Ben Nevis

South side of Ben Nevis

The Ben Nevis ( Beinn gäl. Nibheis [ bɐi ː ni ː ɲ viʃ ] ) with a height of 1344 meters the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. It is located in the west of Scotland near the town of Fort William is one of the 282 Munros.

Etymology

"Ben" is the Gaelic name for " summit " or "mountain". The name " Nevis " is a Anglifizierung of the Gaelic " Nibheis " which is etymologically not unique to you. It can be either "bad" or " bad," or in the form " Neamh - bhathais " as " Head in the Clouds " (from: " Neamh " = sky or clouds; " bhathais " = top of head ) are translated. The second option is more likely, since the massif of Ben Nevis represents a significant obstacle for air masses from the west ( Atlantic), therefore increasing abregnen moist air masses and so prevail at around 300 days a year, fog or rain (see above).

History

The mountain consists of around 400 million year old igneous rocks from the Devonian period. The 300 -meter-high north wall is the highest cliff in Britain.

The first recorded ascent of Ben Nevis was held by the botanist James Robertson on August 17, 1771. Until 1847 it was thought of Ben MacDhui about 150 km further east is the highest mountain in the UK, only an accurate measurement of the Highlands by the British Ordnance Survey revealed that the Ben Nevis is higher. 1883 a meteorological station was built on the summit, the weather documented on the summit for 21 years daily. Even today, to see its ruins. Today's " Tourist Route " dates from this period and was built as a fortified path for pack horses. In addition, there was just below the summit of a hotel, which remained in operation until the First World War.

Rise

The most widely used route is the mountain track or pony track, the so-called "tourist route". It starts at the Ben Nevis Inn Pub near Achintee in Glen Nevis, and with a steeper rise in the nearby hostel and is approximately seven kilometers long. From Fort William the beginning of the path is about two kilometers away. The climb begins at about 20 meters above sea level and rises to the first three kilometers of steep south slope of the neighboring mountain Meall an t - Suidhe to. At the so-called " Half Way hole" ( Lochan Meall an t - Suidhe ) he leads over a saddle to Ben Nevis and increases in eight bends steeply up to the summit. In the first three kilometers rough rock steps dominate the trail, followed by a small piece of gravel or gravel -developed. With the start of the sweep of the way is increasingly made ​​up of loose stones, till he leads in the final kilometer only by a gravel desert.

For the tourist route, there are some alternatives: Halfway, the " Half Way hole" branches of this one way north and leads below the north face of Ben Nevis on the ridge of the neighboring mountain Mòr Dearg Càrn to the summit. In addition, a complete ascent of the massif of Càrn Mòr Dearg from the north is possible. The route begins here at Torlundy. Also from the south is possible a shorter and steeper climb over the Càrn Dearg. The alternatives are much more demanding, but also much less crowded. Can form regular traffic jams on days with good weather on the main tourist route. In winter, the Ben Nevis is a popular winter sports resort especially for ice climbers.

Hazards

The rise on the main tourist route is relatively easy with the appropriate level of fitness and experience. Nevertheless, happened on Ben Nevis measured at the height of the mountain a lot and sometimes fatal accidents. Often sudden appearance of a fog and snow deteriorates the view and orientation and will always lead to crashes and other accidents. At 300 days of the year the summit is shrouded in fog. Furthermore, climbed Ben Nevis by many inexperienced hikers who are often equipped unsuitable. Sneakers and appropriate wounded at the wayside belong to the usual sight on clear days. The weather at the summit is often underestimated. There is usually up to the summer snow and temperatures hardly rise above the freezing point.

Three Peaks Challenge and Ben Nevis Race

The Ben Nevis is one of three mountains that are mounted at the National Three Peaks Challenge. It is a race in which it applies, within 24 hours of the tallest mountain of Scotland, Wales ( Snowdon ) and England ( Scafell Pike ) to climb. In addition, the " Ben Nevis Race " will take place here every year since 1951, in which hundreds of runners going up the hill and running down. This race goes back to the local barber William Swan, 1895, the flight in 2 hours and 41 minutes.