Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

(1-2.7.2011) Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond) Wild camp & circular walk from Ardlui. 9km. 7 hours

I made my way along to the start of the walk at Stuckendroin Farm. The plan was to walk up to the SE ridge of Stuc na Nughinn and set up camp but as time wasn’t on my side, not to mention the wind that was picking up, I decided to set up camp on a nice wee flat spot behind some crags. I think I was roughly 450 m high according to the map. It was a calm night and I set my alarm for 4.30 to get a couple of sunrise shots and then back in the warm ten till 8. Breakfast then tent packed up before I set off at 9 with the sun beating down on me. After passing several small knolls, the route reaches the first of the Little Hills, upon which is possibly the best view of the walk, with the whole of Loch Lomond visible. Summit 793 descended to the col at 739 then back up to next summit at 808 before next col at 763 steep descent then re ascent before zig zagging to summit. The next part of the climb involved a steep descent before a re-ascent towards the summit of Ben Vorlich..The final pull to the top of the mountain first ascends surprisingly to the right of a set of crags, with a final section over easier terrain to the trig point at 941m and the true summit, perched on crags, at 943m.  It is a short walk to the North Summit (931m) and then I descended by going NNW to avoid the cliffs at the top of Coire Creagach and then NE down an obvious ridge, to the col of Stob nan Coinnich Bhacain, before dropping into the valley then rough pastureland, back to the shores of Loch Lomond under the railway at Garristuck cottage. Back in Ardlui I made a wee stop at the shop next to the hotel for coke and choc then sat waiting for the train at 17.50.