Had a really great day on the hill yesterday, building myself up to becoming a certified munro bagger! Ben Lomond is number 3 for me and the first I've done alone! I'd highly recommend a wee solo climb!
Started off from home about 6.30am, nice starry skies so a good sign! got to Rowardennan just after 8 with just one other walker ahead of me.

I headed off up the track, camera in hand -avid Instagrammer, don't hold it against me! found a wee spot for a civilised 'native' (toilet block isn't open till March you know!) and I was on my way.

It was a beautiful morning and the sunrise gave some lovely pink light on my first glimpse of the Ben and back across the other side of the Loch.










The path was great the whole way up, always impressed with NTS. I didn't see anyone else on the ascent, but for any novice climbers you can't really go wrong here! That said I was still prepared with my walkhighland map download and gpx viewer.



As I got higher I could see I was heading into the mist, but was holding out hope from my weather checks that it wasn't too serious and should be clearing away. It was maybe a blessing in disguise, it wasn't too dense but as I couldn't see far it saved me from over thinking what was ahead!


It was pretty chilly in the mist with some wee icicles building on my fringe but I was well prepared with hats and layers, and It wasn't long before I was out of it and treated to some awesome views back down the Loch


I reached the summit after about 2hrs 45 - very leisurely climb with lots of photoing! I spent a while taking it all in, I really loved the view back over towards The Cobbler and the Arrochar Alps.




I'd just climbed The Cobbler a couple of weeks before and sat and had my flask looking at Ben Lomond, Id eyed him up then for my next hill


I headed back down the Ptarmigan Ridge to complete the loop, I really enjoyed coming down this side and was glad I didn't just retrace my steps. Once I was lower down and in the shelter it felt like a warm spring day! The Jacket was off enjoying the sun.

There's some nice wee Lochans on this side and great views along the Loch. I met someone from NTS on footpath maintenance and had a wee chat, very interesting woman with cool red hair and an oak tree tattoo

On the lower stretch of this path you head into the wood and there's a lovely waterfall -I'm a bit partial to a waterfall photo!



Back down onto the road and along past the bunk house and that was me, finished off at the war memorial and a wee seat at the bay. It was a really great day and finished feeling quite proud of myself which one next....!?