Ben Vorlich (valentines escape)
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 1:13 amA 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.
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.
The walk up Ben Vorlich is quickly completed but with the cloud level hovering around the summit height the views are limited.
A quick lunch on top and off to Stuc a Chroin.
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.
Heading over to Stuc a Chroin.
This was the way up.
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.
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.
Cheers
David.
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 looking terrific.
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.
- 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.
- Not good views.
A quick lunch on top and off to Stuc a Chroin.
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.
Heading over to Stuc a Chroin.
This was the way up.
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.
- 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.
Cheers
David.
