A man who climbed Ben Nevis this week admitted he was left baffled after finally reaching the top. Mental health professional and writer Scottee documented his climb of the UK's highest peak.
He began an Instagram video at 5am from the foot of the site near Fort William, claiming he had "nothing better to do" on the day. Scottee soon spotted a memorial on a bridge and declared: "Well, that's not a good omen, is it?"
Warnings to Fellow Climbers
As he made his ascent, he issued a series of warnings to other potential climbers. He said: "If you're thinking about hiking a mountain this summer… be prepared for how long it takes. And take layers with you... it's going to be cold - it's like Antarctica up here."
Scottee went on to vent his frustration that, after navigating a hill, he was met with another straight after. He joked: "I've just had some chocolate-covered Brazil nuts because something about this has to be enjoyable."
Summit Disappointment
Scottee went on to quip: "I think Ben Nevis must be a simulation. I think the Scots must have put it here to see if anyone was daft enough to walk up it." But daft enough he was – as he approached the summit, he commented about how "smug" those heading in the opposite direction appeared.
Upon reaching the top, Scottee's playful demeanour changed. He tearily confessed: "I did it and I feel weirdly emotional. I don't know why... I don't want to be one of those people who cries on top of a hill. I spend most of my life trying to keep sanity close and I rely on a lot of people to help me with that, and sometimes it's nice to prove to yourself that you're still capable."
Despite having a sentimental moment at the peak of Ben Nevis, Scottee was soon brought back down to reality when he looked out at the view. Admitting it was all a bit of an "anti-climax" on a foggy day, he said: "Just look at the view. There's not even a f****** shop! I guess I've got to walk down the f****** hill again."
Viral Reaction
Scottee's hilarious video has garnered 403,000 likes – and many liked his brutally honest thoughts on the hike. Writing in response, one Instagram user pointed out: "That's the thing about hill walking.... you have to come down again (which is tougher on your knees!) I'd hill walk a lot more if I could be choppered off the summit!"
A second person informed Scottee: "You should climb Snowdon. There's a shop and cafe." A third praised: "Well done you! I didn't manage it because the weather changed to F'ing freezing, so we decided we'd had enough. When we got back down the sun was out and it was boiling." While a fourth declared: "I had a whole mental breakdown on that mountain! It was horrible! 0/10 do not recommend."
