Post by theo on May 6, 2005 21:32:16 GMT
Adventures are great. Real adventures are exciting. But what if they are almost fatal …..
In 2002 I walked the West Highland Way with a friend. Because we were ahead of schedule we arrived one day earlier in Fort William. An extra day to climb Ben Nevis. In the morning we had to arrange the home journey because the next morning we had to catch the 07.35 train to be in time in Glasgow for our flight to Amsterdam.
But ok, back to our adventure. Around noon we left for Ben Nevis. The path leading up was just behind the B&B. No heavy rucksack this time. We stuffed water and food in our weatherproofs. The ascend was easy and the weather was fine. A lot of people were going up. After the first part of the climb we headed for the north face of Ben Nevis. We were told this was much more impressive. It is like an amphitheatre of mountains. From there we would take a climb up the arete, climb to the summit and take the so called tourist route down again. We agreed on a time limit. If we didn’t arrive at the amphitheatre at 16.30 we would go back.
The long but easy climb was worth while; we had a fantastic view of Ben Nevis. There was something ominous in the air. The black rock was very sinister. On the north face there was still snow. There was no easy way to get to the arete so we took the shortest route. This route was very steep and I got a feeling not to go through with it. This feeling was enforced by the cold wind and clouds that raced over the arete. When we reached the arete I felt easy again. There was a visible path and we saw other climbers scrambling over the rocks. On our way we met another party and they said the path would broaden.
Rapidly clouds were coming down on us and we had no sight anymore. We could no longer see the path and we deviated from our route. We decided to descend on the south face of the arête to get better sight of the surroundings in order to orientate with map and compass. we were lucky and the clouds opened and we saw a valley down the slope. This valley ended in a river and we suspected that the river would turn into a waterfall, so not an ideal place to descend. We climbed over rocks and boulders to the NW without losing height and came to a ridge. The next slope looked easy but there was no sign of a path. Therefore we continued to go NW. It was hard work with rock and boulders to pass.
It was getting later and later. Rain was pouring down and we were covered in clouds again. We were getting worried. What should we do? Go back where we came from or go down in a straight line and hope for the best. We choose the last option because we were getting tired and the muscles were getting cold from the consisting rain. Our route crossed a gully filled with water and loose rocks. We decided to follow the gully (afterwards we identified this gully as “Five Finger Gully”). I was getting more and more worried. Not panicking and mentally still strong, but when would my body give up. The gully was slippery. Often I slided down but could stop my fall with my walking poles. I could also grab on to the heather. Loose rock fell down. And then it happened, I slipped and fell down, there was nothing I could get a grip on and my poles were in the way. I tumbled several times and hit a boulder with my head. I shouted from fear. I was scared there was something broken, there was blood in my face, was my nose broken? I felt with my hand, no as handsome as ever. I sweared loudly and resumed the route down. Mentally and physically I went very deep now. My legs would not go any more and I went down on my bottom. My friend discovered that the gully ended in a waterfall so we had to diverse to the left. We were seeing trees now and there were branches and roots to get a hold on. We now knew that we were going to be fine. We could see more trees and a river. The last part through the ferns my legs completely gave up. They were like jelly. They went in every angle except the right one. One of my poles was broken and with one I went on. At last we came to the river. We only had to follow the path next to the river to the B&B. Totally exhausted we came to the B&B, wet to our skin and stinking of mud.
We were warmly welcomed and strong coffee with sandwiches was served. We told our story and the landlord was not particularly shocked. “You’re not the first one” and “Some people died coming down” is what he said. After a hot shower we went to bed. Despite my tiredness I could not sleep. There was so much going through my head..
The next morning we had an early rise and breakfast. The landlord drove us to the station because there were no taxis to rely on. When I sat safely in the train a sort of peaceful feeling came over me. I had had a narrow escape and I thought about the people that are dear to me.
The train went through the wilderness of Scotland to Glasgow. I now realise that Scotland is a wild country were nature is the strongest.
In retrospect there was much to learn from this adventure:
• be prepared for the weather to turn, always have an escape route ready
• never underestimate a mountain, it may seem a Sunday afternoon stroll from the valley, but it might be tough on the summit,
• listen to your inner voice, if you’re not happy with it, don’t do it.
Pictures taken just before everything went wrong are on my website, for instance the amphitheatre: walks-by-theo.fotopic.net/p12073676.html
One day I would like to go up Ben Nevis again. I hold no fear for this mountain but I will treat Ben Nevis with respect the next time.
In 2002 I walked the West Highland Way with a friend. Because we were ahead of schedule we arrived one day earlier in Fort William. An extra day to climb Ben Nevis. In the morning we had to arrange the home journey because the next morning we had to catch the 07.35 train to be in time in Glasgow for our flight to Amsterdam.
But ok, back to our adventure. Around noon we left for Ben Nevis. The path leading up was just behind the B&B. No heavy rucksack this time. We stuffed water and food in our weatherproofs. The ascend was easy and the weather was fine. A lot of people were going up. After the first part of the climb we headed for the north face of Ben Nevis. We were told this was much more impressive. It is like an amphitheatre of mountains. From there we would take a climb up the arete, climb to the summit and take the so called tourist route down again. We agreed on a time limit. If we didn’t arrive at the amphitheatre at 16.30 we would go back.
The long but easy climb was worth while; we had a fantastic view of Ben Nevis. There was something ominous in the air. The black rock was very sinister. On the north face there was still snow. There was no easy way to get to the arete so we took the shortest route. This route was very steep and I got a feeling not to go through with it. This feeling was enforced by the cold wind and clouds that raced over the arete. When we reached the arete I felt easy again. There was a visible path and we saw other climbers scrambling over the rocks. On our way we met another party and they said the path would broaden.
Rapidly clouds were coming down on us and we had no sight anymore. We could no longer see the path and we deviated from our route. We decided to descend on the south face of the arête to get better sight of the surroundings in order to orientate with map and compass. we were lucky and the clouds opened and we saw a valley down the slope. This valley ended in a river and we suspected that the river would turn into a waterfall, so not an ideal place to descend. We climbed over rocks and boulders to the NW without losing height and came to a ridge. The next slope looked easy but there was no sign of a path. Therefore we continued to go NW. It was hard work with rock and boulders to pass.
It was getting later and later. Rain was pouring down and we were covered in clouds again. We were getting worried. What should we do? Go back where we came from or go down in a straight line and hope for the best. We choose the last option because we were getting tired and the muscles were getting cold from the consisting rain. Our route crossed a gully filled with water and loose rocks. We decided to follow the gully (afterwards we identified this gully as “Five Finger Gully”). I was getting more and more worried. Not panicking and mentally still strong, but when would my body give up. The gully was slippery. Often I slided down but could stop my fall with my walking poles. I could also grab on to the heather. Loose rock fell down. And then it happened, I slipped and fell down, there was nothing I could get a grip on and my poles were in the way. I tumbled several times and hit a boulder with my head. I shouted from fear. I was scared there was something broken, there was blood in my face, was my nose broken? I felt with my hand, no as handsome as ever. I sweared loudly and resumed the route down. Mentally and physically I went very deep now. My legs would not go any more and I went down on my bottom. My friend discovered that the gully ended in a waterfall so we had to diverse to the left. We were seeing trees now and there were branches and roots to get a hold on. We now knew that we were going to be fine. We could see more trees and a river. The last part through the ferns my legs completely gave up. They were like jelly. They went in every angle except the right one. One of my poles was broken and with one I went on. At last we came to the river. We only had to follow the path next to the river to the B&B. Totally exhausted we came to the B&B, wet to our skin and stinking of mud.
We were warmly welcomed and strong coffee with sandwiches was served. We told our story and the landlord was not particularly shocked. “You’re not the first one” and “Some people died coming down” is what he said. After a hot shower we went to bed. Despite my tiredness I could not sleep. There was so much going through my head..
The next morning we had an early rise and breakfast. The landlord drove us to the station because there were no taxis to rely on. When I sat safely in the train a sort of peaceful feeling came over me. I had had a narrow escape and I thought about the people that are dear to me.
The train went through the wilderness of Scotland to Glasgow. I now realise that Scotland is a wild country were nature is the strongest.
In retrospect there was much to learn from this adventure:
• be prepared for the weather to turn, always have an escape route ready
• never underestimate a mountain, it may seem a Sunday afternoon stroll from the valley, but it might be tough on the summit,
• listen to your inner voice, if you’re not happy with it, don’t do it.
Pictures taken just before everything went wrong are on my website, for instance the amphitheatre: walks-by-theo.fotopic.net/p12073676.html
One day I would like to go up Ben Nevis again. I hold no fear for this mountain but I will treat Ben Nevis with respect the next time.