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1001 Things To Do Before You Die |
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Climb Ben Nevis And Stand At The Highest Point In Britain At 4,460 feet, Ben Nevis might not be Mount Everest (it's a whopping 29,000 feet above sea level), but there’s no denying the satisfaction gained from the knowledge that you’ve stood on the highest point of Britain when you reach the summit of "The Ben".
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It is a four mile walk to reach the summit and will take you four to five hours plus another three for the descent. What’s more, the weather can change for the worse without warning. It may be fine and dry when you set off, but the summit is only cloud free an average of 30 days of the year, it is usually cold and windy up there, raining and often covered in snow. So be prepared. Of course there are other routes to the top, but they are best left to more experienced climbers. Ben Nevis offers some of the best mountaineering and rock climbing to be found in Britain and in the winter some of the best ice climbing opportunities you will find anywhere in the world. Experienced hill runners among you might like to take part in the Ben Nevis Race which sees up to 500 people run up and down the mountain on the first Saturday of September every year. Glasgow-based Macs Adventure (telephone 0141 945 4945) offer guided walks to the top of Ben Nevis. As well as an experienced group leader who carries full safety equipment, they will provide you with a recommended equipment list, advice on fitness, information on the walk and a certificate of achievement. The cost is £180 for up to four people and then £35 per extra person. Macs Adventure also offer an alternative route for those with some hillwalking experience and a high level of fitness. This takes in two 4000 foot Munros and approaches the summit of Ben Nevis via the spectacular Carn Mor Dearg Arete (a classic grade one scramble for those who know their scrambling). It costs £180 for a group of up to four people. And for those who want to make a weekend of it, there’s a two day walking weekend that combines climbing Ben Nevis with a day of low level walking in Lochaber. It costs from £125 per person and includes accommodation in Fort William, return transfers from Glasgow, packed lunches, two days guided walking and a certificate of achievement. Ben Nevis towers over the town of Fort William which is easily reached by road, train or bus from Glasgow and elsewhere in Scotland. The Tourist Information Centre at Fort William is open all year and its telephone number is 01397 703781. |
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You’ll also be glad to know that you won’t need a sherpa to guide you to the top of Ben Nevis. Every year, thousands of people reach the top by following the “mountain footpath” from Achintree. In many ways this is a straightforward walk when the weather is fine, but don’t underestimate the serious nature of this undertaking.