Ben Nevis Mountain Track Repairs 2009
Repairs to the summit track on the UK’s highest mountain were successfully completed last year and now further work is underway between John’s Wall and zig-zag corner 3, including the Red Burn – an area that has suffered considerably from erosion and general wear and tear over recent years. The project is being managed by The Nevis Partnership’s own Footpath Consultant and helicopter lifts of contractors’ equipment to the Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe area took place late in April, with work commencing straight away thereafter.
A great deal of effort went into securing a total of just under half a million pounds to carry out this work and also fund a project to develop and foster a Sense of Place in Glen Nevis (see separate project article here). Over £200,000 of funds from the European Regional Development Fund have been matched with generous support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Mountaineering Trust and it is hoped that the track repairs will be completed during the (relatively) clement summer season. Joint contractors Upland Contracts Ltd and Highland Conservation Ltd will be keen to capitalise on all spells of good weather, especially as their teams are based in a temporary camp on the slopes of the Ben for the duration of the works!
Tourists and climbers are asked to take particular care for the duration of the track repair project, following the advice given on temporary notices and signs and also responding to any requests from the contractors themselves. Whilst the Ben Track works are going on, The Nevis Partnership will be continuing to negotiate to secure the remaining funding required to complete the final (upper) section of the Allt a’ Mhuilinn track and also repairs to the track between John’s Wall and the CIC hut.