[Closed] Ben Nevis Loop

Just thought I'd share a few pictures from a loop I did round Ben Nevis last weekend. The aim was to start at Fort William and have an easy afternoon's ride to the bothy, followed by a good ride back to the car on Sunday.

I did my standard approach of not leaving early enough and found myself ready to go some time after lunch on Saturday.

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I'd driven further out of Fort William than intended, so was onto the West Highland Way almost immediately.

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It was pretty quiet out and there was a disappointing lack of snow due to the thaw in the last few days.

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Still, I remember a picture of this stretch of path in a book being one of the things that got me hooked on this sort of riding.

Looking forward:

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Looking back:

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Before long I was dropping down above Kinlochleven towards Mamore Lodge.

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Next up was a steady climb towards Loch Eilde Mor.

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It wasn't a bad view back from up near the top.

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Next up was easy going along the loch, with a hint of some possible snowy terrain to come.

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Realising I had tons of time to spare, I dawdled along, but was still looking across at Meanach bothy with plenty of daylight left for a change. Tomorrow's pass looked invitingly white behind it.

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Next up was a crossing of the Abhainn Rath, which was determined not to let me cross with dry feet, so I went for the stripped to the undies approach. I'm expecting my man parts to re-emerge any day now.

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The pain was brief and I had a comfy night's sleep to look forward to. The bothy's other occupant was a nice chap called John, who was planning a very early start to go and do some night nav up in the Grey Corries. I was planning to wake when I woke.

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When I eventually got myself up, the wind was blowing a gale outside. The prediction had been for warmer temperatures and rain, but it was looking dry for the time being. I got a brew on and lethargically started to pack up.

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Of course, as soon as I left the indoors, a driving rain piled into me as I climbed away from the bothy.

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The rise in temperature overnight had caused a considerable thaw lower down.

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Though there were still stretches where the path was basically guesswork.

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As I hit the top of the pass, the rain died off and I could take in some views. Unfortunately, the snow was so soft that the bike sank through it on its own, giving a sensation of pushing uphill through treacle.

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I'd still ride whatever I could though.

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Had the temperatures been low enough, it could have been an amazing ride - as it were, it was great to be out in it anyway, no matter how many burns I fell into!

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Eventually, the path widened and I descended to Lairig Leacach bothy, which was occupied by several walkers.

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I left them to it and pushed on towards Leanachan Forest, with the track conditions improving all the time.

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I got up a fair speed on the way down, only stopping to say hello to the wee minister, who I imagine has been responsible for many passers by filling their pants on a dark night.

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All that was left now was to work my way through to the opposite end of Leanachan Forest.

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I managed to avoid ending up on the road, eventually popping out at the distillery in Fort William.

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After a quick pitstop at a petrol station to get out of the rain and top myself up with Irn Bru, I just had to climb the endless hill out of town to regain the car, which was somewhere in the distance...

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