Well the weather forecast was a bit crap… but a small group still headed to the Charles Inglis Clark (CIC) Memorial Hut for the weekend! Three of us (Joe, Dan and Jan) even managed to arrive dry by walking in on the Friday evening! David, Adrian, and Megan had arrived earlier and had to do some drying out!
If you don’t know the hut it is just 1km north from the Ben Nevis peak, a brilliant location at 680m, right next to the Alt a’Mhuilinn and nestling under the north face rocks. It’s said to be the country’s only alpine hut and really has that feel – very well equipped and cosy with good heating too – a private hut run by the Scottish Mountaineering club. Of course, you have to take in your own 3 course meals and range of alcoholic beverages (so a little different from many Alpine huts)! The hut dates back to around 1928 and was built in memory of Charles Inglis Clark after he was killed in the First World War in Mesopotamia.
The weather pretty much followed the forecast but David headed out in the rain and into the mirk first thing Saturday (well around 9am!) to do walk a classic circular route – straight up the bank from the hut east to the top of Càrn Mòr Dearg (1220m) along the spectacular ridge (Càrn Mòr Dearg arête) to the south and up to the top of Ben Nevis (1345m). From there he went down the ‘tourist track’ (the very popular trail up from Fort William) before looping back round to the hut. He had a great walk and he got a bit wet! I think he said only his feet remained dry.
Others in the party did some relaxed ‘hanging out’ at the hut, waiting to see if there would be a break in the weather, but in the end Adrian and Megan (who could only stay for one night anyway) decided just to do the walk out back to the carpark. We had a few ‘drop in’, soggy visitors seeking shelter in the morning – not surprising given the weather.
Joe and Dan were hoping to climb but decided the weather was against them! With Jan the three of them ventured out a bit later, over the rocks and up the steep path to the ridge immediately south of the hut, thinking at first that they would go up Ben Nevis. On reaching the ridge, they had the idea to go the other way – Brilliant! Ben Nevis was well in the cloud and it would be a new peak for Jan to go along the ridge to the top of Càrn Mòr Dearg. We weren’t getting wet all the time and the wind had a bit of a drying effect in between the showers! And we all carried maps with waterproof map cases!
Being on the ridge as the clouds blew in and out felt great, and gave us exciting ‘glimpses of views’ including south towards Glen Nevis. The weather even cleared up for a bit later towards Fort William, with a hint or so of sunshine but still no views of the top of Ben Nevis!
We took our time descending the steep slope back to the hut (being kind to dodgy knees and taking in the views… ). Finally we managed to cross the river ok back to the hut – without building a bridge – which was Jan’s invitation to all the civil engineers present! Dan did at least make a start by finding a plank! It was a really great little walk and we were all glad we did it.
Saturday evening was spent relaxing and chatting with an amazing variety of alcoholic drinks on offer from a range of contributors including two climbers from London (Finn and Tom) and two guests of the club who stayed on the Saturday night (Macek and Erik).
On Sunday, with the weather looking the same – the two London-based climbers went off to do Tower Ridge, and the rest of us headed out and home. Thanks to everyone for a rewarding and fun weekend at a very special location and to the Scottish Mountaineering Club for letting us stay there.