Nevis & Fort William O/S Explorer 1:25000 Sheet 392 & Ben Nevis, Fort William and Glen Coe O/S Landranger 1:50000 Sheet 41.