I climbed it in October when I was at school. The snow was in drifts up to my waist approaching the summit. I remember us sheltering in the tin hut out of the blizzard and my finger sticking to the ice on the inside of the metal wall like when you put your finger on an ice cube fresh from the freezer.
Having said that, it depends on the year. Check the weather forecast on MWIS and ask on walking forums what conditions are like.
Sanhozay, many thanks for your input. I have tried to search for historic weather trends for October but as suspected, this could be anything from wet and cloudy to thigh deep snow, so I guess I need to take a balanced view where possible.
Tar-paullynn , I suppose I deem experience, in my personal case as; 30years in English and Welsh Hills, ML qualified, summits of Mera, Imjatse, Amphu Labsa, Ama Dablam, Elbrus, Mont Blanc, Denali and a failed summit bid on Aconcaqua, + the very best and VERY worst experiences a Mountain can offer from -42C and force 9 gales to fatal falls from the Lhotse face.
However, I once did the Ben (in Sep` 92 with a fellow squadie, albeit a woodentop), but have no other hands on knowledge of going up it (or many Scottish peaks) on the cusp of winter conditions. Particulary with a Lay friend. Thus I invite intelligent and valued insights to conditions at that time so I might make a well deliberated decision.
But I guess that just experience talking ;-)
Cheers
Lee
------------- Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once!
Assuming you're going up the 'tourist' route, you should be ok in October but, and it's a big but - have a good long look at the Mountain Weather Info site before you leave. Anything over about force 5 and moderate visibility, and I'd be tempted not to go.
Be prepared for snow. It's up there already and it's only going to get deeper!
The only proviso I would put in is fitness for your mate - it really is a long (and some would say tedious) hard slog, and the weather can take a real toll.
Hello Lee.
As an "experienced Mountaineer" you are are aware the physical and mental qualities, required for this sort of thing.
I'm concerned about your 'friend'.
How 'fit' (mentally and physically) is he/she?
Are you prepared/capable of looking after him/her, to the point of carrying him/her back down to safety?
The number of times I have come across people who 'think' they are, is many.
As always, YOU need to be in a position to determine what is 'do-able', or not.
Don't put yourself in a hazardous situation, because of another's lack of ability.
Please excuse this 'straight talk', I am a former soldier who learned field-craft as a Boy Scout.
Survival techniques do not come naturally to many folk.
I have had to assess situations, as to whether by assisting others I'd also become a casualty.
You may find a 'Bothy' to use, but what shelter kit you carry, may be the only one you are able to use.
You'll already know about selecting a place in case the weather turns, and about notification of your intended route.
Mountain Rescue take a dim view of foolish 'day-trippers'.
As you stated
QUOTE[Its a long and expensive way to go from Bristol so trying to weigh up the risks here.]UNQUOTE
You may well need to spend a few days waiting for a clear break in the weather, as to whether you can proceed.
Once again, sorry to be 'straight', but with what you posted, I may not have got the full info.
Kind regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
Many thanks for this sound advice indeed. I appreciate the straight talk, and as an Ex Gunner, Im rather pleased to hear it.
You might note my comments to Tar paullynn on the 4th mail ante which you will see I would concur (in a roundabout way) with your view.
I have no problem with his physical fitness and as the sole organiser of the Dartmoor Beast I (along with a string of Bootnecks) can vouch for this. I cannot acertain what his mental robustness will be like when on a bigger hill and how prepared he will be to turn around without question if I decide to call it.
Im quite sure he doesnt know what hes is up for as hes a bit too keen. So the onus is firmly on me to call the shots.
Its not really the task of yomping up and down it, its the weather risk which is the biggest question. He has no winter (snow and ice) skills either and whislt I have spare kit, I dont believe I have suffient time to ensure he is reasonably well practiced in the arts to be competant and not a risk to anyone.
So Im feeling very very cautious about the whole thing.
The flip side is I want him to summit (and return), safely, and push himself to a new limit and experience the higher hills and all they offer. Hopefully he will get the urge to do a winter course thereafter.
As he has already now booked the flights, I need to make sure we have a plan B if its a nogoer, for whatever reason. Nearest distillery probably.!
Many thanks to all for posting here. Apologies if I was a bit too harsh Tarpaulynn.!
Cheers all
Lee
------------- Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once!
Interestingly, I was just chatting to the guys in Ellis Bingham in Fort William who sugested that an assent in October is normally regarded as a summer assent, not normally requiring winter tools or skills.
"Expect wet snow on the top, good boots and poles would be order of the day".
------------- Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once!
I know someone who went up with a party on a sponsored walk. Some of them were laughing at his ice-axe. They weren't laughing when some of them strayed down towards five finger gully and he had to go down and cut steps for them. I think that was spring though with winter snow still standing on upper slopes and gullies.
I went up the 'tourist route' a few years ago, in spring if I remember rightly. I am by no means an experienced mountaineer, complete amateur more like, and certainly wouldn't describe myself as really physically fit. I enjoy walking, and I guess I have some stamina.
I did know what to expect though, having previously climbed Snowdon.
I went with a friend, who was also into walking. We took plenty of water, snacks,flask of something warm, fleece layers, goretex windproof jacket, decent boots etc. I remember it being freezing and snowy at the top and being really glad of my gloves.
It was a full day of a job, but I don't remember having to 'push myself'. The hardest thing was strain on my knees coming back down, and aching muscles the next day.
I would say, if your friend finds it too hard going, turn back and don't try to push on too much.
I really don't remember it being too bad. Being enthusiastic about achieving my goal of reaching the top was enough for me.
Can you stay in the area for a period of time to enable you to pick a good weather day, rather than have just one fixed date? There is a campsite near the bottom with a pub if memory serves...
Quote: Originally posted by leebarker1 on 20/9/2010
Apologies if I was a bit too harsh Tarpaulynn.
Not harsh at all.
Actually me and my wife are walking the Great Glen Way and are starting from Fort William on 28th Sept 2010 so if I can suss out my missus' internet phone I'll post an update on the conditions when we set off.
The Visitor Centre is open all year. Opening times are 9am to 5pm
If you stay at the Glen Nevis campsite at the foot of Ben Nevis you can keep an eye on the weather forecasts and choose your best day(s) for attempting the climb.
Hello again lee.
Thanks for the update.
Glad to know you've managed to get to the area.
Hopefully you'll get a suitable "Window Of Opportunity" to attain your goal.
Today in Sussex was a good day for being on a hill. My wife allowed me to have a few hours on my own, so I couldn't resist going up a hill. It is only about 230 metres ASL, but the views were fantastic.
I'll keep my fingers (and toes) crossed for you both.
Kind regards James
------------- In the beginning there was darkness.
Then I bought a tent.
I'm not destitute, I'm just poor.
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Topic: Ben Nevis in October
