Hills: Ben Vane
Date: Tuesday 30th July 2019
Company: Just myself
Distance: 12.1km, Ascent: 970m
Time: 5Hrs 20Mins
I decided to return from the Lake District today
and instead ascend a Scottish Munro. I found the Lakes too busy in summer, I
look forward to returning there again in winter when it is significantly
quieter.
This morning I parked at Inveruglas for an ascent of Ben
Vane. After paying the £4 car park charge, I set off walking along a track
running parallel to the road to reach the tarmac track leading towards the
Loch Sloy dam and the Loch Sloy hills.
I last ascended Ben Vane in
2000 and its neighbour Ben Vorlich in 2012.
The bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, from Inveruglas:
Having
walked the past three days in low cloud, it was great to at last get some
views. I followed the Loch Sloy track for a couple of kilometres and then
took a left turn onto the track leading to the base of Ben Vane.
Ben
Vane capped in cloud:
The
initial section of walk was extremely wet underfoot; Ben Vane is in serious
need of some path repair work. I wonder if it currently has the worst
condition track out of all the Munros. The Loch Lomond National Park
Authority seem content to take £4 from walkers to park in the car park.
Perhaps it is about time they used some of the income to help restore the
path on Ben Vane.
Looking back towards Loch Lomond during initial
ascent of Ben Vane:
The ascent
of Ben Vane is steep and relentless. It was hard work today due to the heat.
I stopped to re-apply suncream four times during the walk and a full two
litres of fluid were consumed despite the walk being short in distance.
Approaching the steep section:
Despite
the path being somewhat eroded, I don't think I would like to ascend this
hill without the path. It winds its way up through a maze of outcrops.
Ascending Ben Vane:
As I
gained height, the views just got better and better.
View during
ascent:
Loch Sloy
dam and Ben Vorlich:
The next
photo gives provides an idea of the gradient.
Looking back towards
start and down steep ascent:
Loch
Lomond:
On
reaching the eastern top, I ascended to its summit and then left my rucksack
at the col as there was some scrambling ahead and I was now only a short
distance from the summit. There are at least a couple of routes up the next
section and I did not pick the easiest one. Coming down, I found an easier
line.
Ben Vane from eastern top:
Loch Sloy:
On
reaching the top of a false top I could see the actual summit ahead.
Final ascent to summit:
On
reaching the summit I visited both cairns and took numerous photos. I was
not particularly looking forward to the descent but at least gravity helps
with getting down
.
View
from the summit of Ben Vane:
Arrochar
hills from the summit of Ben Vane:
View from
the second cairn:
Lochan
between cairns:
Back to
the summit cairn before starting descent:
I followed
the same route back to the van with the exception of the easier line of
scrambling down the section before the eastern top.
Looking back to
Ben Vane from track:
I then drove to Kinlochleven to make use of the facilities at the Ice Factor
including their shower and bar. A cracking day out
.