BEATEN UP BY THE SMALLEST KID IN THE CLASS

[jamesjones]

Had originally planned to do something more substantial on the Sunday but woke up early to find low cloud and persistent drizzle. checked the MWIS forecast and didn't sound too positive with low cloud forecast for most of the day.
I decided to head for Ben Vane as I wasn't to far away and seemed to be a pretty straight forward walk from what i had read. I did have my camera but taking photographs on this climb was not possible and with the cloud cover seemed pointless. I met up with a couple on the tarmac track who were heading for Ben Vorlich. They had forgotten their map so I hope they managed without it. The initial walk after leaving the track was the boggiest I have walked in. I got to about 450mts and the rain started to become more intense and the wind also picked up. I couldn't see any views in front or behind and I began to wonder whether there was any point in walking in these conditions. I decided to carry on for another 45 minutes and got to about 620mts when the grass/mud/slippy rocks became too much and after a couple of slips (nothing to major) I decided to call it a day. Coming back down was even worse and really had to be so thoughtful about where i was putting each step. Couple more slips (that one will result in a bruise).
Thanks Ben Vane for teaching me a valuable lesson, just because your the smallest shouldn't mean you don't deserve respect and your just as tough as your 281 big brothers on your day.
N.B. First time Munro walk without my 14 year old son who fell off his bike on Wednesday. I don't think he would have enjoyed the conditions either and would have stopped earlier if he's been present due to the slippery conditions.

[GillC]

Well done for giving it a go. Ive done Vane twice and its MUCH easier when reached via Ben Dubh, those rocks are tricky at the best of times.

[ScottishLeaf]

Ben Vane is a steep wee so and so and the path is badly eroded in places, so it must've been a nightmare.

Mind Ben Vane is more or less a sea level start, so you have to work for almost every metre of it.... Unlike some higher mountains elsewhere in the country.

[simon-b]

I remember you said you learn something new each day in the mountains, Jimmy. I guess this was another good example! I hope Ben's OK after his fall. At least you should be able to climb Ben Vane together now.

[dtr42]

i done ben vane from sloy dam straight up the side about 2 years ago, pretty steep but good and dry rather than the boggy stuff. I also done ben vorlich the same way up to sloy dam then straight up i reckon the two climbs were very similar hard slog for 40-50 minutes but i found them easier than the path 's