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I realise that our walk to the top of Ben Lomond will not be the epic walking that some will have enjoyed this weekend but for us it was our graduation from smaller hills to our first Munro.
We have bagged Ben Venue, Cleuch and Ledi, gradually increasing the height until this weekend when it was Ben Lomond for us.
We decided to reverse the WH route on the basis that climbing up is easier than climbing down. So an early drive saw us eating breakfast in the car park at Rowarrdenan. (still no charge to park at the moment, a definite bonus) We set off in the opposite direction to most of the other walkers and enjoyed the well-made but quieter path up towards Ptarmigan. The views back down across Loch Lomond were stunning.
- View from our coffee stop half way up
I liked the way that the path zigged and zagged when it got steep. Just above the small lochan we met the snowline. No problem in side-stepping the snow until we met the final steep scramble to the summit. Under “normal” conditions this would be an interesting scramble. Today the new snow, old snow and ice compacted amongst the rocks made for a challenging last 100 feet of climbing. Heaving ourselves over the final rocks onto the summit was like arriving in a different world!
Probably surprised a few people who were dangling their legs over the NW ridge with no view of us until we suddenly appeared in their midst.
The weather was clear and we could see for miles and miles. Snow capped mountains in all directions, some of which I have my eye on for future walks.
- View from summit
There was a great crowd of people on the summit so we took a few photos of the amazing views and headed off down the main track to find some peace, quiet and shelter for lunch.
Followed the seemingly never-ending track back to the car. It sometimes felt as if we would never get there. Glad that we decided to go up via Ptarmigan. Many people were still coming up the hill, not sure that all of them would make it to the top but they all looked to be enjoying themselves.
Feet and legs glad to be back at the car. A cool drink by the loch and we were done.
The title – everything on this hill sparkled today. Not least the rocks – does anyone know what they are?
It was like walking amongst silver, bronze and gold. Sparkling rocks, soil, snow and lochs. Just a perfect day for our first Munro.
It certainly won’t be our last.