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Woke up on Friday and couldn't believe how good the weather was so printed of the map and route for Ben Vorlich packed my bag and set off for Inveruglas. I was concerend that it might actually be really hard work in the heat but there was a cool breeze so conditions were perfect. I had read that Ben Vorlich was steep but this will be my 6th hill in the Arrochar Alps in the past few months and to be fair they have all been quite steep so I was geared up for it.
- View from Inveruglas
- Setting off
The long approach path was of huge contrast to Beinn Narnain a few days ago, much easier going the views of Ben Vane and A'Chrois are excellant.
- Approach
- Easy going path, view of Ben Vane
- Loch Sloy Dam
After the gradual approach you should come across a small cairn on your right hand side, this marks the begining of a steep boggy and often pathless approach up to the ridge. I should also point out that the sheep on Ben Vorlich are unlike any I've come across before. On more than one occasion there was a stand off on the path I swear they were sizeing me up. Anyway as I was saying the path is very boggy and hard going but views improve dramatically as you climb.
- ascent to ridge
- Loch Sloy
- loch sloy
- Thats why it so boggy!
The path Improves becoming more firm and clear the higher you get, the walk also becomes much more enjoyable with great views all round, at this point I realised this was probably one of my favourite walks so far, eventually you'll reach the ridge and the ascent becomes even easier, the weather was still great and was still very comfortable in a t shirt. The panoramic shots weren't working too well on my camera phone so I just took couple of sweeps of video as they were coming out in better detail.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbQE4mJcvQY[/youtube]
- Views to Ben and Loch Lomond
- Ridge to summit
Once on the ridge the walk is at its most enjoyable with great views of loch lomond Ben Narnain, Ben Ime, The Cobbler and many more.
- Trig Point
- true summit
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPnrKP1U-PY&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV7nceKph1w&feature=autoplay&list=ULAQ8VtfzBx6Q&index=7&playnext=1[/youtube]
Hadn't seen a midgie all day untill I sat down at the summit and opened my Jaffa Cakes, the buggers swarmed me! The descent is a rapid one and you'll be back on the approach path in no time, I would stress though to take it easy on the steep boggy section as I ended up on my arse, when my girlfriend saw me at home she asked if i'd rolled down the mountain I was a bit of a mess!.
Anyway all in all a great walk highly recomend it to anyone