One of the things I love more than writing about my adventures is reading about other peoples adventures! Today we have the pleasure of seeing what Ben and his friends got up to in the Grampians over the weekend.

Just 2 Scottish lads (Ben and Ryan) at the summit of Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis after an incredible climb (March 2024).

Getting Started

Hey there, fellow adventurers! I’m Ben, a lover of all things climbing and mountaineering. I came across KitUp last year and have since used it as both an Owner and as a Renter (they have a great selection of winter climbing equipment available). Having just had one of the best Scottish winter weekends I thought it would be great time to share it with the community.

The day started with an incredibly early departure from my parents house in Glasgow, where we charged ourselves with strong coffee and popped ‘Ben Nevis’ into the GPS – the goal was to summit Tower Ridge, possibly the best mountaineering route in the UK. As with any mountaineering trip (especially in Scotland) it needs some prior planning – route selection, weather checks, equipment etc and this was one of those rare occasions that all went to plan and we were able to do exactly what we wanted to.

Upon arriving at the car park just after sunrise, we were greeted by postcard views of the snow-capped peaks that towered above us and the crisp mountain air. We knew that this was going to be a truly special day out.

Ryan, trying hard not to fall into the freezing cold water at the foot of Ben Nevis (also taking a cracking photo for the Gram!).

Time To Get The Crampons On!

As we hiked up the slopes to the bottom of the climb, the beginning of Eastern Traverse, the snow started coming in hard but thankfully the winter was not too strong. This is where having the appropriate kit, especially clothing, comes in very handy. The mixture of wind, rain and snow that often characterise Scottish mountaineering require some sturdy stuff!

To begin the real climb we entered Douglas Gap a 20m groove/chimney leads to the crest of the ridge, which rises gently to become quite narrow (picture below). Whilst waiting for the others to come up behind me, it was a great time to snap a quick pic and enjoy just how picturesque the area is. It can be a busy climb but luckily, we were almost totally alone.

The Douglas Gap on the West Gully of Ben Nevis. Ben is starting to feel a little chilly at this point!

Crux Time (The Difficult Part)

After the Douglas Gap we were faced with 3-4 pitches of harder climbing on the ‘Little Tower’ which took a good couple of hours to get through. We have all done a lot of climbing so this was not beyond our ability (if relatively new to winter hiking/climbing then I would recommend getting a guide from the likes of Lochaber Guides). This was then followed by a traverse across a steep bank of snow and then another pitch of climbing to the ‘Great Tower’, which the route is named after.

We then climbed up through the chimney (image below) via a series of steep wall sections and ledges. For those not wanting to do this, there are other, simpler routes to get to the summit.

Ryan climbing The Chimney – probably the toughest part of the climb!

After popping out of the top of the chimney it’s pretty smooth sailing to the summit – time for a quick cup of tea and a picture! Doing something like this with a group of friends is one of the best experiences. It creates a bond of trust and comfort that you won’t have with too many others.

An After-thought

As I reflect on this epic day on Ben Nevis, I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity. I totally understand the commitment that it takes to buy and store this equipment (for most people it is used so infrequently) but for the vast majority, its deeply unnecessary if nothing else. KitUp is a really valuable resource for not only trying new activities but for anyone that is limited by what they can travel with. The ability to rent equipment ahead of time also means that you meet new people and hopefully learn about new routes!

So, to all you aspiring adventurers out there, I urge you to seize the day and embark on your own winter climbing escapade. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or not, there’s something truly special about exploring the great outdoors and pushing your limits in the most breathtaking of settings.

With equipment from KitUp and a spirit of adventure in your heart, the possibilities are endless. So go ahead, grab your boots, pack your kit, and let’s make some memories that will last a lifetime. The Grampians are calling – will you answer?

Ben and Ryan at the bottom of Little Tower, during a climb of Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis.

KitUp Community Adventures

it is so inspiring to read about other peoples adventures. To see more of what Ben is up to, you can check out his instagram profile here. If you would like to feature your escapades in our blog, please get in touch with us at info@kitupadventures.com or via any of our social media channels.

Reigniting the spark for outdoor sports adventures

Has your life ever revolved entirely around your work? 6 months ago I was in this bracket and I can now see the impact that this had, not just on me but on those around me. I would be with my wife or with friends but never fully giving them my attention. I was always checking the KitUp social media feeds or drafting emails or looking at new listings. One evening, I was at home and my wife told me that enough was enough, that I needed something else to drive me.

Dedicated sports training

I have always loved tough endurance races like ultra marathons, partly because of the stunning settings and the connection with nature but also because of the discipline needed to get through the build up training and the event. I had always wanted to complete an Ironman triathlon so I took the plunge and entered the Barcelona Ironman Triathlon. All triathlons follow a swim, cycle, run, format so require dedicated training for 3 separate sports.

Improving health, wellbeing and productivity with consistent physical activity

The program that I followed (see here) had been intense, with a minimum of 6 sessions per week averaging 2 hours per day. The weekends were pretty tough, often with a 4 or 5 hour cycle on a Saturday and a long run on Sunday. During the first month or so it felt pretty overwhelming but I stuck at it and soon got pretty used to it. It seemed to give me the drive and discipline not only to complete my training but to achieve so much more every day.

Consistent training gave me the structure in my life that I can now see I needed. Getting up for early morning swimming sessions or heading out on my bike not only gives me satisfaction at having been productive, it also releases so many endorphins that you are energised and focussed throughout the day. It also helped with my sleep (you have to prioritise this when training so much). If I went out for drinks or had a late night, I really felt it during my training so I had to really cut back. Again, this led to a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. I spent fewer hours ‘working’ than before, but I got far more done, my work was to a better standard and I felt a greater sense of achievement.

Creating a social and active community

It was also a great way to spend some time with friends in a different setting. Training alone can get a bit lonely so convincing people to come out and join you, even for a small part of your cycle or run and a lot more fun to the schedule and you get the added benefit of catching up with friends.

I could not recommend this enough. You do not have to sign up to anything as radical or as time consuming as an Ironman triathlon but try adding some training structure to your life and see how you feel. I had all of my training sessions in a PDF document so I had the added bonus of crossing each one off. Seeing the race get closer and closer made me stick to the plan.

Tuning into your body

For the 6 months leading up to the triathlon, this was my guide. I completed about 95% of the sessions but it is important to listen to your body. If you feel that you are training too much, scale it back as the risk of overtraining could stop you entirely. Also, if you’re feeling great and want to add more in, you can. Just make sure to accommodate your diet – the calories you burn will increase drastically so make sure to fuel properly!

How I KitUp

Naturally, with 3 sports to train for, I’d acquired an abundance of kit to fulfil my training needs, starting with an investment of state-of-the-art bikes to the comfiest yet most stable running shoes, it’s not easy on the pocket, but it’s worth it.

Having completed the Barcelona Ironman Triathlon 2023

To support the outdoor sports community, my Giant Propel bike is an incredible hire, especially for intermediate-advanced cyclists in the London area who want to take on an adventure. From the carbon frame for reaching top speeds to the cutting-edge shimano gears for the smoothest ride, it’s a beauty. While this kit wasn’t available for the big Ironman day, it has been since.

swimming

KitUp For A Winter Adventure: Climbing In The Grampians