30 years revisited
Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:04 pmWhen i set out on my first hill climb as a 13 year old boy brigader i never thought that 30 years later i would return to the very same Ben Lomond and with addictive tendencies tick it off as another one bagged (rebagged 
). I have been able to play the route i took then in my head so many times and was eager to see if my memories had changed over the years. 
Firstly, the route was pretty much as i remembered it. Secondly, cant remember there been been as many people climbing it in 1982. There were zillions of them on the hill today. Im pretty sure there were less folk walking along princes street today!! If there was one thing i didnae need was to pull out my map and compass You simply had to follow the guy in front of you, most of whom were wearing white trainers . Anyway, obviosly i exaggerate somewhat, but you get my drift as to the traffic flow issue. 
Another thing that surprised me was no parking charges. The meters were covered up despite a seasonal sign saying they were meant to be opened 1st April. Financial regneration money lost council folks as the car park was heaving by the time i got back.
Not a great deal to say about the actual walk though i'm starting to get a bit peed off with time, effort and money going into restoring pathways only for the masses to skip round them and make additional dents on the already scarred landscape. Don't know if this is my OCD kicking in or whether im right to be trying to keep to the designated paths?
I stayed at the summit for a quick bite to eat once i had negotiated around the various parties to find a decent spot. On the descent i passed numerous people asking me how far was it to the top". Some turned back when i told them they only had an hour to go
. Classic question though had to be "Is it uphill all the way"? In fairness though it was good to see so many enjoying our beautiful countryside. It took me four hours and ten minutes from start to finish 
though i was passed by several people who clearly were uninterested in savouring the scenery around them 
. The weather conditions and view today were superb. On planning my next walk me thinks i will be heading the Arrochar alps. 
). I have been able to play the route i took then in my head so many times and was eager to see if my memories had changed over the years. Firstly, the route was pretty much as i remembered it. Secondly, cant remember there been been as many people climbing it in 1982. There were zillions of them on the hill today. Im pretty sure there were less folk walking along princes street today!!
If there was one thing i didnae need was to pull out my map and compass You simply had to follow the guy in front of you, most of whom were wearing white trainers . Anyway, obviosly i exaggerate somewhat, but you get my drift as to the traffic flow issue. - rare picture with no natives ruining the day
Another thing that surprised me was no parking charges. The meters were covered up despite a seasonal sign saying they were meant to be opened 1st April. Financial regneration money lost council folks as the car park was heaving by the time i got back.
Not a great deal to say about the actual walk though i'm starting to get a bit peed off with time, effort and money going into restoring pathways only for the masses to skip round them and make additional dents on the already scarred landscape. Don't know if this is my OCD kicking in or whether im right to be trying to keep to the designated paths?
- View from the start
- Views across loch Lomond
- More loch views
- Some unfamiliar hills, for the timebeing, in the background from the summit
- Think this is the Arrochar area?
I stayed at the summit for a quick bite to eat once i had negotiated around the various parties to find a decent spot. On the descent i passed numerous people asking me how far was it to the top". Some turned back when i told them they only had an hour to go
. Classic question though had to be "Is it uphill all the way"? In fairness though it was good to see so many enjoying our beautiful countryside. It took me four hours and ten minutes from start to finish though i was passed by several people who clearly were uninterested in savouring the scenery around them . The weather conditions and view today were superb. On planning my next walk me thinks i will be heading the Arrochar alps. 