free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I parked at Rowardennan and went down to the shore in the early morning light.
IMG_0788 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
I had a good look around the monument - an inspiring and thought-provoking tribute.
IMG_0789 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Setting off up the hill, I could see the early morning light touching the upper slopes of Ben Lomond.
IMG_0804 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
In the woodland at the start of the walk, these ferns had somehow survived the winter so far.
IMG_0805 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The path gained height easily. In no time, I had good views back down to the loch.
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Rising sun on the slopes.
IMG_0816 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The early morning light glowed on the Ptarmigan ridge.
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
First glimpse of the Cobbler.
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The path is superbly made, and very well graded. Almost before I knew it, I was on the flat top of the Sron Aonaich ridge, with a view of the upper mountain straight ahead.
IMG_0832 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view, and the super-sharp sunlight, reminded me of my trips to South American volcanoes.
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
But there was a more Alpine scene to my left - the Arrochar Alps - the Cobbler, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime peeping over the top of the Ptarmigan ridge.
IMG_0839 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
I soon reached a shoulder where views to the east opened out. I think Loch Ard and beyond it the Lake of Menteith are visible.
IMG_0842 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view north-east from the same spot, with two sections of Loch Katrine visible. The Crianlarich hills are on the left skyline, the Loch Earn hills in the centre and Ben Ledi I think on the right.
IMG_0841 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
And another view from the same place - the last part of the summit ridge reared up sharply above me.
IMG_0843 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
But the path weaved an easy line up it, albeit covered with ice. I had read the National Trust info boards about the erosion, so rather than stray off the path, I decided to keep to it. Crampons would have been a bit de trop and I'd probably forget I was wearing them and trip myself over, so I decided to try out some micro spikes that had been kindly given to me last year on Bowfell.
On Bowfell, I quickly had to swap them for the crampons, but in these conditions I thought I would give them another try. Along with my crampons, they fit easily into my very macho One Direction crampon bag.
IMG_0844A by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
As I put the spikes on, I was joined by a companion - thinking I was picnicking and hoping for crumbs? - or just a fan of the band?
IMG_0844B by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view down to Loch Lomond from that spot.
IMG_0845B by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The spikes were ideal for the conditions. This was now my view ahead to the summit. Easy walking, high above stunning countryside - could it get any better?
IMG_0845C by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
In fact, it did get better. I noticed the rocky crest of the ridge to my left, and went up to explore it.
IMG_0846 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The views from the ridge were breathtaking.
IMG_0849 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view back from a little further along.
IMG_0856 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A zoomed shot of Cruach Ardrain, Ben More and Stob Binnean topping the skyline.
IMG_0858 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The view down from the end of the ridge.
IMG_0862 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Close up of walkers on the summit.
IMG_0865 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The same view, but wider.
IMG_0866 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Eventually I thought I really ought to get on to the actual summit, and made my way back down onto the path. This is the view looking back to the ridge, with Loch Ard shining in the distance.
IMG_0871 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The Arrochar Alps from the slope just below the summit.
IMG_0873 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
Then, the trig came into sight across a pavement of flat rocks. I have cropped this photo top and bottom in an attempt to give a panoramic effect. Ben Vorlich is left of the trig and Ben Lui, Beinn Dorain and the Crianlarich hills are the most prominent hills to its right.
IMG_0874 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The summit!
IMG_0875 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
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Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
My shadow, and the trig's. In the top left (click on the magnifier on Flickr) the Ben Cruachan and Beinn Eunaich ranges are visible.
IMG_0879 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The islands in Loch Lomond from the summit.
IMG_0882 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A wider view of the loch.
IMG_0886 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The descent was fast and effortless, aided by the micro spikes on the icy bits of path. All too soon, the Arrochar peaks started to disappear from sight.
IMG_0905 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
But views from lower down were still very lovely - this is looking across to I think Ben Narnain, A'Chrois and Ben Vane.
IMG_0906 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A last look back at the mountain.
IMG_0918 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
The memorial again, and its beautiful surroundings. There was a hint of spring warmth in the mid-afternoon winter sunshine.
IMG_0939 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_0947 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_0945 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
A late afternoon coffee and shopping trip to Jenners at Loch Lomond Shores gave me this view of the Maid of the Loch - looking well chuffed with herself for rebelliously slipping her moorings a few days before.
IMG_0948 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
(see the video at
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-46811391)
The Maid and the Ben.
IMG_0951 by
Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr