We arrived on the Friday. Dad driving from Nottingham (staying overnight in Glasgow), Fi coming through from Edinburgh and me popping in from Amsterdam.
I was kind of prepared. My Dad's dear friend Archie an experienced climber had offered to guide us up the Ben with another guide Andy Ross. They had been quite insistent that we came prepared for all weather as you can experience 4 seasons in one day on the mountain. I had sent my kit list through and Archie had chuckled that I could open a mountaineering shop
with the amount of gear I was bringing. I felt reassured.On Friday night we met in the pub, where else, for a debrief. I hadn't seen Archie for some 15 years. He hadn't changed. Still full of good humour and stories. Fi had a look of concern when Archie produced his train pass that stated he was certified 'blind'. Yep we were going to be guided up a mountain by the blind, but not to worry it was a mistakenly issued, but Archie was enjoying using the pass to get free train journeys through the Highlands. It was an early night as it was a 7am start the next day.
We woke at 7am for a Full Monty of a breakfast* to have enough energy for the climb. We peeped outside, it was overcast but mild. It was better than Mr Weatherman had predicted. We set off from the car-park dead-on 9am.
The start of the walk was pretty tricky. A steep climb through rocks and boulders. I didn't really know what to expect, but didn't think it would be so tough. It was a hard steep climb for about an hour until it leveled out so that the path could join the Ben. Then another 2 hours hard slog up hill through rocks and winding paths until we were in the clouds and walking on deep snow.
As we neared the top visibility got pretty low. We were really fortunate to have Andy guiding us with his wee GPS,
as otherwise there would of been no way that we reached the summit. At one point we looked to the left and there was a steep drop. It was unbelievable that there were people near the top with no idea where they were going, just following footsteps like lemmings for orientation.After 4 hours we reached the top. It was a really quick photo-op (my camera froze so I don't have a pic, but hopefully will receive from Andy soon) and then a quick turn to descend. It was just too cold and windy at the top that we had to keep moving and walk back down. The descent was made in a swift 3 hours. So 7 hours in total.
It was a much harder climb than I had imagined, but at least I am now kick-started into knowing that I have to be really prepared mentally and physically for Kilimanjaro. I think I have to do another serious 1 day or weekend climb before September.
* I have to find the name of the B&B we stayed in. Great base in Fort William.
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