After three rainy days the weather forecast predicted dazzling sunshine, so we set off to conquer the peak of Ben Nevis at the altitude of 1345 metres, the highest point in Scotland and also in the UK. We started very laid back at 11 from the base of the mountain to do the 6-8 hours long hike. The enthusiastic team consisted of three doggies and two people.
Achintee House, the pub we started from
Ben Nevis' foot
an initial section of the well made path
snowy peaks in the background
from the left: Szimpi, Raro, Pulcsi
inspecting the Red Burn
footbridge over a gully
in the bright sunny weather we made good use of our visors
quite high in the valley of Red Burn
Around half way up we took a by-pass path to check out Meall an t-Suidhe tarn thoroughly. It is protected by the bulk of the 711 metres high Meall an t-Suidhe and as it lays a bit off from the path leading to the summit we had the whole area to ourselves.
Meall an t-Suidhe tarn
on top of swimming and diving the dogs invented a new activity: walking on the water
crystal clear water with rich flora
looking up the mountain ahead of us from the tarn: the same elevation and length as already completed
uphill near the halfway waterfalls the tarn behind us
looking back at Meall an t-Suidhe summit Corpach and the meandering Loch Eil in the background, in the right bottom corner the path in the mountain side
snow-fed Red Burn
after reaching the snow limit even Fort William becomes visible behind Meall an t-Suidhe tarn and Meall an t-Suidhe summit
Snow in the summer, let's throw some snowballs!
the last few kms we crossed terrain heavily laden with snow
on the snow covered summit at 7 pm after 8 hours of hiking
skyline: snowy peaks
emergency shelter on the summit
snowy chasm
on top of the world (Ben Nevis)
snow bunting
high altitude posing on the summit
We've come a long way indeed!
after about an hour of resting, taking in the scenery and taking photos we started our decent
downhill our four-legged party had a nap on a huge rock
halfway downhill
We arrived back to the car around 23.30 and taking our seats inside was probably an even greater experience than the whole day's trip.