Warmer weather provided an early opportunity to have a go at some of the Arrochar Alps with some new route choices thrown in. Plan was to run up Glen Loin towards Loch Sloy Dam, up Ben Vorlich, returning to the Dam then up Ben Vane before dropping down over the back into Gleann Uaine, finishing with the rest of the Glen Loin path back to Succoth. About 16 miles and 6500 feet.
Took the path to Corriegrogan and then on up towards the Sloy dam. About a 1/4 of a mile before the dam a man made ramp leads up Ben Vorlich. Initial slog from the top of the ramp gives way to the usual path which snakes through the jumble of rocks and crags and along the ridge to the summit. Into the clouds at about 2000' so no views from the top today.
On the way back down started off the same way as I had come up until level with the Sloy dam 2000' below then its straight down. The first 100' feet or so a bit steep but there are some faint paths and sheep tracks to ease the strain. Met a walker going up with some advice on the new route planned for BV. Only slight hiccup on the way down was going through some crags at the bottom.
Crossed the dam and ran away from Glen Loin alongside Loch Sloy climbing diagonally up Ben Vanes NE flank, new route to me following the main streams seen from the Dam. At about 2000' the route levels out slightly but no chance to see where to go as clouds still down low.
Took the walkers advice and stuck within earshot of the stream. At about 2200' the hill steepened up again for what was hoped to be the last big climb of about 800'. The map had implied the stream stopped about 1800' but it continued up over 2000' before dissapearing under a boulder.
Another bonus the gullies feeding the streams seemed to continue almost to the top.
Not too sure at this point where I would pop up as it is easy to go off course in mist when following streams and gullies. Headed for the low point on the horizon and the ground looked familiar as it levelled out, sure enough the last short climb to the top of BV loomed out of the mist.
Got a bit disorientated in the mist on top so instead of the planned drop into Gleann Uaine on the other side took the path down to Corriegrogan and through Glen Loin back to Arrochar.
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