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Third attempt at these two.
First time bad weather on hill stopped play.
Second time couldn't get along the loch side road due to it's impression of a skating rink, went up to Crianlarich instead and done An Caisteal in the snow, cracking day.
Arrived at Ardvolich house at 12.20 and had to scout around for a parking place off the road, busy day.
Made steady progress up through the fields filled with plenty of new lambs.
Dog gate at stile by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Weather was sunny with a brisk easterly wind.
The path across the open moor on the lower slopes has been greatly improved since I was last here, respect to all involved.
New path up Ben Vorlich by
robert irvine, on Flickr
View back down to Loch Earn by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Further up, the path deteriorates a bit, but it was bone dry today so no problems.
The views really began to open out as you got a bit higher.
View across Loch Earn to Lawers range and Tarmachan Ridge by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Lawers range zoomed in by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Met plenty of people on the way to the summit, nice to say hello to folks.
Rather windy on the final pull up through the slippery scree.
Fantastic views from the
.
View across Loch Earn from Ben Vorlich summit by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Ben Vorlich summit to Crianlarich hills by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Ben Vorlich summit view of Stuc a'Chroin by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Ben Vorlich summit ridge by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Ben Vorlich lower summit to Forth Valley. by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Had a seat for a little while on the lower end of the ridge, in the shelter of the cairn out of the wind.
Summit was becoming a bit busy, so I set of towards Stuc a'Chroin.
The path down to the bealach was pretty straightforward with only a couple of steep sections, the wind was really strong at times.
I had a look at the prow, it looked scary from down below, so I chickened out and went up the scree chute to the right, boy was it steep towards the top.
Once on the ridge the wind was really strong again but it calmed down as you got into the shelter of the prow.
Up to the summit and again the views were great.
Stuc a Chroin summit view to Beinn Each by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin lower summit to Crianlarich hills by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Crianlarich hills zoomed in by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Lower summit to Lawers range and Tarmachan Ridge by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Lower summit to Ben Vorlich by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin summit to Ben Vorlich by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin summit to lower cairn by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin summit to Crianlarich hills by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin summit looking east by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Stuc a Chroin summit to Ben Ledi by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Sat for a while on the summit, nobody else about.
Eventually it was time to go and I retraced my route down the scree, this must be tricky in the wet.
Took a last look up at the prow from below.
The prow from Coire Fhuadaraich by
robert irvine, on Flickr
Then it was a very enjoyable gentle trek through the heather until you rejoin the ascent path and continue down to the loch.
Cracking day