Failing to Summit Ben Nevis in Scotland via CMD Ridge (DON'T DO THIS!)

Failing to summit Ben Nevis from Fort William in Scotland when hiking via the north face ridge Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête (CMD). We faced stormy winds and mist covering the steep ridge as we reached a point that involved climbing.
In poor weather conditions I recommend picking the "mountain path" trail over the Carn Mor Daerg to reach the summit as it otherwise require some climbing with steep drops.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:26 Hiking Ben Nevis
4:07 Weather Gets Worse
6:20 Trail Guide & Alternative Path
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Inspired by Harmen Hoek & Kraig Adams.
Please comment below if you have any questions or feedback about the hike or the video itself and I will gladly help you out!
About my channel:
I’m a Swedish hiker and filmmaker that travel all over the world to hike, explore new trails trying ti capture it in these cinematic hiking films! I want to keep these hiking videos relaxing and peaceful, which is why I leave my commentary towards the end of the video.
#hiking #bennevis #westhighlandway #scotland #trekking #peaceful #relaxing #natureasmr #nature #trekking #vandring #fortwilliam

[@JonathanLundmark]

If you enjoyed this video please consider supporting me by subscribing to my channel :) Any feedback is also highly appreciated!

[@scoundrel1975]

Combining your gut instinct, your general sense of well-being and your every day common sense while tackling a life or death situation over wanting to achieve the initial goal is a massive achievement in itself, we'll done guys you live to climb another day - Kudos 👏🏻

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks for pointing that out amigo!

[@jimf671]

I would not recommend this long approach to CMD Arete. It is more than a 1500m (Vert.) day anyway and this route makes it steeper and maybe a bit longer. The best way to approach the CMD Arete route is from the North Face Car Park at Torlundy and up the Allt a'Mhuillin path before breaking out left around NN151744 and gently ascending the toe of the ridge. This way you have a gentler ascent, no large streams to cross and you get magnificent views of the rugged north face much sooner. What this does not save you from is the exposure on some parts of the top section of the ridge and the extreme winds that can be channelled up Coire Leis and cause dangerous conditions as you cross from Carn Mor Dearg to Ben Nevis. Where they turned back is near where these winds can get extreme. By this time you have already summited a 1220m mountain so the day is not wasted! Once you continue beyond this point, up the Ben Nevis side of the narrow ridge and onto easier ground, you MUST get your navigation correct. People go the wrong way here even in good visibility so it is wise to get your map out and make sure you avoid both the cliffs to the right and the apparently-benign but dreadfully dangerous ground to the left. A good navigating phone app with Ordnance Survey 1:25000 mapping and GNSS will be particularly useful (OS Maps, Topo GPS, Outdooractive, ... ...). After finding the summit structures, finding the descent path can also be difficult in poor visibility. Once down near the 'half-way lochan' (NN147724), take the path to the North to return to the car park at Torlundy.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you for this very informative comment 🙏

[@jonny1903]

Yeah I was slightly confused why they didn't follow normal approach initially

[@christophermorrison5715]

Such a responsible climber knowing when to turn back. Well done sir 👍🏻

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you!

[@bighardonforhiking6764]

I really enjoyed the crisp quality of the video

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you!

[@eliasfriman9445]

It was a pleasure! Can't wait for the next one

[@JonathanLundmark]

Indeed it was and likewise!

[@hikesome]

Another great video! Best thing to do, that's also part of the challenge to make the right decisions at the right time ;) Incredibly beautiful scenery and a huge challenge, great adventure!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you! Glad you liked it.

[@TerrapinTrader]

Scottish weather can be so harsh - but I'll remember that tip if and when I get to Ben Nevis- which my grandfather climbed over a hundred years ago. Great video again.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you (again)! Glad you enjoyed this video too. Indeed the weather was very unpredictable in Scotland - quickly changing from one way to the other. Just after we descended it started clearing up again...

[@philippine666]

Very interesting. I turned back on my 1st climb on tourist route winter climb. Minus 17 degrees. January. Completed 2nd climb May. Great educational video. Thank you.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you very much, glad you found it helpful!

[@jordanwalsh8171]

Literally did the exact same thing today, in the same spot too!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Haha really? It wasn’t all easy turning back with that little left - congratulations for probably making the right call!

[@jordanwalsh8171]

@@JonathanLundmark yes really lol, the wind was really strong even down at the hut but I decided to check it out anyway, the higher I got the worse it got, add in clouds and rain n it was a bad combination, I was devastated but definitely the right thing to do, wouldn't want to descend down the hill again tho, almost broke my ankles a few times on the loose rocks, very taxing too!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Well sounds like at least we both got an adventure! Not the the hill I’d die on so to speak 😅

[@user-on9rl7rz1l]

Another wonderful adventure. So peacefull and relax video. It was scared when you came down the mountains. Strong wind, fog and tiny trails made it very difficult))

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it, indeed a bit scary scrambling.

[@redmanwalking74]

Good call. Thanks for posting this. Too many people make bad choices in the mountains and then mountain rescue need to risk their own lives to come help you or worst case scenario, someone looses their life.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you! Glad to hear

[@tichmebadthangz1483]

i was up last weeek and had th fight with my self to turn back but it was for the best , you always kicking yourself but its for the best , great video

[@JonathanLundmark]

Hehe I recognize that, and thanks!🙏

[@HarmenHoek]

Oh my, that Scottish weather ... Well captured nevertheless!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Indeed treacherous! Thank you Harmen 🙇‍♂️

[@ivankaivanova8848]

Thank you for sharing,end of September there we go

[@JonathanLundmark]

My pleasure, if you enjoyed it please consider subscribing to my channel and best of luck to you in September!

[@colincodona7836]

My "friend" took me on this route recently without any prior knowledge, luckily we survived. I commend you for turning back

[@JonathanLundmark]

Congrats on getting back down!

[@whimpihastarobbi5700]

Great video my friend.. Good place, nice hiking! Thankyou for sharing.. keep it up to build this channel.. thankyou my friend

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you, glad to hear!

[@elisabethstoffel5079]

What a great mature decision to quit. Absolutely exemplary!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you 💪

[@davidgivenadventures]

You made the right decision to turn back.. always another day to conquer that route 💯⛰️🤜🤛

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks for pointing that out 🙌 Felt like the right call

[@davidtunnah4117]

Great video - thanks for sharing!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you very much!

[@johnsettlage]

Your videography just keeps getting better and better. Wonderful footage and a great story. Makes me want to go back and try to summit Ben Nevis. Thanks for your amazing talents.👍

[@JonathanLundmark]

🙇 Thank you very much for those kind words!

[@tubulzr]

Unfortunate those conditions, having reached the ridge but a wise decision to not cross it. I've gone up the donkey trail to the snowy and unfortunately completely cloudy summit, with only some rain showers while climbing up. Very doable for anyone reasonably fit (and the right clothing+minimal gear, obviously). During a 'high route' part of the GGW, I've experienced wind that put/knocked me (and my 17 kg backpack) 2 steps next to the path. There was enough space around the path so no drama but that CMD ridge certainly doesn't allow for being blown a couple of steps sideways.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks! ❤️

[@TomAndJoeVlogsTJOutdoors]

Nice one, really crisp video that love how you’ve worked the audio and a crisp footage. No shame about turning back, the weather and wind sounded awful. Ridge also looked very fairy, nice video though!

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you! We were debating it at the time and it was a really hard choice to make being so close to the summit, but it was def. the right call given our circumstances! 🙏

[@davidkennedy4912]

Hi great video full of info and not a fail just good sound judgement guys 🙌

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you David, glad you found it informative!

[@explorewithlloydi]

that looked like a really interesting day of climbing

[@JonathanLundmark]

Hehe that’s a nice way to put it!

[@simonlundgren6190]

Wow what a professional looking video! Are you doing this as your day 2 day work? Or are you working with other things?

[@santoy1000]

Aw such a shamed you abandoned the trek, tourist route is always best in unsettled weather 👍

[@JonathanLundmark]

Yup, safety first!

[@jmc6720]

I’m sorry you didn’t make it to the top, but from the video I think you made the right decision to turn back. I’m planning to go up the route that you attempted with my daughter next year, but only with food weather! Thanks so much for all the advice 👍🏼

[@JonathanLundmark]

I think we made the right call too but of course it would had been nice to see the top :) Best of luck to you!

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

At last, a film showing what it's really like. Too many fair weather walkers on youtube 😊

[@JonathanLundmark]

Aye the weather turned on us!

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

@@JonathanLundmark most of my walking is in bad weather 😊

[@JonathanLundmark]

Ah, do you live in Scotland? :)

[@hamshanksproductions7161]

@@JonathanLundmark I certainly do 😊

[@JonathanLundmark]

I hiked (and uploaded a video) the West Highland Way too, it was a really nice hike -any other hike in Scotland that’s on par and that you recommend?

[@markthomasson5077]

Better to start from the North Face car park, then take the ridge path to CMD. It is quite a hard scramble across very big boulders and steep from where you turned back, though not all that difficult. In the mist on the summit plateau is where navigation is tricky, but once at the summit, the route down is straight forward. But good attempt and wise désirions to turn back if not happy. If you just retraced your route down from CMD, that was not best, must have been much worse going down. I would advise you take the east ridge then down into the hanging valley to the ruins of Steall at the top Glen Nevis.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks for your comment! We did tetrace our route back the same way we went up CMD and indeed it was not an easy way back down but still managable. Interresting starting from the north face, why would you suggest starting from there? I suppose it’s a shorter hike but the walk up from Glen Nevis car park was very beautiful with the waterfalls!

[@markthomasson5077]

It is not surprisingly shorter from the North Face car park to the North Face. Still a fine walk, and not so busy.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kevclaremcd]

Turning back is always the right decision if you feel uneasy. I wonder why you don't use at least one trekking stick, I find them invaluable for both uphill, but especially steep downhill as they act like a 'third' leg.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thanks! Yep feels like we made the right call. Because of the camera with tripod sticks tend to get in the way :) Otherwise agree!

[@dougieranger]

I summited June 2013 and it was snowing heavily on top. I only took the pony track but it was still a tough hike.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Nice! In retrospect perhaps we should have too :)

[@dougieranger]

@@JonathanLundmark Well, the mountain will still be there for next time. You did the right thing Jonathan. I found it a bit of a plod from the pony track, perhaps because you must climb every single meter since the start is at sea level unlike many other mountains?

[@JonathanLundmark]

Yep might be it! Thanks, feels like we did the right thing. If you havent watched it yet and you liked this one I also have a similar video of the WHW, check it out if interrested :) It was my first solo hike

[@dougieranger]

@@JonathanLundmarkI will definitely check that out Jonathan.

[@weebryan]

What software/app did you use at the end looks very good for planning thanks

[@JonathanLundmark]

Hi! That would be ”Alltrails” 👌 Indeed a good tool to plan routes.

[@fivesfish]

That wasn't a lake on the way up Ben Nevis, it was a cwm or a cirque.

[@JonathanLundmark]

👍

[@richardmichael1445]

Enjoyed your video. Looks like a fun way up. Why do you leave the ridge and go down to the left just before you turned around? Is it possible to just follow the ridge all the way? Get yourself some sealskinz waterproof socks. It saves taking your boots off. They work 100%. I failed to reach the summit in May 2021. I went the more popular route with crampons and an ice axe. It felt like overkill on equipment but the top was solid ice and hard snow. The wind kept blowing me over and the temperature dropped to -5. A mighty mountain to always be respected despite not being very high.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you! There was a path around it where people seemed to have walked which felt safer in those conditions as the ridge got more narrow, it felt like it ”was the way”. Thanks for the tip, will look into it!

[@richardmichael1445]

That's the way...hooray

[@JonathanLundmark]

This is the way

[@andrewtaylor8899]

A couple of points: (1) the hut that you mention at 8:42 (the Charles Inglis Clark Memorial Hut) is private (owned by the Scottish Mountaineering Club) and not available as a shelter. (2) the town is Fort William, not Fort Williams.

[@JonathanLundmark]

Thank you for your clarifications!

[@p4ttl344]

What date did you do the climb? me and a few friends are planning to go there at the end of April

[@JonathanLundmark]

We went there during early may! Best of luck on your hike :)

[@chelsyholland790]

Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory

[@JonathanLundmark]

Well said!

[@eagoba2456]

If you had successfully made the ascent, will you had return back the via fhe tourist path, is that possible?

[@JonathanLundmark]

Yes exactly, that was the plan and is possible.

[@MaShip-tb1lt]

Ignorance is bliss. I reluctantly climbed Ben Nevis in 1972 aged 11. Strapped sandals, no waterproofs, a packet of crisps at the top to celebrate and no path to follow .Wtf

[@JonathanLundmark]

Well done!

[@keithscott1480]

Good effort but the hut your on about is only open to members and guests of the Scottish mountaineering club so if your doing that route again the hut would be no good to you in an emergency it would probably be locked

[@JonathanLundmark]

Aha thanks for pointing that out!

[@danthompson8212]

Poor route advice, the North Face carpark at Torlundy is a far more sensible place to start this route, no messing around crossing loads of water falls, and the accent is far less dangerous than going straight up the steep loose face.

[@JonathanLundmark]

The waterfalls were beautiful though! But yes when ascending the steep face you need to tread carefully to ensure no rocks break lose

[@danielsaunders4867]

Done it in worse conditions that that

[@JonathanLundmark]

Sounds like it came with risks, but good that you made it back down!