| Ben Nevis, the highest point in the U.K. While this | | | | climbs. Advances in gear have made the various |
| is a mountain, no real mountain climbing is involved. | | | | routes accessible to a range of climbers. |
| The event is an uphill hike. Typically the event is | | | | Every September the first Saturday is race day. |
| sponsored as a charity fund raiser with challengers | | | | The Ben Nevis Race attracts hill runners who |
| being funded by pledges to the charity if the | | | | compete for elapsed time. Runners who compete |
| challenger succeeds. Being the highest point in the | | | | for 21 consecutive races earn a plaque. Other |
| U.K. some spectacular views are to be had. | | | | lodgings at Fort William include The Clan Macduff |
| Glasgow is the nearest airport. Transport from | | | | hotel and Rustic View Lochyside Bed and |
| within the U.K. is generally had by taking the train | | | | Breakfast. Camping parks are also in the area. |
| at your local station. The Imperial hotel is a three | | | | |
| star concern near Ft William. B&B's are numerous | | | | Whatever the composition of your group Ben |
| as well. Most groups will opt for an arranged | | | | Nevis offers a challenge. The trail sees everyone |
| outing with a specialist company. These | | | | from leisure hikers looking for the best view in |
| companies will arrange for a coach to pick up | | | | the U.K. to hill runners and even wheelchair |
| your group at the airport if needed. Arrange | | | | athletes vying for lower times. Rock climbing year |
| lodgings, provide insurance, set the itinerary, and | | | | round with a full range of mountaineering skills in |
| generally manage the experience. | | | | the winter. Located in Ft.William and accessible to |
| In addition to walking up the trail to the summit | | | | anyone in the U.K. by train, coaches are available |
| for the Ben Nevis Challenge, a full range of | | | | from Glasgow airport. Packaged outings can be |
| climbing experiences is offered for more | | | | arranged by experienced outers or your |
| adventurous groups. Summertime climbers will find | | | | experience can be custom tailored. |
| rock climbs from Difficult to Very Severe and | | | | The community of Fort William is quite |
| lengths of 300 to 600 meters. The Tower Ridge | | | | accustomed to the variety of climbers and any |
| is a tough scramble. The north face of Ben Nevis | | | | required gear can be purchased or rented. The |
| is for more advanced climbers. Guides can and | | | | weather can be an unexpected challenge so the |
| should be used. | | | | shops will contain everything you need for rain, |
| Wintertime climbers enjoy ice know for its | | | | wind, snow, and even the occasional sunny day. |
| crampon holding qualities. Because it is constantly | | | | The local constable even has "hill forms" similar to |
| melting and freezing the consistency becomes | | | | a flight plan for airplanes or float plan for boaters |
| ideal and "toffee-like". In the wintertime the north | | | | which details your trip. Many things are subjective, |
| face of Ben Nevis finds all manner of | | | | but this climb does provide the best view in the |
| mountaineering skills used to navigate a variety of | | | | U.K. without qualification. |