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Ben Vorlich

Ben Vorlich


Postby Helen Bruce » Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:25 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

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

Date walked: 27/03/2012

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 13.5 km

Ascent: 945m

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Hello, fellow WalkHighlanders! This is my first trip report, and I hope the photos are all in place. So why start writing now, when this was Munro 159 for me and, while a very pleasant hill, Ben Vorlich isn't exactly a dramatic mountain to take your breath away, inspiring you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keypad) in the way that, say, An Teallach, might? And lots of you have already written reports for Ben Vorlich so I'm sorry to add another one!

Well, I've decided to write because (a) I have some nice photos, since for once it was warm and sunny enough to get my camera out and my husband didn't mind hanging around while I did - too many walks recently have been too cold or too wet to bother, and (b) the day was special because it was a Tuesday and we had both bunked off work so it had that magical, guilty pleasure feeling about it, snatched out of time, and (c) the weather was superb, but mainly (d) because going up Ben Vorlich made for a fairly typical day out on the hills. It made me think about why I love getting out, what simple, unadulterated pleasure there is to be had by being outdoors, exercising your body (which usually sits behind a computer), in fabulous scenery, on a quiet day in the west highlands. Is there anywhere else you'd rather be?

I had had a call the day before asking me to be in Balloch for work at 8am that morning, and since we are east-coasters that meant an early start. I knew the meeting would be over by 9.30am, but the weather forecast was sooooo good that I couldn't bear to drive back to spend the rest of the day in the office. I persuaded The Bruce to come along too with the lure of a day out in the hills - got to be better than being at work if you can get away with it! There was ice on the car when we left home at 6.15am, but the morning was cloudless and we knew it would be like that all day - how often can you be sure of that in Scotland? Work was soon over and we headed north from Balloch to Inveruglas car park and cafe for a capuccino and cake overlooking Loch Lomond - which was so still it reflected the mountains and woodlands like a mirror. Lucky tourists disembarking from the cruise boat to their Lochs and Glens coach!

Inveruglas cafe.jpg
The best walks start with a cafe!

We finally set off walking at 10.15, an easy route on a path parallel to the road and then up the hydro track to Glen Sloy. We saw our first primroses of the year, larches coming into leaf and a posse of school kids out on a mountain bike trip - some of them seemed to find it hard work so I hope that in the end they appreciated being in the great outdoors!
March 12 013.jpg
The neighbours - Ben Vane, Beinn Ime and A'Chrois?

Up towards the dam and then a long, unrelenting climb up grassy slopes with views opening out along Loch Sloy and Loch Lomond, up to Ben Vane. Sweat began pouring off us and we paused a number of times, quite lengthily, to cool down and have a drink.
March 12 018.jpg
Having a rest above Loch Sloy - still a long way to climb

It was hard to remember that our last mountain, Beinn Challum was just 4 weeks previously and we were in crampons! This was like full summer. This was payback time for all those days you can't stand up in the wind, those days when you walk in a fog all day and those days when you are in your waterproofs the whole time with the rain dripping down your neck and seeping up your sleeves - and those days when all 3 are the case!

I absolutely love that rhythm of a day out climbing a mountain, of starting off from the car, sorting out your poles, wondering if your pack is fitting properly. Then the walk in, lots of chat as you go, taking it in turns to stop and faff about while you take off and put on clothes, look for your camera, get your hat out. Then the ascent which can be direct or undulating - I love the stalkers' paths which wind gently up a hillside, but Ben Vorlich was just steep! Then beyond 7 or 800m you begin to scent that summit ridge not far away, the vegetation has changed and you realise you're almost at the same height as the neighbouring tops, and the path begins to level off - and finally the summit appears in the distance and the views from the opposite side of the mountain are revealed. You feel so privileged to be able to get up high under your own steam, to see the world from this height, enjoy the space and the light and just possibly the sight of an eagle (bound to be an eagle, couldn't possibly just be a buzzard) circling overhead. And that endless speculation over lunch about whether that's Schiehallion you can see over there. I had a year off from walking 2010-11 with a prolapsed disc, couldn't even walk into our garden for several months, so being able to get out again is even more precious to me and I don't take it for granted.
March 12 048.jpg
Looking down on Loch Sloy

March 12 026.jpg
Where's the summit? Can't be far now.

So we had a long lunch on the top, and The Bruce had a bit of a snooze while I snapped away - the vista down Loch Lomond, Loch Arklet, Ben Mor and Stob Binnein, all turning hazy by then.
March 12 039.jpg
Summit snooze

March 12 038.jpg
View to the north from the trig point.

And then we turned round and came back down. We made good time, back to the car by 16.15. It could have been a much quicker day as we'd had plenty of stops - but why hurry a good thing? We saw maybe a dozen people all day, either to speak to or from a distance. All of us feeling lucky to be out there, I reckon. Smiles on our slightly sunburned faces all the way home ...
March 12 064.jpg
Across to Inversnaid.

So that's it - hope you enjoyed it, and Happy Hillwalking!
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Helen Bruce
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby dooterbang » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:20 am

Congrats on your 1st TR....and your 159th Munro.

Better late than never with the reports, was a while till i did my 1st also....then i couldnt stop :shock:

Looking forward to plenty more now :)
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dooterbang
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby Johnny Corbett » Thu Mar 29, 2012 10:48 am

Some lovely photos indeed. Well done on your first report. You mention the best walks start in a cafe, what you did not mention is that the best walks end in a pub :D
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Johnny Corbett
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby mrssanta » Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:03 pm

I reaaly enjoyed your description of setting off with the "faffing about" I do a lot of that and my OH groans!
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mrssanta
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby Helen Bruce » Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:24 pm

Thanks for the encouraging comments!

Johnny, I partly agree about the joys of ending the walk in a pub - depends if I'm driving!
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Helen Bruce
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby Scotsman2012 » Thu Mar 29, 2012 8:57 pm

I was there the day before you, some of our pics look very similar funnily enough! :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby simon-b » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:11 pm

A fine first report, Helen :thumbup:

I've not done the Arrochar Alps yet but this makes me look forward to them even more :D

Keep on posting!
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby morag1 » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:19 pm

Really nice report of a great day out, here's hoping you post another soon :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby pigeon » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:40 pm

Great report ,like the summit snooze pic :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby yokehead » Thu Mar 29, 2012 9:53 pm

A great start to your writing career, you've captured the essence of a hill day to perfection. 8) Yes, it is worth it all for the good weather day, the contrast makes it all the more worthwhile. And even a day in the clag can be great fun, but then, aren't they all?! :lol:

Loved this, and glad you were able to sneak the day in!
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby marleyandme » Thu Mar 29, 2012 11:25 pm

You certainly picked a perfect day for it Helen. I climbed Ben Vorlich today and although the weather was nice when I left the car park at lunch time it got progressively worse as the day went on - no views at the summit for me :(
Word of warning to anyone thinking of climbing Vorlich, it is very easy to miss the start of the path from the Hydro Electric Board private road (it starts about half a mile before the dam) as I did today. The climb up from the dam itself (no path) is torturous and almost vertical in parts and was a big challenge. It didn't help that the dog was on his lead the whole time (sheep everywhere) and was intent on pulling me down the mountain!
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby dogplodder » Sun May 13, 2012 7:15 pm

We did this last week on a day that looked and felt like winter compared to your summer day in March! :lol:

It was my 159th as well. :D

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21249
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Re: Ben Vorlich

Postby jakedaw74 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:32 pm

Im going up to Ben Vorlich on sat,this will be my 2nd munro and i can't wait it looks inspiring by the pics u have uploaded,I will put up my pics and thoughts when it's accomplished. :D
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