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Two Munros and a wedding.

Two Munros and a wedding.


Postby meangarry » Thu May 31, 2012 1:14 am

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

Date walked: 27/05/2012

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This is a report covering a fantastic weekend spent around Loch Lomond on the weekend of the 25th 26th and 27th of may. My good buddy Biff was getting married at cameron house on the sunday so me and my gf Fliss decided to make a weekend of it and travel up on the friday. Instead of flooding the forum with two reports I'll combine them. I've put routes in my walks blog unpublished if you care for them.

Firstly it was Fliss and my walk up Ben Lomond on friday the 25th. I decided to leave it until late afternoon due to the heat and hope that the mountain would be quieter. We arrived at the car park around 3:30pm after a harrowing trip along the tight road to rowardennan. Managed to meet a beer lorry and a tractor. :crazy: Anyhoo, upon arriving the car park was packed. :roll: A busy hill was to be expected. :( We booted up and set off from the north end of the car park heading for the ptarmigan path. I'd been looking forward to photographing the memorial but some chopper was sitting on it having a sandwich so I only managed this effort.
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Through the war memorial.
After covertly checking my map (to avoid looking like a berk on such a busy route) we made off up the track and passed a fair amount of people coming off the hill. The early going was tough as we had no breeze and the sun was still strong. Fliss was already in a mood. :( I was to have my work cut out!
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Fliss on the lower part of the ptarmigan path.
After gaining a little height Fliss claimed that she couldn't do it. I encouraged her and along with the sight of a few golden oldies on the descent she decided to continue.
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A little further up.
The views of the loch were now extensive and a breeze now cooled us. Fliss was pleased to have came on and the easier walking along the ridge and views had changed her mood completely. :)
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Ben Arthur, Beinn Narnain and Ben Ime.
However she was taken aback by the sight of the summit when it came into full view.
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Ben Lomonds upper reaches.
Just before reaching the belach and the final push I looked back down ptarmigan ridge and took this pic.
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Looking back down ptarmigan.
We pressed on up the rocky path. For her first munro Fliss was doing well and although constant encouragement was needed she managed up the small scrambley bit quite well. :clap: I think I only needed my hands once or twice for my balance, the rest of the time I was supporting Fliss by pushing her bum up the bigger steps. :lol:
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Fliss in the easy scrambley bit.
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Looking back down the rocky part.
Next thing we knew we were interrupting three irish blokes lunch on the summit. They were the only ones there and looked quite surprised. There was no one ahead of us on the route up and they left by the normal path so I surmised that they would have been mightily impressed seeing Fliss appear from the rocky hillside. :lol: After they had left we had the summit to ourselves for about 20mins so we relaxed and rehydrated.
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A proud Fliss on reaching her first munro summit.
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An equally proud me on my third.
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Full signal and no people!
I had a little fun sitting on an exposed rock with a 50m drop below. 8)
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A lofty perch.
After enjoying the solitude and views we set off back down the tourist path. It was no fun at all, as laconic surf has said it is a boneshaker of a path. Pretty long and boring too I'm afraid. The good thing was that I knew I had two tuborgs waiting in the car. Mmm. After drinking those we spied the rowardennan hotel and as it was 8:30pm we had to have dinner on the patio looking back up at Ben Lomond with dreamy eyes. Hopefully the bug has bitten Fliss. :wink:
Saturday started out as a lazy day and we spent the morning in Luss on the stoney beach. A big slobbering dog ran out of the water and soaked Fliss whilst she was sunbathing. :lol: The owner was very apologetic but I was rolling about laughing. :lol: :lol: :lol: We moved up the loch to Tarbert and had an ice cream on the green. We even had lunch in a wee cafe before I could resist no more! :shock: We were right in munro country and my boots were in the car. I had to get out on a hill, Ben Vorlich to be precise. Fliss was not interested but happily agreed to sunbathe whilst I rocketed up and down BV. We drove to Ardlui and I set off back down the road to the sheep creep. I have to admit that I got slightly lost a few times on the way up. I read my pocket mountains route description but still found no path. Hmm, spur of the moment walking probably not the best idea! Gladly I'm not an eegit and I simply picked out my own route up the grassy spur onto the belach to the north of the summit. As I raced along the top I realised that I was on my second munro in two days all on my own. I really expected crowds in the glorious weather. I wasn't fussed it was great.
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Me on the summit of Ben Vorlich
I took time to phone my granny whilst looking west over loch sloy.
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Looking west over Loch Sloy
When I told her where I was she proceeded to tell me that my great grandfather had worked for balfour beatty after WW2 and had a hand in the construction of Loch Sloy. I was amazed and it made for a very special moment for me in the mountains. :D He was quite a guy, survived both wars. Makes you realise how many things have fell perfectly into place for all of us individuals to come to be! After promising a visit and photographs for my granny I set off returning to Fliss in the car. Weirdly I felt like running. (no forrest gump jokes please) I ran along the top with rocky playing in my head and I ran down the soft slopes. I pretty much ran until I was back on a track. When I got back to the car Fliss was amazed to see me so soon. Up and down in 3:30 with a 20min phone call too. :crazy: Surprised myself!
Thankfully sunday was a more relaxed affair. Biffs wedding to Jess. Fliss and I had a great day telling our stories of Ben Lomond to the other guests. What a great way to finish a great weekend. :D :D :D
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Scrubbing up well for Cameron House.
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meangarry
 
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby laconic surf » Thu May 31, 2012 8:15 am

Superb.
Looking at your pictures I had strayed quite a bit from the normal path on the ridge, I had a couple of waist high steps to scramble up :lol: Mind, the path was icy and dodgier to be on than on all fours on the rocks :shock:
Kudos to your grandad, always great when there is something lasting to remember them by.
Not sure Fliss has got the bug though mate, there seems to be a distinct lack of the necessary obsession :lol:
Great pics and report on what looked like a top weekend. Congrats to Biff - great place to have a wedding/booze up :D
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laconic surf
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby Lenore » Thu May 31, 2012 8:28 am

I
laconic surf wrote:Not sure Fliss has got the bug though mate, there seems to be a distinct lack of the necessary obsession :lol:


Afraid I have to agree - Choosing sunbathing over walking is not a good sign :D

Fun report and nice pictures!
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Lenore
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby peter tindal » Thu May 31, 2012 8:41 am

I agree, sunbathing is best done at the top of a hill :lol:
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peter tindal
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby meangarry » Thu May 31, 2012 12:39 pm

Cheers folks, think I'll have to keep working on her! Even if its just a passing interest I'm pleased. LS, I'm sure Biff will read this at some point so he'll appreciate the congrats.
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meangarry
 
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby jaybee » Thu May 31, 2012 7:13 pm

Great report - I'm sure I remember you promising (threatening?) to climb this one complete with kilt??
Sounds like a great weekend - and what fantastic weather.

Haven't done Ben Vorlich yet, looks like a good hill and will keep it in mind for the next time we are up that way.
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jaybee
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Re: Two Munros and a wedding.

Postby meangarry » Sun Jun 03, 2012 8:30 pm

It was way too hot for the kilt!!! I'll do it in a kilt someday though. I promise. :wink:
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