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Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)


Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:29 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

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

Date walked: 30/10/2011

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 13 km

Ascent: 945m

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I was at a loose end today so at the last minute I decided to tackle Ben Vorlich solo. I had climbed Ben Vane last year so I knew the path in and after hastily throwing my gear together, I headed for the car park at Inveruglas and was ready to set off at 1.00pm. I passed about ten people on the road in who obviously weren't as lazy as me and had got themselves off to a much earlier start. I had kept the waterproofs in the bag for as long as possible but as I passed the power station (along with a few cow's and a mean looking bull) the rain started to make itself known so it was on with the heavy gear just as Ben Vane came into view:

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I had read the route description a few times and also went through a few walk reports so I knew to look out for a very small cairn on the right hand side which would signal the start of the slog uphill. After taking a picture of the cloud covered top I was aiming for, I spotted the infamous cairn which was in good condition. I was using the Viewranger app which was spot on and helped me a lot today.

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Up, up, up I went and my research on this beast told me that it would be quite relentless. I stopped to fill up my water bottle at one of the many streams and the water tasted absolutely delicious. I continued my relentless climb and as I got in to the cloud, I passed a couple of groups who told me I didn't have far to go. After 2 and half hours, I reached the wind swept summit and I sheltered behind the cairn as I scoffed my roll and guzzled some more mountain water.

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I knew that darkness wouldn't be far away so after a ten minute rest, I packed up and made my way down. At this point, the wind picked up and the rain which I had largely avoided came back with a vengeance and I must admit to feeling a bit nervous at the speed of the wind but I knew I didn't have time to hang about so I charged on and I quickly got myself lower where the wind wasn't as fierce. I checked my Viewranger App and was surprised at how much ground I had covered and before I knew it I was coming out of the cloud with the sight of the road far below a welcome sight.

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In my haste to get down I went on my backside a couple of times but at this point i just wanted off the hill as I could sense the approaching darkness. As I got to a few hundred feet from the road, I caught up with one of the groups I had passed earlier. I raced past them as I wanted on the road before dark and I managed it by a few minutes. The light was failing quickly and by the time I got to the power station (thankfully no animals there this time) it was difficult to see and I decided to run back to the car. I must be fitter than I thought as I had all my gear on but I was fairly moving along the road. I was worried that the visitor centre where I had parked my car would close their gates and lock my car in as the thought of phoning for a lift from there was not very appealing.

As I ran back towards the main road I caught up with someone who had came off Ben Vane but he didn't hear me until I was right on top of him so if he is reading this, I'm sorry again for giving you such a fright :D The rain was bouncing off the road at this time but it only spurred me on to get back to the car quicker and the open gates were a welcome sight.

I've only done six munro's and that was the second toughest with Beinn Chabhair holding that particular honour following a seven hour return trip in unrelenting rain. I enjoyed myself today although in future I'll try to set off a bit earlier in order to avoid walking in the dark. I'm quite chuffed at managing to do it in 4hrs 15 with the estimate on here being 5 hours at best.
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Last edited by Fudgie on Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Fudgie
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Mountainlove » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:36 pm

Good on you for going out on a day like this...I did Ben Vorlich a few years ago and didnt really enjoyed it (went up a different route) But your report just reminded me about the new daylight situation...I guess long lay ins are a bit of the past for the next few month :-(
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:41 pm

Mountainlove wrote:Good on you for going out on a day like this...I did Ben Vorlich a few years ago and didnt really enjoyed it (went up a different route) But your report just reminded me about the new daylight situation...I guess long lay ins are a bit of the past for the next few month :-(


I was shattered yesterday so I got a lengthy 11 hr sleep last night and my plans for today were cancelled so I didn't decide to go until about half eleven and didn't leave here until twelve. The weather was worse last week on The Cobbler but thats one has been on my to do list for about a year.

There were times I wasn't enjoying myself but the relief at the summit made up for it. I'll go back and do it again on a clearer day so now I try to decide whats next...
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby EmmaTowle » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:46 pm

Glad to see Im not the only one that talks about cows lol

Downloading the viewranger app just now to see what its like :)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 9:57 pm

EmmaTowle wrote:Glad to see Im not the only one that talks about cows lol

Downloading the viewranger app just now to see what its like :)


It wasn't the cows that bothered me, it was the hefty looking bull that I was wary off. I should add that I was wearing a red jumper at that point :shock:

I really like the app and the fact you can get the routes from here and add them is a great idea.
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby EmmaTowle » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:01 pm

Lol maybe might reconsider putting on that red jumper next time then lol
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby EmmaTowle » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:03 pm

Actually who knew bulls are colour blind! So no matter what your chuffing wearing they will still come after you!
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:05 pm

I was bricking it on the return journey when I was approaching the spot where I had passed him on the way up but thankfully he had moved :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby EmmaTowle » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:07 pm

If I had to stop cause I was scared to pass 5 cows there would be no chance of me going anywhere if theres a bull! I mean Im scared of rams lol
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby smiffysmc » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:23 pm

As if the weather in Scotlands not enough,someone chucks some livestock in to the occassion....nice. We were walking up near the Rest and be Thankfull today. We hit the hill nice n early...up in the mornings the game,as it'd be my worst nightmare being out there in the dark.
You deffo made good time on the trek though,especialy in those conditions. :)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:23 pm

I saw a few rams too on the descent but they barely looked at me. I was moving at a fair pace so they would never have caught me anyway :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Postby Fudgie » Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:24 pm

smiffysmc wrote:As if the weather in Scotlands not enough,someone chucks some livestock in to the occassion....nice. We were walking up near the Rest and be Thankfull today. We hit the hill nice n early...up in the mornings the game,as it'd be my worst nightmare being out there in the dark.
You deffo made good time on the trek though,especialy in those conditions. :)


Cheers. My mates complain that my legs are too long as I'm always leading the way at a great pace so going myself today removed any dissent from the ranks.
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