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Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro


Postby pruney84 » Sun Feb 06, 2011 4:50 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

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

Date walked: 20/11/2010

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 14 km

Ascent: 1010m

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Did this walk back in November last year, it was my first solo munro and you could also say my first winter munro as their was some snow and ice at the top. It was actually the weekend just before the major snow came so if it had been any later I wouldn't have made it. Noticed I had a good photo of Ben Vorlich from Ben Lomond so it gave me a good idea of how steep it would be.
1499.JPG


I left from Glasgow, staying at my fiancee's sisters so was at the car park at Inveruglas and ready to start at half 8. I was really looking forward to getting out on my own and seeing if I could cope with it and also a little nervous but headed out up the road past the power station to the start of the hill. Got some good photo's of the corbett A'Chrois on my way by. It looks like a cracking little hill.
1647.JPG

1646.JPG


Further on up the road i reached the the small cairn, I was keeping my eyes peeled the whole way up so managed to see it. Looking up the path ahead my first thoughts were bloody hell this is STEEP. Then as i started to slowly climb it I thought..Yep it's definitely STEEP!! It took me a fair bit of time and a good few stops to get upto the ridge, i stopped for a bite to eat also and managed to get some pictures of Loch Sloy befor the cloud came in and I knew by the looks of things I was going to be in the thick stuff all the way from now.
1655.JPG

1653.JPG
Rainbow


When I eventually reached the ridge i was delighted as the ascent so far had been relentless. It was a shame to be in the clouds with no view but there was nothing I could do about that. On the ridge there was bits of snow and ice at points and i did have to take care. I got to the summit cairn and was over the moon to have made it all by myself. After a couple of self take pics and a wee moment spent with just me and my thoughts i decided it was probably best to head back down. So far on the actual hill I hadn't met anyone and it would stay that way until I got back to the road, it really did feel like the hill was all mine and with the cloud about it was a very eerie feeling to be alone up there!
1670.JPG
Snow near summit
:lol:
1667.JPG
summit shot


Once I was back on the descent and out of the snow and clouds I must admit I did feel happier knowing i could see where I was going again although the ground was very boggy and slippy and needless to say I ended up on my backside twice. :lol: If it wasn't for my poles I would have been down alot more. As I was on my own when I did fall there really was nothing better to do than laugh at myself, somebody else would have if they saw me!

I got back to the road and to the car just before half 12 and it was definitely a great day. I really enjoyed bagging a solo munro and it won't be my last solo attempt. So far out of the small amount I've done it's definitely been my favourite, superb day!!
pruney84
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby Milesy » Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:09 pm

Well done!

A'Chrois is not a Corbett I am afraid to say. It is a top of Narnain, so no ticks for it but it is a good top though :)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby pruney84 » Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:17 pm

Milesy wrote:Well done!

A'Chrois is not a Corbett I am afraid to say. It is a top of Narnain, so no ticks for it but it is a good top though :)


Whoops, my mistake, just saw the height and assumed it was :lol: Thanks
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sun Feb 06, 2011 7:31 pm

Have a look at the forum "Tip for Baggers" It should help you from getting tops mixed up.
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby 2dalmatians » Sun Feb 06, 2011 8:49 pm

Nice report and pictures - well done. I did Vorlich on my own in the summer (had a bit of bother finding the cairn at path up lol!) Had poor visibility at the top but enjoyed the ridge part all the same. Walk back seemed to take forever though and was just as long when I did Ben Vane too :lol:
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby skuk007 » Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:06 pm

Congrats on your first solo Munro, can be a bit daunting on your own but as you said seemilngly having the hill to yourself is a great feeling. Shame about the non-views, you'll just have to go back up when the sun comes out. :)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby pruney84 » Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:15 pm

Cheers guys, yeah I was keeping my eyes peeled all the way after reading some other reports..there was no way i wanted to miss the cairn! It is quite small though!
Yeah hopefully will get a view next time skuk :)
pruney84
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby Milesy » Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:30 am

Johnny Corbett wrote:Have a look at the forum "Tip for Baggers" It should help you from getting tops mixed up.


Dont let that put you off though. It is a good hill and good view point. :)
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby Bruadair » Thu Feb 10, 2011 8:49 am

Well done Pruney......good report and pics....most of my walks have been solo's and agree it can be quite daunting with nerves jingling a bit but great buzz when you top out and then eventually get back to car. I was accompanied however when I did this hill, chose different assent but same route down.

Regards..........B
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby Merry-walker » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:08 am

Great report, I liked your photies.

Congrats on your first solo. It can be a bit scarey I think to do something like this alone for the first time but now you have you'll love it. :D
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Re: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) - First Solo Munro

Postby pruney84 » Sat Feb 12, 2011 12:25 pm

Dont worry Milesy, my first thoughts when i saw A'chrois was i want to go up there so I will one day!!

Thanks for the comments Bruadair and merry walker, i look forward to more solo munros in the future :D
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