Scribd
Upload
959 views

Climbing To The Top of Britain

The climbers planned a three-day winter climb up Ben Nevis in Scotland. They carried safety equipment like tents, spikes, and lights since snow conditions are icy. Though the forecast was clear, they felt nervous starting the climb. The narrator struggled more than the experienced group. After seven hours, they reached the top through difficult conditions on Tower Ridge, but mist obscured the view. Getting back to camp safely through navigation was also challenging. The narrator was glad of the shared responsibility and to have made it to the top.

Uploaded by

CPEPA Rubielos de Mora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
959 views

Climbing To The Top of Britain

The climbers planned a three-day winter climb up Ben Nevis in Scotland. They carried safety equipment like tents, spikes, and lights since snow conditions are icy. Though the forecast was clear, they felt nervous starting the climb. The narrator struggled more than the experienced group. After seven hours, they reached the top through difficult conditions on Tower Ridge, but mist obscured the view. Getting back to camp safely through navigation was also challenging. The narrator was glad of the shared responsibility and to have made it to the top.

Uploaded by

CPEPA Rubielos de Mora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

CLIMBING TO THE TOP OF BRITAIN

Read and do the True / False

Each year thousands of people climb Ben Nevis in Scotland, and because of its northerly location, the
climate can be bitterly cold. Climber Keith Hewitt describes his first time on Ben Nevis.
It was February, my first big winter climb. Our route was up the north face of the mountain to Tower
Ridge. It’s six hundred meters up – probably the longest climb in Britain. We planned to camp for three
days in the “Corries”, which are like big bowls cut into the walls of the mountain half-way up.
We were carrying tents, sleeping bags, and metal spikes for our boots---you’d have trouble on Ben Nevis
without them because you get snow so hard it’s like walking on ice. Even though some of the group were
very experienced, we packed all kinds of safety equipment including lights for attracting attention, hard
hats and extra clothing. Although the weather forecast was perfect, with no strong winds, there was still a
general feeling of nervousness when we set out. Ben Nevis in winter is always a challenge.
The track soon climbed and my legs felt heavy. Being the weakest member of the group, I had to rest
more frequently. The others sometimes stopped for a break to let me catch up, but as soon as I reached
them they set off again. I promised myself that in future I would always train properly before a climb.
After 200 meters, we reached the beginning of Tower Ridge, the route that would take us to the top of
Ben Nevis. It’s only a meter and a half wide and the mountain drops away hundreds of meters on each side.
We knew we had to keep calm and concentrate on every step as we moved slowly along it.
After seven hours of climbing we reached the top. On a clear day, you can see the sea and right across
it to the island of Skye, 48 kilometers away. However, we weren’t so lucky, as a mist had come down.
On Ben Nevis, getting back down to a camp can be as much of a challenge as going up. You need to be
able to read a map properly – a wrong turn could lead to slopes too dangerous to go down in winter. I was
glad we had decided to take it in turns to do that job. That first time, it was only when I was safe in the
tent that I could say I really enjoyed the experience. But at least I made it to the top.

TRUE OR FALSE?
1 The climbers camp was at the bottom of Ben Nevis. TRUE FALSE
2 Their equipment was of little use on the icy snow. X X
3. The climbers were well prepared in case of emergency. X X
4. The climbers were worried by the weather forecast. X X
5. The whole group took regular breaks together. X X
6. The writer realized that he had to improve his fitness. X X
7. The climbers recognized the danger in taking the Tower Ridge path. X X
8. From the top of Ben Nevis, the climbers had a view of the sea. X X
9. The climbers shared the responsibility of map reading. X X
10. The writer began to relax when he reached the top of the mountain. X X

You might also like