Wednesday 20 May 2015

Ben A'an (Trossachs)

20 May 2015
 
Participants: Neil and Ben
Where: Ben A'an, Trossachs
 
It was a sunny day and, unusually for this spring, it was also dry. I couldn't be bothered driving far so headed for the Trossachs and Ben A'an which I hadn't climbed for a year or two. The Forestry Commission are busy felling here and the normal path is closed until October. However, a temporary path has been put in which joins up with the usual route at the foot of the steep final slopes. However.....it was muddy and then some. Goodness knows what it will be like once the main tourist season starts and footfall increases substantially.
 
The new path climbs steeply to the west of the usual route. There were occasional glimpses of the summit cone of Ben A'an.....
 
 
and south to Ben Venue......
 
 
I had forgotten just how steep the upper slopes were but lots of stone steps had been put in and it wasn't too long until we reached the summit area from where there was a good view down Loch Katrine......


The actual summit is quite sharp and is on the edge of a considerable drop. I was a bit worried that Ben might see something interesting and head for the edge so we stayed on top only long enough to take a couple of photographs; again, down Loch Katrine......
 
 
and a zoom shot of the still snow covered Stobinian and Ben More........
 
 
Then it was back down to meet the mud!

1 comment:

blueskyscotland said...

Great photos of a cracking wee hill.Punches well above its weight. I.ve noticed a lot of what used to be grass paths recently are getting trashed. Dont know if it,s just more foot traffic or wet weather. A lot more charity type events are using hilltracks as well and if it's a wet day that's a lot of intense footfall at one time in a short period.