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I was a dog down through a paw injury, almost put off by the risk of cows in the field on the tourist route but I today I decided me and my remaining doggy, Millie, would tackle our third munro, Ben Lomond (with Dottie coming along to claim her second munro). As Fly was going to be absent from this one and Millie was far fitter than her sister (who suffers from arthritis) we took the option of taking the Ptarmigan Ridge path up to the top. We started at around 8:30am and when we arrived mine was the only car in the car park, though there were a few cars over in the hotel parking bit. Expecting a bit more of a breeze, I soon ended up taking off my jacket as away from the loch the sun was blazing down and there was barely a breath of wind. I was certainly pleased with the route, the views were amazing despite the haze that and I saw very few people. We weren't rushing and I took plenty of time to take photos. It was fairly steep going but the path was clear and easy to follow and we were soon high up above the loch. We reached the ridge and followed it along to the lochan where we stopped for an early lunch, this was where the wind was starting to pick up a bit, before continuing on to tackle the climb up to the top of Ben Lomond. This bit was steep, and it was hard work up, but I was glad I was going up it and not down as I would much rather have a hard climb up than down! There was a little issue with a Westie who wouldn't get away from Millie's rear end when we were just metres from the top, I ended up having to pin her against the rock as she was trying to sit down to stop the harassment but the westie was pushing underneath her and she was starting to lose her balance (and patience). Eventually the guy got his dog when she made it clear she was not happy! At last we could continue on to the top, and I must admit I was taken by surprise to see the summit marker right there ahead of us! We had made it to the top! And what was more, we were alone on the top! We reached the top at 11:50am and started heading down shortly afterwards.
Another walker came along as I was taking photos of Dottie and Millie and very kindly took a photo of us at the summit, a rare photo of me! I had been assured by several other walkers that there were no cows along the tourist route, so I descended that way. It wasn't a patch on the Ptarmigan path, but got us down. We reached the car at 2:15pm, and Millie got to finish her walk with a swim in Loch Lomond.
- Loch Lomond
- Start of Ptarmigan path, not signposted just straight over a concrete bridge next to a house and follow the path up.
- Millie leading the way
- I just liked the trees...
- Going up!
- A couple of sheep, but no cows phew!
- Zig-zag bit of path leading up
- Looking back
- Path leading towards Ben Lomond
- This way?
- Last bit!
- Cool rocks, I took a few photos of rocks!
- At the summit!