Ben Vorlich (Lochearnhead) with Brocken Spectre
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 4:15 pmLeft Glasgow early on Sunday 21st Oct 2012, arrived at Ardvorlich House around 10:00.
As per the notice below, we stuck to the paths to avoid eroding the path surrounds.
We started to climb the path but very soon the mist started to envelope us on all sides.
We kept climbing trying to outpace the clag but it was never going to happen.
The sun briefly disappeared altogether and the temperature dropped a few degrees.
Presently we reached the summit where we enjoyed a sandwich and coffee.
After we'd been at the summit a few minutes something very special happened, the light was shining from the South and projected our shadows onto a fogbank creating a Brocken Spectre... we spoke to an old fella who'd been hillwalking for over 40 years and had never seen one. I managed a very quick photo before the "spectre" disappeared. A very special moment.
We intended climbing Stuc A Chroin and descended to the bealach but when we got to the face we were advised by the old guy with 40+ years experience it was too late in the day. We had headtorches but didn't fancy a rescue situation so we'll come back another time.
We circled round the Ben Vorlich hillside admiring the views to the north.
This was my first hillwalk in well over a month and I enjoyed it immensely, must get out more often.
- Ardvorlich House Path
As per the notice below, we stuck to the paths to avoid eroding the path surrounds.
- Estate Notice
- Ardvorlich House
We started to climb the path but very soon the mist started to envelope us on all sides.
- The "Clag" descended on us hiding the views on all sides.
We kept climbing trying to outpace the clag but it was never going to happen.
- The Clag rolled in from the loch and started to climb the hillside.
- It kept coming...
- and coming. Note the half-rainbow.
The sun briefly disappeared altogether and the temperature dropped a few degrees.
Presently we reached the summit where we enjoyed a sandwich and coffee.
- The summit in the mist.
After we'd been at the summit a few minutes something very special happened, the light was shining from the South and projected our shadows onto a fogbank creating a Brocken Spectre... we spoke to an old fella who'd been hillwalking for over 40 years and had never seen one. I managed a very quick photo before the "spectre" disappeared. A very special moment.
- You can see the Brocken Spectre to the right of the photo.
- Summit path.
We intended climbing Stuc A Chroin and descended to the bealach but when we got to the face we were advised by the old guy with 40+ years experience it was too late in the day. We had headtorches but didn't fancy a rescue situation so we'll come back another time.
- The view south from the bealach.
We circled round the Ben Vorlich hillside admiring the views to the north.
- Looking north as the sun began to set and the temperature dipped.
This was my first hillwalk in well over a month and I enjoyed it immensely, must get out more often.
- Sun setting.
