Field Notes: Nevis path repairs completed

Nevis Manager Alison Austin celebrates the successful completion of the Ben Nevis summit path repairs (and shares some before and after pictures). 

More than 160,000 people visit Ben Nevis every year. This high footfall, coupled with harsh weather conditions caused the surface of the path on the upper mountain to deteriorate. In the worst spots, it became so rough that walkers were taking shortcuts to bypass them.

^ Before and after path repairs.

The edge of the path was weakening and runaway erosion was likely to happen, causing severe damage to the rare ecosystem found on Britain's highest peak.

Our work to strengthen the path edges in vulnerable spots and "de-rough" the path surface to make it easier to walk along, started a year ago - thanks to the Brown Forbes Memorial Fund and to everyone who generously donated to our Ben Nevis Path Appeal, raising almost £50,000 for the work.

^ Before and after path repairs.

The project has involved rebuilding the revetment (edging) where people were leaving the path to take shortcuts. This was urgently needed to stop the path eroding and, in places, disappearing altogether into steep sections of scree. We also rebuilt some pitching that was sliding down the hill.

It took a bit of time sourcing specific geologically appropriate stone to both blend in with existing geology of Ben Nevis and minimise transport time as the area is geologically significant. My knowledge of the different geology of various west coast quarries has vastly improved.

^ Before and after path repairs.

Path repairs were completed in September, following a long awaited helicopter lift of 43 tonnes (53 bags) of stone on to upper Ben Nevis in July. Despite a week of atrocious weather our contractors ACT Heritage managed to do an amazing job, finishing the work in the expected time.

Glad that big job is done, but maintenance on these paths is always ongoing!

• You can support path repair work on the mountains in our care by donating to the Wild Ways Path Appeal.