Sweaty Ben Lomond

[nathan79]

Not too in depth a report. Done by many here, by Soulminer as i was setting out.

Discouraged by a cloudy sky when i looked out my window after an undesired lie-in, i still wasn't going to let it stop me from bagging something. Figured i might as well get Ben Lomond out of the way, glad to see those clouds clearing before i even left my house, annoyingly hazy as the pics'll show.

Ben Lomond and Ptarmigan from the Rowardennan pier as noon struck.

To the west

The cloud shrouding the corrie for soulminer, vanished.

Coming down the Ptarmigan route, i was amazed at how different the hill looked. Far more fearsome.

Hazy over Arrochar way

Up and down in 5 hours. I'd set myself 2.5 hours up, 2 down. Plus a lunch break sat down with my boots off i'm happy with that time. It was beautiful by the lochside, I didn't want to drive home to Fife. Even though i NEEDED a shower. I'm sure a saw a bush wilt as i walked by.
An okay day overall. I'd probably have preffered to come up the Ptarmigan way then down the easy slog, and i'll bear that in mind if i ever do this one again. I could see about 20 or so people as i was was heading up the last half mile or so to the summit, glad i kept this one for a week day, i can't imagine how busy it must be on a weekend.

A C130 flew along the length of the loch while i was sat enjoying a coffee in the sun

C130

NIce still waters on the loch

sun over(and under) over Stob Gobhlach i believe.

Sadly not too much in the way of wildlife. Not lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a common lizard like soulminer, a few dor beetles which i must confess to loving, pond skaters. There was one pool on the way up that was overflowing with tadpoles, i'm sure squatting down to watch them affected my knees for the rest of the walk!

Northern dor beetle.
I swear he stopped and posed for this, can you see his pout? Wonder how long it'll "beetle" he's on the catwalks of Milan and Paris.

Bog violet

Dame's violet? I'm not sure about this one.

[soulminer]

Certainly agree about the haze being annoying At least you had a decent walk up and down. Prefer the Ptarmigan for the descent. Cheers Nathan

[ChrisW]

Looks a great walk nathan with or without haze, though its a pain in the ass you still got some great shots, the C130 is a good capture and the following shot of the sun over(and under) Stob Gobhlach is fantastic. you may need to work on your gags though Wonder how long it'll "beetle" he's on the catwalks of Milan classic

[Malckyb]

Planning to do this one on Sunday...looks good.Good report.