KYQ4: Ben Lomond, a summer stroll

Tuesday, 9 July 2019

Ben Lomond, a summer stroll

Monday, 8 July 2019

Ascent: 976 metres
Distance: 11 kilometres
Time: 5 hours 55 minutes

Ben Lomond 974m 2hrs 52mins
Ptarmigan 731m 4hrs 29mins

John phoned me the previous evening and asked if I would like to join his daughter and family for a walk up Ben Lomond. The garden could wait and I arrived at Rowardennan at 10:30am. It was nearer 11:00am when the others arrived and then ten minutes for all the family including Loki, the new dog, to start the walk. It was already baking hot and quite humid with light cloud cover. Young John had already climbed Tarmachan on my last Munro but Mia and Loki were on their first Munro so it was a staccato pace with random food, water and rest stops. Nevertheless, we were keeping up with most of the other parties on the ascent and Ben Lomond as always was a busy hill. The climb is fairly unrelenting for the first 577 metres after which there is a gentler climb to 800 metres before the final steep climb to the summit ridge that follows the rocky edge of Coire a' Bhathaich.

John and I walked ahead during the final section and it was worth it to see the joy of achievement as the family were pulled to the trig point by the eager dog. Photos were taken, food and drink followed and like most others on such a warm day, we lingered far longer than is normal on a summit. I suggested that we return via the Ptarmigan ridge, it is a more scenic route down with views of Loch Lomond although there is a steep drop down a rough stony path for the first 200 metres of descent. I was worried that the children and dog might find it difficult but they coped better than the adults. After crossing Bealach Buidhe, it is a pleasant stroll along the undulating ridge to Ptarmigan and then 3 kilometres down a long sinuous path through the waist-high bracken and vegetation. Several parties were still making the climb up. We reached the West Highland Way for the final 500 metres back to the car park. We were home for 6pm and Aileen had prepared a welcome meal for everyone.