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[findhornloon]

Ben Vane in the rain, not heavy just persistant - until of course we came off the hill when the sun came out - the joys of the Scottish weather. No great surprise that it was wet and boggy from the word go. On the hill again with Jesper and joined by Danny for the first time, the last time we were out on a hill together was in July as "Team UPIMA" when we were 1500m up near the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania, it was certainly much warmer and drier that day.

It was quite nice when we left the bonnie banks could almost see the top of Ben Lomond

The start of the route up to the many false summits of Ben Vane

The start of the walk from the small bridge was pretty muddy so we all start off with wettish feet, we found out on the way back that there was in fact a drier route 50m further up the track which immediately climbed up a small to hill to the left and so missing the boggiest bit on the climb.

Continue 50m up from the small bridge for a drier start to the climb

The first hour of the climb is a bit of a slog with not much to catch the eye, especially as the mist and rain began to lower from above.

The best view we had all day as we looked back to A' Chrois

Ben Vorlich is somewhere up in the mist above the Loch Sloy Dam

The terrain became much more interesting as we reached the rocky upper slopes. Unfortunately the weather also deteriorated !!

Danny and Jesper enjoying the climb !!

Some strange large shapes appear to be climbing the slopes above us, is it the Lewis Chessmen ?

After 3 hours and several fase summits we reach the real summit of Ben Vane, a desolate rain swept and cold place today.

Danny and Jesper trying to shelter from the wind and cold rain on the summit.

The summit is in fact a surprising large plateau with a lochan and a couple of cairns

On the summit, wearing everything I had, but still wet and cold.

It was pretty exposed on the summit today so after a quick couple of photos it was right back down to find a sheltered spot for some warm tea.

Jesper doing a "highland fling" Danish style !!

I enjoyed Ben Vane despite the weather, some interesting rocky features once you are above 500m and even a short scramble, may do it again on a sunny day.

This is the 'view' looking back to Loch Lomond.

[weescotsman]

I share the pain, we were out on Beinn Ime and it wasn't any better. 19 of us started out, about 3/4 of the way up 8 of us had had enough of the bogfest and turned for home, typically as we neared the car park at Loch Long the sun came out and we had blue skies, though there was still plenty low clag on the mountains behind us. Couldn't even see The Cobbler as we passed it..........

Couple of folks advised us it was better to do this one in winter when hopefully the bogs will be iced over.....