Ben Nevis' s Temporary Climate Bothy Landscape
MLA Landscape Architecture Year 2
Landscape Ecology and Urban Environments - BARC0111
Module Coordinator Ana Abram
Practice Totor Tim Spain
Name Xiangyi Zhu
Studio Studio 5
Submission Date 28/04/2022
Word Count 3120
2.2.
2.3.
2.4.
2.5.
The project offers a programme to give visitors to Ben Nevis a better experience in terms of sightseeing, safety and education. Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles at 1,345 metres above sea level. It is located in the Grampian Mountains in the west of Scotland, UK, adjacent to the Highland town of Fort William. However, due to the inexperience of the majority of visitors and the rapid climate change, there have been many climbing fatalities at ben nevis. Especially in winter, when extreme weather makes climbing even more difficult for visitors. At the same time, Ben Nevis is an important botanical conservation area, providing a wide variety of habitats for wild plants, from heather moorland, grassy slopes and peat bogs at low altitudes to wet moorland, upland grassland, bogs and windblown meadows. The vegetation on the summit is dominated by mosses and lichens, many of which are Arctic alpine species.
Providing a safe climbing experience for visitors in extreme weather and preserving the diversity of species in this area is therefore key to the whole project. The challenge was to design a semi-permanent landscape with a natural approach, emphasising the seasonality of the site. The whole project responds to these questions: How can a range of guiding devices be provided to provide safe climbing routes for visitors in extreme weather? How can natural conditions such as ice, snow and wind be used to provide shelters tailored to the different needs of visitors and rescue teams? How can the special ecology and flora of the area be protected? The snow and wind shelter is not just a solution to the problems faced by Ben Nevis, but an attempt to cooperate between outdoor activities and natural conservation in the search for a high-safety, sustainable tourism model.
Fort William is a town in Lochaber in the Scottish Highlands, on the eastern shore of Loch Linn. It is the second largest settlement in the whole of the Scottish Highlands. Fort William is a major tourist centre It is a centre for hillwalking and climbing due to its proximity to Ben Nevis and many other mountains. It is also known for its nearby downhill mountain bike trails.
It is estimated that Ben Nevis attracts 125,000 full ascents and a further 100,000 partial ascents each year, most of which are made by walkers using the well-built mountain track (Pony Track) from Gran Nevis on the south side of the mountain. The main attraction for climbers and mountaineers is the 600m (2,000ft) high cliffs on the north face. Amongst the highest cliffs in the UK, they boast some of the best scrambles and climbs of all difficulties and are one of the leading locations for ice climbing in the UK.
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the British Isles. At 1,345 metres above sea level, the summit is the highest land mass in any direction for 739 kilometres. The summit is the collapsed dome of an ancient volcano and contains the ruins of an observatory, which was used for observations from 1883 to 1904. The meteorological data collected during this period is still important for understanding the weather in Scotland's mountains.
The summit of Ben Nevis includes a large stone platform of about 40 hectares (100 acres). The ruined wall of the observatory is a prominent feature on the summit. An emergency shelter has been built on top of the observatory for those stranded by bad weather.
The Pony Trail to the summit remains the easiest and most popular climbing route. It starts at Akinti on the east side of Glen Nevis, about 2 km from the centre of Fort William. The trail climbs steeply to Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe (often referred to as the 'midway lake') at 570m and then ascends the remaining 700m in a series of zigzags.
A popular route for experienced climbers starts at Torundi on the A82 a few miles north-east of Fort William, along the Allt a' Mhuilinn trail. It then continues along the Càrn Mòr Dearg Arête to the summit of Ben Nevis. This route involves a total climb of 1,500 metres and requires the ability to climb to the summit.
Ben Nevis has a highland (alpine) maritime (marine) polar climate (ET climate in the Köppen classification). The average winter temperature is about -5°C (23°F) and the average monthly temperature throughout the year is -0.5°C (31.1°F). According to observations made at the summit observatory between 1883 and 1904, fog was present on the summit nearly 80% of the time between November and January and 55% of the time in May and June. In an average year, there are 261 gales and 4,350 mm (171 in) of rainfall on the summit. Ben Nevis receives approximately twice as much rainfall in winter as it does in spring and summer. There is snow on the mountain almost all year round, especially in the gullies on the north side - in most years there is snow high up in the observatory gullies, sometimes even into the next season's fresh snow.
Woodland
Ben Nevis has a highland (alpine) maritime (marine) polar climate (ET climate in the Köppen classification). The average winter temperature is about -5°C (23°F) and the average monthly temperature throughout the year is -0.5°C (31.1°F). According to observations made at the summit observatory between 1883 and 1904, fog was present on the summit nearly 80% of the time between November and January and 55% of the time in May and June. In an average year there are 261 high winds and 4,350 mm (171 inches) of rainfall on the summit. Ben Nevis receives approximately twice as much rainfall in winter as it does in spring and summer. There is snow on the mountain almost all year round, especially in the gullies on the north side - in most years there is snow on the higher parts of Observatory Gully all the time, sometimes even into the next season's fresh snow.
Data from Scottish Avalanche Information Service. The data began in 1991.
The reason A - Different air masses
The West Coast of Scotland typically benefits from lots of snowfall accompanied by strong winds and temperatures that can change by 10 degrees Celsius in just a few hours. Repeat the thawing-freezing process several times and it will freeze into a stronger ice.
The reason B - No direct sunlight
During the winter, the weak rays of the sun are simply not powerful enough to heat the lower atmosphere sufficiently for the dew points to rise and the fog to clear. And besides that, in many sheltered and deep glens the rays of the sun can't even reach the bottom.
Snow patches map in Ben Nevis
Long periods of snow in Scotland have been noted since at least the 18th century, and snow on Ben Nevis can be observed well into the summer and autumn. Indeed, the Peak Observatory, which operated from 1883 to 1904, reported more snow on the north-eastern escarpment than in the years when it disappeared. In some years the snow could last all summer and in some places into the next winter." The year that survived the whole year was 1994.
Summer
The reason C - High altitude
For every 1000 metres of altitude, the temperature drops by approximately 6.5°C, which is known as the vertical rate of temperature decline. The higher the altitude, the less heat is supplied by the ground.
The reason D - Topography
For a country where one can never be more than 30 miles from ocean, interior Scotland can show a surprising amount of continentality. During periods of winter weather, it may get surprisingly cold in some sheltered.
Spring & Autum
The Summit Plateau: 1200m to summit
Geology: Lavas (fairly basic). In The Summit Plateau there is very little vegetation on the summit plateau apart from mosses and lichens on boulders. These are limited to those adapted to the harsh environmental conditions, many are arctic-alpine species.
The Zig Zags: 700m to 1200m
Geology: A fine-grained granite (mildly acidic) then lavas (fairly basic). In the Zigzags Zone, the conditions of the ground, weather and exposure are sufficiently severe that vegetation cover diminishes quite rapidly above roughly 900 metres. A few sturdy plants survive in the partial shelter of the Red Burn gully, in crevices and in damp flushes. Wind-pruned heath is overtaken by weather-shattered scree on the steep slopes where occasional plants of spiked wood-rush, parsley fern or matt grass may be observed; higher up mosses and lichens are the main plants growing on the scree.
Halfway Lochan: 400m to 700m
Geology: Coarse-grained granite then a fine-grained granite (both mildly acidic). In the Halfway Lochan Zone, the habitats are particularly associated with water: wet heath is the predominant habitat, there are many wee burns crossing the path, and water-adapted plants in and around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe(The Halfway Lochan).
Glen Nevis: Up to 400m
Geology: Schists moving on to coarse-grained ouIter granite (mildly acidic). In the Glen Nevis Zone, the main path passes through alder wood land by the river Nevis, scattered birch woodland, an area with planted native Scots pine, and hill pasture grassland with patches of bracken on the slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe (Hill of the seat).
A remarkable range of wild flowers grow on Ben Nevis. Ben Nevis is internationally signifi cant for its threatened wild plants and is one of 52 Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in Scotland.
Photographs of plants at different altitudes
Glen Nevis
Halfway Lochan
The Zig Zags
The Summit Plateau
Plant analysis: The Summit Plateau
Marsh Hair Moss Moss Campion Woolly Fringe-moss
Polytrichum commune Pinus sylvestris Silence acaulis
Plant analysis: The Zig Zags
Alpine Lady's-mantle Parsley Fern
Alchemilla alpina Cryptogramma crispa
Alpine Speedwell Crowberry Dwarf Cudweed
Veronica alpina Empetrum nigrum Hesperevax acaulis
Alpine Brook Saxifrage
Saxifraga rivularis
Purple Saxifrage Starry Saxifrage Tufted Saxifrage Yellow Mountain Saxifrage
Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga stellaris Saxifraga cespitosa Saxifraga aizoides
Plant analysis: Halfway Lochan
Bog Asphodel
Butterworts Bog Myrtle Sundews Deer Grass Sphagnum Bog Moss
Narthecium ossifragum Pinguicula spp. Drosera spp. Trichophorum cespitosum Myrica gale Sphagnum spp.
Plant analysis: Glen Nevis
Thyme Blueberry Scots Pine Thistles Heather
Vaccinium myrtillus Pinus sylvestris Cirsium spp. Calluna Vulgaris
Thymus polytrichus
Hill pasture grassland with bracken patches
This assembled hut was designed by Lusio Architects and consists of four separate aluminium clad prefabricated elements. These prefabricated pieces are transported by helicopter and then assembled on site. Once assembled, the hut will 'disappear' into the hillside to 'avoid disturbance to visitors who do not need it'. In adverse weather conditions, the hut will act as a lighthouse, "where lights and sounds can be easily spotted even in fog (Lusio, 2017)
2. 1. Case study A - Assembled Shelter Hut
2. 2. Case study B - Tippet Rise Art Center
2. 3. Ice & Snow Study
2. 3. 1. Snow thermal properties
2. 3. 2. Avalanches study
2. 4. Airflow Study
2. 5. Gabion
2. 5. 1. Material & Size
2. 5. 2. Shelter gabions change with altitude
2. 6. Hessian Sacks
2. 7. Geotextiles
2. 8. Geotextile Ground Grid
2. 9. Topic Research Summary
Located in Yellowstone Park, Montana, USA, the Tippet Rise Art Center is a unique landscape setting for a new outdoor art and music performance destination in a vast area of land. This case study focuses on the integration of rich native biomes and natural features with man-made art using landscape design techniques.
By using these natural elements from the original site environment, the sculpture landscape is given a symbiotic relationship with its surroundings, giving it a new meaning while retaining its original memory. These new structures are structural manifestations of the natural landscape, derived from the landscape itself, transforming natural objects into new structural forms, inhabiting plateaus, ridges, ravines and brutally beautiful mountains, and fusing them into new natural communities.
Remarkably, the scheme demonstrates the structure of the landscape creating an undeveloped habitat that emphasises the changing seasons with the natural environment. (Gooood, 2018)
1. Snow thermal properties
The snow surface temperature is controlled by the air temperature above. The colder the air above, the colder the snow layers near the surface will be, especially within the top 30 to 45 centimeters. Snow near the ground in deeper snowpack is warmer because it is close to the warm ground. Thus, now is a good insulator, moderating soil temperatures, and protecting plants fromfrost damage.
In addition, snow is such a good insulator that some animals dig snow caves in which to hibernate through the winter. Since the air can barely move, heat transfer is greatly reduced. Many animals take advantage of snow's insulating qualities, and burrow into the snow to hibernate through the winter.
The ground layers with snow
Reference: Gooood, 2018.
How snow protect the plants?
First, fresh snow provides good insulation. Snow acts as a blanket, protecting new growth from extreme temperatures and wind while keeping plants moist.
Second, the right amount of snow protects the plants and prevents them from being trampled by visitors. This is very useful for the conservation of some rare alpine plants.
Snow
Ice Plants + Snow Plants Soil Granite
The section of Summer
The section of Winter
A snow cave is a shelter built in the snow by way of wildlife, human mountaineers, ice recreationists and ice survivors. It has a thermal equivalent to an igloo and is particularly powerful in providing safe winds and bloodless temperatures. Even if the temperature outside the door is -40°C (-40°F), the interior of a well-made snow cave can reach 0°C (32°F) or higher.
Construct a snow cave by digging snow so that the door of the tunnel is below the main area to keep the hot air in. Construction is simplified by building on a steep slope and digging barely up and horizontally on the slope.
The principles of snow shelter and quick construction methods.
The first thing to consider is the location. In the Scottish winter the snow can reach a depth of 10 metres, which provides good conditions for building snow caves. The prevailing winds in this country are usually south-westerly, causing the snow carried by the wind to lay deepest on the north-eastern slopes. This is why the north-east direction is ideal for building snow caves.
Avoid rockfalls or windy slope areas. Be careful not to dig snow holes under potential avalanche or rockfall paths. Wind-blown slopes can be dangerous if you spend the night in the wind, as the blowing snow can block entrance routes and impede contact with the outside air.
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a slope, which includes a hill or mountain range. Avalanches may be spontaneous, with the help of factors such as accelerated precipitation or weakening snowpack, or by external means, including humans, animals and earthquakes. Avalanches consist mainly of flowing snow and air, and large-scale avalanches have the function of seizing and moving ice, rocks and trees.
What causes an avanlanche?
Angle: Slope steeper than 30 degree.
Instability: Strong snow packed above weaker snow.
Trigger: A force or object to trigger it.
Tunnel
Dig a tunnel through the snow. If you are making a snowbank, then if you want to climb over it, dig a tunnel big enough and a few feet deep, sloping upwards. If you are digging in a very deep snowbank, then dig a trench 5 feet or deeper if you want to stand in it and then dig a tunnel at the lowest part of the trench.
Harden snowpack
Allow 1.5 hours or more for the cold air to harden the snow cover. This will allow the snow to melt more and will reduce the threat of cave-in when digging. A minimum of a few hours is usually recommended, possibly 24 hours if the snow is powdery and dry.
Reference: Shenoy, 2020.
Roofs are domed to avoid water dripping down on the occupants. Snow of sufficient strength, free from rocks and ice, usually four to five feet (1.2 to 1.5 metres) is sufficient.
The types of avalanche
Loose snow avalanches
They slide down the entire surface of the slope outside the particular channel.
The principle of avalanche
Trough
Jumping
This type of avalanche moves down narrow gullies, ravines and eroded gullies. These free-falling avalanches move along the ledge.
Temperatures within the upper snow layer drop from -10°C to -20°C.
Ice layer
The snow layer near the ground maintains a temperature close to 0 (-2) degrees Celsius. A temperature difference develops between the upper and lower snow layers.
Consolidated snow
Mountain ZOOM A
Evaporation starts under the lower snow layers. The stability (cohesion) of the lower and upper snow layers is destabilised.
Ventilation holes
A snow hole may definitely reduce the air from the door, mainly if the moisture you breathe forms a layer of ice on the inner walls.
To avoid your choking, use a ski pole or a different long object to make a hole or several angles at the sloping edge of the roof.
Make sure that this hollow hole is all the way through the roof.
Reference: Guillén, 2014.
Visual sign
Mark the outside of the door of the cave. Use a brightly coloured system or prominently positioned branches to mark the edges of the cave. This can also help people to spot the cave again and prevent them from walking to the top and causing a collapse. If you are expecting assistance in an emergency, make sure that the system is visible from the air and is now no longer hidden under bushes or different obstacles.
The most unstable area on the slope. Cracks in the snow on the surface and sliding down the fracture line.
Starting zone Avalanche track
On the descent, snowy passages come with it. Snow and rubble stop movingvisitors are most likely to be buried here.
Runout zone
Reference: Skijas, 2021.
According to Met Office (2016), on average, the western and northern parts of northern Scotland are the windiest areas of the UK, fully exposed to the Atlantic Ocean and closest to the low pressure passages. The frequency and depth of these lows is greatest during the winter months of the year, particularly from December to February, when average speeds and gusts (short duration peaks) are at their strongest.
In order to eliminate the dangers posed by these wind effects and to rationalise the effects. I refer to the following quoted sources and analyse them in relation to the location and topography of the area. And a physical model was made to analyse the wind environment to arrive at the most suitable model for this area.
Material
Most gabion baskets use galvanised steel wire in their construction and are twisted together. They are either woven or welded, and you can use a combination of both types.
PROS
Economical
Easily assembled
Highly flexible assembly
High durability
Heavy duty
Self water permeability
CONS
Low habitat value
Difficultly transported
Defined shape
Unnatural material
Heavy
Shelter
Reference: Bioclimaticaarq. blogspot.com, 2014.
Galvanised steel wire helps to improve the durability of the basket. This steel uses a zinc-iron compound that acts as a barrier to the elements and protects the underlying metal.
Size
Mental mesh: 76.2 x 76.2 mm
Type A
Size: 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m
Aperture: 76.2 mm x 76.2 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 2 kg
Mental mesh: 50.8 x 50.8 mm
Type B
Size: 0.5 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m
Aperture: 50.8 mm x 50.8 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 4 kg
Reference: Home & Garden, 2021.
Mental mesh: 76.2 x 76.2 mm
Type C
Size: 1 m x 1 m x 1 m
Aperture: 76.2 mm x 76.2 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 10 kg
As the material used to make the gabions is heavy and inconvenient to carry up the mountain, there are two different options in terms of mesh material aperture and size. For lower altitude areas, large size gabions can be used, for higher altitude areas, smaller size gabions are used for easier transportation. For areas with large stones use, a material with a smaller mesh aperture because of its light self-weight; on the contrary, use a relatively large aperture mesh.
For wind & snow
Type A gabion: It is small - for easy to transport to summit of Ben Nevis.
Sheltered area Sheltered area
Wind Wind
Shelter
Reference: Bioclimaticaarq.blogspot.com, 2014.
For wind & snow
Type A & Type C gabion: Different gabions combained together - for for cost saving and ease of handling.
For avalanche
Type B gabion: It is more dense and strong - for protecting people from avalanches.
2. 6. 1. The material & size
PROS
CONS
Environmentally friendly Easily deformed
Easily assembled
Easily worn Malluable
PROS
Each hessian sack will hold around 75 kgs of material. 10 gabion sacks will replace approx 0.35m3 of decorative rock. Please note: this is an approximation only.
Site preparation
In any case, the base of the prepared area must be solid and, if necessary, compacted.
Filling the hessian sacks
Placing additional rows
Arrange the hessian sacks in a single neat layer. Make sure the hessian sacks could be kept steady
Lightweight
Self water permeability Economical
Not structural Maintenance required Stacking height limited Filling material limited
Creating a flexible, sustainable, low-cost retaining wall from sacks filled with stones. Stones collected from Ben Nevis Hill were used to fill the sacks. This soft design technique facilitates drainage and prevents the erosion of the structure by rainwater. It is a permanent, ecological solution. At the same time, plants can grow on these rock sacks. Over time, this allows the surface to be replaced by vegetation. The vegetation further adds to the stability of the structure and provides aesthetic and environmental benefits. This is a permanent, ecological solution.
Geotextiles are permeable fabrics which, when used with soil, have the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect or drain. Geotextiles are polymeric fabrics used in the construction of roads, drains, harbour works and breakwaters, as well as in land reclamation and many other civil engineering applications.
There are several types of geotextile materials, including open mesh, warpknit and closed fabrics or nonwovens. Different geotextile materials have different properties, such as separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, sealing and protection.
Easily assembled
Highly flexible assembly
The hessian sacks should be filled with a granular soil mixture containing small stones to aid drainage.
Starting the mulyi- layer structure
Connect the sacks with the connectors. Do not overlap the sacks at any stage.
This is a flexible grid. Unlike a normal grid, this is a grid made from geotextile fabric to create a base structure. Used to hold soil, stone, aggregate or gravel in place, it can provide a stable surface for pedestrian and traffic areas and is used in a wide range of scenarios.
It has a high tensile strength and the honeycomb structure is excellent at preventing the filling material from falling apart. The porous nature of geotextiles allows water to permeate in both vertical and horizontal directions, providing excellent drainage and facilitating plant growth. In addition, the material is not heavy on its own, making it easy to store and transport, and also easy to assemble.
Highly
Using with geogrid
For structures that require further reinforcement, hessian sacks can be used in conjunction with geogrids.
Implantation
A combination of pre-seeded and live planting is available for stunning natural results.
Reference: Deltalok, 2015
Reference: Deltalok, 2015
Eco-friendly
CONS CONS
Easily assembled
Self water permeability
flexible assembly Economical Easy to pierce Easy to pierce Economical
Eco-friendly
The first part of the background analysis of the location, weather, history and economy set the direction for the rest of the research, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the UK and has long been a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting many visitors to the area on a daily basis, which has boosted the local economy. Due to the rugged terrain, unpredictable weather and difficult natural conditions on Ben Nevis, visitors are put in dangerous situations every year due to the substandard conditions. Therefore, enhancing the Ben Nevis experience was the next step in my design process. On the other hand, through preliminary research, I found that Ben Nevis has a strong connection with four natural elements - snow, ice, fog and wind - which pose problems and possibilities for the site.
The flowchart below shows the conceptual design process, design strategy and some of the design details for enhancing the experience of visiting Ben Nevis.
3. 1. Bothy Landscape Techniques
3. 1. 1. The evolution of bothies models
3. 1. 2. The location of the bothies landscape
3. 1. 3. Section A - A: The bothy landscape
3. 1. 4. The construction of bothies landscape
3. 1. 5. Zoom a: The plan & section of the bothy landscape
3. 1. 6. Plant strategy
3. 1. 7. The seasonality of the bothy landscape
3. 1. 8. The phasing
3. 2. Avalanche Fortification Landscape Techniques
3. 2. 1. Avalanche fortification Map
3. 2. 2. Details of the avalanche fence
3. 2. 3. Section B-B: The avlanche shelter landscape
3. 2. 4. The seasonality of the avlanche shelter landscape
3. 2. 5. Plant strategy
3. 3. Way Markers Landscape Techniques
3. 2. 1. Way markers landscape map
3. 2. 2. Section of way marker landscape
3. 2. 3. Plant strategy
This model experiment shows the evolution of the bothy. By mimicking snow and wind with flour and a hairdryer respectively to explore what shapes would reduce the impact of wind on visitors. The impact of wind conditions on the sheltered areas of the bothy landscape was quickly and efficiently simulated through 3D printing techniques. Through several experiments, the shape of the bothy landscape was determined under different conditions.
Installation process Step 1
Snow layer
Step 2
Ground grid 110 x 100mm
Hessian sacks
Plant layer Type C gabions
Geotextiles
Hessian sacks
Gabions
Step 3
Transporting the material on the mountain. Assembling the gabions. Collecting stones and filling the gabions.
Step 4
Reconstructing the terrain to provide a suitable and firm base.
Step 5
Combining gabions and hessian sacks together.
This is a traditional insect repellent Also this plant has been used as a treatment for stomach aches fevers bronchial diseases and liver
Sundew contains chemicals with anti-inflammatory properties. It may also reduce cramps Outdoor athletes can use sundew for emergency treatment of accidental injuries
Peat moss accumulates to store water and can absorb approximately 8 times its own weight in water. Due to the phenolic compounds in the cell walls of the flogging moss, anaerobic soil conditions are easily created. For this reason, peat moss was used as a wound dressing during the Second World War. It can be used for emergency treatment of accidental injuries.
Parsley Fern is a pioneer species on acidic mountain slopes. Parsley Fern grows in acidic rocks, in snowy places until late in the year. It is a pioneer species on stable scree slopes and also occurs on cliffs and dry stone walls.
Deer grass provides bird food nesting materia and mulch for mammals, as well as grazing. This ornamental grass is often referred to as deer grass, but deer will usually avoid it. Sturdy, heat and drought tolerant and easy to care for
The choice of plants is based on altitude, ecology and functionality. Low lying areas are designed to help collect snowmelt water while avoiding damage to plants from high winds, so this area will be relatively rich in plants. During the spring and summer periods, some mosses grow by being able to absorb and store snowmelt water, while also regulating the water balance of the nearby soil and helping other plants to grow. In winter, plants are covered in snow, which protects them from the cold, windy natural environment outside due to the thermal properties of the science. At the same time, the snow accumulates deeper in the lowlands, which protects the plants better.
There are three types of avalanche defence landscapes, including avalanche fences, avalanche bothy, and avalanche barriers, of which the avalanche barriers are mainly referenced to Avalanche architecture of Lafoy (2022), which provides protection for the CIC Hut located in the north of Ben Nevis. The following section will focus on the avalanche fence, avalanche bothy landscape.
(Reference: Lafoy, 2022)
At the end of construction spread a layer of soil and seeds on the surface of the gabion or plant greenery. As time changes, the gabions will be covered with greenery. This facilitates the integration of the gabion with the natural environment. It can also attract other creatures and provide habitat and food for birds and other animals. It also enhances the ecological diversity.
Avalanche areas Avalanche track
areas
Avalanche fence Avalanche barrier Avalanche bothy
As a rule, avalanches are sudden and often fatal, often catching people off guard and causing damage to urban infrastructure and huge economic losses. Avalanche fencing can help protect people from or slow down the destructive power of avalanches, stopping them at the source, reducing the risk of avalanches and protecting people's lives and property.
The section of avalanche fence
Visible signal
Upslope
Post
Base plate
Downslope Base
Rope guide
Post
Snow
Downslope Base
Anchor Typicalupto300cm
Soil
Upslope Base
Base plate anchor
Brace Hinge pin
(Reference: Trumer Schutzbauten, 2022)
3. 3. 8. The phasing3. 2. 3. Section B-B: The avlanche shelter landscape
Zoom b: The plan of avlanche shelter landscape
3. 2. 4. The seasonality of the avlanche shelter landscape
Winter
Zoom b: The section of avlanche shelter landscape
3. 2. 5. Plant strategy
The planting design strategy for the avalanche landscape is similar to that of the bothy landscpae. The planting area was divided into three sections, including the lowland area (zoom 4), the bothy surface (zoom 5) and the fence avalanche area (zoom 6). The plant species for the three zones were selected by analysing the different growing conditions and functional requirements. At the same time, the topography was adapted and designed to provide a more suitable living environment for the plants to grow. In addition, the variety of plants is constantly adjusted to the altitude.
Ben Nevis has little sunshine all year round and is subject to dense fog, which can be extremely dangerous for visitors and outdoor enthusiasts, who can easily become disoriented. Over the years, there have been many visitors who have lost their way due to the fog. This means that way markers are particularly important on Ben Nevis, especially at high altitude switchbacks, to reduce the number of accidents. At present, there are many cairns on Ben Nevis, most of which have been built by visitors themselves and have lost their original navigation function. Therefore, Ben Nevis needs a holistic, distinctive Way marker with a clear design language.
The way maker installation is a 3m diameter, highly reflective sphere of Glass silvering. This allows the way maker installation to be noticed by visitors in any extreme weather conditions, such as heavy fog, heavy snow, extreme cold, etc. Also, due to the highly reflective properties, the sphere reflects the distant landscape when viewed from a distance and is cleverly hidden.
The information on the way maker device is presented by reflecting different coloured plants on the ground, as shown in the picture below. Depending on the altitude, the colours of the Halfway Lochan, The Zig Zag and The Summit Plateau makers change, corresponding to yellow, purple and pink respectively. The choice of these colours is based on the predominant plant colours at this altitude. This also visually presents potential information to the visitor, such as the altitude and the risk of climbing at this time.
Reference: Secret portrait object. "The ‘secret’ anamorphic (deliberately distorted) image of Prince Charles Edward Stuart is a mess of paint on a wooden board. When viewed through a metal cylinder placed on the tray, the portrait of the Prince is apparent as a reflection. " (The National Archives.)
1. Geological map
2. Landtype map
3. Activities analysis
4. Way marker study
5. Sketches
Bedrock
Leven Schist Formation - Pelite (DALS-PEL)
Ben Nevis Volcanic FormationAgglomerate (BNVO-AGG)
Ben Nevis Complex (Inner Granite)Leucomicrogranodiorite (BNEV1-MCGDL)
Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm - Microdiorite, Porphyritic (BENND-MCDIP)
Ballachulish Limestone Formation - Pelite, Calcareous (DABL-CALPL)
Leven Schist Formation - Pelite And Calcsilicate-Rock (DALS-PECS)
North Britain Palaeogene Dyke SuiteMicrogabbro (PDNB-MCGB)
Lower Old Red Sandstone GroupConglomerate, Sandstone, Siltstone And Mudstone (LORS-CSSM)
Ben Nevis Complex (Outer Granite)Granodiorite, Porphyritic (BNEV2-GDP)
Ben Nevis Complex - QuartzDiorite (BENEV-QDI)
Ben Nevis Dyke Swarm - Lamprophyres (BENNDLMPY)
Ben Nevis Volcanic FormationHornblendeAndesite, Lava (BNVOANDLVH)
Alluvial Fan Deposits - Gravel, Sand, Silt And Clay (ALF-XVSZC)
Alluvium - Clay, Silt, Sand And Gravel (ALVXCZSV)
Till, Devensian - Diamicton (TILLD-DMTN)
Hummocky (Moundy) Glacial DepositsDiamicton, Sand And Gravel (HMGD-XDSV)
Ben Nevis is the king of them all. In the north west Highlands, near the town of Fort William and part of the Grampian Mountain range, the famous peak attracts 125k walkers a year.
Scale 1:35000
Snowboarding
Hiking
Skiing Mountain biking
Climbing & Ice climbing"The visibility, climate and complex terrain of Ben Nevis have resulted in a large number of mountain rescue incidents. Some incidents occur due to difficulties in navigation to and from the summit, especially in poor visibility. Navigation signs may be difficult to see in dense fog, but are important route markers." (Ben-Nevis.com.,2022)
"In the late 1990s the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team erected two poles on the summit plateau to assist walkers attempting to descend in foggy conditions. The poles were later cut down by climbers, sparking controversy in mountaineering circles over the ethics of such additions. Critics argue that cairns and poles are an unnecessary artificial intrusion into the natural landscape, creating a false sense of security and potentially reducing climbers' sense of responsibility for their own safety. Proponents of navigation devices point out that there are many accidents on the mountain, that there is a long tradition of placing such devices on the summit and that they may serve to save lives. " (Ben-Nevis.com.,2022)
Reference: Ben-Nevis.com.,2022
"More than 150,000 people ascend Ben Nevis each year and there are several deaths annually, according to mountaineering expert Alan Arnette, with fatalities caused by a number of factors. So what are the dangers?" (Ben-Nevis.com.,2022)
Routes
Weather Falls
Avalanches
Reference: Ben-Nevis.com.,2022
Trail Markers
When hiking on a well-navigated trail, there are likely to be trail signs or trail markers along the way as shown in the picture to the right. Typically, these markers will show where you are now and where you can go next, along with directions and distances. These markers are sometimes marked on trees or painted on large rocks. Generally, they are highly recognisable in order to attract the attention of visitors.
Willow Wands
Trail Markers
For some mountain hiking at high altitudes, a common representation for guiding directions is a long stick like a wicker. Typically, this wicker will have small fluorescent coloured flags on the end. This highly saturated colour facilitates the explorer to spot them in extreme weather and to navigate efficiently and accurately. Climbers would place small flags at intervals on their way up the mountain, by which they could quickly find their way back down on the way down. Usually, these piles of stones were designed to help people find their way safely in outdoor areas, praying for navigation. Also some Cairns are monumental, cultural, religious and functional, carrying different functions.
Cairns
Willow Wands Cairns
It has been documented that there are few visitors who have fallen accidentally from the cliffs. The ice pillars are set up along the cliffs to protect visitors while giving them a warning to stay away from the cliff area.
Reference: Secret portrait object. "The ‘secret’ anamorphic (deliberately distorted) image of Prince Charles Edward Stuart is a mess of paint on a wooden board. When viewed through a metal cylinder placed on the tray, the portrait of the Prince is apparent as a reflection. " (The National Archives.)
The huge sphere is made of highly reflective materials, such as stainless steel, ice, etc. The spheres are placed in low areas and guide the way by reflecting the plants on the ground and the different coloured stones.
This is the rest stop located near the Halfway Lochan. It includes a rest stop, a shelter, an education centre and a landscaped terrace. It is a must-see on the way to the summit, where visitors can rest and prepare to set off again for the summit.
During the summer months, the bothy functions mainly as an education centre and viewing platform. In winter, the resting area is extended by the creation of temporary snow and ice structures to provide shelter for visitors in extremely cold weather.
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