Nevis Range

From Wikishire
Jump to: navigation, search
Ben Nevis

The Nevis Range encompasses Ben Nevis and the lesser mountains beside it. Ben Nevis at 4,409 feet, is the highest mountain in the British Isles, and the other mountains of its range are amongst the highest and most challenging mountains in Britain also. Amongst them, including the Grey Corries, are eight full munros.

The range is narrow in compass in comparison with other Highland ranges, but great in its variety and challenges. At the western end of the Nevis Range stand Ben Nevis itself and Càrn Mòr Dearg, connected by a high, sweeping and infamous ridge that climbs Ben Nevis’s north face. Many a climber has asserted that this climb up the north face is one of the best ridge walks in the Highlands; most visitors climb te Tourists Path, up the south side of Ben Nevis. Some 100,000 people a year take this route.

Beside Ben Nevis and Càrn Mòr Dearg stand the Aonachs; Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag, which are the least challenging of the Nevis Range. Aonach Mor has been tamed by the development of the Nevis Range Ski Centre all over its north facing slopes, best avoided by the serious walker. On the other hand, for the skier it is ideal in the right conditions of snow. Out of season, Aonach Mor plays host to the world downhill mountain biking championship on its purpose built course

To the east are the Grey Corries, whose name is from their topping of grey quartzite, containing four munros, all of which can be bagged in a single (long) day.

Below the mountains

Fort William sits beneath the shadow of Ben Nevis and is a popular base for Highland walking expeditions. The town caters for them well. The town is not as isolated as it looks, as it is served by the main Glasgow to Mallaig railway line. Spean Bridge, a village to the east, is the ideal base from which to tackle the Grey Corries.

Munros and the Lochaber 4000-footers

Of the munros of the Nevis Range, four are above 4,000 feet above sea level and so are listed amongst the "Lochaber 4,000-footers:

Munros

The Munros in the Nevis Range and Greay Corries are:

Great Corries