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Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!


Postby briffle » Tue May 07, 2024 1:23 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Date walked: 20/04/2024

Time taken: 4.36 hours

Distance: 14.85 km

Ascent: 953m

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Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Earlier this year, I posted about walking Ben Vane. The only reason we did Vane, not Vorlich, is because halfway up the service road, my partner mentioned she's already bagged Vorlich. A change of plans left me with a stern mental note: "I'll be back!" And lo and behold, there I stood, sunnier skies above and temperatures a touch warmer—a perfect day to revisit my white whale.

And thank god for that. I was unloading my kit at Inverlugas visitor car park:
    Walking sticks - check.
    Cap - check.
    Trousers - check.
    Socks - check.
    Water - check.
    Scran - check.
    Boots - crap.

Forgot my walking boots. Thank god for the weather; let's head up.

We trudged up the service road, and for the first time, it hit me—spring had officially sprung. Yellows melting into greens, greys bursting into blues—what a day to kick off the Scottish summer hiking season.

PXL_20240420_092450072.jpg
Way up the service road.


Approaching the ascent path, we encountered a group of guys hanging out at the cut-off point: "Is this the way up Ben Vorlich?" they asked. The look on their faces when we confirmed, "Yep, that's the way up," was priceless. They clearly underestimated the initial steepness and, spoiler alert, so did I.

People say Vorlich is a steep bugger, and I know folks have done the 'insanity route', where it is - literally - just up and up to the very top, but after fighting a wee bug over the week, as well as this being the first expedition since January, I found myself redlining the heart rate for a good 200 metres of ascent.

PXL_20240420_102036783.jpg
Up and up.


At around 600/700m, you begin to see the rest of the Arrochar Alps, with Ben Vane looking mighty on the other side of the Loch.

DSC08375.jpg
Halfway up.


In all honesty, Ben Vorlich doesn't have a lot of features to break the monotony—just a lot of looking up, finding the next step, and powering through. The good views don't really open up until you’re almost at the summit, where, on a clear day, you can spot Ben Lui in one direction and the islands of Loch Lomond in another.

DSC08385.jpg
Lunchtime Chillin'


The way back down was tough on the knees, but it was good fun (and fast!).

DSC08405.jpg
Mountain man


We grabbed a coffee at the Inverlugas visitor centre, and even managed to dip our toes in the water, letting the weather bless us with the first sunburn of 2024! Here's to remembering the boots next time! :lol:
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Last edited by briffle on Mon Jul 29, 2024 11:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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briffle
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Re: Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Postby The English Alpinist » Tue May 07, 2024 3:09 pm

Maybe go back (yet) again, and try the route from the Loch Lomond side! This was the way I went, probably less steep but the paths are less good, and very wet unless you do it in a heatwave or the frozen winter. Probably more interesting scenically, though.
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The English Alpinist
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Re: Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Postby Grisu » Thu May 09, 2024 8:35 pm

Great fun reading your report, brought back some memories of this walk on a fine summer day with stunning views all around -- and yes it is steep, but funny, thinking about it, I can't remember that it took me as much effort as the mountains in Glen Shiel or Beinn Sgirtheall - this one is steep! :lol:
This is my favorite pic concerning the steepness of Ben Vorlich :D
DSC01833php690.jpg
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Re: Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Postby briffle » Mon May 13, 2024 9:53 am

The English Alpinist wrote:Maybe go back (yet) again, and try the route from the Loch Lomond side! This was the way I went, probably less steep but the paths are less good, and very wet unless you do it in a heatwave or the frozen winter. Probably more interesting scenically, though.


I've read about the Loch Lomond ascent but decided against it - I'd rather rattle the auld heart over angering the bog gods. If (when) I'm on my second lap around the Munros, it'll definitely be the approach of choice!
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briffle
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Re: Ben Vorlich - I've come back for you!

Postby briffle » Mon May 13, 2024 9:56 am

Grisu wrote:Great fun reading your report, brought back some memories of this walk on a fine summer day with stunning views all around -- and yes it is steep, but funny, thinking about it, I can't remember that it took me as much effort as the mountains in Glen Shiel or Beinn Sgirtheall - this one is steep! :lol:


Great picture! Really captures the steepness. Still to tackle Glen Shiel or Beinn Sgirtheall; I'd argue that any hike with an elevation chart that looks like an equilateral triangle requires a bit of a "get the head down and hope this ends soon" kind of approach
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briffle
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