Route Map
for the Carn Mor Dearg arete on Ben
Nevis
Route Map
for the Carn Mor Dearg arete on Ben
Nevis
BEN NEVIS & CARN
MOR DEARG - ROUTE DESCRIPTION:-
Location: Lochaber
Grade: Very serious mountain walk
Distance: 8 miles / 13km
Time: 7-9 hours It
may involve a lung-bursting climb of more than a thousand metres, a
relentlessly steep ascent with little respite, but the route from the
Polldubh car park in Glen Nevis to the summit of our highest mountain
has a lot going for it.
Such an ascent of Ben Nevis fits nicely with an excursion over the slim
crescent of the Cam Mor Dearg Arete to Cam Mor Dearg itself, and the
day is rounded off with a wander through upper Glen Nevis, once
described
as the “finest half-mile in Scotland”.
There are innumerably more adventurous routes that trace their way by
gully and buttress, ridge and groove up the massive north-east face of
the Ben — the classic Tower Ridge, for example, or the wonderful
line of the North-East Buttress — but these are essentially climbers’
routes.
Ben Nevis is a mountain of two opposing characters. One side is rounded
and smooth-sloped, the other broken, steep and serious. On some days
the summit can be as pleasant as a warm day in the park, on others
it becomes a vicious hell where human life is simply not compatible
with its violent Winds and freezing temperatures. It’s no small wonder
that mountaineer Hamish Brown once suggested it was a mountain of
“loveless loveliness - a harlot who tempts the unwary".
The route from Polldubh, up beside the great waterslide that rushes
down over white slabs from Coire Eoghainn, is steep, there’s no doubt
about that.
But the views of upper Glen Nevis are superb. Seen through the
pale-green tracery of the early summer birches, the woods and lower
slopes look freshly minted, alive and resonant with new life.
Once you enter Coire Eoghainn, the soft and lush world of the glen
below vanishes. There is a harsh edge to the scenery up here as you
climb into a stony desert, the stark, elemental beauty of Brovtm’s
loveless
loveliness.
Stone and sky, sky and stone, and mountains rolling on into the
horizon. Above, the east ridge of Ben Nevis drops from the summit and
within a few hundred metres abuts with the graceful curve of the Carn
Mor Dearg
Arete, but that’s for later. For now the summit of Ben Nevis lies
immediately above, following the lines of the abseil posts, to aid
climbers in the
icy winter, to the mountain’s summit plateau.
Return to the start of the Carn Mor Dearg Arete and make your way
across this thin fin of curved stone, one of the most graceful features
anywhere in the Scottish hills. It is a scramble but it’s not difficult
and, if
the crest of the arete is too airy for you, it’s easy enough to trace a
less exposed route on the east side of the ridge.
Soon the views of the great buttresses and ridges and gullies of the
north-east face begin to open up. This is the real heart and soul of
the mountain, the Ben Nevis that attracts mountaineers from around the
world. This is the character of the mountain laid bare before you, and
there is no better vantage point, no better upper circle to watch this
particular theatre,
than from the summit of Carn Mor Dearg.
Once you’ve drunk your fill, from both the view and your flask, descend
Carn Mor Dearg’s narrow east ridge to the head of Coire Giubhsachan.
Fitter walkers might consider adding both Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag to
their itinerary by climbing the very steep slopes east of Coire
Giubsachan to the col between the two aonachs. Enjoy the wander down
beside the
free-flowing waters of the Allt Coire Giubhsachan to the ruins at
Steall. The valley drops to a meadow where the stream meanders
in a relaxed and desultory manner before picking up speed and dashing
over a steeper section. Once past Steall, the Water of Nevis performs a
similar act, flowing gently across the tranquil Steall Meadows before
squeezing between rock walls into the deep cataract of the Nevis Gorge.
And you can enjoy it all as you wander along the footpath that runs
through the pines and birches high above the crashing waters of the
river.
ROUTE PLANNER
Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 41 ( Ben Nevis ); Harvey Mountain
Map, Ben Nevis
Distance: About 8 miles /13km
Approx Time: 7-9 hours
Start / Finish: Upper Polldubh car park, Glen Nevis ( GR: NN168692 )
Information: Fort William TIC, 01397 701801. Route:
Climb the steep slopes beside the waterslide into Coire Eoghainn then
head in a NE direction to where the E ridge of Ben Nevis joins the Cam
Mor Dearg Arete.
Continue climbing in a NW direction to the summit of Ben Nevis.
Return to the Carn Mor Dearg Arete and cross it to reach Cam Mor Dearg.
Descend the E ridge to the head of Coire Giubsachan and follow the Allt
Coire Giubsachan S to the ruins at Steall.
Follow the footpath past the Steall Cottage wire bridge and through the
woods back to the car park.
