Ben Nevis via the CMD Arête

An ascent of Scotland's highest mountain. Ben Nevis 1345m, (4,413ft), via the Cárn Mór Dearg (CMD) Arête 1220m (4,003ft).
Starting from the North Face Car Park in Torlundy just on the outskirts of Fort William. An easy walk in through the forest track which is well sign posted for the North Face and CIC hut.
The navigation is easy and the route straightforward.
once off the normal track and making your way up CMD, the route becomes a little rougher and boggier under foot. Progress is good though and there's even a very good water source after 800m. If I'd known this I wouldn't have taken so much water with me to this point.
There is a large (false) summit prior to ascending the main summit of Corn Mór Dearg called Cárn Dearg Meadhonach which offers outstanding views of the main summit on clear days.
Once at the top of CMD you realise the grandeur of the area with fantastic vistas in all directions. Particular attention is drawn to the Arête which is mighty impressive from here. The ridge starts easy enough and doesn't pose too many problems, even offering bypass paths often. Good balance and a head for heights is required. The ridge is a long one and takes a good amount of time to traverse the whole lot. The main bulk of the work is dine when a large built cairn is reached at what I can only assume is the start of Ben Nevis.
The climb up to Ben Nevis is intimidating from a far. This side looks steep and unrelenting. Once on this section you'll realise that these fears are unfounded and other than being a thigh burner, its less difficult than the ridge you just traversed.
Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis you'll more than likely be greeted by the usual crowds of people, fortunately Ben Nevis' summit is huge and there's plenty room for all. Care does have to be taken here especially in thick clay as there is huge unsuspecting drops on the North face particularly!
The descent down the Pony Track is the usual the so many people have heard about. Busy and long! But once done, the achievement of the day sets in and pride in ones work is established!
This was a great hike, one of my best and I thoroughly recommend this.
OS Explorer 392
Fort William
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