Ben Lomond

Climbed by year and month

Climbed by year and month

The campers the other side of the car park from me were still in their tent, asleep perhaps, or hiding from the midges. I was in Florence, unhampered and grateful. When they turned up late the previous evening I wondered where they came from. It wasn't an obvious stopping point on say the WHW. Or a cross Scotland walking route, or even a local route. It was on the NCN7 but they were walking, they couldn't be walking a hard packed or road route surely. Judging by the lass limping I'd guess they had walked a fair distance.

Ben Lomond is a classical conical mountain shape and recognisable for many miles around, there isn't much of it above 800m. Quality rather than quantity applies here.

I drove back into Drymen, and took the minor road to Rowardennan. It brought back good memories of the WHW back in 2008. But so much has happened in the meantime.

Midges were out in force so it was a case of keep moving. I'd Smidge'd all over any bare skin so they were annoying rather than biting. There were plenty of people overtaking me, mainly fit young guys. A couple of girls raced up to me a couple of times, only to fall back whilst they rested. To of course rush to try to catch me up. Rinse and repeat! I just kept plodding at my alpine pace.

I took my time on the descent to Ptarmigan ridge, It was steep, cool and somewhat midgy. Very good views, and much quieter than my route up. A cracking day out.