OK, so maybe my first ascent of mighty Ben Nevis wasn't exactly speedy but I was chuffed to reach the top of the UK's highest mountain, have a spot of high-altitude lunch and made it back down in time for tea! Can you believe there are lots of people training at the moment for a running race up there? The Ben Nevis Race is a local Lochaber institution, and running clubs from around the UK come to take part. Apparently it's possible to get up and down in under 2 hours - The fastest time recorded is just over 1 hr, 25 mins, which seems incredible - that was back in 1984. Maybe 2006 will be the year that someone tops that?!

Still, my more leisurely pace meant I had time to enjoy the views and chat to other walkers on the main path. There's more than you'd expect at the summit - an abandoned observatory is one of the many things left on the mountain over the years (a piano was found up here in May this year! Read the story about it in the Guardian newspaper here: www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1776987,00.html) .

There was a bit of drama as I was enjoying my sandwiches when the Lochaber Mountain Rescue helicopter arrived in a whirl of wind - but thankfully they were only dropping off some rescue supplies. A good reminder though that you don't mess with this mountain and need to make sure you're prepared for everything. If you fancy taking on the Ben, don't forget to check out the Ben Nevis safety advice before you head off.

Unfortunately my camera battery packed up just as I was heading off (doh!) but I'll get hold of some pics and put them up soon.

If you'd like to find out more about the Ben, have a look at the John Muir Trust website at www.jmt.org/cons/nevis/index.html. You can also download their interesting factsheet to bring with you on your next visit!

posted by ocuk @ 4:51 PM