I arrived at Onich near Fort William after my meeting on Friday night and was well looked after by a long-term friend Sue Heron and Mike and Amy at her house. What a situation overlooking Ardgour and Glencoe. It was an early start for a day on Ben Nevis with my Nephew Scott Lynne and Dorothy, my stepson Stephen came with us as he is now working in Fort William. The weather was perfect for walking not too hot with a cool breeze, the Ben is a strenuous walk 6-8 hours and a very busy mountain. This is the season for Charity walks and there were thousands on the mountain, many doing the 3 peaks. What a mess is left by walkers of drinks bottles and rubbish left on the path. I counted nearly 50 bottles left during the day on the path, what a mess. It all went well and we managed to get away from the crowds near the top and see the magnificent North East Corrie where all the climbing is. The summit was clear and we enjoyed watching a few climbers on the North East Face. Then it was a long hard slog back down to a great meal in the Four Seasons restaurant at Onich which made the day. It was great to see so many up there enjoying the mountains. Over 200,000 ascend it every year by the mountain path and lots from the North East Face. I think Scott, Lynn and Dorothy enjoyed the day, they are training for Kilimanjaro in a few months for charity in recognition of their father who died a few years ago. Stephen was going well and was a great help on the day, he has a true love of the wild. We plan to get out on the mountains especially the Ben with him now he is living in Fort William. 
Peace at last away from the crowds.
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