Five scrape a pass in the Arrochar Alps

[mrssanta]

We had a grand plan for the Bank Holiday weekend.
Last year Rudolph, Mother Goose, Shish, Shish's friend and I had a memorable trip up the Wee Bookle and Mullach nan Coirean in the Mamores and this year we decided we would go for the Arrochar Alps. What could be so hard about doing all four Munros in a weekend? The plan was for me and Rudolph to drive to the Borders on the Friday night and pick up Shish and her pal, and meet up with Mother Goose (who is an early riser and came all the way from Yorkshire in one go)on Saturday at 11am at Inveruglas car park opposite the power station. On Saturday we would climb Ben Vorlich, on Sunday we would go for ben Ime and Narnain, and on Monday ben Vane and home.
They say 50% is a pass mark so I think we just passed. Illness and the weather were against us but we did have another memorable trip. We managed Ben Vorlich and Ben Narnain. the other two will be there another time. So here is the report on our ascent of Ben Vorlich.

Ben Vorlich.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

The forecast for Saturday was lovely but there had been a fresh covering of snow which was all soft so no crampons or axes necessary. The mountains were beautiful in their white coats in the sunshine. We set off all cheerful and after about five minutes trying to get across the road were soon on our way up the glen with Ben Vane looking steep and gnarly up ahead.

Ben Lomond from the car park

Ben Vane behind the tree. My she looks steep!

This way to Ben Vane and our camp spot.

Soon we reached the road junction where we took a wee detour to find a good camp spot for the next couple of nights. We found a well hidden spot where we pitched the tents and dumped the camping gear inside before heading off back up the road towards the Sloy Dam and the climb of Ben Vorlich.
My she's a steep so-and-so isn't she!

up, up, up

We soon hit the snow line and it was very slushy and slippy. And steep. But it was a lovely clear day with plenty of sunshine and as we climbed the views opened up. The snow did not cause us any real problems apart from occasionally obscuring the path, but it did slow us down.

Loch Sloy with its dam

That's right, keep going up

A'Chrois

rocky and steep. Still.

From here you can see the bealach between Ime and Narnain, where we plan to go tomorrow.

ooh lovely hills these would be Ben Reoch and Beinn Bhreac I think, looking South.

Loch Lomond and the tip of Ben Lomond peeping out

a small hint of weather coming over

more up, and some nice snowdrifts

the Little Hills. Little, my foot!

Now you can just see the Cobbler peeping out above Ben Narnain

Still not there, but at least it isnt steep any more

It felt like a much bigger hill. people have said that this one is a hill of many false summits and they were right! We reached the trig point just after 4pm and it felt like a really long way. Perhaps I was really tired from too much work, and perhaps it is because this is the first big hill I have been up since October last year, but I was struggling - but the views at the top were stunning!

Trig Point. STILL NOT THE SUMMIT!!! BUT SOME LOVeLY RIME ON IT.

Shish and I have the same coat and rucksack. Our children say we are really the same person. BUT WE ARE NOT. She is my little sister. And we have different hats.

Loch Arklet in the middle, looking East, Ben Venue behind

Looking across the Little Hills to Loch Lomond, Ben Lomond top just in the picture

Coming down again we took a detour to look at some of the interesting sluices and channels that collect water from the burns on the south west slopes of the hill and add them to the water for the Sloy power station.

Eee By Gum that is steep lads and lasses

Channels collecting water for the Sloy dam

We got back to our tents and cooked our tea. Unfortunately Shish was feeling quite sickly and could not eat anything but we just managed to get our meal eaten and cleared away by the time the rain started, just as forecast.
And so to bed, for a night of wind and heavy rain which was quite exciting at times. And since I have nearly used up my quota of attachments, I will post day two in a second report, which is here http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=63085