Wow, magnificent vid Damon. And exceptional weather. And liked the fourlegged & happy tailwagging boy starring in your cast! By the looks of it, he's very experienced and for sure the chap has a head for heights. If not for his age and small stature, you could start him on your ice-climbing :-) Your vocal considerations and running comment are quite instructive ("probably survivable", 14:40, LOL), not to mention the special moments at 13:10 and 22:56... By now i'm systematically checking out all of your vids - and of course i subbed!
Thanks Wilco, I'm glad you liked it. I couldn't of asked for a better dog to take up the mountains.......in all conditions! Thanks for checking out the rest of my vids, I've got a few more uploading from a recent trip.
@@DamonRitchie good filming, lovely dog..he loved it!😍. We once made ice axes out of old heavy hinges...threw them away at the bottom of Aonach mor near by...1980,s.. too heavy, bet they're still there!😅
Hi Damon, I'm just getting back into hill climbing myself. Managed about 10 Munros in the last few months, with a couple of Corbetts and Grahams thrown in for good measure. I'm building myself up to Aonach Eagach. I took a ride on the bike yesterday to get some pictures of the area. Hopefully that will spur me on over winter. Keep the great vid's coming mate. All the best Steven
Cheers for that Steven. Good that your getting back into it especially as winter is coming, as its the best time to be up the hills. All the best when the Aonach Eagach Ridge comes around for you.
Damon , I have to say that was magnificent , I cant tell you how much I enjoyed that , did this a couple of times in the 80's , a bit more snow as I remember that made it easier to walk , your wide angle lens gives the trek lots of gravitas , brilliant , its the best I have seen on this ridge . I assume you had your camera on your helmet? , the views of Sgurr a' Mhaim and Stob Ban and the whole panorama on such a great day was breathtaking , even the dog looked as if he was enjoying it . Thanks for the memories , keep up the good work .
Thanks for that Isobel. I'm glad it inspired such good memories. It was a superb day for it and the dog loves this kind of walk. The camera was actually on a chest harness, hence seeing the trekking poles so often hehe
I paid my first visit to Scotland last month and devoted one day to this route from my hotel in town. I wish I could say I had your views. Alas, being in the clouds all day. Made for a interesting traverse given you only see the ridge in 30 foot bits. I think the snow makes it a bit easier to walk? My video does not look nearly as wonderful as this...more like a horror film if you care to watch it. Loved Scotland - did many lesser hikes with my wife and we missed our hiking dog who stayed home. Not sure I'd trust her on the arete, but she'd probably do fine. I'd be the one worried.
That's some great foot placement, deftness and agility on the ridge there. Not you, the dog! My dogs are clumsy idiots they would have me and themselves down in Glen Nevis the fast way! Never done it in winter but the views are incredible at any time of year if it's clear (big if!)
Another great video, like all of yours. This one is the best though simply because of Mr Chips! Loved every minute of it, as did my mum and dad. We have always been a dog family, but I never ever thought about taking them on a winter mountaineering route. I would be too worried that they would come to some harm. Seems that there is no worries about Chippy though as he handles the exposure like a real pro. He doesn't need crampons as he has his own in-built ones (claws) :-). Serious question - How does he handle the exposure and climbing so well? Has he always been that good our have you trained him up with gradularly harder stuff? He seems to be enjoying it immensely. He even stops to admire the view sometimes. You obviously trust him a lot as you let him out of sight a bit and let him find his own way. Let's have more of Chippy please.
I'm glad yoy and your parents enjoyed as much as me and chippy. TBH he was a nightmare up the hills to start but came good as I had to take a hard line with him as he chased dear a lot. Just basic training nothing Hill specific. He loved the snow from the outset and was always patient etc when waiting on commands and a bit of a natural in trail finding etc. I built him up on lower grade scrambles etc and he's even done the Aonach Eagach ridge. Unfortunately he passed away at the start of the year😢
Oh no. I sorry to hear Chippy has left us. That is a shame. My dad's dog Tess died a few years back from bone cancer and I still miss the girl. The excitment she showed when she heard my car pull up every Friday night meaning that it was walkie's time will never leave me. I hope you can find a new 4-legged friend to accompany you on the hills.
@jonny1903 He passed away about 9 years ago now. Lived until 15 so he had a great 19 years with me exploring the hills and loved being out. I got him when he was 5. Thanks for asking mate. So many memories being out and about with him. A true mountain companion
Hello, i wanted to ask what is the weather like and what are the snow conditions usually during the year? I would like to go there and not be totally unprepared.
Kid222 Definitely full winter kit and navigation awareness to descend from the summit (depending which way you do it). Done it in winter in glorious conditions, likewise full blizzard conditions. Summer, well I've done it in shorts and t shirt
COASTAL mOUNTAINS ONLY NEED 1000M OF Elevation to be very impressive. The Cape Breton Highlands are fairly impressive at 500m because they drop to sea level Grouse Mountain in my country and Mitre Peak are other good examples.
Looks like max dv quality, 1080p. Along with the top of the Ben, MrChip's is in great pic quality & well in focus all the way. Lovely rendition of a classic route in perfect conditions, about the best online anywhere.
Go and do it with your dog then!!! Depends on your own ability, foot placement, confidence, previous route experience, conditions on the day, weather, winter experience etc etc if you choose poles over axe!!! 😁
@@DamonRitchie I only meant that as a pun, not literally, sorry. Still watching your video and editing my comment. Seeing as you already replied, I'll post a new one. I've done it before, reminiscing with your video brings up good feelings...
Awesome video, great work such beautiful views
Love your dog!!!! What a legend!
Great insight to the ridge , very helpful in preparation, thanks for sharing this 👌👍👏
No problem, glad you liked it and will be helpful to you.
Great video. Did this route some years ago now, and it is a spectacular route. Awesome views of the Highlands.
Fantastic conditions for a superb route. Loved the video.
Wow, magnificent vid Damon. And exceptional weather. And liked the fourlegged & happy tailwagging boy starring in your cast! By the looks of it, he's very experienced and for sure the chap has a head for heights. If not for his age and small stature, you could start him on your ice-climbing :-) Your vocal considerations and running comment are quite instructive ("probably survivable", 14:40, LOL), not to mention the special moments at 13:10 and 22:56...
By now i'm systematically checking out all of your vids - and of course i subbed!
Thanks Wilco, I'm glad you liked it. I couldn't of asked for a better dog to take up the mountains.......in all conditions! Thanks for checking out the rest of my vids, I've got a few more uploading from a recent trip.
wow, excellent footage, i am doing this route on friday. going to watch all your vids, thankyou :)
Thanks Terry. Good luck doing it on Friday and hope you get good weather for the North Face views.
Lovely views! Them sticks look a hindrance to me...did you get up the ben?
It was a cracking day. Nah just descended after the arete. Love my pacerpoles!! 😀
@@DamonRitchie good filming, lovely dog..he loved it!😍. We once made ice axes out of old heavy hinges...threw them away at the bottom of Aonach mor near by...1980,s.. too heavy, bet they're still there!😅
Hi Damon,
I'm just getting back into hill climbing myself. Managed about 10 Munros in the last few months, with a couple of Corbetts and Grahams thrown in for good measure. I'm building myself up to Aonach Eagach. I took a ride on the bike yesterday to get some pictures of the area. Hopefully that will spur me on over winter. Keep the great vid's coming mate. All the best
Steven
Cheers for that Steven. Good that your getting back into it especially as winter is coming, as its the best time to be up the hills. All the best when the Aonach Eagach Ridge comes around for you.
Damon , I have to say that was magnificent , I cant tell you how much I enjoyed that , did this a couple of times in the 80's , a bit more snow as I remember that made it easier to walk , your wide angle lens gives the trek lots of gravitas , brilliant , its the best I have seen on this ridge . I assume you had your camera on your helmet? , the views of Sgurr a' Mhaim and Stob Ban and the whole panorama on such a great day was breathtaking , even the dog looked as if he was enjoying it . Thanks for the memories , keep up the good work .
Thanks for that Isobel. I'm glad it inspired such good memories. It was a superb day for it and the dog loves this kind of walk. The camera was actually on a chest harness, hence seeing the trekking poles so often hehe
Love that humans need all this gear to handle those environments and the dog just does it. Chippy! Who's a good Boy?
What a riveting watch. I must confess it looked pretty scary to watch through your camera...
Cheers Muhammad, glad you enjoyed watching it.
I paid my first visit to Scotland last month and devoted one day to this route from my hotel in town. I wish I could say I had your views. Alas, being in the clouds all day. Made for a interesting traverse given you only see the ridge in 30 foot bits. I think the snow makes it a bit easier to walk? My video does not look nearly as wonderful as this...more like a horror film if you care to watch it. Loved Scotland - did many lesser hikes with my wife and we missed our hiking dog who stayed home. Not sure I'd trust her on the arete, but she'd probably do fine. I'd be the one worried.
Brill Damon, Do you do guided hikes up there anytime?
Cheers Steve, unfortunately I don't do guided hikes.
I'm yet to do this route but I bet I won't have weather like that, one in a million on Ben Nevis!
Really enjoyed that thanks.
The arete route is definitely on the to do list once we've done a few easy ones first =)
Glad you enjoyed it Dan.
That's some great foot placement, deftness and agility on the ridge there. Not you, the dog! My dogs are clumsy idiots they would have me and themselves down in Glen Nevis the fast way! Never done it in winter but the views are incredible at any time of year if it's clear (big if!)
Another great video, like all of yours. This one is the best though simply because of Mr Chips! Loved every minute of it, as did my mum and dad. We have always been a dog family, but I never ever thought about taking them on a winter mountaineering route. I would be too worried that they would come to some harm. Seems that there is no worries about Chippy though as he handles the exposure like a real pro. He doesn't need crampons as he has his own in-built ones (claws) :-). Serious question - How does he handle the exposure and climbing so well? Has he always been that good our have you trained him up with gradularly harder stuff? He seems to be enjoying it immensely. He even stops to admire the view sometimes. You obviously trust him a lot as you let him out of sight a bit and let him find his own way. Let's have more of Chippy please.
I'm glad yoy and your parents enjoyed as much as me and chippy. TBH he was a nightmare up the hills to start but came good as I had to take a hard line with him as he chased dear a lot. Just basic training nothing Hill specific. He loved the snow from the outset and was always patient etc when waiting on commands and a bit of a natural in trail finding etc. I built him up on lower grade scrambles etc and he's even done the Aonach Eagach ridge. Unfortunately he passed away at the start of the year😢
Oh no. I sorry to hear Chippy has left us. That is a shame. My dad's dog Tess died a few years back from bone cancer and I still miss the girl. The excitment she showed when she heard my car pull up every Friday night meaning that it was walkie's time will never leave me. I hope you can find a new 4-legged friend to accompany you on the hills.
How old did chippy live for pal
@jonny1903 He passed away about 9 years ago now. Lived until 15 so he had a great 19 years with me exploring the hills and loved being out. I got him when he was 5. Thanks for asking mate. So many memories being out and about with him. A true mountain companion
@@DamonRitchie Sounds like he had a great life, rest in peace
Excellent my friend.!!!
Amazing views!
Stunning...what camera are you using to record the video?
It was a GoPro 3 Vinny.
Hello, i wanted to ask what is the weather like and what are the snow conditions usually during the year? I would like to go there and not be totally unprepared.
Kid222 Definitely full winter kit and navigation awareness to descend from the summit (depending which way you do it). Done it in winter in glorious conditions, likewise full blizzard conditions. Summer, well I've done it in shorts and t shirt
Thank you!
COASTAL mOUNTAINS ONLY NEED 1000M OF Elevation to be very impressive. The Cape Breton Highlands are fairly impressive at 500m because they drop to sea level Grouse Mountain in my country and Mitre Peak are other good examples.
You need dog crampons. A table fork and two cable-ties on each leg.
Top man, Great video!
Cheers Andy, glad you liked it. It was a stunning day for it.
dogs hard core love it
A great wee dug! 👍😊
My eyes were transfixed to the wee dug, (small dog) lol
So cool !!!
This filmed in 4K?
LondonDada Either 1080 or 1440, I can't remember 😕
Looks like max dv quality, 1080p. Along with the top of the Ben, MrChip's is in great pic quality & well in focus all the way. Lovely rendition of a classic route in perfect conditions, about the best online anywhere.
Funny how the dog can do it 10 times faster
Literally everyone and their dog can do this...
Still, I would have chosen an ice axe. Can't self arrest properly with two walking poles if you slip!
Go and do it with your dog then!!! Depends on your own ability, foot placement, confidence, previous route experience, conditions on the day, weather, winter experience etc etc if you choose poles over axe!!! 😁
@@DamonRitchie I only meant that as a pun, not literally, sorry. Still watching your video and editing my comment. Seeing as you already replied, I'll post a new one. I've done it before, reminiscing with your video brings up good feelings...
@@1981stonemonkey No worries, great route in winter if you get the conditions.
Why take a dog!!!! 😝
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