Day 4: Fort William 2/2

So waking up to a beautiful morning at the foot of the mountain is not happening. Our alarm clocks are drops of rain and even more rain. When there is a little gap we are finding a bench under the trees so we are a little bit protected from the rain and we can have breakfast at least.

During our breakfast, we are observing the mountains and we can see a few brave early birds on the trail leading up to Ben Nevis. We are not that optimistic anymore and trying to find another plan for our day. In the end, we are deciding that we are still gonna try it, even though we are still not really sure about that. So after a very healthy breakfast (canned sausages), we are packing our backpack: salami, granola bar, headlamp – in a case we would get lost and water.

We are writing SMS home with our plan and if they would not hear about us till tomorrow, we are probably lost somewhere in the mountains. Everything was done and we can head off. At the visitor centre where the trail begins, we are finding out that the temperature at the top of the mountain is 2° (-4 for the body). That is not very motivating. Also, the fact that Lady who is almost 50 years old is at 11 o’clock back from the top. Hm, great. Despite everything, we are going. It is still spitting, but the heaviest rain has stopped (at least that is what we thought).

We are starting with quite decent speed. The higher we are the heavier rain we are experiencing, but also the more we are determined to climb this mountain. We are passing people in the opposite direction. All of them are wet from head to toe. Probably the top is really not that pinkish after all. When we are getting to the last serpentines, we can’t see anything except cairn leading us kinda to the top. It rains a lot and cold wind is slowly, but surely freezing our mimic muscles. I would compare it to skiing in the snowstorm. It is clear to us that nothing is waiting for us at the top. No incredible view in return, but well as it is in human nature we want to prove ourselves that we didn’t undergo it just for anything so we will reach the top. Just for the feeling of satisfaction.

Ben Nevis is not recommenced to climb in bad weather conditions. The reason is that the top is surrounded by 700 meters cliffs from three sides. So with reduced visibility, it means a risk of danger. Us and many others have decided to ignore these recommendations. Last few meters we are struggling if it worth it. Huhuuu we are here. After 3 hours of hicking, we have made it. We are not tending to stick around for long so in a few minutes we are turning around and heading down.

The way down is usually even harder. Maybe it is the fact that nothing is driving you forward, no goal. Or just because your knees hurt. Only positive feeling now is the look at those poor people climbing up. At those, we were a few minutes ago. We are really glad that we have already done it and our new goal is going for well-deserved beer – just as they write in Lonely Planet guide book. The fact that the record 1,5 hour to up and down we are ignoring and are proud of ourselves. We are not pros, right? Today’s experience is one of the greatest adrenaline adventures in our lives so far.

---