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After our "Off Piste" adventure on Ben Vorlich the previous weekend, I was keen to return to Loch Lomondside and bag the only Arrochar Munro we hadn't bagged, Ben Vane.
The reports on this site seemed very promising for a short, but a fairly hard going day out on the mountain.
So with a partly cloudy sky above us, but with the sun just about breaking through the red Astra was once again streaking westwards from Super Stenny, this time for Inveruglas.
We arrived to a half full car park and were outwalking for 12 noon. The car park has nice views down Loch Lomond and to Ben Lomond.
The first part of the walk is very easy alongside the A82, passing Sloy Hydro Power Station, and then on to a tarmac access road. The wee road branches and the left hand route is followed. Once you are passed the electricity sub-station, the views become clear of pylons and cables and up ahead Ben Vane encourages you up the road.
Then you cross the second bridge on the left handside to get to Ben Vane. (We somehow found ourselves crossing the first bridge and walking into a farm before we realised our mistake and had to back track to the road!) The first pic is the wrong bridge!
After crossing the bridge the tarmac road becomes the more usual stoney Forrestry Commision type access road and a short way after the bridge a natural rocky "layby" appears on the right hand side of the road and this is where the path leaves the road to head up the mountain. The path isn't too obvious at first as it rounds a large boulder and then dips down over some really boggy ground and crossing a small stream. (However we discovered this can be avoided if you continue a few yard further along the Forrestry Commision path, cross a small stone bridge over the stream and then walk steeply up the lowest part of the ridge up Ben Vane. This way then re-joins the path immediately after the bog.)
After the bog is a nice flat section and a couple with a baby, slung in a specially adapted rucksack-like carrier had stopped here to enjoy the sun that was now shining. (They obviously start their hillwalking careers early by Loch Lomond!) We walked a little further on and stopped for a breather on a little promontory just before the main part of the ascent. Where the views across to east Ben Vorlich and south to A'Chrois were particularly impressive.
As soon as we began the main ascent, we realised the reports of Ben Vane's steepness were not exaggerated, it may be small, but it seems to just rise straight up. However, adding to the difficulty in ascending the mountain is terrible state of the path. It is serverely erroded in places and it makes the footing in some places unsteady and tricky, especially on the stoney sections.
After a little scrambly/steppy bit the first false summit is soon reached and the views down over Loch Sloy and Ben Vorlich become more impressive and a rather precariously positioned boulder makes a good vantage point!
From here up the path eases off a little and isn't quite so erroded for a short spell, before more rocky, scrambly, steppy bits must be negotiated before another false summit is reached. At some point on the climb up, the angle of ascent allows brief glimpses to the north towards Bens Lui and Oss etc.
After the second false summit it's more of the same, rocky and slightly scrambly in places over the eroded path, but the gradient isn't as steep until just below the summit you come to a steep slab of rock that must be scrambled up to reach the top.
For some reason there are two cairns at the top, but no trig point. One cairn lies near southern the edge of the summit plateau and the other is nearer the centre. We touched both, but I think the one in the centre is just a wee thing higher.
After the mandatory cairn shots, we exited stage right and sat just off the summit, enjoying the views over towards Beinns Narnain and Ime and The Cobbler.
Not long after we reached the summit, Mum, Dad and baby reached the top and I have to say fair play to Dad for carrying such a precious load all the way Ben Vane in double quick time.... and they overtook us on the way back down as well!
On the descent down, back down the same route, care is needed on the multitude of loose rocks on the path, especially on the steep and scrambly sections, but the views ahead to Bens Lomond and Venue and to Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine are fantastic.
However, despite Ben Vane's charms, if I had time only to do one Munro in Arrochar I think either Narnain or Vorlich would be my preference.
PS If you're not a 90's child and don't get the title reference follow this link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvgUdrzGNys