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a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 3:30 pm
by jac the lassie
It's ma first post so forgive any probs :D

Wanted to get up a hill but didn't have a great deal of time so choose ben lomond.
Got to the car park just after 7 and me and the mutts quickly found the path behind the visitor centre. It's was quite easy going up the first hump.
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Heathery

They've clearly done a lot of work to fix the path and it's great. Really easy to follow. The weather was perfect! Cool but clear and the views where stunning!
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Loch lomond

2 hours later the top finally came into view, there's very few steep bits so the whole ascent is relatively easy.
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The views!!! :-D

Whilst taking in the views at the trig point I made the decision to go down the ptarmigan ridge. I had wondered if my greyhound would manage the scrambley bit (she's done little scrambles before, but has been defeated by boulder fields, so I'm always a bit wary), but looking over the side, it looked easily do able. At this point I met my first person I'd seen all morning! Nice fella from ayr (hiya)
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Mutts making it look easy

After a wee chat I headed down. Mutt's took the scramble in there stride with me going carefully behind, only occasionally needing to use a hand to keep myself right. The ridge route is lovely and twisty. Great fun! Came to a wee lochan and let the dogs have a paddle.
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Lochan

The views over to the alps where stunning, so I stopped to share ma sandwiches with the mutts.
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One day! One day.....
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King and queen of all they survey!

As I continued down, suddenly there where people....!
Then more people.........!!
Then when almost at the bottom.........
Alot of people...........!!!

Think I timed it perfect :D
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Banks of the loch

Re: a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 10:27 pm
by rockhopper
nice first report and a good day for it - well done :thumbup: and you're right - best to set off early before the rush - cheers :)

Re: a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:56 pm
by Sarah86
Looks like you had a great day for it and did the best thing by setting off early. I have yet to try Ben Lomond but have heard it can be very busy.

Lovely to see a greyhound out on the mountains, I have a whippet so have a real soft spot for anything with a pointy face :)

Re: a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 4:49 pm
by jac the lassie
Thanx rock hopper and Sarah! :D. It's a lovely hill, so long as you get out early enough! I only saw the start of the hordes and that was plenty bad enough, lol
Nice to see I'm not the only one with a pointy nosed muttley on the hills :D

Re: a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 9:54 pm
by simon-b
A great first report, jac. I guess you timed it nicely to have a quiet drive to Rowardennan as well as a quiet time on the hill. A few hours later, I did the same route as you. It was a bit busier as you might expect, but still a nice half-day. It was definitely a fine day for getting the views from there.

Re: a wee daunder up ben lomond

PostPosted: Mon Aug 25, 2014 11:27 pm
by jac the lassie
Thanks simon! :D you're right, the views where stunning from there on Saturday :D