Ben Lomond access road - first week of April

[PermaHeretic]

I am thinking of beginning my trip to Scotland with bagging Ben Lomond. But the Rowardennan road is apparently a bit iffy in poor weather. The forecast is looking good, for the week commencing Saturday 4th - does anyone know the road, and have any opinion as to whether I'll be OK getting up to the carpark in my Transit?

Oh, and do you think I'll be OK sleeping the night there in the carpark?

[denfinella]

Whilst narrow, the road's nearly at sea level. It's forecast to be cold this week but not exeptionally cold - I don't think there'll be much snow quite that low down.

Not sure regarding sleeping overnight in the car park, but it might be in the "no overnight camping" area, and sleeping in a vehicle might fall into that category.

[bootsandpaddles]

You are not allowed to spend the night in your car at Rowardennan. There is an informal camp site at Sallochy just before you get to Rowardennan (bookable in advance on the National Park website). The road will be fine.

[PermaHeretic]

Thank you.

I'll find the campsite then I can drive to the carpark nexr morning in daylight.

[KatTai]

Interested in this thread as I'm planning to "car-camp" overnight before tackling Ben Lomond.

[Guinessman]

KatTai please see previous post.

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/vi ... ng#p270456

[basscadet]

Best way to do Lomond, is to go up at night, and camp on ptarmigan ridge on the way back - avoids the tourists and the camping ban
Don't worry about the dark, impossible to get lost with such a motorway to the top.. Take your time off the summit to ptarmigan though, that bit is a bit steeper.. Then you get all the glorious views in the morning

[simon-b]

Hi PermaHeretic. Do you have winter skills and equipment? If so, enjoy. If not, and you haven't yet read jmarkb's Easter advice post, please read this...
http://www.mcofs.org.uk/news.asp?s=2&id=MCS-N11618&nc=Mountain%20Safety

[gaffr]

I got the impression that the person had read the advice from MC of S and either dismissed it or the advice given had perhaps had the potential to spoil the plans made? What is the value of the word 'piddle'?

[basscadet]

Oh I read it as the first week of May the first time I saw this post.. It will still be snowy up there just now, and with it being such a popular hill, expect the path to be super icy

[Fudgie]

I can see the Ben from the back door and there was plenty of snow on it today. I can see a few folk getting caught out this weekend.

[Walkinmyfootsteps]

They can't stop you from sleeping in your vehicle. You've had a long trip, you're tired and for safety reasons you have pulled over for some shut eye.

[bootsandpaddles]

They can't stop you from sleeping in your vehicle. You've had a long trip, you're tired and for safety reasons you have pulled over for some shut eye.

Oh yes they can! You will be breaking the bye laws.