20 - 21 Aug 2005

One of the Best moment of my entire UK trip yet, is Climbing the Highest Mountain of UK, Ben Nevis(4404ft). It's in Scotland which is north of UK. We were Team of 8. Soloman R., Lalit S., Harshal C. Nitin M., Pushpak N., Bala Murli, Sanjay P. and me. It took 7 hrs. with comfort breaks in between to complete the entire trek. It's beautiful experience to see the surroundings from the high point of UK. Apart from this Scotland itself is very scenic place.

It was one of the well organised trek of Bhramanti. The base village of Ben Nevis is 530km from Liverpool where we started our early morning journey by a two rental cars accommodating 8 of us. Among the team Harshal came from Far away(London) as well Lalit from Bradford on Friday night of 19th Aug 05. Soloman & Pushpak were the Pilot & Myself & Lalit were the Co-pilot/Navigator. Nitin has been chairing as Munimji(Trek treasurer), while Bala & Sanjay had taken the Food management responsibility. Harshal /Lalit had PRO responsibility. I was just a silent Leader.

We started early morning at around 5:30am. After initial route understanding/search we successfully in less time could able to catch the main highway M6. All cheered when we touched the M6. We then reached to Fort Williams via Glasgow and further to Glen Nevis our Scottish Youth Hostel Destination where we were supposed to spend the night. It took 7 & half hrs. We dumped our extra assesories and had our lunch at YHA.

We started our trek at 2:45pm. Given a fair idea by me to all about trek leaving upon individual to decide till what level they can climb. I was sure with 4 of us (Solo, Lalit, Harshal & me) who can attempt to reach the summit but bit doubtfully about our other team members. So I instructed accordingly to be in group since most of them are not experienced in terms of trekking experience. So three among the rest 4 members decided to visit the Lake and return back to hostel. Nitin joined us later.

The best thing I saw while on trek here is that all kind of people; from children's to Oldies were walking on the route. And luckily we got the best whether condition on that day. It was sunny day.

At one point of time I told to the team that we should keep a target in case we are slow, so that we should not face any problem while returning in the dark. But our team enthu was touching to the sky. All said, we will go. Fine! I said...

Solo was cursing on himself that it was his worst experience in terms of Physical fitness while Lalit was moving slow and study. It took 4 hrs to reach on top for the entire gang. We spent some time on top and started return journey at 7:00pm. We reached hostel at 9:30pm. Our remaining gang had made the food arrangement for all of us. After the Nice bath & then dinner we crashed on the Bed till next day morning.

Sunday 21st Aug. we visited Lock Ness; spent some time near the lake for photography. We had heaviest and costliest lunch at this place and started our return journey to Liverpool. We reached Liverpool late due to rain & traffic.

The entire journey was very scenic. Really the Scotland is beautiful.

Photo Link.....

Written By: Rajan Rikame