The Clan Cameron Ascent of Ben Nevis

On August 2, 2001 worldwide members of the Clan Cameron Association participated
in a group ascent of the tallest mountain in Scotland
_^^_^ Ben Nevis _^^_^

_{(This page is being left on Clan Cameron
Online for reference purposes)}

"Aneil nan Gaidheal air a mhullach"
"The Gael's breathing place is on the summit"

SPONSORED BY:

and the Clan Cameron Association members at:

[DETAILS]

[GEAR]

[TIPS]

[MAPS]

THE ASCENT - ALL THE DETAILS

Members and friends of the Clan Cameron Association, whether Camerons, from a Cameron sept or of Cameron/sept descent, in addition to any Cameron individuals not affiliated with the Association are invited to participate in this ascent.

The climb itself is sponsored by Clan Cameron Online, the Clan Cameron Association's Electronic Branch and the folks at Cameron Outerwear, based in New Mexico, who are providing commemorative clothing for this event at a 20% discount to members of Clan Cameron. To receive this special price visit their website and enter discount voucher number 109011 to your electronic shopping cart - it's that easy! To have your Cameron Outerwear embroidered with the special "2001 Clan Cameron Ben Nevis Ascent" logo, submit your order prior to June 15th for a one time shipment on June 30th. Any orders needed before this date, or processed afterwards, will only bear the standard Cameron Outerwear logo (as featured earlier on this page).

Prize Giveaway! Visit Cameron Outerwear before July 15th for a chance to win a tunic!

REGISTER NOW!

Any and all participants should be in general good health and should receive assurance from their doctor of their fitness to participate. Clan Cameron Online's sponsorship of this event consists of coordinating a group to hike the tourist trail at a set time, providing a suitable banner to unfurl at the summit and also providing commemorative ribbons to those who reach the summit. The sponsorship by Clan Cameron Online does not warrantee the health or well being of any participants, though we'll try to make sure that no neighboring clans plan an ambush :) - there will now be a guide provided on this ascent.

Participants of The Clan Cameron Ascent of Ben Nevis will depart promptly at 8 AM on Thursday, August 2nd, 2001. We will "muster" beforehand (beginning one-half hour prior to departure) at the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, where there should be adequate parking for all participants. To find the Clan Cameron Association group, look for the Cameron tartan flags and banner. The ascent itself is approximately 4 miles in length and should take between 3 and 5 hours. It is a walk - there is NO climbing involved. Nowhere on the path will the gradient be steeper than 1 in 5. Prior to making the ascent all participants will be responsible with signing in at the Visitor Centre and upon their return signing out - this is to verify that you have returned from your trip up The Ben. We will begin following the tourist trail at the bridge behind the Visitor Centre, and will be accompanied by a mountain rescue guide.

The trail begins by ascending around the Meall an t-Suidhe. This is a mountain that rises 711 meters above sea level. After leveling out near the tarn of Loch Meall an t-Suidhe the trail begins a series of steep switchbacks to the summit . The route is strewn with boulders and scree along the trail. Upon reaching the summit the successful participants will be awarded with a special commemorative ribbon, indicating their success in reaching this "lofty" goal. Their names will be recorded for posterity and publication at Clan Cameron Online and there will be a posed group photo prior to lunch. During the hour or so the group will be on the summit the banner which accompanies the group will be signed by participants. We have just received word that a piper will accompany the group to the summit and a member of the Lochiel family will join us for the day also!

At approximately 1 PM the group will begin the descent of Ben Nevis. This will take from 2 to 3 hours, safely returning all participants from the mountain before 5 PM. Upon the return to the Visitor Centre the evening's celebration will commence for all those willing and able to make plans.

RECOMMENDED CLAN CAMERON GEAR

"Don't leave Lochaber without it!"

BACKPACK: What do you put all your gear in? A mid-sized backpack of course! We would suggest one with a few easily accessible side pockets and perhaps bottle pockets as well. You may even consider adorning it with the ever-appropriate Clan Cameron crest - be creative, your kinsfolk will be impressed!

WARM COAT/JACKET: While many may consider it unnecessary to wear a jacket in August, the summit of Ben Nevis is usually a few degrees below freezing, even in the summer. We would recommend wearing genuine Polartec 200 fleece, which is what climbers wear to Mount Everest. Cameron Outerwear's jackets, tunics, reversible and two-tone vests are fabricated exclusively from Malden Mills' technical Polartec 200 fleece, designed to provide high insulation per unit weight. They also offer products in Polartec Windbloc 200 fleece to provide an impenetrable barrier against the wind. These are being made available to members of Clan Cameron at a discount and in addition to featuring their wonderful logo (as seen above) will also be stitched with the wording "Clan Cameron Ben Nevis Ascent - 2001."

RAINGEAR/RAINCOAT: Whatever coat you may choose, a raincoat would also be a wise idea to include in your pack.

WARM CLOTHES: Bring additional clothes (think "layers") for the summit - even if it's warm at sea level it can be below zero at the summit. A warm sweater in your pack - wool would be best - is advisable for the higher altitudes. It may be best to wear a t-shirt as a base layer, in case there it is an unexpectedly warm day - extra clothes can always go in your backpack. DO NOT WEAR SHORTS; FULL-LENGTH TROUSERS ARE A MUST! Cameron Outerwear also offers wonderful Polartech 200 fleece backcountry pull-on-pants.

HAT: The fashion and health conscious wear specialty hats on their heads when hiking, either wool or an acrylic blend, to retain their body heat. Cameron Outerwear features a line of hats, in Polartech 200 fleece, with their catchy Cameron logo. You may also wish to bring a baseball cap or sun hat, to keep the sun off your head. There's nothing worse than scalp burn!

GLOVES: Waterproof gloves, moderately insulated. Cameron Outerwear features gloves (mitts), in the ever-soft Polartech 200 fleece.

FOOTWEAR: Utilize comfortable, well worn hiking boots - tennis, gym shoes or sandals are not advisable, since it is a rock climb all the way. Standard hiking protocol suggests wearing an undersock of polypropylene and a wool sock over it - this "wicks" moisture away from your foot, preventing those nasty blisters - and no, they don't itch! Count on both layers of those socks getting damp - bring a spare pair for the trip down.

WATER: At least 2 liters of water is advisable, if not more depending on the humidity. You will need it to keep going throughout the day.

FOOD: Ever suffer from altitude sickness? If so, then odds are that you body has a problem processing fatty foods at a high altitude. To prepare for the ascent resist fatty foods at dinner the evening before and also at breakfast the day of the climb. Pack a few easily accessible snacks for the trip up, low fat trail mix or oat based granola is a good choice. We will be lunching on the summit, so bring a sandwich, sides (fresh fruit would also be a good idea) and a warm thermos of soup for there also. Remember to pack-off your refuse!

PACK TOWEL: Wipe that face with a towel easily accessible from your pack!

TREKKING POLES/WALKING STICK: They really are excellent help when coming down the mountain by removing pressure from your knees. Descending is worse on the knees than going up! For those unfamiliar with trekking poles, they are sold in pairs at most sporting goods stores and somewhat resemble telescoping collapsible ski poles.

KNEE BRACES: Wear them! In addition, it wouldn't be that bad an idea to bring along some Flexall 454 or similar product for the next day - the knees will feel it on Friday!

SMALL FIRST AID KIT: Don't count on anyone having a band aid for that blister on your toe, or moleskin to protect that wound. Bring a small general first aid kit in your pack - better safe than sorry!

COMPASS, FLASHLIGHT & MAP: Many sources recommend bringing these items, just to be safe. To be honest, in that we are ascending as a group you probably won't need them, but if you're a "Scout at heart," bring them along as well.

CAMERA AND JOURNAL: These two items are recommended by most sources. We will be taking a group photo, which will be for sale via Clan Cameron Online after the Gathering, but bring your camera anyway for some (hopefully) clear view shots of Lochaber. Would you care to put your thoughts on paper - many do - a notebook and pencil will do well. Don't bother packing a pen, since ink has a tendency to run in even light misting rain.

TIPS FOR YOUR CLIMB

Kilts? Not the best idea, but if you must, consider also wearing sweat pants or insulated pants also (a strange look indeed!) and "shed" the extra pants at the summit for the photograph. The average temperature on the summit is one degree below zero. Approximately 261 gales a year clash with the mountain top, bringing 50 mph winds and 12 feet of rainfall each year.
There will be a strong desire to bring along one of those wee flasks of Whisky for your hike - we'd recommend not doing so. You will need to be focused both on the way up and down The Ben. Save the Scotch for afterwards!
If you cannot bring along a pre-packed backpack from home, you may piece them together in Fort William for a minimal expense, though you'll waste at least one hour doing so!
If you wear eyeglasses you might wish to consider obtaining a sporting retainer/string for them. The combination of humidity and sweat can make your glasses fall off on an annoyingly regular basis - keep them on at all costs!
Word has it that the Scottish Travel Office will provide certificates (for a minimal charge) proclaiming that you made the ascent - we hope to have more detailed information on this at a later date.
Last but certainly not least - come prepared! It may seem ridiculous to bring a layered insulated coat and also a wool sweater in your pack, but it will be well worth it if the weather turns during the ascent or descent. In addition, we will be savoring our time on the summit. You'll want to enjoy relaxing and taking in the view instead of jumping around trying to keep warm in freezing conditions!

Thousands make this ascent every year and most live to tell the tale, but people have perished on The Ben - bring that gear!

MAPS FOR THE ASCENT

Links for various maps of Ben Nevis will soon be added - please check back...