Ben Lomond

Towards the Arrochar Alps

Summit looking NW

Loch Lomond islands

Saturday 26 January 2010
1005metres of ascent, distance 12 km., 4hours 48minutes

Ben Lomond 974m, 2hrs 33mins


This was the first munro of the year after a long walk over the Menteith hills yesterday afternoon and then a late night at the Angelique Kidjo concert. Alan Geddes had phoned on Friday, he was staying at the Lake of Menteith for the weekend, and we decided to have an easy day on Ben Lomond (or Ben Lemonade as it was spellchecked when I sent a text to Gregor in the Andes). The hill was plastered with new snow when I peeked out of the bedroom window in the morning. We had a late start and there were lots of walkers ahead who traced a dotted line against the persil white slopes to show the route to the summit. I had spotted Mark's car in the car park and when we were halfway up he came bounding down in his nearly new PDSA Berghaus red jacket. (My last visit up Ben Lemonade had been just over 2 years ago with Mark. We had spent the morning cantering along the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe and after a 2 hour drive round to Rowardennan in the afternoon we had set out at 4:00pm. It was Bonfire night and we watched some splendid firework displays from the summit on a perfect still winter's night. We were pleased with ourselves for attempting and enjoying such an absurd combination of hills.)  We spent a while recalling this and other crazy outings and generally catching up on life and gently steaming in the warm midday sun.

As Alan and I continued we emerged from the soft snow and the conditions became icy with ever increasing depths of snow above 600 metres. It gave me chance to put on my crampons for the final 150 metres of ascent to the sun kissed summit. The views to the west were stunning with light reflecting on the Arrochar Alps.  We had 15 minutes at the summit and I took photographs for various other parties before we started the descent.  The islands were like inkblots in the sparkling waters of Loch Lomond and we marvelled at the ever changing vista as the sun, sky and clouds mingled in a sort of celestial kaleidoscope. We were down by last light and home just after 5pm. A good start to the munro year and my right leg had stood up well  although still lacking the strength of its pair.