Ben Nevis - Winter

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain and stands 1344m high, rising from sea level at Loch Linnhe and towering over the town of Fort William.

A winter ascent of Ben Nevis is not an undertaking for the fainthearted! It is cold, can be very windy and has a substantial snow covering! It is almost unrecognisable from the summer. But what a challenge and sense of achievement if successful.

This is a weekend event designed to give you the necessary winter skills training and also climb the UK's highest mountain in winter conditions! Every year we run winter ascents of Ben Nevis, led by qualified mountain leaders.

Our ascent from the visitor centre avoids the foreboding cliffs seen in photograph above, and follows a walking route that will take approximately 8-10hrs at a steady pace (the key to progress on a mountain is steady pacing and not speed and pause).

If you are lucky with the weather then the views from the summit, and even from half way up, are quite stunning. On a good day you can see all the way to the majestic rock spires of The Isle of Skye and looking the other way, down Loch Linnhe to the Irish Sea.

The trip is fully guided by qualified mountain leaders.

 

• Highest peak in the UK
• 2 days guiding by qualified guide.
  
• Friday meet up and evening briefing
• A winter skills training day on the Saturday, followed by an ascent of Ben Nevis on the Sunday
  
• Distance - 11 miles/18km.
  
• Ascent - 4359ft/1329 metres.
  
• Summit - 4408ft/1344 metres.
  
• You need to be fit for an ascent which may take 8-10hrs
• We provide crampons, ice axe and helmet
• Twin room hotel accommodation for evening relaxation
• Many years experience on Ben Nevis - we also adhere to the mountain code and work with the John Muir Trust to ensure the conservation of ‘The Ben'.
• Join us for a great adventure ...

We normally run this trip over a weekend, Friday to Sunday, however if you would like to do this at any other time then please contact us.

A typical itinerary looks like this:

Day	Activity
Friday	Evening meet up. Evening meal, briefing, route planning and equipment check with your guide. (Afternoon pick ups at the airport are available at a surcharge)
Saturday	Winter skills training day to ensure you are prepared for the ascent. Return to accommodation for evening meal and de-brief.
Sunday	Breakfast and then depart for Ben Nevis ascent. (Return transfers to the airport are available at a surcharge)

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary.

If you are making your own way to Fort William you should arrive the Friday afternoon/evening in time for the evening briefing.

To do this trip you need to have a good level of fitness.  The fitter you are the more you will enjoy your day.

■  Distance - 11 miles/18km.

■  Ascent - 4359ft/1329 metres.

■  Summit - 4408ft/1344 metres.

■  You need to be fit for an ascent which may take 8-10hrs

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

Expect cold weather conditions during the trip. Scottish winter conditions can be severe and you need to be appropriately equipped. See the kit list.

This trip can be completed anytime between mid December and mid April. We also do summer ascents of 'The Ben' (May - October).

This trip is available for individuals and groups.

2012 dates so far are:

6-8 January	Good availability	Book now
20-22 January	Fully Booked
3-5 February	Good availability	Book now
17-19 February	4 space left	Book now
2-4 March	Good availability	Book now
16-18 March	Good availability	Book now
6-8 April	Good availability	Book now

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

For 1- 3 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 4-5 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 6+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

This trip can be completed anytime between mid December and mid April. We also do summer ascents of 'The Ben' (May - October).

This trip is available for individuals and groups.

2012/13 dates so far are:

7-9 December	Good availability	Book now
14-16 December	Good availability	Book now
18-20 January	Good availability	Book now
15-17 February	Good availability	Book now
14-16 March	Good availability	Book now
5-7 April	Good availability	Book now

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

For 1- 3 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers confirm the trip.

For 4-5 people on a trip we will advertise the trip here as a confirmed trip and reserve the right to add additional people on to it.

For 6+ people on a trip we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

• Professional event organisation.
  
• Qualified mountain leaders.
  
• Evening briefing, route planning and equipment check.
• Use of winter technical equipment.
• Two nights twin room hotel accommodation with breakfast. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
  
• Glasgow International Airport arrival and departure transfers are available at a supplement.
  
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders.
  

2011/12 price

£299pp without return airport transfers

£75pp for return airport transfers (minimum numbers of 4 people need to be booking the same transfers for this to be offered).