Ben Vane – A proper climb
Date walked: 29/07/2013
Time taken: 5 hours
Distance: 12.7km
Ascent: 958m
Expected the shortest Munro to be fairly easy. Make that fairly steep and fairly energetic. It might be short, but it's a proper climb.
The guide books have it wrong when they says the faint path up to the little shoulder is 400 metres from when you turn left over the little bridge. It's much further than that.
Set off with pal Paul. He was doing his third Munro, but unfortunately his fitness level isn't the best. Told me he hadn't been doing much exercise in run up to the climb. Make that zero exercise!
As per the above, we missed the start of the path because we turned off after around 400 metres across grass. I immediately spied a faint path leading to a sensible route up to the first shoulder. Paul decided to take more direct route even though I told him twice the path would be easier. Needless to say, I ascended much quicker while he plodded through boggy grass. Big mistake since it sapped his energy quickly.
I waited perhaps 20 minutes for him to catch up to the main path, by that time he was pretty tired. Since I was fresher, I started on a steady pace and ascended much quicker than he did.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this hill is the number of false peaks. I counted three. When I got to the third I had a sense of elation that I was nearing the summit only to feel deflated at finding there was one more. Behind me Paul was feeling even more depressed at the number of false peaks. He admitted later that if it hadn't been for me ahead he'd have probably given up. (Not sure his Munro enthusiasm is suited to hills like this. Need to find a hill next year that has a well defined path and is easier to get up.)
Anyway, reached the summit after 2 hours and 34 minutes. Great feeling to get to the top as always, but perhaps a little more rewarding given the steepness of the climb. It's pretty relentless once you start uphill. Snacked at top and took some photos before setting off down the hill. Descent was slow because Paul was feeling pains in his knees and back.
Near the summit you need to keep an eye on the path and not veer off. I got a little misdirected and at one point thought I needed to do some proper climbing. You don't have to. If in doubt, veer right instead of left and take the easier route to the top.
Got back to Inveruglus in just under 5 hours. Great climb. Perhaps most rewarding of the 10 I've done so far.
The guide books have it wrong when they says the faint path up to the little shoulder is 400 metres from when you turn left over the little bridge. It's much further than that.
Set off with pal Paul. He was doing his third Munro, but unfortunately his fitness level isn't the best. Told me he hadn't been doing much exercise in run up to the climb. Make that zero exercise!
As per the above, we missed the start of the path because we turned off after around 400 metres across grass. I immediately spied a faint path leading to a sensible route up to the first shoulder. Paul decided to take more direct route even though I told him twice the path would be easier. Needless to say, I ascended much quicker while he plodded through boggy grass. Big mistake since it sapped his energy quickly.
I waited perhaps 20 minutes for him to catch up to the main path, by that time he was pretty tired. Since I was fresher, I started on a steady pace and ascended much quicker than he did.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about this hill is the number of false peaks. I counted three. When I got to the third I had a sense of elation that I was nearing the summit only to feel deflated at finding there was one more. Behind me Paul was feeling even more depressed at the number of false peaks. He admitted later that if it hadn't been for me ahead he'd have probably given up. (Not sure his Munro enthusiasm is suited to hills like this. Need to find a hill next year that has a well defined path and is easier to get up.)
Anyway, reached the summit after 2 hours and 34 minutes. Great feeling to get to the top as always, but perhaps a little more rewarding given the steepness of the climb. It's pretty relentless once you start uphill. Snacked at top and took some photos before setting off down the hill. Descent was slow because Paul was feeling pains in his knees and back.
Near the summit you need to keep an eye on the path and not veer off. I got a little misdirected and at one point thought I needed to do some proper climbing. You don't have to. If in doubt, veer right instead of left and take the easier route to the top.
Got back to Inveruglus in just under 5 hours. Great climb. Perhaps most rewarding of the 10 I've done so far.
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Gael Charn & A' Mharconaich
This post is not published on the Walkhighlands forumDate walked: 14/07/2013
Distance: 13.6km
Ascent: 733m
Views: 694
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ALITAIT
- Activity: Mountaineer
- Pub: Any pub after a Munro....
- Mountain: Ben Lomond
- Place: Glen Finglas
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- Ideal day out: Any Munro will do me....
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