BEN VORLICH (3093')

Log book entry from 70th R & I Expedition Log - Everest Challenge

Sunday 23rd December                   Ben Vorlich (3093’)

Leaders:  Chris Foster and Glip

Scouts: Graeme Wright

Weather: Relatively mild with little wind. Occasional snow swirl. Cloud level about 2000’. Cold on the tops.

Report

This claim was not widely advertised since:

a) It was winter

b) There was a lack of transport and leaders

c) It was planned in particular for Chris and Graeme. The former wanted to reach double Everest and the latter wanted to reach Everest before the end of the year.

We drove up in Chris’s car leaving Greenock about 9 AM and had an uneventful journey, apart from Graeme who managed to woffle extremely well for the whole journey.

At Inveruglas, the dam gate was open and we drove up to the power substation. The householder nearby advised Chris as to where to park and then talked with us for a while. He was a retired electricity board worker who was keen on climbing and was also a member of the mountain rescue team (Arrochar). He told Graeme that his son used to climb Vorlich, Vane, Ime, Cobbler and Narnain in one day when he was 12! Maybe he exaggerated. At 16, he was allowed to become a member of the mountain rescue team. Nowadays, apparently, he doesn’t go near hills!

Thus encouraged (?),we set off. It was very mild yet there was the occasional swirl of snow at times. Wind was negligible. Cloud level was down to about 2000 feet, and so we set our sights on reaching the top at Grid reference 303110 at 2550 feet, rather than going for Ben Vorlich itself.

Climbing was hot work and we were soon in shirt sleeves. At the top, however, there was a slight but very cold breeze and we had to clad up. We decided to try for Vorlich and followed the ridge. We were more exposed now to the wind and conditions underfoot were getting icy. As the slope increased, it became impossible to go on and we were forced to stop at about 2600-2750 feet.  We had lunch, then made a slow descent back to the ridge, cutting steps in the ice for most of the way.

When we returned to the sheltered south slopes, we were able to relax and were able to play with a Karrimor bag as a makeshift sledge, Graeme discovered large impressive icicles which we thought about taking home as a souvenir.

We changed back at the car and returned home - reasonably pleased with what we had achieved.

For the record, we awarded in 2550 feet for the climb.