9th May 2013 - Ben Nevis 3 Peaks

Panorama of Glen Nevis

Looking down the Glen towards Stob Ban

The weather remained fair all day

Trooping up beyond the half way Lochan

The Red Burn: Trully half way

Half the team on the summit, the other half have just left - very cold but well done!

A break in the clouds as we approach Corner 6

Today I was working on the Ben Tourist track leading a group of 8 who were attempting the 3 Peaks Challenge. The guys were from an airline catering company, GateGourmet, that provides the meals and beverages on flights all over the world.

I met them at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel just after midday, and after a spot of lunch and a quick brief we were on our way up Heart Attack hill. Some of the group members were real fitness fanatics, and it showed as they trooped on up ahead. Others, however, were taking things at more of a steady pace and it was great to see the company President, Andy, taking one of the guys bags all the way up and back down.

The weather was much better than forecast, and we only suffered a few short showers but enjoyed superb views out over the Glen. It was great to chat to the guys and find out about their backrounds and roles within the company. The main objective of the challenge was to improve the guys team dynamics, and seeing how each individual reacted to the challenge really showed how they operated as a team.

From about corner 4 upwards the snow became more and more of an issue, but it was soft and easily manageable. From corner 7 visibility began to deteriorate rapidly, and we had to focus on following the cairns to the summit. MacLeans Steep was quite a struggle for some of the guys at the back, but with encouragement from me and the other guys in the team they trooped on to the plateaux. Here the wind really picked up, cutting through us like a knife. The quicker 4 team members had went on ahead, and as we finally reached the summit they passed us on the other way having spent no time at all on the summit due to the cold. We followed suit, only stopping for a few photos before turning back to escape the freezing conditions.

On the way down, the guys put in a sterling effort to keep a good pace. It took us 3 hours to reach the summit and the guys were keen for a sub 5 hour time. We took our time crossing the snow fields, and once we had dropped beneath them the cloud cleared and we were treated to some stunning panoramic views, allowing us to pick up the pace a bit. From the half way Lochan downwards one of the guys was really struggling and the pace slowed down abit, but we kept going steadily, getting back to the bus in a total of 5 hours 25 minutes, which is a fantastic time. I hope they manage to complete their 3 Peak challenge within 24 hours and continue to participate in this type of challenge to futher improve their team bonding!! Well done guys!

Today I was working for Mountain Challenge.