Ben Vorlich Loch Earn (I think!)

[2dalmatians]

So today it was meant to be Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin. Right now as I type this I think I climbed Ben Vorlich but to be sure I had to take a picture of the Trig point (see below) which I will verify in a bit! This is because much to my disappointment and frustration with BBC and Mountain Rescue weather forecasts the hills were covered in cloud from about 400 metres. We set off from the lochside at 0845 and returned just before 1pm. I had already decided before reaching the summit that I wasnt going to carry on to Stuc a Chroin as (a) I want to do this when there are clear skies and I can see for myself the phenomenal views that are in the site walk reports (b) I am not yet experienced enough to be comfortable with taking on a more difficlut climb in these weather conditions. Although I wasnt over the moon with the conditions I am pleased with my time/pace which is definitely improving. Positives also included testing my new jacket (Craghopppers from Tiso) which was great, completing my first munro in challenging conditions - no falls or slips, and reaffirming my view that hillwalking attracts the friendliest people more than willing to stop and have a chat and share a laugh.

Notes to Self/Lessons learned:-
1. Make sure the car has enough petrol to get there and back and don't rely on old sat nav disks, otherwise you might find that the petrol station you thought was going to be there is actually a building site now.
2. Taking plenty of drinks is good. Making sure the drinks top is closed so that your rucksack doesn't get soaked and you lose half of your drink before you setfoot on the hill is essential!
3. Gaiters have a zip up the front that means you dont have to take your boots off to put them on. It is better to find this out before you go than when you come back.
4. Water proof trousers should be put on before the rain starts, or at least within the first couple of minutes of raining.
5. Learn how to put waterproof trousers on over walking boots. There must be a technique (research youtube!)
6. No amount of threatening/foul language, begging, promise offering or praying will have any influence on mother nature. It is a waste of time, She will do exactly as she pleases...
7. Crazy people are never far away... eg (1)the girl wearing shorts climbing up who I passed going down at 850mtrs eg (2) the girl wearing jeans and fleece only at 700 mtrs
8. Blackberries do not like the rain...

here we go!

first look back to the loch

Ben Vorlich hidden by clouds - I think!

Ruby the great tracker dog finds signs of life - very reassuring!

at the top

took 20 minutes to get these on!

the best view all day - pretty poor or what?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v1_UJcJb6k[/youtube]

[Merry-walker]

hya Mr Dalmatians,

not so sweaty today

I'd have loved to have done this trip, even on a day like today, weather etc. Been stuck in the ward and have cabin fever. Everyone I've met on the hill has been lovely. Its great to see the odd peep, especially when walking for a long time all alone, like Billy no mates...

[houdi]

I've done both these Munros twice due to getting no views from Stuc a Chroin first time round. You will have to go back as these two are worth a revisit. And yes, you were on Vorlich. Don't remember there being a trig point on Stuc a Chroin. Hope you don't mind me posting this conformation pic?

How thick am I? It's only just clicked that you're talking about a mobile phone and not fruit!!

[Merry-walker]

eh? a fruit??? lol lol

[houdi]

Okay, don't rub it in

[2dalmatians]

Houdi, thanks for the confirmation, I did pass one guy on the way up who thought he was nearly at the top of Stuc a Chroin. Ruby is pretty smart with the map reading and she keeps me right Oh and I have no doubt that blackberries (the fruit version) would not really have liked the rain yesterday!!

mw - I know that work feeling too! had a look at your walk reports - some fab pictures, Im going to have get a decent camera.

[Merry-walker]

My camera cost 30 quid from tesco, but then I'm a biff so had to find something cheap

[Morag M]

Yeh, definately on Ben Vorlich, your right to go back and do both Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin on a good day the views are great, I really enjoyed these two, in my list of favs.

[Morag M]

I've done both these Munros twice due to getting no views from Stuc a Chroin first time round. You will have to go back as these two are worth a revisit. And yes, you were on Vorlich. Don't remember there being a trig point on Stuc a Chroin. Hope you don't mind me posting this conformation pic?

The attachment Ben Vorlich summit.JPG is no longer available

How thick am I? It's only just clicked that you're talking about a mobile phone and not fruit!!

No trig point on Stuc a Chroin, here is a pic of the summit cairn

[Morag M]

So today it was meant to be Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin. Right now as I type this I think I climbed Ben Vorlich but to be sure I had to take a picture of the Trig point (see below) which I will verify in a bit! This is because much to my disappointment and frustration with BBC and Mountain Rescue weather forecasts the hills were covered in cloud from about 400 metres. We set off from the lochside at 0845 and returned just before 1pm. I had already decided before reaching the summit that I wasnt going to carry on to Stuc a Chroin as (a) I want to do this when there are clear skies and I can see for myself the phenomenal views that are in the site walk reports (b) I am not yet experienced enough to be comfortable with taking on a more difficlut climb in these weather conditions. Although I wasnt over the moon with the conditions I am pleased with my time/pace which is definitely improving. Positives also included testing my new jacket (Craghopppers from Tiso) which was great, completing my first munro in challenging conditions - no falls or slips, and reaffirming my view that hillwalking attracts the friendliest people more than willing to stop and have a chat and share a laugh.

Notes to Self/Lessons learned:-
1. Make sure the car has enough petrol to get there and back and don't rely on old sat nav disks, otherwise you might find that the petrol station you thought was going to be there is actually a building site now.
2. Taking plenty of drinks is good. Making sure the drinks top is closed so that your rucksack doesn't get soaked and you lose half of your drink before you setfoot on the hill is essential!
3. Gaiters have a zip up the front that means you dont have to take your boots off to put them on. It is better to find this out before you go than when you come back.
4. Water proof trousers should be put on before the rain starts, or at least within the first couple of minutes of raining.
5. Learn how to put waterproof trousers on over walking boots. There must be a technique (research youtube!)
6. No amount of threatening/foul language, begging, promise offering or praying will have any influence on mother nature. It is a waste of time, She will do exactly as she pleases...
7. Crazy people are never far away... eg (1)the girl wearing shorts climbing up who I passed going down at 850mtrs eg (2) the girl wearing jeans and fleece only at 700 mtrs
8. Blackberries do not like the rain...

IMG00442-20101002-0842.jpg

IMG00446-20101002-0859.jpg

IMG00448-20101002-0926.jpg

IMG00454-20101002-1029.jpg

IMG00456-20101002-1053.jpg

IMG00460-20101002-1054.jpg

IMG00462-20101002-1056.jpg

IMG00463-20101002-1122.jpg

IMG00466-20101002-1206.jpg

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v1_UJcJb6k[/youtube]

What a beautiful dog.

[Styles]

Definitely on Ben Vorlich. I met you at the cars as we were getting ready and headed off slightly before you.

Last person I was to see for a loooong time as we headed into the clouds. After reaching the summit I decided to push on for Stuc a'Chroin but I got a little lost and decided to head back to the loch and the warmth of the car.

Like you I was expecting better weather and will return to do them both in the future at some point.

[JudeC]

I hope to go up Ben Vorlich next weekend. Can you give me an idea of what type of kit you wore as I am coming up from Brighton and don't want to misjudge the weather? I will bring waterproofs but do I need winter-level gear yet? Hats? Gloves? Cheers.

[2dalmatians]

Styles - So you must have been the B****** I was cursing who I could see flying up the hill in the distance! Just to P me off further, they both looked majestic from Kippen today - crystal clear!

JudeC - I'm no expert but would say you should be ok with waterproofs and possibly gloves. Have a look at the Mountain resuce forecast on Thursday/Friday. In my (limited) experience it is usually fairly accurate. http://www.mwis.org.uk/

[gedme]

Great story loved the notes to self and hey your not alone. Did you get to chroin well worth it and wiews if sunny are great.