Ben Vane Review

The Ben Vane trip went well, everybody took something from the Trip.We didn't make it to the top because the terrain was too risky under foot without ice axe and crampons, as most of the members were not winter skills trained we decided enough was enough. Everybody seemed to enjoy a taste of winter and a little scrambling.

It was quite disheartening calling it off when we were 75m from the summit but it was the right call.

Here is a list of today's events and photos:

At 8:30AM we left the Gear Store to Inveruglas
We then arrived and got ready for the day ahead, also we had a look at the view from the car park.

We then set off on the walk and right out the car park as on the map the power plant came into view.

The Group are looking forwards to a day on the hill as we walk past the power plant.

We join the track that we will follow until we reach the path. It is a relatively long walk in.

The railway bridge that we passed under previously shows signs of life when a train shoots past.
A fence surrounding some transformers comes into view, looks like the distribution for the power plant.
We meet some cows just past the power station.
Ben Vane comes into sight with more snow than expected.

Following the track around Ben Ime and Beinn Narnain come into sight.
Group photo on the path before the long ascent.

The group push on but we are keeping an eye on the terrain underfoot.
The group stop for a rest and admire the snow on the mountain.

Ok group meeting, we need to decide what we are going to do... We decided to play it by ear and see what the terrain turns to ahead.

We decide to call it quits and advise the group not to continue as the terrain underfoot is awful and will be tough on the way down.
Its starting to get a little dark but then looking up there is a huge dark cloud above us.
We then went into Arrochar for some well deserved chips and then went home.

We hope everyone enjoyed it and aren't too discouraged by not being able to get a munro bagged, as Hervey Voge said "The mountains will always be there, the trick is to make sure you are too".

We will be having a meeting on Wednesday and then going climbing later on. We will be finalizing the details for the sponsored abseil soon.