Ben Vorlich (the Loch Lomond one)

[Gordie12]

The forecasts all seemed to suggest black clouds around Loch Lomond by about 10am so I decided on an early start (a very early start with a 2am alarm call).

I was parked up at Inveruglas and walking by 4.45am, I could have taken a few minutes more to get ready but in the flat calm conditions the midgies were feasting so I didn't hang around.

Ben Lomond in the early morning light

Having started from the same car park last week when I did Ben Vane the first part of the walk was very familiar as I headed up the road towards Loch Sloy.

Why can't I walk past piles of logs without getting the camera out?

I was looking for the cairn, worried I might miss it - it's big and hard to miss. Looking over from Ben Vane last week the ascent looked pretty steep and it was now time to find out how steep.

Loch Sloy dam

After all the recent rain the first part of the climb is pretty wet, where there are stones on the path it is easy walking, where there are no stones it's fairly muddy and my thoughts turn to coming down this path later on.

The climb looked like hard work from Ben Vane and it is but it's not as full on as it looks and there are little sections where the gradient eases and the legs can get a break.

Looking over to Ben Vane

The climb that lies ahead

Looking down to the Loch Sloy road

A 'Chrois

Rubbish pic of Loch Lomond appearing out of the gloom

Looking down again

After a fair amount of toil and sweat the path seems to level off a bit and on checking my Garmin I'm now on the wide ridge with most of the climb behind me and it's just a case of walking over to the top.

The summit appearing, then disappearing, then appearing again

Trig point

The summit about 200m beyond the trig point

There was a bit of a breeze at the top and the clag was swirling round. Very briefly the clag cleared and I got to see...............a windfarm as well as Ben Vane and down to Loch Sloy - no views to the east to be had today.

Loch Sloy

Looking back to the summit

Loch Sloy - it was in view when I got the camera out

Path leading in to the clouds

And so to the descent, back along the ridge is straight forward as is the first part of the descent where the track is solid underfoot. Having come a cropper a couple of times on descents in the last couple of weeks I stuck the waterproof bottoms on at the point where the track went from being solid to being either a mud or wet grass slide. Forward planning, not something I'm renowned for but it paid off as I found myself on my bum twice within 5 minutes of sticking the waterproofs on. It's maybe not as slippy as I suggest as I'm starting to think that the tread on this pair of boots aren't up to the job (boots are only a couple of months old so it's not a wear issue).

Summer haircut

It was good to get back on tarmac when I reached the Loch Sloy road, waterproofs off and just a short walk left down the road.

Arrived back at the car park just before 9am, very strange feeling to be finished already.

Eaten by midgies, couldn't see much at the top, fell twice on the way down, no decent pictures yet I really enjoyed this walk and it got me on to 96 which was the plan - if the weather god is kind I might just get Devil's Point to Braeriach in next week as I would love Braeriach to be no 100.

[katyhills]

Looks like you had a great walk despite the 'not so good' weather. Think the weather was a bit better than the forecast suggested a couple of days ago though. At least you still got some great photos. Nice report too.
I had a week's holiday in early May and went back up Vorlich on a sunny Friday, but went up over the end and along the whole ridge, coming down your ascent route. It was really pleasant, so I can recommend doing that if you get another chance.
Think I saw those sheep - bit woollier back in May though

[ancancha]

Nice photo of the imposing and austere Loch Sloy dam

[dogplodder]

I know you said you like an early start but that was seriously early...!

[skuk007]

...I was looking for the cairn, worried I might miss it - it's big and hard to miss...

Glad this has been improved since I did it a few years ago, so many people have missed it, including myself
I remember that long slog up from the road, it was a dry day when I did it but still extremely boggy in places.

Shame about the weather, hope it's better when you get around to Braeriach.

[Gordie12]

Looks like you had a great walk despite the 'not so good' weather. Think the weather was a bit better than the forecast suggested a couple of days ago though. At least you still got some great photos. Nice report too.
I had a week's holiday in early May and went back up Vorlich on a sunny Friday, but went up over the end and along the whole ridge, coming down your ascent route. It was really pleasant, so I can recommend doing that if you get another chance.
Think I saw those sheep - bit woollier back in May though

Hi katyhills

I don't like doing hills once then never going back so hopefully in the future I will get back to this one and Ben Vane.

I had a peek at your Munro map as you seem to have really good knowledge of this area - how come you've done Driesh but not Mayar (their like beans and toast or dairylea cheese and raspberry jam) ????

[Gordie12]

Nice photo of the imposing and austere Loch Sloy dam

It's certainly imposing when you are below it and you think about what would happen if it sprung a leak.

[Gordie12]

I know you said you like an early start but that was seriously early...!

I think I confused the cat, around 3am most mornings he jumps up on the bed then sits down near my face and starts crying at me for breakfast - for once I got to wake him up!!

Actually, I may have confused a group of 3 walkers (as well as the cat) getting ready to start their walk at 9am when they saw me getting back to the car, getting changed and heading home

[Gordie12]

...I was looking for the cairn, worried I might miss it - it's big and hard to miss...

Glad this has been improved since I did it a few years ago, so many people have missed it, including myself
I remember that long slog up from the road, it was a dry day when I did it but still extremely boggy in places.

Shame about the weather, hope it's better when you get around to Braeriach.

Hi skuk007 - it must be a decent size if I saw it.

I'll only do the Braeriach four if the forecast was really good as that is one day out where I really want to appreciate the scenery - it's a group of hills I've wanted to do for the last 2 summers but just never got the right day for it.