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This is the final report from my June trip,it's only taken 5 months to post it!
I awoke in my tent quite late on Friday morning(around 0915),the combination of the beers consumed in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel the previous night & 3 days out of 4 walking the mountains finally catching up on me. I wasn't too bothered by the late rise as i'd already decided to head home today,the poor forecast for saturday & the lure of a saturday night out with a few mates making the decision for me. Had my breakfast accompanied by numerous cups of tea & then slowly took down my tent which i was pleased had stood up to the test of a good few prolonged spells of heavy rain,not bad for a £49 Eurohike.
Setting off from the campsite in Tyndrum around 1100 i headed south on the A82 for the short trip to Inveruglas visitor centre & was soon booted up & on my way down the road towards the gate which leads you onto the track under the railway & up towards Loch Sloy dam,with the full intention of climbing Ben Vorlich & Ben Vane. The intentions were the same the previous Sunday when i was beaten back by the weather just as i reached the bridge which leads off the main track & heads in the direction of Ben Vane.
- A gloomy Ben Vane before my hasty retreat Sunday 19th June.
Deciding to climb Ben Vorlich first,i followed the track towards Loch Sloy dam & was pleased to find the small cairn on the trackside marking the start of the ascent up the side of Ben Vorlich. The initial part of the climb was very wet underfoot & the path was rather vague but eventually a more obvious path appeared & the going became drier,which was a relief as it was a hellishly steep climb.

The relentless slog of the ascent seemed to go on for ever but the view to Ben Vane made for a good excuse to stop frequently to catch my breath & after gaining height there was a good view back to Loch Lomond & down to Loch Sloy & the dam. After what seemed an eternity the trigpoint was reached & all the pain of the slog up here was instantly forgotten about,the sun was shining & the 360 views were fantastic.
- Ben Lomond from the trigpoint on Ben Vorlich
- Looking towards the true summit of Ben Vorlich.
- Looking North,Ben Lui & Ben More,i think??
- Trigpoint,cairn & main summit.
- Loch Lomond
After taking the relevant photos from the area of the trig i then headed over to the true summit where i found a nice sheltered place to sit out of the rather chilly breeze & proceeded to stuff myself with cereal bars & crisps,which were all i had left of my provisions.
- Ben Vorlich summit cairn
- Ben Vorlich summit
- And again.
Spent 45 minutes at the summit reluctant to leave as i knew these would be the last views of my trip(i'd already decided against going to Ben Vane.) At this point i was joined by a lady who i had passed on the climb & we got chatting (as you do),turned out she was over from South Carolina although her accent betrayed her as a native Scot,apparently she comes home every summer "To walk the mountains of god's country". Now that's dedication for you!
I happily obliged with the taking of a summit photo for her before bidding farewell & beginning my descent back down the steep path used in ascent,realising,in my usual quick witted style,after about 10 minutes or so that i could've asked her to return the compliment with my camera. The descent was fairly straightforward with good views to Loch Lomond,
- Ben & Loch Lomond on the descent.
- Loch Sloy.
but it was rather steep & it was a bit of relief to reach the Loch Sloy track. From this point i picked up the pace a lot,hoping to make it back to the cafe at the visitor centre for a brew & a slice of banana cake before the long drive back home,but no,when i got there it was already shut,i would have to make the 4 hour journey home on an empty stomach
I left feeling more than pleased with my few days walking,7 Munro's bagged in total & a new perspective of places often passed through on the way for holidays etc in years gone by. The Munro bug now firmly hold of me,i was already planning my return before i'd even left the car park.