BEN LOMOND

[Jockstar]

After our walk last weekend I thought that a nice easy walk up Ben Lomond would make a pleasant change to the more rigourous walks that we had done over the last month. So with Ruby looking to get her 6th Munro we set off from the car park at Rowardennan on the east side of Loch Lomond. It seemed very busy and I assumed that it was the good weather that was forecast for the day had brought the crowds out, just as people had warned me as this was a very popular walk at any time of the year.

Tourist Information at Rowardennan

Ben Nevis in the distance with her snow hat on

Tarbet Ferry Dock

. It was then that we noticed an lot of spectators as well as walkers who turned out to be doing the Annual Ben Lomond race to the top and back.

Race in Progress !!

So what followed was Su, myself and Ruby setting off along the path at the back of the Tourist information building and following the path straight up the hill, where we found marshals and spectators lining the path. There was more spectators here than shoppers in Sauchiehall street!! Anyway it was a fine day and we pushed on coming out into the desolate wasteland that used to be a silver birch forest and it made a terrible sight that scarred the hill. There is work afoot to try and sort out an ecological remedy which would be great for the future.

Su getting on her way up the hill

It was just passed this point that we met our first runner coming back down and we sidestepped to let him by. Before long there was a steady stream of runners, both male and female racing down the hill some with nasty cuts and bloody noses such was the competitive nature of the run, some of them obviously fallen over.

Runner with Buckfast for Speed !!!

Race runners on the way down

There was a good number of spectators urging the runners on and we didn’t mind taking our time to get further up the hill, especially as Ruby wasn’t stressed by all the activity.

More runners speeding down the hill !

Before long we had started to walk up onto the shoulder called Sron Aonaich and steadily made our way up the well-worn path. We stopped for something to eat for ourselves and Ruby before continuing up the path. You could then see the views open up and Loch Lomond looked beautiful.

Loch Lomond looking south

Panoramic Loch Lomond

The path then zig zagged up the hill and eventually we made up the ground to reach a smaller wee climb taking us to the level path which had a bit of snow on and which would eventually lead us to the trig point.

Su & Ruby

The weather was good at this point and as we got higher the views behind of Loch Lomond were great and also across to Arrochar with the Cobbler clearly visible along with Ben Vorlich and Ben Imie.

Towards Arrochar and the Cobbler and Ben Imie

To the south we could see Loch Katrine and the trossachs, which made our day. There was a splendid wall of stone which is the eastern Corrie just before the summit and that looked good with bits of gorse with their yellow flowers making a wee covering of the rock.

Impressive Eastern Corrie

Su nearing the top

It was very cold however as the wind had picked up. I guessed this was the start of the bad weather that was forecast for Sunday and so we headed back down the way we came. There was an alternative route that had the weather been better we might have taken.

Su at the Trig Point

Bri and Ruby near the top

Su at the trig point

Jockstar at the top of Ben Lomond

We were pleased to get back down and get out of the cold wind and as soon as we got back to the car it was change and head for something to eat at The Oak Tree in Balmaha. All in all a good days walk which lifted our spirits after last week’s walk. No walk for us this next week as we are off to the ‘flat’ south for a long weekend with family to catch up with and the highest we might get is the London Eye. We might see Scotland from there!!!!

[Bod]

Nice one Jockstar, that Buckfast sure does seem to work a trick in the mountains .... we'll see you in the hills again soon. Enjoy the trip doon sooth

[StephenT]

Cant believe the difference 24hrs make - http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21202 knee deep snow in places to none!

The race explains the red/white hazard tape I saw the day before, i wondered what it was for!

[jonny616]

'runner with buckfast'! I though Stretch was in the US

If it is him he is not aging well

[Stretch]

'runner with buckfast'! I though Stretch was in the US

If it is him he is not aging well

It would have been me, had he been drinking Buckie out of a plastic cup!

Nice one Brian and Su, glad to see you two are able to get out on the hills more lately.

[old danensian]

Hi Brian

Enjoyed the report and photos - it's the first I've read since finally crossing the border at the end of last week and makes me more determined to get out and about from our new base in Ayrshire - once I've unpacked a few more boxes!

OD

[2dalmatians]

Nice report Jockstar. I am heading up Ben lomond on Sunday with my daughter and some friends. It was my first Munro a few years ago and I always manage to get back up at least once a year. It's a great hill.

[monty]

Nice one jockstar. Din't you fancy joining in the race