Ben to Ben part 2:

Looking back I must admit the weather had been good. Luck was with me as I left Dalwhinnie. You cross the railway crossing by the station and take the track down Loch Ericht. It is a nice wide track and you have views all the way as you walk. I got to Ben Alder Lodge and was asked where I was going by an estate worker. I pointed the way and passed by. Lots of people will head to the track taking them by Loch Pattack. I did not and carried on by Loch Ericht. It is a fine walk by the Loch and I headed to Ben Alder Bay.

The views are great and I remember watching RAF jet fighters having mock dog fights along the glen.

I had to negotiate a rocky band to get round to Ben Alder bay. A slip here will result in a swim. The bay is a majestic setting. I called into the bothy and got talking to a group of hill walkers staying the night. I had planned on pushing on but a drink and warm fire to sit chatting around was reason to stay.

The morning found me up early and away. I went via the Bealach Cumhann and dropped to the path by Usige Labhair. The walk down to Loch Ossian is a fine one with great views.

I went by the left side of the Loch and rhododendron bushes lined the way. At the end of the Loch I looked back to a great view. Loch Ossian is just one of those superb viewpoints that you come across in Scotland - it just has to be visited.

I moved on to look at Corrour Station and called into the restaurant for a drink, then headed on. The restaurant is a nice bed and breakfast now and re-opened from being closed for a long time.

From there I went by Loch Treig and then followed the Abhainn Rath to my final destination for the day.

On the way I crossed over the river via some stepping stones by Staoineag bothy. From there I went by some stunning waterfalls to Meannanach bothy. It was empty and made a nice home for the night.

I woke early and fancied a decent meal and a beer. Ben Nevis would have to wait and Fort William was calling. The walk down Glen Nevis is epic and the waterfall by Steall ruins is a sight to behold. The walk is lined by majestic peaks and views. Nevis Gorge with its crashing waterfalls is narrow and lined with giant boulders that you view as you walk through. The narrow path and steep drops make it a pleasant surprise to discover.

A good beer in Nevisport and a fine meal set me up for the next day. The point was to link the Bens and this I had done. The beer cost me a view though as cloud covered the summit as I walked up the road in the morning. I went via the tourist track but headed down to view the cliffs at the point where the path headed up the main mass of Ben Nevis.

From there I went up on to Carn Mor Dearg. Patchy snow was on the summit and a light snow fall had started. I encountered two other hill walkers debating whether to go down. It looked OK and the rock was mostly uncovered on the arete.

It was fun to scramble along it despite seeing nothing. From there I went up the slope to the summit, avoiding snow fields as best I could and the view was...well 10ft visibility and some nice person took a photo of me. I had done the Bens and had a good walk. I could have done it quicker but that was not the point. I could have wildcamped but instead enjoyed a nice bothy or two. It makes a good route if you've done the West Highland Way and need a new adventure. Now I would do more summits, and most likely wild camp. Times change.