ARROCHAR ALPS
The descent of Ben Vane to the dam, Ben Vorlich beyond. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
6.6 miles 1383 metres
Start Thursday 14.56
Beinn Narnain 15.36
Beinn Ime 16.06
Ben Vane 16.36
Finish 16.56
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeover. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 3.00 Actual 2.00
John writes:
The last leg at last, need to really push this one. Find small track by stream going up from car park allowing fairly easy going. Cross at the dam and the going was much harder, pushing up to the 3 way col and on up to the first summit – superb views of the Cobbler – shame it's not a 3000' peak.
Fiddly rocks on the summit so rather slow over there, down and up again to Beinn Ime where the trig. point has largely disintegrated and is surrounded by a walled shelter (Ian says struck by lightening) very steep, wet down again to the next col and up very steep scrambly grass onto Ben Vane – just see the dam far below, can I get there before 2 hours is up?
More steep wet grass in a gully – Ed's advised route, across a peaty shelf and down down down again. Thighs and knees now protesting – it was the calves screaming on the way up – yesterday's exertion not far enough away. Finally get to the dam for a horrendous 300m sprint on the concrete to hand over to Dave.
Peaks done 275 time taken 12 days 14 hours peaks to go 2
Ian had driventhe van and Dave round to Inveruglas for his bike-in, where they met me and we relaxed watching the fast improving weather. Meanwhile the mothership had gone round to Rowardenan with everyone else. Dave set off, and later John arrived. Ian took him round to Rowardenan in the van, whilst I drove the car up the road to await Dave's finish.
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