The Night I Almost Died on Ben Nevis

A winter wild camping trip in the Scottish Highlands turned bad fast when a storm hit during the night. This is my story of how I got myself into this situation, and how I got myself out (relatively) unharmed.

[ruffionmcfoosball]

Most elaborate cover story for a man flytipping his old tent ever

[tullochgorum]

Practical tip folks - and it's a potential life-saver. A tent is only as good as the anchors. If they are being overwhelmed by the wind, simply drop the tent and wrap it around you burrito-style. Try and maintain as much ventilation as possible. You'll get damp with condensation, but you'll be relatively safe and warm and should be in decent shape for the walk-out the next day. It will also save your shelter from being blown away or shredded. You'll hopefully never have to resort to this, but it's a good option to be aware of just in case...

[bigearedmouse]

What a weird coincidence ? I was in a Bivouac on Ben Nevis that very same night thinking I wish I had a Tent, When low and behold a brand new Black and Yellow North Face Tent lands right next to me ! Saved my Bacon I can tell you.

[allanmorton]

Hi George. You were not an idiot. you were just a pupil of nature learning some hard but basic lessons. I was mountain rescue for 18years and I experienced the conditions you described, . Glad you came out the other end and admiration for the walkout !!! Lessons learned and hopefully we will see you back in the Highlands soon. Best wishes- Allan Morton, Dundee

[j.s.]

"The day I almost died"

1800's Mountaineers: "first time?"

[karlwright]

Hey George, it seems to me that you did everything right here, you just got caught out by some pretty extreme conditions that weren’t forecast at the time when you checked . You accepted you might have f**ked up and had a strategy, the important thing is you kept adapting to the changing situation appropriately throughout, which is undoubtably what saved your bacon here. Its easy for someone to think logically about the best thing to do when they’re sat on the sofa in front of their laptop but when your tent has just rocketed into the Scottish Highlands and you’re standing there in your socks, that’s when you find out a few things about yourself.
Its a pretty big thing to find yourself genuinely concerned that you might not make it, but you did make it and that’s because you made the right decisions in a very stressful situation - a lot of people don’t.
You say you “certainly have a lot to learn” but I’d say you’ve just learned a lot more than most. My tip for the future - leave your boots on if you think you might have to make a quick exit ;o)

[kevinklein]

First of all, very glad that you survived!! A lot of people have lost their lives in the Scottish Highlands over the years. There are two things that I would like to add to your recommendations...
1) Always have a storm shelter with you (the ones from Vango for example). These are fairly affordable, and can save your life in situations like these.
2) If you constantly had to readjust your tent stakes, then it could be that your stakes were either not the right ones (proper snowstakes), or that they were not put into the ground securely. These should always be inserted diagonally (the bottom pointing towards the tent, the top pointing away from the tent), and as deep into the ground as possible. It can also help to place heavy items such as stones and rocks on top of your stakes.
3) It could also be that you had your guylines staked out too tight. Guylines are meant to be rather loose, so that the tent has room to maneuver in severe conditions. Staking them out too tight can cause them to snap.
4) It can sometimes help to keep some items in the sides and corners of your tent, rather than leaving them in the vestibule area, in order to add more overall weight.
Ultimately, I think that it was understandable for you to stay inside the tent... I would certainly not recommend walking down a mountain during a snowstorm in the dark either.

[rogerkomula]

I think sometimes people die because they're too afraid to look like an idiot.

[redcanoe]

Brings back memories for me, I spent a lot of time in Scottish Highlands in 1970's, The Ben, Aonach Eagach Ridge (got benighted on that in March, no tent, gas stove froze up, got frostbite). I was camping on the Cairngorms, Christmas Day 1975 (in a Blacks Expedition Tunnel Tent) it was so windy it snapped the fibreglass poles and blew away most of the other tents in our group (Venture Scouts). We did an ice climb up Coire an Lochan (Y Gully)...as we got on to the plateau the wind was up to 127mph...we had to crawl. After a brief lunch we beat a hasty retreat, leaving the Reindeer the last of our jam sandwiches. I was once on a solo trip up by Buachaille Etive Mor, I was planning on climbing a gully route, but as I crossed the burn I fell through an ice bridge and got soaked to my waist, it felt like I was freezing to death! So here I am at 66 years of age living in the mountais of British Columbia, Canada and locals do not believe Britain has extreme weather...haha, you an I know better than that don't we? That said it was -32C here last week :)

[TheRealTomSelleck]

It really speaks volumes that you’ve not only learned from your mistake, but you are sharing it with others so that they do not repeat them. And that deserves a like, thanks for sharing.

[scott]

When a scotsman tells you to get down off the mountain you should probably listen 💯🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[owlinthewood]

Great story, well told. Arthritic knees have put paid to me carrying a heavy pack these days. When we used to go high camping in winter we always carried goretex bivvy bags as well as the tent, for the very reason you experienced. If it got a wee bit blowy in the night, tent down, into the bivvy bags, snug as a bug in a rug. Treat it as a positive learning experience. I hope the hills give you as many years of pleasure as they’ve given me.

[peterwebley]

You seem like a nice bloke with no ego to promote, and credit due for accepting the part your own decisions played. I would feel safe going up mountains with you, as you are someone who will now appreciate the risks, and the role our decisions come to bear on a situation. Glad you made it back in one piece. The world is a better place with people like you in it. This video will undoubtedly make many people consider their decisions more carefully in situations like this. You have done a service to climbers.

[matthewbrooker]

Great story. The hospitality and helpfulness of Highlanders to those doing extreme things and finding themselves in need is second to none. You are not an idiot, thanks for posting.

[shep]

The fact that you are able to sit here and share this tale... Most people I know would have been loosing their minds over the event but you held it together. Overcame and dealt with your situation as best as you can. The fact that you are sitting here, telling us this tale deserves a like and a sub from me. Your tale is well told.
Worthy of a drink... I'd say you earned it mate!

[snowcrash]

I live in the western US and I've seen some hellish storms here, but one of the worst windstorms I've been in, in my entire life, was in Scotland. I have mad respect for the weather there.

[peteraleksandrovich]

What good is a refuge that's closed in emergency conditions?

[stitch]

Most folks don’t want to publish a video of an unsuccessful adventure. Very fine debrief of an adventure gone wrong. Cheers for that, George.

[wilfinley]

Listening to your story gave me lots of PTSD chills from my own close calls in the mountains in winter. Cold, wet, windy, and very alone - to stop moving flips over the briefest hourglass until death. To not move fast enough comes with the encroaching panic of a slower death. Add in a sprained ankle or swollen knee, and the feeling of helplessness can be overwhelming. As one human to another, I'm proud of you for making it out of there. Thank you for sharing your experience. Also I'm in huge agreement on the hiking poles being life savers - those combined with microspikes are like having super powers.

[willek]

The humility shown here is absolutely admirable. Takes full responsibility, credits others for their help, does't expect others to do things for you, and sums it up with lessons that will definitely contribute to save many lives in the future. Thank you sir.