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Apology to Ben Vorlich

Apology to Ben Vorlich


Postby kcole » Wed Dec 21, 2016 3:31 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Date walked: 26/05/2016

Time taken: 5.5 hours

Distance: 18.9 km

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While I was descending the ridge I called you “a bit of a bastard” for your slight false tops.

I said it in jest, I didn’t mean it, and I’m sorry. I actually think you were a really fun mountain! (Which is more than I was expecting.)

This last trip to Scotland I set myself up in Arrochar for a few days so if there was good weather I’d have Munros with reasonable paths nearby and if it was truly miserable I felt I could at least take on Ben Lomond. I had pretty excellent weather for my time there and went up Beinn Narnain and Ime earlier in the week – after a day’s rest on Inchcailloch and with the grace of a half decent forecast I needed to pick Munro #3 for the trip.

Vorlich or Vane? I felt I had used up all of my solo-Munro bravado in hiking Narnain so anything that even slightly wanted me to scramble was out (maybe next time Vane!). So Vorlich…I had the map and a copy of the walkhighland route. I thought it was within my capabilities. But the reports…the ones I’d read, kept using words like “uphill slog”, “pathless”, and implied it was a bit boring. So I went with the expectation that it would be less than inspiring but a Munro nonetheless.

As I was staying in Arrochar I took the Cowal Way through Glen Loin. It starts off easy and flat and adds in more hills and rocky path as you go. Unlike the route from Inveruglas, for a good portion of the walk in it is Vorlich rather than Vane staring you down, which I liked considering my objective for the day. The last bit before the bridge to the road goes through the greenest forest I’ve ever been in!

So up on the road towards Sloy – searching for the cairn (which does exist!) but a big thanks to someone else who mentioned the Pylon 3-4 trick. I was keeping an eye on the clouds. Part of my trip plan included a promise to my parents that I wouldn’t be at all foolish or daring (which I do try not to be but the fact that their daughter hikes alone tends to make them a little nervous, especially when I’m in other countries). But so far so good. I was impressed by the path – I can see where in bad weather you may lose track of it in the early stages on the hill but today it was easy to follow along. So unexpected bonus #1: a real trail! Now about the slog bit…I loved the trail. It didn’t just blaze up and while it was decidedly UP it zigged and zagged and there were even a few level moments to look out and around.

When I got to the first “not the top” I knew that it wasn’t yet supposed to be the end – I was pleased that the sky still looked somewhat happy – it was the following few rocky outcrops that had me a bit more frustrated because the clouds were starting to look odd. The summit came into sight just in time – now things were grey and rain looked likely. When you do get to the trig and see the cairn further along the ridge it seems too far to be fair. I went for it and took the obligatory photo and a few quick drops of rain reminded me that the background sky in those photos will leave the parentals most displeased! So off and away I went and even in my rush to beat the weather I loved the walk across the top.

The downhill was brutal, no sugar coating that, but I think Vorlich is more fun than people give her credit for.

(and hopefully I've figured out adding photos....)

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Last edited by kcole on Wed Dec 21, 2016 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
kcole
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Re: Apology to Ben Vorlich

Postby Marty_JG » Wed Dec 21, 2016 5:14 pm

Good for you. I attempted Vorlich, route unplanned, from the east via Ardlui, lost the feeble path, tried to scramble up streams and random incline, sunk several times into grass-hidden burns (including up to my thigh a few times, soaking my boots), all with a 15kg tent pack on my back, topped with an extra couple of kilos of coat & jacket because it was warm. I got as far as Stob an Fhithich, flumped down, had a little sulk, and spent a couple of hours going back. Next time: a planned and "doable" route.
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Re: Apology to Ben Vorlich

Postby katyhills » Wed Dec 21, 2016 6:24 pm

Glad you got a good day on it. It's a good hill. Lovely photos. :)
The advantage of doing it from Inveruglas is that you can head up over the end and get the walk along the whole ridge to the summit which is really pleasant :)
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