BEN NEVIS FOR A CHANGE

Summer smiles on Ben Nevis 

Unexpected sunny skies 

The usual busy Ben

Get off the tourist track and see the views!

Summit smiles

The locals on the summit

Weather changing on the descent

A storm brewing

Showers over Ardgour

Today I was guiding a lovely, small group of 3 folk on Ben Nevis for The Lake District Walker. It's been about 3 years since I lasted guided on the Pony Track, the easiest way to the summit. Since that time there has been some more vital footpath repair work which has made walking up to the highest point in the UK a bit easier. I had a nice fit group of folk today and they made the summit in a good time. I always like to get off the path a bit has we get onto the plateau. You get some great views of the huge North Face crags all the way down to the CIC Hut. It's also a nice way to escape the hoards of folk and a bit of peace and quiet to contemplate the mountains! The weather was far nicer than the forecast suggested. We had beautiful sunny skies and warm conditions all the way up to the top. The final hour of our return journey the skies darkened and some loud thunder and lightening , but we were well down towards Glen Nevis by this point.