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Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)


Postby David.Ferguson » Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:13 am

Route description: Ben Vorlich and Stùc a' Chròin

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Earn), Stùc a' Chròin

Date walked: 14/02/2010

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 13 km

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A terrific day on Sunday with a few of the Glasgow Walking group.

We headed for Ben Vorlich ,a bit of a mad dash for me after getting caught up in the huge 40MPH section on the A80.ARRGH.

Anyway after introductions we got away at 9:30 with the hill looking fantastic from Ardvorlich.

Ben Vorlich (lochearnhead) 001.jpg
Ben Vorlich looking terrific.


Image

I must admit in the winter conditions it gives a great sense of security walking in a small group like this
with mixed abilities and the chance to learn from the more experienced.

Ben Vorlich (lochearnhead) 003.jpg
crampons on and up we headed


The walk up Ben Vorlich is quickly completed but with the cloud level hovering around the summit height the views are limited.

Ben Vorlich (lochearnhead) 007.jpg
Not good views.


A quick lunch on top and off to Stuc a Chroin. :o

Now this was a different proposition,after taking a look at the route options we split into 2 groups with me in the group heading up the scramble route and the other group heading for the scree route.
The image below is the view up the scramble section,it was very steep but good compacted snow.We had the added bonus of 3 x Mountain Rescue guys following us up this route who were great giving tips and hints.What a sense of achievement topping out on this climb,it was daunting but terrific.Took our time,used axes and kicked secure steps.

Image
Heading over to Stuc a Chroin.

Image
This was the way up. :shock: :shock:

Image
Topping out and relieved but totally chuffed.

We headed on to the summit and a quick turnaround and back to the top of the scree run (solid snow and ice run) for
an interesting descent,half stepping and using ice axe and then glisading with ice axe arrests.It was great.

Image

Ben Vorlich (lochearnhead) 021.jpg
Looking back towards Stuc a chroin,the climbers heading up gave up due to ice and the route incline.


After this descent it was an easy walk out and back to the cars in daylight,roll on the longer days.

A terrific day and a real experience on the steep Stuc a Chroin route.

Thanks to Gordon Lindsay for the use of some of his images.

Here he is. :lol:

Image

Cheers

David.
Last edited by David.Ferguson on Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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David.Ferguson
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby bazer100 » Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:27 am

looked a great day and some nice images there, looking to go out at the weekend, didnt realise it was still really thick with snow!! happy days

baz
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby Milesy » Tue Feb 16, 2010 12:59 pm

Vorlich has some nice snow just now. The snow slope to the summit is brilliant 8)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby gaffr » Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:31 pm

Thanks for the post folks.....looked like a really classic day out in the Scottish mountains!
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby walk aboot » Tue Feb 16, 2010 9:22 pm

Nice report David, the descent photos looked good fun :thumbup:
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby GordonL » Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:00 pm

Glad you enjoyed the day David and my "fantastic" photography helped :D
You didnt put ny pics in of me?? :(
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby David.Ferguson » Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:24 pm

Your pictures were great.A great day out for all i think.I will pick one that shows your good side and add. :wink:


Thanks to others for their comments.
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Re: Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)

Postby DonnyW » Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:14 pm

Glad to see you got up Stuc A chroin David ... it had me beat so I know a little of what it took to get there in those conditions ... well done 8)
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