Ben Nevis Weekend

I was looking forward to the trip, the plan was to be Tower Ridge, it was going to be a weekend of first's for me - my first multi-pitch climb, my first time on Ben Nevis, in fact my first Munro and my first weekend trip with SOC.

We set off Friday teatime for the long journey up to Fort William, myself, Neil Harold, Andrew Hogarth and Peter Taylor. Most of the journey was spent trying to find some decent music from Neil's tape collection, not an easy task.

We eventually got to the CIC hut approx 11.30pm to find it in total darkness, it looked as if we had the place to ourselves for the weekend. The kettle was put on and the bottles of whiskey opened, whilst we sorted out our gear. I started putting my food into one of the shopping baskets, my contents consisted of 50 cocktail sized sausage rolls, 8 Mr Kipling apple pies, a few squashed Mars bars and a packet of Macaroni cheese and vegetables that was a year out of date! Looking at the other baskets on the shelf, brimming with food, I started to think my choice was not as carefully chosen as first thought.

We set off bright and early on Saturday, about 10.00am, the day was overcast with the cloud base just off the top of the Douglas Boulder, no view of the summit, but at least it wasn't raining.

After scrambling up the west gully to the Douglas Gap we geared up for the climb up the first pitch - 60 foot chimney - to me it looked more like a 200 foot chimney! Once we got going it wasn't actually that bad and I started to enjoy it, route finding was easy we just followed the crampon scratches on the rocks.

Time flew by along with the pitches and we soon reached Tower Gap - a nice little obstacle being about 20 foot wide by about the same deep with a big drop at either side. Here Neil announced I would be going first "just climb down, you'll find some big hand holds" he said. It ended up more like me sliding down hanging on the end of the rope.

Up the final rocky slope we met up again with Andrew and Peter, who had taken a slightly different route, and had got to the top about an hour or so earlier. It had taken me just over 7 hours, I was totally exhausted but felt absolutely fantastic. While we put the gear away we realised that we hadn't stopped to eat so I tucked into the sausage rolls and apple pies, hiding away in the bottom of my pack.

The day had really turned out nice, we had clear views in every direction, so decided to enjoy the late evening sun and walked back down the tourist route. Eventually getting back to the hut at 8.40pm, over 10 hours after setting off, not bad for a day out!

Woke up next morning aching from head to toe, the others, full of life, decided to have a 'quick stroll' up and down Ledge route before heading back to the cars. I declined their offer and stayed at the hut to do the washing up and watch their progress whilst having a coffee or two.

After the long hot trudge back to the car and the drive back, we got home about 9.30pm. I was totally exhausted but it was a really great weekend.

Thanks to Neil, Andrew and Peter

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	Swaledale Outdoor Club

Ben Nevis Weekend

Gary Richardson