First trip report.Ben Vorlich wild camp from Ardlui.Part 1

[kev_russ]

I thought it was about time I made my first trip report since I have enjoyed so many of the great reports on here. I had this walk planned a couple of weeks in advance so it was just a matter of keeping an eye on the forecast and to give me enough time to get a relatively cheap train ticket before the prices shot up. High pressure was on the cards for the 1st and 2nd of July so managed to booked the train tickets from Edinburgh to Ardlui for Friday evening with a return on Saturday. I was also feeling a sense of trepidation as i've camped and walked solo before but ive not done a solo, high, wild camp.

The train pulled into Ardlui at around 19:50 so had a wee detour to Ardlui bay for a couple of quick pics before I made my way along to the start of the walk at Stuckendroin Farm.

Ardlui Marina and Little Hills in the distance

Ardlui Marina

onward and upward

Ben Vorlich in the distance

The plan was to walk up to the ridge of Stuc na Nughinn and set up camp but as time wasn’t on my side, not to mention the wind that was picking up. I decided to set up camp on a nice wee flat spot behind some crags. I think I was roughly 400-450 m high according to the map. It wasn’t exactly that high or wild as I could still see (and hear) the A82. Nevertheless it was still a great wee spot. Had tea before calling it an early night as the midges were oot in force.

campsite

camp view towards Loch Lomond

It was a calm night and i set my alarm for 4.30 to get a couple of sunrise shots and then back in the warm tent.

sunrise

Little Hills and Ben Vorlich

Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain

sunrise

Ardlui

Was up at 8 for breakfast as i was cooking in the tent. Tent packed up and then I set off at 9 with the sun beating down on me. I started to feel the heat quite abit so i contoured around the ridge of Stuc na Nughinn before i headed up to the little hills.

in the shade

in the shade again

Ascending up on to the little hills ridge.

onto the ridge

Started getting a wee bit excited when Loch Lomond started to open up before my eyes

Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond

Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond

crags on the little hills

Ben Lui,Ben Oss & Beinn Dubhchraig

the Loch again

Got to my first Little Hills summit which was the 793m summit (I think )

summit

Then it was on again to the next little summit. This one had a path at various parts.

The 808m Little Hills summit (I think)

up the little hills again

Plateau on little hills summit

Ben Vorlich's SE ridge

[kevsbald]

Is that you got the Kinley wild camp bug?

[kev_russ]

Is that you got the Kinley wild camp bug?

Aye Dunno if i'll ever match Kinley's quality reports though. Thats Premiership stuff

[Paula Hubens]

Nice, nice, nice! You certainly picked a great spot for your tent. Lovely pictures!
Well done on a long walk!

[kev_russ]

Nice, nice, nice! You certainly picked a great spot for your tent. Lovely pictures!
Well done on a long walk!

Cheers Paula

[kinley]

Great debut report

We rarely manage the start late and pitch style trips - it has a lot to go for it.

Cheers

[kev_russ]

Ta Kinley

[Paul_Antonia]

Great report and some good pics. Shame we're not ready to take the wild camp plunge yet. Anyway we're considering this route for Ben Vorlich cos we don't fancy tramping up the road from Inveruglas again. How was the ascent over Little Hills? Looks like a good walk and not as steep as the ascent of Ben Vane. Hoping to Head up this way next weekend if the weather holds so any advice will be welcome.
Where's part 2 BTW?

[kev_russ]

Great report and some good pics. Shame we're not ready to take the wild camp plunge yet. Anyway we're considering this route for Ben Vorlich cos we don't fancy tramping up the road from Inveruglas again. How was the ascent over Little Hills? Looks like a good walk and not as steep as the ascent of Ben Vane. Hoping to Head up this way next weekend if the weather holds so any advice will be welcome.
Where's part 2 BTW?

Thanks guys The ascent over the little hills was hard going, but i did have a heavy backpack on. If i was doing it again i would do it in reverse and descend via the little hills. Its still a great walk though albeit a long one.
Click on my name and you should see part 2. Cheers

[Belgian_Hiker]

Nice report !
That Banshee looks right at home there

[Belgian_Hiker]

Nice report !
That Banshee looks right at home there

[kev_russ]

Nice report !
That Banshee looks right at home there

Cheers aye yi cannae beat the cheeky wee Banshee

[ChrisW]

That's a cracking first report kev_russ, you certainly got lucky with the weather, that's my kind of walking weather. Some great pics but that summit one is perfect

[mr_ash_37]

Cracking report, thanks.

Is that a vango tent?
How do you find it, is ground sheet ok?

What other camping gear do you recommend? Just getting started with camping plans,so advice appreciated.

Like sleeping mat, stove, sleeping bag??

Cheers
Ash