BEN NEVIS DEC 21

A very impromptu visit to Scotland to climb the UK's highest mountain.
Turned out we had fantastic views and clear skies on the top. But it doesn't always turn out like that. So to end this video a word of warning and a true story of how this mountain range can kill you if you take it for granted.
Far too many folk pay lip service to the dangers. Sadly even the most experienced climbers walkers and hikers can get caught out. Every year the Ben takes its toll. Please be careful, please dress accordingly and please take with you the gear you need should it turn bad on you.
This video is dedicated to the mountain rescue teams and emergency services that help us when we need it, and in memory of those that don't come home. Maff
Music: Nightfall by Scott Buckley

[@JP-lk2qs]

Lovely video .Well done for having rescued two little souls!You must have been sent from heaven on the mission to save them.Admirable guys

[@gooddeedsbeatbad2625]

That was superb & breathtaking scenery. Well done Maff & your mate.

[@danfisherman8555]

Hi maff you're a true legend your videos have got me through some dark times thank you

[@MaffTUK]

Dan Thank you, I hope all is well and i hope you have a great new year. regards Matt

[@ianloboda7714]

Great video Matt , brigs back great memories not done any walking for a bit last walk was with jools and still recovering from plantar fasciitis 12 months ago . Getting there slow recover hopefully summertime should get a mountain in . Keep up the good work . Love all the videos and I don’t even like fishing but love the videos . 👍🍺👣

[@MaffTUK]

Hi Ian that was a tough one and did bring back a lot of memories how ever as we came up to the last 100m from summit i didnt recognise anything like i had never been there before, it was only the trig point i remembered I guess our minds were on something else the last time we were there. oh and shortly after this climb 23 people had to be rescued in the same day and 1 died ...MAD isnt it. Will they ever learn. Hope you get well soon mate, regards Matt.

[@philclark6250]

Great pics and Video,also an interesting story, hopefully the family still think of you and realise how very lucky they are

[@MaffTUK]

I did what i could talking to Thomas on the way down. lets hope he and his sister never make the same mistake again,

[@davidmccarter9479]

Your visibility looks phenomenal, winter much crisper than summer. Envy you.

[@davidross1502]

Great video maff good story m8 you saved 2 lives there. Look forward to new content this year.

[@steveow40]

Great upload. Brings back happy memories of staying near Mallaig and Skye and the sweet taste of Talisker..glad you’re well and merry Xmas and great new year to you

[@MaffTUK]

love Scotland, love whiskey too.......... i should really live there lol

[@russcheetham4046]

Good morning Maff walked up Ben nevis 10 years ago with a few mates proper equipment like you said weather changes quickly it was clear day very lucky that day. Just like the day you saved those children what story had me glued the screen amazing people you and your two mates. Glad you all keeped going that day 🙌👏🙏👍 look forward to your next video and cracking photos from Mr P.

[@almorrison2040]

Great day to go up BN. Funnily enough, whilst not being a superexperienced outdoors man, I used to get ridiculed for carrying too much gear, back ups of back ups etc. I've never needed a lot of my stuff, first aid kits extra clothes etc, but my fellow travellers have! My wife leaves me to it, she knows we will have whatever is needed and she knows I pack for her too. My mates took years to learn and are still getting there.

[@MaffTUK]

Al, On a nice sunny day you go for a walk, you go higher and higher, but its nice and sunny, its easy follow the folk in front easy ... right up to the point it clouds over visibility drops its now 7 degrees colder, and starting to rain. Yep ill take your pack any day mate, you cant carry everything but i bet you carried the right stuff you needed, Sadly i dont think your mates will ever get there until one of them gets hurt or the walk goes tits up, keep working on them Al. regards Maff

[@cameronstaatz9962]

The picture at 14:10 was absolutely stunning !!!!!!! Looks like a beautiful place. Cheers Maff

[@toeknee4266]

Happy new year Matt. wow great video the views from Ben Nevis are breathtaking and if it wasn't for you it would of taken 2, your a legend matt, you must be that families hero well done mate.

[@kevindavies1238]

Another great vlog been watching your videos pretty much from the early days and I've got to say well done that man love the content and looking forward to the coming year so all the best maff and a happy new year to you and your family buddy.

[@paullawrence8572]

Wow Matt thought that's story was going to end tragically, thank god you and your friends were there that day!🙏 Great vid as always mate! HNY👊

[@kenwarburton2578]

An excellent vlog Maff, and an essentially important message. Looking forward to your next videos, especially the fishing one. Happy New Year to you and all your pals.

[@MaffTUK]

Thank you Ken it always shocks me to see just how some folk pay lip service to where they are going. but that's how it goes sadly

[@WyeExplorer]

Splendid early hike up Matt. A bit dicey on the ice but a few inches here and there and hey were across. As for the story - well good job you were there. I hope you're well. All the best for 2022. Mark

[@robertcarpenter992]

Amazing photography legend Happy New Year Maff

[@MaffTUK]

Cheers Rob, Thank you

[@walkaboutphilpots3795]

Hats off, I think Marvel should give you a Feature Film Maff Super Heroes all of you ! atb mate.

[@losinightcrawler]

As always maff a top top video and a very intresting story just to prove a wealth of knowledge is far far better than " yes I kno what I'm doing " top man maff ;) .. hopefully see ya soon

[@michaelbarnett5497]

Brilliant video Matt Great content . Respect ✊ to you both . Have a Happy New year lads. When’s your next carping video ? All the best Mike

[@MaffTUK]

Either in the hammock or fishing not sure yet lets hope the weather improves 😁😁

[@keitheldred8215]

Well done lads, you truly deserve a medal 👏👏

[@raylewis8851]

Always excited when I see more of your content as this was no exception...First class Maff.....lost for words how irresponsible some parents can be...Thank god you and you pals where there and equipped, I hope that family realise what absolute hero's you are, well done mate & A very Happy New Year to you & Your family...🥂🍻

[@MaffTUK]

Ray, i never said where the parents were when we contacted them...........Ray they were in the pub... i could not believe it

[@raylewis8851]

That makes me feel sick to the stomach...all those deserving people out there that cannot have kids, and idiots like that have 2 beautiful children and don't realise how precious they are....I'm not religious but God help them kids with parents like that, and well done to you guys for not knocking the parents into next week...Stand tall mate !!, you so deserve it !!

[@SteveT180351]

Takes me back to my younger days that. Not the story at the end though. Have had to count steps and dead reckoning up there in a white-out to get down after doing Zero Gulley. Scary to force yourself to trust compass, maps and step count! A very dangerous hill if you take liberties and flogging up and down that track is a killer. There are trout in the lochan .... you could take a rod and have a go ..... maybe not in winter though! Well done on the rescue ... you are spot on ..... two dead kids but for you! Have a great year ... are you renewing membership of WADAA?

[@MaffTUK]

Hi Steve, we need to pull up pegs and chew the cud/ swing the lantern or pull up a sand bag, get a brew on and talk maps lol i love um and although i dont know much about zero gully apart from i think that's the bugger that takes you to the summit ? I certainly know how much faith you need to put into a compass sometimes and how rewarding it is to succeed in doing so. yes im joining again i like it to be honest

[@debsmostexcellentadventure5353]

happy new year@stay safe debs x.

[@Thedroneguyonparade]

Superb!!

[@samc705]

How in fecks name did I miss the live chat Maffew???? BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER!!!! Oh and Happy New Year when it gets to you.

[@MaffTUK]

LOL I never done one before i didnt know i was going to be live suddenly comments started popping up so i just went with it. it was a bit of fun really. take care mate happy new year to you. regards Matt

[@samc705]

@@MaffTUK Honest to God mate, I just watched the whole video and as for the story at the end...The only thing I want to know is...Where the hell do you hide your cape and Batman boots? You my friend are a bloody legend! PS. That whole incident with you wearing your underpants over a pair of your missus' tights will never see the light of day, neither will anyone hear of it from my lips. *winks*

[@jobloggs8021]

It was unclear from the video... were the parents at all concerned about the kids out there on their own? and had they raised the alarm when they realised they were missing? If not, then that is incredible and truly scary. All that aside, I hope the dad realised the gravity of that life and death situation by the time you finished your little "chat" with him and I hope he showed his appreciation to you and your mates. I've heard other stories that didn't end so well. Thanks mate, That was an amazing video. I was riveted 👍

[@MaffTUK]

Hello Jo Bloggs, the parents had thought some how they have gone back down and were not concerned and thought everything was ok right up to the point when they got the phone call..... they were in the campsite bar, and would have not known their kids were missing until they went back to the caravan or what ever they were in. Then it would have already been too late. can you imagine This question "when was the last time you seen your children?" Oh that would be half way up Ben Nevis, .......... what a jaw dropping statement that would be..... Thomas told me they were going to Skye the next day to do some more mountains, when i spoke to his dad i told him they are not able to do any more hills until they learn and understand what just nearly happened today. it seems like yesterday and going back up was a complete surprise, normally im quite good with places and memory but i had very little memory of the top and the first half of the track down. I guess i was too busy the last time to take it in and had other things on my mind like giving the dad a royal fucking up and down when i see him LOL. If you look at the CMD route i drew a red line on. Pause it and look for the X on the map you can see just how close those kids were to falling from the north face. Jools Ian and myself were all so glad we carried on that day, We never heard from Thomas and his little sister again I hope they are well.

[@jobloggs8021]

@@MaffTUK. I can well imagine that whole event must haunt you. It was pure luck that you and your mates decided to continue up the hill that day. How different things could have been if you went down. You would have had that awful regret hanging round your neck for the rest of your days. I'm pleased for those kids, but I'm pleased for you too. Should be you getting a gong from the queen.... Not Tony Blair 😖

[@chrisfisher2568]

good stuff as always maff, great pics and i liked the music m8, out of interest how long did it take you? Hope you had a great xmas and have an eventful and happy new year! all the best , Cheers!

[@chrisfisher2568]

very important message at the end too

[@russelldowns129]

Well done true gentleman 👏

[@billyshanahan4001]

Well done.

[@russelldowns129]

Well done true gentlemen 👏

[@stelfc5384]

Good men.

[@paulleslierees9347]

what regimant were u in pal

[@MaffTUK]

that is the duke of Lancashire's tellec 8 Iraq Paul, I was their CSM

[@paulleslierees9347]

@@MaffTUK im a faild green jacket 8 nj a half months staffords ta n i got bined from the 9th 12th royal lancers for drinkin 2 much n being a tit love ya vids mate

[@paulleslierees9347]

your a legend