Ben Vane punches above it's stature

[Caledonia84]

After destroying my feet on my 40k excursion round the Pentlands I had to take a bit of time off to recover which is annoying as I was just getting into my stride with my walking. So first one back I went for Ben Vane, I saw it from Ben Vorlich on my last munro and thought I'd give it a go. Managed to convice my friend Ally to join me on this one, he hasn't done any munros before but I knew he wouldn't have any problems fitness wise.

I knew the long entry walk from Inveruglass as its the same one for Ben Vorlich, the weather was perfect great sunshine and a little breeze to keep the midgies at bay. Once you cross the bridge the path on to Ben Vane is easy to find but quite boggy, Id imagine in wet weather the whole of this area would be a swamp.

As you climb underfoot conditions become much more solid and defined, from here on in you can't miss the path its very clear and eroded in places only problems being loose stones. It is unrelentingly steep as are most of the Arrochar Alps but that just means you gain height rapidly and the views open up even quicker .

The views of Ben Vorlich, Ben Narnain,Ben Ime, and Ben Lomond are excellant, lots of photo opertunities. The weather was holding out as it was forecast to rain but lucky for us it stayed dry. There wasn't any shortage of false summits mind you! Although this is the smallest Munro it doesn't feel like it.

All in all enjoyed the walk and so did my friend Ally, he's even keen to do more

Setting off

Early View

Ben Lomond in the distance

Loch Sloy

Ally enjoying the views

Summit

Cairn

Return route

Wee Grasshopper posing!

Enjoying the views with some Ice Cream back at inveruglass

[skuk007]

NIce report and some good photos, good composition in some of them. I agree about it being unrelentingly steep, it was my second Munro and I can still see that slope in my head at times.

Cafe at Inveruglas visitor centre do a great 99.

[Caledonia84]

Thanks mate still learning, with the photos, need to get a better camera also just using my phone at the minute. Agreed on the 99 didn't have any irn bru though this upset me greatly

[kevsbald]

Did this with two 'pros' back in 2002 - in 3 hrs up and down.
I had two pints of beer after and vomited. A steep wee f**ker.

[Caledonia84]

Kev I think you just described Ben Vane to T with those 3 words "steep wee F%$*er"

[Jabber]

Good report. Nothing wee about that cracker...She's a brute and certainly punches above her height.