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Friday 21 August 2015 was the start of our final leg of our 6 weeks holiday challenge. We left the midlands at 2.20 am to arrive at Loch Lomond for breakfast at the Inveruglas cafe. Fortunately we arrived before the coach loads, just as the toliets opened at 9.45 am. Unfortunately we arrived with the rain!
I had the
idea of my children's and wife's first Munro's as being little and large! So Ben Vane would be a good warm up for The Ben and give my little ones some scrambling opportunity as there is little of this on the Pony Trail.
Ben Vane is certainly the smallest but you would not think this once you've climbed it!
The cafe and toilets are definitely a good feature to make this an ideal starting point. The kids loved the Scottish Porridge and I quite liked the Bacon roll!
We did not really want to walk in the rain today so we held off for as long as possible. All the forecasts were for the weather to improve and then close in early evening. so we got the waterproofs on again and set off. Crossing over the A82 and walking along the path past the Hydroelectric pumping station and onto the well padlocked gates.
Inveruglas Water
We then continued along the path/access road past the great big grey building, substation I think. You then come to a split in the track make sure you go right here which heads towards the valley between Lag Dubh and Ben Vane. Shortly the junction in the track will be found. You take the lefthand track to go across the bridge.
The next photo shows the substation in the distance and an area where lots of tree felling has taken pace.
Walking along this track you can enter the slopes of Ben Vane anywhere. The track actually enter near a stream with a stone wall however it is rather boggy. We decided to work further round and pick the driest route we could onto the SE shoulder of Ben Vane.
Looking toward the forest, you do quickly gain height and the ground starts to dry out.
A' Chrios I think
The wife taking a rest
Not far from the track now...
Loch Lomand, Loch Arket and Ben Lomond panorama
Looking back down the shoulder you can see the actual route up. We did take it down but it was very boggy.
Up we go and kids discussing route options. The path now zig zags its way up with lots of options plus plenty of scrambling on offer.
Loch Sloy and the dam
Unfortunately we had to leave our middle daughter and wife sitting in the sun looking at Loch Sloy. The little one, 6 years old and the big one 10 years old continued with me to the top.
A false top
Not more!
The final push
Bode fealing on top of the world (915m)
Summit selfie!
Ben Ime from the summit of Ben Vane
A quick panorama at the plateau. We couldn't stay long due to the weather and needing to get the group back together.
https://youtu.be/4QeFRsvZCFUWe started our descent...
The above picture show our route up, it was quite tricky with the little ones but they managed it with a little push from me. At this point the actual route goes to the right from this point across some orange/red rock. We came down the safer route but I thought the picture might help fellow WH walkers pick the route of their choice.
The wife and my middle daughter had started the descent just as we were leaving the summit, we soon caught them up!
We opted to take the path all the way down to see how boggy it really was!
Goodbye Ben Vane, you were certainly a good warmer up er! Little in Munro standards but full of character and challenge. Thank you.
