Ben Nevis (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Nibheis, ) is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Standing at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level, it is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William.
The mountain is a popular destination attracting an estimated 100,000 ascents a year, around three-quarters of which use the Pony Path from Glen Nevis. The 700-metre (2,300 ft) high cliffs of the north face are among the highest cliffs in the United Kingdom, providing classic scrambles and rock climbs of all difficulties for climbers and mountaineers. They are also the principal locations in the UK for ice climbing.
The summit, which is the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano, features the ruins of an observatory which was continuously staffed between 1883 and 1904. The meteorological data collected during this period are still important for understanding Scottish mountain weather. C. T. R. Wilson was inspired to invent the cloud chamber after a period spent working at the observatory.
Read more about Ben Nevis: Etymology, Geography, History, Ascent Routes, The Summit, Navigation and Safety, Climbing On Ben Nevis, Ben Nevis Race, Environmental Issues, Ben Nevis Distillery, Other Uses
Famous quotes containing the word ben:
“And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem’s name led all the rest!”
—Leigh Hunt (1784–1859)