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My first walk report.
With my local group we arrived at Inveruglas car park just at 9AM on the button. And what a gorgeous day. Glorius sunshine with a lovely view across to Ben Lomond.
Was time to set off along the road and up toward the pylon path....
Straight forward stretch along tarmac path leading to the Loch Sloy dam. This in itself looks a nice low level stroll to take on a good day. You can walk a loop right up to the dam round and back again.
- A view of Ben Vane I think it is powered by leccy!
We found the infamous 4th pylon point and started to head upward. It is a very steep ascent at the start right off and my legs felt it. Ouch! There is two trails or path lead up. One right from the small cairn. The other just over to the left of that cairn by a very big rock.
At the very beginning you can meander a bit and have no real obvious set path until a bit further up when you start to see the path proper as such.
Very eroded in some parts with deep cuts into the earth. But after the initial start the path becomes much better.
- View to Loch Sloy Dam - go no further the path is just here - somewhere
- There is a path really!
At roughly half way there, it was time for a tea break with a view.
- Tea break time - view of Ben Vane again I believe that is
After break we carried on and the weather held out for us. Giving some gorgeous views. The real bonus was the air was still. I mean still, not a breeze at all. Not even the midgie believed that and thankfully no one told them to get up.
- Gorgeous day and all very lush and green
As the rock breaks out the mountain as you approach the top, huge chunks of rock have many cracks, openings, sheep shelters even. Some of them are enormous. Really quite impressive.
- Openings in the rocks. Good shelter points some offer.
As we reached the summit the weather was catching up. Realising there was walkers getting lovely views all around for miles. So it sent in some light rain. Then hailstones for good measure! But it was light showers and not enough to crush you with bleak dread.
- Loch Lomond
And on top itself I thought this could almost be a campsite! Lots of space and very open on top. Offers great views all around. Time for the quick pic on top.
- View to the trig point
- The Cairn
- Yay! Munro 5 for me! Maybe get a better looking hat for 6!
So even though a little rain took away those great views on the route up. And even though the rain followed us back home. It was a great day.
Also! On the way down - who do we see pass us at tea break two - Cameron Mcneish! He ran away from us so he did!
Nice wildlife too, many buzzards around. Though maybe they were looking to feast on my sore foots!
Finally a little quick video on top with the hailstones.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrXzFSQPB00[/youtube]