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I have been lurking/gleaning around here for a while, I thought it would be time for my first attempt at a walk report so bear with me!
The weekend started off with the bad and the ugly in quick succession (an evening on Buckfast - the bad; and the resulting hangover - the ugly
) and was followed by the good, a cheeky trip out to Loch Lomond for some exercise on Ben Vane
After a morning of housework (I had to earn my time out...) I drove up to Inveruglas and parked up at the visitor centre. I was out solo today, so I was kitted up and on the track for 12.45. After the first half a mile next to the road, it was time to get the heart pumping and I made mince meat of the tarmaced track up to the bridge. The views opened up pretty quickly.
- First views
- A' Chrois
It was here that I saw a guy on his own that was navigating using his phone. Now I might not be the most experienced hill waker out there, but if anyone can shed some light on how this is possible/if it safe... I would have thought that if you lost your phone signal you'd be pretty stuffed
Give me a map and compass any day.
Broke track and headed through a bog
and up onto the ridge. Looking up at what is to come, I found myself thinking, how the hell am I going to get up that. Usually the closer you get, the more obvious the route becomes, but in this case it was pretty hard to spot.
- First of the crags
Now, as I was out to log another experience day for my ML, I was working on my pace and foot placement. what a test! The path seemed to get steeper and steeper and when you thought it could not get any steeper it would throw some more at you and even then there were places that you needed to get your hands on the rock and pull yourself up. It was nice to not have to think about anyone else and concentrate on the goal - if I felt comfortable with it I went for it
and theres not much I didn't go for.
Finally, the views started to open up, with views down to loch Sloy and Ben Vorlich on the right, and A'Chrois and Ben Narnain on the left.
- Loch Sloy and Dam
- Over my left shoulder
A quick stop for a drink and to get some calories in me - a new one for me, yogurt and fruit/nut mix. A bit strange, but it did the trick.
Onwards and upwards and I was undone by the same thought that gets me every time. "Not far now, its just there." Its never there. Ever. Not once when I have been out have I got it right. It was my own fault, it quite clearly shows on the map that there are a couple of false summits to go over before the real summit. And with a small scramble off the main path I was there.
- Two summit cairns with Ben Lomond between
- Ben Ime
- Beinn Dubh and northwards
- Loch Sloy and Ben Vorlich
- 3 lochs
After a quick text to the Mrs and some more of the yoghurt mix, I was off back the way I had come. I am not sure about anyone else, but I find it easier to run down the slopes rather than walk. Less painful on the knees too. You should have seen some of the faces of the people that I went past - quite a picture.
I made sure I said hi to them all though.
I was back to the tarmac in under an hour and then began the picturesque but slightly sloggish walk back to the main road and the car. Got another walk planned in 10 days or so and another change to log more QMDs for my ML next year - hopefully I will have some pictures and a story to share of that too. Stay tuned!
- Last look back...conquered!