The Ben Nevis Race

[Mike T]

From the race secretary: "A hooded top would suffice. Trousers also."

[Deejay]

Hi Ian - I had looked.

" Equipment:

a) Competitors must carry full waterproof body cover, including head covering and gloves.

b) Competitors must carry a whistle and the runners card issued as confirmation of entry.

c) Failure to comply results in immediate disqualification from the current race. "

As is sometimes the case it is a bit vague - but I guess map/compass are not mentioned so can be left - in the car! Hood vs hat - or both? Who knows! I have Emailed the RO.

I have not been up Ben Nevis but I understand it is one of the few walking descents where an accurate compass bearing can be crucial particularly in poor visibility - if you do not have ascending walkers/runners to aim for.

It certainly could be crucial and make for a very speedy descent, although it would leave you with a longer road run at the end
Take a map and compass regardless, it's not as if they weigh much. If my memory is right, a bearing of 230 from the summit for about 150 yards and then 280 takes you to the zig zags avoiding Five Finger Gully and the North face crags.

[Mike T]

It certainly could be crucial and make for a very speedy descent, although it would leave you with a longer road run at the end
Take a map and compass regardless, it's not as if they weigh much. If my memory is right, a bearing of 230 from the summit for about 150 yards and then 280 takes you to the zig zags avoiding Five Finger Gully and the North face crags.

.....which is where I came in - which map? - have since been to the shops and the BMC map looks OK - nice detailed summit section with distance/bearings off the summit.

[Dynamo Dan]

.....which is where I came in - which map? - have since been to the shops and the BMC map looks OK - nice detailed summit section with distance/bearings off the summit.

I'll be getting the BMC map. Those Harvey's maps are very good much more practical than an OS and will easily fit in a bumbag.

[IWCharters]

This looks like a good set of instructions with a small map - scroll down to "descent" http://scottishwinterroutes.com/bennevis.htm

If you can find the summit the bearings are more use than a map.

[RichK]

In bad weather and snow, an accurate bearing to the summit is crucial. I learnt this last week when I went up for the first time in perfect viz (and no snow) and saw the massive drops that are so close to the main path. Step on one of those when they're covered in snow and you will indeed descend very quickly. You won't pick up any prizes though.

On race day, there's no chance of this happening.

You don't really need to stress about maps, but note that the descent cuts off the zig zags on the walkers route. If you get detached from the runner in front (easy to do in bad viz), you might end up following the walkers zig zag path all the way down, the obvious (but safe) route, which is an embarrassing and slow error.

[RichK]

This looks like a good set of instructions with a small map - scroll down to "descent" http://scottishwinterroutes.com/bennevis.htm

If you can find the summit the bearings are more use than a map.

Good advice. After the crucial 150m of 231 degrees, follow that 282 bearing for about a mile and a half. You'll know you're done with following the bearing when you cross the Red burn and clamber up back onto the tourist track at about NN 142 719 (and you don't have to be terribly accurate on this leg either).

[Also Ran]

Time to bring this one back to page one. Only a few more days till the classic up and down race in the British Isles. Just been looking through the finalised entry list - who can pick a winner?
Will Rob Jebb be running after his dislocated shoulder at Whittle Pike?
Will Ian Holmes pick up another win?
Will newly crowned English Champion Lloyd Taggart prevail?
Finlay Wild last years winner will surely be in the mix with maybe Ricky Lightfoot challenging.
I'll stick my neck out and pick Lloyd Taggart who seems to be in form at the moment.
Looking forward to the weekend - my aim is just to finish without injury!!

PS Map not required - but you will need good studs!

[Dynamo Dan]

Weather's looking a bit iffy but I'm getting excited now!!!

[AndyH]

Good luck, I bet it will be great fun, I quit fancy it for next year.

Just looking at the records, I knew the record has stood for a while, but will Kenny Stewarts time ever been beaten? what a record, 1 hr 25 and stood since 1984, wow, it is still the same course yes? Finley Wild ran 1 hr 35 last year, 10 minutes off, which is still a bit off, if the conditions were good, could he chop more off that 10 minutes?

Good luck all:thumbup:

Andy