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I’m after some sage advice...
Myself and my 6 year old have a window for a week on the 21st to shoot up to Scotland.
My knowledge is slim, as I’ve only ever been up to go climbing
Priority is Ben Nevis (as he is doing the three peaks, one a month, each by unconventional routes and involving a high mountain camp out) and the Ben is his last one.
After that, we want to go full feral, canoe, wild camping and fishing
So...
Good alternative routes up the Ben?
A good location to canoe and wild camp, ideally where no licence is required for fishing?
Any good, wild but fairly easy going bike routes, that we could bikepack overnight?
As close to fort bill area as possible, as we have a very long drive up and have to drive back on the 27th to pick up mum and little sis from Bristol airport.
Cheers
6 year old?! Dang our children are lazy.
Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and the arete.
Loch Arkaig or Loch Quoch for canoeing and camping (no idea of the fishing situation).
Corrour station for a mellow bikepacking option (with food availability)
I don't know how many times he's done more than a 1000m vert a day but at 6 it won't be many so I'd stick to the normal route and take it steady - if you decide to get fancy bear in mind you'll potentially need to be carrying his kit, and potentially him as well so I'd skip any ideas of Tower Ridge for example
I took my 15 year old up a couple of equivalent hills last week... I saw a lot of people , but nobody as young as that
At 6 year old surely the easiest possible route would be more than amazing without trying to invent an 'unconventional' route. I would say it is a substantially greater challenge than the other 2 with a consequentially greater **** up opportunity too. Be careful.
The weather in August could be wild in fact today I'd hate to be up there with the rain we had this morning in lowly Fife
A walk to the top of Carn mor dearg from the North car park would be a really tough day with spectacular views and keep the arete for a couple of years yet
CMD arette as scotroutes says. Maybe walk in and stay at CIC hut if it's open to make a shorter day of it for a little kid. Get to stay in a mountain hut for the night.
Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and the arete.
I can't imagine taking a 6yr old up there. Perhaps in perfect conditions, but the OP has a fixed window of opportunity.
CIC hut is private
Priority is Ben Nevis (as he is doing the three peaks, one a month, each by unconventional routes and involving a high mountain camp out) and the Ben is his last one.
What were the 'unconventional routes' up Snowdon and Scafell Pike? Should give us more of an idea of his ability in terms of terrain.
If the weather is terrible, are you OK with not even trying the tourist route?
CIC is indeed private I forgot to ask for his life story and if his climbing has led him to belong to a club. My mistake.
Waiting for OP to come back and tell us 6 was a typo… surely
I would consider North Face Car park, walk into CIC hut (Or bike up fireroads to the start of the path). Hang a right up to halfway lochan then up final bit of tourist track. Not much further or harder but a bit different and give an appreciation of the Ben as a mountain rather than a big lump.
Also option to camp near CIC hut. CIC hut - "Bookings accepted only from member clubs or individual members of Mountaineering Scotland and BMC"
Agree that CMD might be a bit much but you know your son. The climb from CIC hut to CMD summit is relentless and unforgiving.
I think I was 7 when I did the Ben for the first time, tourist route including snow.
Just for interest (I was quite surprised at this), not much difference in stats. Obviously major differences in terrain and exposure.
Tourist track stats - Distance 17km / 10.5 miles Time 7 - 9 hours Ascent 1352m
CMD artete form NF carpark - Distance 17.5km / 11 miles Time 10 - 11 hours Ascent 1506m
Canoe camping I would go to islands on Loch Morar - much better to take hammocks due to limited flat ground but amazing place to be.
Bikepacking - Luibelt from Kinlochleven (Road/tracks in past Loch Eilde Mor and pretty remote).
Excellent suggestions, awesome thanks
I should have mentioned... I’m not inexperienced and nor is my boy.
I am an alpinst/climber and aware of any potential risks.
My boy is, I think pretty unique and has climbed a lot in the alps and U.K.
We tend to tackle mountains over two days, breaking a normal days route into two, with a bivvi in the middle. He is very fit and capable for youngster and loves big days in the mountains.
I’m just u sure of much in Scotland other than climbing. I’ve been on the Ben several times but only in winter and only climbing.
Cheers all
Waiting for OP to come back and tell us 6 was a typo… surely
Certainly possible at 6, if they are motivated... Our 5 year old made light work of Schiehallion last year (admittedly a significantly easier walk). But then on other occasions we have trouble getting her to do a short bimble along by the river!
In answer to @martinhutch
Scafel: langdale, stickler ghyl, Jack’s rake (short roped), over to great end for a bivvi. Summit, then back down crinkle crags to langdale.
Snowdon: cwm glas, day of scrambling and a bivvi. Up bwlch coch, over garnedd ugain, summit and back down pyg
And yep, if weather isn’t good, we will just do the tourist route.
I’m having to look at mountains very differently these days, to try and create routes that feel wild but are essentially safe, with easy bail out options, it’s really good fun
Certainly possible at 6
Brilliant and thanks for confirming OP. I’ve only got a 2 year old as my barometer at the moment, got plenty to look forward to then.
@hooja - given your background and if you're happy with the extra risk, the Ledge Route is a Grade 1/2 summer scramble so if you were roped up it might be a great mini-alpine day out for you. The big issue is that the weather could scupper any plans you have.
CMD Arete sounds ideal then, conditions permitting. Bivvy reasonably high to avoid midges.
@elshalimo
Ledge route was my first choice but I have not done it, so good to hear some recommendation for it.
Priority for the boy is canoeing, wild camping and fishing, after he has done the mountain... he literally won’t stop talking about it. He’s been outside practicing with the fly rod all day in the garden
You’ll need a permit for any inland loch or river fishing. Not for the sea obviously. Loch Arkaig and beyond might be a good area for what you want, as suggested above. It’s on the Achnacarry Estate, I dare say they have a website.
In answer to @martinhutch
Scafel: langdale, stickler ghyl, Jack’s rake (short roped), over to great end for a bivvi. Summit, then back down crinkle crags to langdale.
Snowdon: cwm glas, day of scrambling and a bivvi. Up bwlch coch, over garnedd ugain, summit and back down pyg
Just wanted to say "wow!"
Nice work. Really nice work. I'm deeply impressed, and given how far away from managing that lot at the age of six mine were, it's not even tinged with envy 🙂
Sounds great
《Edit. That's one of the things I love about STW, you never know who it is you're discussing stuff with and what they're capable of. I was in a similar viewpoint to some of the others above that 6 sounded too wee. But I'm wrong, awesome.
Nothing to add other than to say what a lucky lad to go on trips like that 👍
I was 7 and my brother was 5 when we first walked up Ben Nevis. I was very cross because he got all the attention and sweets from other walkers on the summit.
When I take my kids up there now, I use the CMD arête route. The hike up to the ridge from the CIC hut is a bit of a lung buster but it’s relatively short and soon over. The views of the Ben from up there are fantastic, it’s a big old boring lump from the other side.
Possible canoe & wild camp: As you go South from Ft William, take the Corran Ferry and drive to Loch Sunart. As sheltered as inland lochs but tidal, so no issues fishing. Paddle to Loch Teacuis, camp at NM 620 556. You can just see one house in the distance on Carna, but it feels remote. At low tide, it looks a long carry to the grass from the water, but if you spot the river outflow you can paddle up that most of the way. (Camped there last week from kayak).
Thanks, thanks, thanks... what more can I say. Some fantastic ideas and tips on here, as always.
@greybeard that sounds perfect
@thegeneralist and @tom-b thanks... it’s all down to the boy though, he asks for the adventures, I wrap my head around routes with maximum epic(ness) and he just gets on with it, goofing about and loving every minute.
He’s pretty big and athletic for a 6.5 year old though and has been dragged out on big missions since he was born
It’s amazing what kids are capable of if just let them get on with it
Piemonster and I camped at the mouth of Loch Teacuis, right beside the old drovers inn of Doirlinn. It was great eating dinner while watching otters swim across the loch. However, I had a terrible nights sleep, convinced I could hear people and dogs around us. At one point I "woke up" but continued to hear the voices. Of course, I later "woke up" again..... I was quite spooked for a while.
Piemonster and I camped at the mouth of Loch Teacuis, right beside the old drovers inn of Doirlinn.
Just read that, looked up where Doirlinn is and thought "How did you do that, we didn't spot anywhere to land" - then realised you were probably on bikes. The site I suggested to hooja is further up, past the island.
Midge watch has ~Fort William and Nevis as pretty bad, rate 4 out of 5. Neighbours are just back from camping Invernes-shire and reported midge as pretty much non existent, and they werent bothered at all. They're 2 small girls aged about 6.
If you're willing to do the extra drive up that way, its likely you'll have a more relaxing time, or at least won't be constantly pestered by biting insects, and you're 6yrold wont be getting upset all the time about them.
https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/
Just read that, looked up where Doirlinn is and thought “How did you do that, we didn’t spot anywhere to land” – then realised you were probably on bikes.
We were, but there's actually a small, rocky boat ramp half-hidden in the trees (at the Oronsay side) so landing would have been pretty easy. They used to swim cattle across Loch Sunart to the inn.
The Carn Mor Dearg Arête route is the usual alternative route up Ben Nevis, but not for 6 year olds, there are a couple of short cuts on the pony track?
I can help with fishing, no license required in Scotland but you will need a permit to fish, Loch Arkaig is £4 per day, river Arkaig the same, permits from the Rod and Gun Shop in Fort William, they will have other options, Loch Lochy, some places will be fly fishing only.
I can help with fishing, no license required in Scotland but you will need a permit to fish, Loch Arkaig is £4 per day, river Arkaig the same, permits from the Rod and Gun Shop in Fort William, they will have other options, Loch Lochy, some places will be fly fishing only.
Good luck with that. The Rod and Gun Shop closed nearly ten years ago.
Ah, Mark Hirst does permits for the river Arkaig, he would be able to advise on what's available. email to mark.achnacarry@gmail.com
The Rod and Gun shop in Fort William closed down. Permits available by honesty box at the jetty.