by mr_ash_37 » Sat Jun 02, 2012 11:00 am
Date walked: 01/06/2012
Time taken: 5.15 hours
Ascent: 943m
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Friday 1st June 2012 had arrived after much planning. I was taking my mate Jamie on his first munro adventure. BenVorlich was the target, a first for both of us as I had never climbed it.
So Jamie had purchased all the gear, was raring to go and off we set at 8am.
I had been planning the trip and the obvious question was which route....I really fancied the route via the Little Hills however the night before settle for the normal Inveruglas path route....however on the way up whilst driving I asked Jamie which route he fancied to which his reply was "the hardest one"....I had to admire his enthusiasm, so it was via the Little Hills and I was secretly well chuffed.
We arrived and parked the car in the south facing layby just at Ardlui railway station. Setting off about 945am.
Temperature was about 12/13 degrees, clear at the bottom but heavy cloud hanging over the summits. Fingers crossed it would clear, that was the forecast but then again we all know about that.
Reached the first underpass and there was a cracking wee sign saying, next under pass for Ben Vorlich, beautiful! We underpassed the railway and that was off...exactly, we started it like a race, after 15/20 minutes we were blowing out our *****.... well you know what I mean. Like a pair of teenagers. We laughed and chilled a little with our sights on the little hills.
Stob nan Coinnich was straight ahead of us but we decided to cross the river to our left and head directly up the Little Hills, river was nearly dry so was crossed with ease and then we made our ascent up the NOT SO LITTLE HILLS!!!! The going was very steep, grassy with no clear path and just as you thought you had reached a nice wee summit or flat, there was another steep climb. However we battled on with many stop to get breath and water and of course admire the view.
There was a wee cairn on one of the flats but after checking altiude on my iphone app, it was obvious we had not yet reached the Little Hills summit. So I deleted our celebratory "what we thought was the summit" photos, ha!
Upon reaching the "true" little hills summit, the views were stunning and weather matched the views. The thick cloud had cleared and we planned our route to Ben Vorlich taking into account a few ups and downs on the way.
In addition, I also observed my first Ptarmigan. Spotted by Jamie I must add, but it was a great spot. Sitting on a rock next to us with a lovely red detail on its head. I was not quick enough to capture a pic as it was off and made a cracking call, really unique. I did however manage to capture it on video, well chuffed.
1pm and we reached the 941m summit after a steep climb / scramble, enjoyable and starving! Lunch was had and we then made our way to the 943m summit and took more pics, especially on the overhanging rock edge, meant to be for pics.
130pm and we were off back down to the car via Coire Creagach and skirting Stob nan Coinnich, as we did not fancy another climb due to weary legs. We kind of made our own way down picking up a path at times and other times off piste, eventually meeting the farmers quad bike trail back to the underpass.
A cracking day, great mountain, stunning views of Arrochar Alps, Ben Lui and the surrounding area. 360degree heaven.
- Attachments
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- Ardlui early on our ascent
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- Little Hills summit south towards Loch & Ben Lomond
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- Little Hills summit
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