| Mountain | Distance | Altitude | Climbing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Nevis | 17km | 1,344m | 1,352m |
Over the weekend of 21st-22nd June 2013 sees the GE Sponsored Three Peaks challenge take place and we have been asked to be a part of that team. For those not in the know, the three peaks are the three highest peaks in each of Scotland, England and Wales which are Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m). The aim is to climb all three within 24 hours. The clock starts when walkers begin Ben Nevis and ends when the walkers reach the finish point of Snowdon which is either Llanberis or Pen-y-Pass.
The plan is to start from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and follow the Pony Track, also known as the Tourist Trail, to the summit ridge, then across the plateau to the summit. The summit area is the only section that requires careful navigation as there are deep gullies that need to be avoided, requiring a dog-leg route.
Ben Nevis is estimated to take about five hours up and down and involves 1,352m of climbing in 17km (up and down) which is interesting given that the height is less than that - clearly some downhill on the way up! If you want to see the route card, click here
Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis) is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William.
The mountain is a popular destination attracting an estimated 100,000 ascents a year, around three-quarters of which use the Pony Path from Glen Nevis. The 700-metre (2,300 ft) cliffs of the north face are among the highest in the United Kingdom, providing classic scrambles and rock climbs of all difficulties for climbers and mountaineers. They are also the principal locations in the UK for ice climbing.
The summit, which is the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano features the ruins of an observatory which was continuously staffed between 1883 and 1904. The meteorological data collected during this period are still important for understanding Scottish mountain weather.
For Fort William travel, accommodation and outdoor activities information including Ben Nevis check out Visit Fort William website.
Three Peaks Challenge
