Winter can be a testing time in the UK - short days, adverse weather and the extra kit needed often puts people off from getting into the great outdoors and getting a little release from everyday life that everyone needs from time to time. We get it, it can be hard to find motivation in the winter months, but with the right planning, proper equipment and a ‘let's try and make the most of it’ attitude, winter hikes can often be even more rewarding than summer ones. The ever-changing weather can bring about some memorable conditions and it can simply help you appreciate the little things even more – the warmth of your home, spending time with your loved ones or even a fresh start for you. The positive effects of getting some fresh air and giving your mind a break cannot be understated. Many think that the hiking season stops when the cold weather comes, but that is definitely not the case.
In early February Blacks challenged five of us to get outside on a weekend adventure in Scotland. Known for its often voracious, interchangeable weather and short winter days Scotland can be truly wild and would put our theory that winter hiking can often bring even more enjoyment, challenge, and breath-taking views to the test. Opting to stay in Fort William, surrounded on all sides by mountains that leave you speechless, this would be the perfect base for some winter adventures. Upon arrival it became clear that the ‘making the most of it’ attitude would be required as we were welcomed by sideways rain. The problem with a Scottish Winter is the weather forecast is often unreliable so you just have to get out and go for it. With our waterproofs packed, down jackets on and hot drinks/snacks stuffed into our rucksacks we headed out for a little wander around the forests near the north face of The Ben (Nevis).
It wasn’t long before our Rab waterproofs came out as the first wave of rain came in but this didn’t dampen our spirits as we hiked on through the woods - grateful to be stretching our legs after a long journey to Fort William. The rain was intermittent but it was refreshing and with minimal planning, we’d managed to get out for some much-needed exercise and a chance to clear the mind. After a good hour or so of hiking, the darkness of Scotland’s short days started to descend upon us and we headed for the warmth of the lodge before a big day out the following day.
On Sunday we awoke to a crisp winter’s morning in Scotland. With the shorter days in winter, it’s important to be organised and we had packed everything for today’s adventure the night before. All this left us to do was to get down a decent breakfast to fuel us for the morning and head for the hills. Ben Nevis dominates the skyline around Fort William and on this day clouds swirled on its summit. Visibility down lower was good though as we arrived at the north face car park. We set off, passing swathes of winter climbers heading up to take on a variety of enthralling winter climbs in a place where characters are made and tested. We opted to head up to Carn Beag Dearg which would provide unparalleled views of The North Face before heading onto the Ben Nevis C.I.C Hut. As we passed through the winding forest tracks we steadily gained elevation and as we escaped the tree line The Ben appeared into view, an imposing wall of rock steeped in Scottish Mountaineering history. The recent rain made progress slow and sections of bog were rife but all equipped with high-top boots we continued on, winding our way up the hillside. Before long we decided on a little pit stop to take on some water and snacks, a wise decision after trudging through bog for the last 2km.
After a quick stop, spirits were high and we blasted up the final section to our viewpoint. The thing about Ben Nevis is it’s tough to appreciate it’s full majesty when hiking the Pony Track. That side of the mountain is broad and perhaps a little underwhelming. In complete contrast to this we were sat in full view of the magnificent North Face and it’s a view that will live long in the memory. We found some rocks and sat here for a hot drink and another snack. Having something warm to eat or drink on a cold winter’s day can provide some comfort when it’s needed the most.
Keen to make the most of our limited daylight hours we retraced our steps, heading back down to the valley that runs in between Ben Nevis and CMD (Carn Mor Dearg). Here you can truly appreciate the scale of The Ben. The mountains have a good way of reminding you how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things. Fully immersing yourself in nature like this is an opportunity to reset and take stock on what’s really important to you. Moreover, it’s a chance to let the trials and tribulations of everyday life fall away for a bit and simply leave you to revel in the awe of nature for a few hours. Underneath The Ben the conditions were fast-changing, and atmospheric clouds whipped through the valley revealing different parts of the north face as we hiked up to the hut. Progress was halted by the thousands of photo opportunities that presented themselves on the way up and our faces lit up every time we saw tiny dots on famous routes up the north face. Upon reaching the hut we sat down for a late lunch and last of our hot drinks, content in the knowledge we’d planned and executed a great winter day out. The lofty white clouds began to darken as night approached so we donned our head torches, put back on our Rab Insulated Jackets and made our way down the last 5km to the car in high spirits.
Often all of the negative connotations of hiking in winter, the colder shorter days, the perceived discomfort or the longer time needed to prepare all contribute to winter hikes being some of the most rewarding outdoor experiences. With the right planning, preparation and kit a journey into the wilderness in winter can leave you feeling refreshed and give you a richer perspective on things that comes from feeling small. Don’t let the winter months stop you from getting the fresh air you need.
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