free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Cracking run this on a beautiful evening. Took advantage of being chauffeured to Rowardennan by my good friend, Boy Vertiginous, who bailed out on running the hill due to injury, but instead went for 2K swim in Loch Lomond (Madness!, but respect due!).
Ran the first 1.5 k, but had to fast walk until I reached the shoulder at 3k. From here it was a glorious run on a great path and a nice steady gradient until the summit cone was reached. Quick walk to get up to the East flank and was then hit by a brutal wind, but as the path crossed to the west, the gradient and wind eased and the final run to the summit was fantastic. Narrowish path, with a steep drop down to Loch Lomond and across to Ptarmigan. Summit reached in 61 minutes. Spent ten minutes having a drink and taking photos before the cold got the better of me. Hands like ice, prevented me unwrapping a mars bar, so I headed off down. As I crossed to the east flank, the wind nearly knocked me over. Descending the cone I passed another runner on his way up, mutual respect given by both parties (Hello Ross!). Run down the shoulder was great, but the last 3K were difficult with a steepish gradient, uneven ground and definite risk of turning ankle (Roclite GTX 386 did their job). I found myself running off track on the grass to make this easier. Run down took me a total of 45 minutes, which was significantly slower than I expected and was due to the rocky path.
To summarize, this is a fantastic run on a wonderful hill. A great way to achieve my 20th Munro. I think the photos do it justice
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr
Ben Lomond by
paul wilson, on Flickr