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Ben Vorlich

Ben Vorlich


Postby Morecambe Monkey » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:27 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

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

Date walked: 24/06/2011

Time taken: 5.47 hours

Distance: 13.5 km

Ascent: 945m

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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.
012.JPG
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. :evil: 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.
138.JPG
Ben Lomond from the trigpoint on Ben Vorlich
139.JPG
Looking towards the true summit of Ben Vorlich.
143.JPG
Looking North,Ben Lui & Ben More,i think??
144.JPG
Trigpoint,cairn & main summit.
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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.
148.JPG
Ben Vorlich summit cairn
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Ben Vorlich summit
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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,
155.JPG
Ben & Loch Lomond on the descent.
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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.
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Morecambe Monkey
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby Bod » Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:43 pm

Nice one...shame about missing out on the banana cake. Great views and probably a good idea to sit and enjoy the summit... :D
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Bod
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby pollyh33 » Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:17 pm

Ha ha bet you would have bitten my hand off for one of my macaroni pies!!!

Glad to see the views that I was robbed of when I ventured up there. My conditions were the reverse, lovely and clear at the start of the walk, zero visibility at the top!!!

Hope you're going to bring your good luck to Kintail 8)
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pollyh33
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby SusieThePensioner » Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:50 pm

Morecambe Monkey wrote:This is the final report from my June trip,it's only taken 5 months to post it!

Better late than never! But it was a good report and excellent photos, just a pity we were deprived of a shot of you at the summit :lol:

Morecambe Monkey wrote:Bridge of Orchy Hotel
Had many a drink there as well and often stay overnight on route further north :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby Fudgie » Mon Nov 21, 2011 2:12 pm

It's nice to see someone get a view at the top of this one. It's on my "need to do it again when you can see further than 20ft" list.
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Fudgie
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