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Ben Vane - winter

Ben Vane - winter


Postby davgil » Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:48 pm

Route description: Ben Vane, from Inveruglas

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vane

Date walked: 19/01/2011

Distance: 11 km

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Weather forecast was excellent so headed up to Inveruglas for a first time ascent of Ben Vane.
Parked at the visitor centre, along the main road, over the locked gate and up the tarmac road towards Coiregrogain.

Ben-Vane-01a.jpg
Looking towards Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich, their summits in cloud for now.


Looking South West (left) from the road, a good view of A' Chrois.

Ben-Vane-02a-A' Chrois.jpg
A nice reflection of A' Chrois.


Over the bridge South West (left) from the road, A' Chrois straight ahead.
Ben Vane up to the right, out of picture.

Ben-Vane-03a-A' Chrois.jpg
Over the bridge towards A' Chrois.


Ben Vane now showing it's top (not the summit) free of cloud, for the first time.

Ben-Vane-04a.jpg
Looking at the route up Ben Vane.


Halfway up and the weather on the summit wasn't looking too promising :(

Ben-Vane-05a.jpg
Mist covered summit.


One small section of scrambling, a couple of really difficult steps due to ice on the rocks which admittedly I was a little uncomfortable with. Aren't those difficult steps always a little more daunting when alone?
But the reward was worth it as the mist/cloud was intermittent giving some nice
changing and atmospheric views on the summit.
This is a beautiful summit with a very flat plateaux.

Ben-Vane-06a.jpg
Ben Vane Summit.


Ben-Vane-07a.jpg
Ben Vane Summit.


About 15 minutes later a couple of guys joined me on the summit.

Ben-Vane-09a.jpg
Ben Vane Summit.


We chatted a little then headed down together stopping for some lunch soaking up the views.

Ben-Vane-10a.jpg
Looking down from the summit.


Ben-Vane-11a.jpg
Looking down from the summit.


10 minutes off the summit and the cloud was clearing to reveal a beautiful blue sky.
Happens every time :lol:

Ben-Vane-12a.jpg
Looking back up.


Last pic of the day looking at Ben Lomond under some lovely wispy clouds.

Ben-Vane-13a-Ben-Lomond.jpg
Ben Lomond.


Excellent wee hill, albeit with a difficult step due to winter conditions.
No idea how long I took as didn't check the time at either end of the walk :)
Last edited by davgil on Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby rockhopper » Thu Jan 20, 2011 2:31 pm

Nice report davgil and you have some lovely clear photos. It always seems to be the same with this hill - it may be small but it's tricky and the weather always seems so much more changeable on it. Well done. :D
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby robertphillips » Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:47 pm

Alright david

nice photos we met on my way down from summit yesterday
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby davgil » Thu Jan 20, 2011 5:26 pm

Thanks rockhopper.

Hi Robert,
Was good to meet you yesterday, should have taken a pic of you for the report!
Great day.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby JTweedie » Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:49 pm

Love your photos, they're really sharp and clear.

It always strikes me how easy it is to underestimate the snow on mountains, no wonder many people get in trouble during the winter. From your photo down at the bottom looking up at Ben Vane, it doesn't look like there's much snow there, but your summit photos say otherwise, they really do look like alpine peaks with the sparkling snow and jagged rocks.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby soulminer » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:02 pm

It certainly is a cracking mountain on a good day! Indeed some fine photos, brings back a few wintery memories.
Cheers 8)
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby Glenrothes » Thu Jan 20, 2011 9:12 pm

Looks like a great day out with an interesting bit near to the summit - can you cycle a fair way into the hill as there seems an great access road?
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby davgil » Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:58 pm

Thanks for the nice comments everyone!

Glenrothes - Yes you can cycle in a fair bit. In fact I met Robert Phillips, who commented above, coming down as I was still heading up and he had done just that. I reckon it might cut 15 - 20 minutes off each end of the walk.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby skuk007 » Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:50 pm

Some great pics there Davgil, especially like 10a looking from the summit.
I remember those tricky little scrambly bits from when I did it in the sun. Don't think I'd like to try them when covered in snow.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby tango » Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:39 am

Lovely photos, makes me very jealous being stuck out here in the Desert....but a great report so thanks :clap: ...
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby Glenrothes » Sat Jan 22, 2011 1:46 pm

davgil wrote: I reckon it might cut 15 - 20 minutes off each end of the walk.


Cheers for that mate. Still to do the southern Munros.
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby xpfloyd » Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:58 pm

Nice report davgil. Loving the pic at the end of Ben Lomond and the whispy clouds. Hoping to do this one soon myself.

Eddie
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby monty » Sun Jan 23, 2011 9:47 am

Superb photos Dave. I realy enjoyed this hill when I walked it (met skuk007 on the way up too) in the summer. Looks greeaaatttt in the snow though. :D
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby xpfloyd » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:37 pm

Hi Dave,

Did you require crampons for this one or did you do without? Im thinking of doing this one on sat but I dont have crampons yet and after my wee scare on Beinn a'Chroin last weekend im a bit apprehensive about it now.

Eddie
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Re: Ben Vane

Postby davgil » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:23 am

Hi Eddie,

I reached the summit without crampons...BUT...there's one very awkward icy step which I didn't fancy at all on the way back.
However, 2 guys came up behind me and they had come past that step and climbed a very steep, but short snow covered slope instead. This is the route we all took back down and I was glad of the crampons and axe for this 5 minute section.

Robert Phillips who was ahead of me on the way up (see his earlier post) didn't use them as far as I know.

So I guess my answer would be maybe :? very difficult to know what people are comfortable with!

Not much help, but best I can offer!

David
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