Cycle: negligible
Hiking: The highest mountain in the UK!
Saturday September 14
Today we hiked up the highest mountain in the UK. Strangely, Jenn awoke "the most unmotivated I've felt so far". Was it the little pitter-patter of rain? I assured her that a coffee and croissant-egg-wich would set her right. An hour later, it seems I was right.
Walking towards the mountain, we saw a string of bright dots strung along the hill side. What could that be? Colorful lights on a distant Christmas tree ? To our surprise, and horror, we realized this was the small army heading up Ben Nevis. We realized we would not be alone, and were not likely to get lost this day! We headed up in the warm sun, enjoying the green hillside looking like a soft lush velvet carpet. Apparently, the rocks here are the oldest in the world... and consequently the hills now look soft and weathered. We gained elevation, and lost trees, then shrubs, then grass... and were left with exposed rugged rock. Up we went, down went the temperature, and in came the clouds, fog, rain, and then freezing rain. Through the fog, we arrived at the top.... not that we could see it, but we suspected based on cheers. We didn't hang about, too cold!! We wolfed a sandwich huddling behind a stone wall, the remnants of building from times past, then layered up, and headed down. We didn't stop until we were back out of the clouds, and thankful to see the sun again. Yes, the top of Ben Nevis has its own weather system! Everyone heading up looked so happy and warm!! Happy people still heading up, just you wait, muuuuhahahaha (thought I). For those on the way down, this is where the real carnage began (shockingly, we were OK, for today). Everyone else: knees. Ankles. Wrists. Bodies not meant, or properly trained, for 1000's of stone steps irregularly placed. Lots of slipping, limping, and finally some crying. We were thankful when we were finally down and walking on flat ground.
We got back the the campsite and showered, then headed to the pub for a celebratory pint. Dinner was a beer inspired concoction of chips, popcorn, licorice, peanuts, whiskey, and wine while watching "The Town". Not the most nutritious dinner ever, one we'd regret tomorrow.
Walking towards the mountain, we saw a string of bright dots strung along the hill side. What could that be? Colorful lights on a distant Christmas tree ? To our surprise, and horror, we realized this was the small army heading up Ben Nevis. We realized we would not be alone, and were not likely to get lost this day! We headed up in the warm sun, enjoying the green hillside looking like a soft lush velvet carpet. Apparently, the rocks here are the oldest in the world... and consequently the hills now look soft and weathered. We gained elevation, and lost trees, then shrubs, then grass... and were left with exposed rugged rock. Up we went, down went the temperature, and in came the clouds, fog, rain, and then freezing rain. Through the fog, we arrived at the top.... not that we could see it, but we suspected based on cheers. We didn't hang about, too cold!! We wolfed a sandwich huddling behind a stone wall, the remnants of building from times past, then layered up, and headed down. We didn't stop until we were back out of the clouds, and thankful to see the sun again. Yes, the top of Ben Nevis has its own weather system! Everyone heading up looked so happy and warm!! Happy people still heading up, just you wait, muuuuhahahaha (thought I). For those on the way down, this is where the real carnage began (shockingly, we were OK, for today). Everyone else: knees. Ankles. Wrists. Bodies not meant, or properly trained, for 1000's of stone steps irregularly placed. Lots of slipping, limping, and finally some crying. We were thankful when we were finally down and walking on flat ground.
We got back the the campsite and showered, then headed to the pub for a celebratory pint. Dinner was a beer inspired concoction of chips, popcorn, licorice, peanuts, whiskey, and wine while watching "The Town". Not the most nutritious dinner ever, one we'd regret tomorrow.
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| Jenn heads up Ben Nevis |
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| Outdoor stairmaster ? |
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| I was there too! |
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| Welcome to Scotland. The real Scotland. Foggy. Rainy. Overcast. Windy. Cold. Rocky. Water! |
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| But we're prepared, we're from Vancouver. |
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| One of the cliffs you should not fall off of. |
