Preston
Harriers Fell Section
:- Fellblog
Ben
Nevis 2005 (See
also Ben Nevis 1964, scroll to bottom of this page).
Ben
Nevis 2005. 10mile / 4400’ climb.
Another
fantastic weekend in Fort William, expertly organized by Steve Bamber. Eight
Harriers settled into the Bunkhouse before spending Friday night reccing the
bars and meeting old friends in the town.
Up
early Saturday morning, four supporters, Gordon, Nicholas, Pete and myself
headed for the top of the Ben, while Steve B, Ash, John and Steve F prepare for
the race. We avoid the tourists by going around Ben Nevis via the Climbers Hut
and into Coire Leis, then scrambling up the rocks onto the Carn Mor Dearg Arete.
On a fine day this is the best route onto the Ben and the views were
magnificent.
We
waited with refreshments for the runners, and first to the summit was Rob Jebb
of Bingley in just under the hour and leading by 4 minutes. First Harrier was
Steve B then John, Ash and Steve F all well bunched in the middle of the field.
After Steve F passed we headed down unaware of the saga about to unfold. Just
past where the path branches off to the Youth Hostel we find Steve Forster laid
in the bracken complaining of a sore knee which he hurt when he fell into the
Red Burn further up the mountain. He got no sympathy from us as we took him down
to the road and the waiting ambulance. After drawing lots Nick went with him to
the hospital, while we went for a beer. We then collected Steve whose leg was in
plaster with a suspected broken kneecap and the sight of us trying to get him
into the car had hospital staff in stitches. To say we had an adventurous
Saturday night in Fort William would be an understatement, it will go down in
the annals of Preston Harriers.
John
and Steve F went back Sunday morning while the rest spent a fantastic day
walking from Achriabhack to Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean and back. What a
cracking weekend.
Results,
1st
Rob Jebb, Bingley. 1.29.22
104th
Steve Bamber,
2.06.18
133rd
Ash Nixon,
2.11.52
145th
John Griffiths, 2.13.52
Steve Forster,
d.n.f
362
finished.
There have been a few
comments that could be construed as hurtful. Some have said that this is a
picture of me at Ben Nevis! Surely I don't look that knackered when ascending.
Anyway I wasn't there, ask Mick.
John Griffiths ascending
Ash Nixon ascending
Steve Forster ascending
Steve Bamber descending
Gordon nursing injury
Mick. Our man at the top.
Steve has seen the specialist and will be in plaster for 4
weeks but he is mobile and going back to work.
He may be ready for the Calderdale Way Relay and is still
sorting the FRA Relays.
Pictures from Ash & Mick.
You may like to see more
about Steve's injury.
Look
back at Ben Nevis 1964
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to Fellblog
