#benlomond

This is one of the videos I shot from the summit of Ben Lomond.

Fantastic views which you have to actually be there to see as this video doesn't do it justice.

I do have a drone video I shot which is much better but it's too large a file to upload it here and to make it a smaller file will ruin the experience. So I'll post the video to my YouTube channel and you can view it from the link below.

So the next trip I want to share with you is some more detail for our Loch Lomond trip in the Highlands of Scotland from September 2024.

Aimee and I joined a few friends to take on the mighty Ben Lomond.

What a day that was. An 8 hour hike (return) through gorgeous forest, then up the rocky trails and ridge line to the summit were just sublime.

There are gradual reveals of the stunning views at various points on your ascent.

Yet the best is to be had when you reach the actual summit.

The views from there are amazing.

This is my favourite hike so far.

The effort you have to put in is worth the rewarding views you are treated to at the end.

A tip though would be to set off early morning for this one. Maybe within an hour of sunrise in the summer.

If it's winter months l, unless you're super fit and quick I think I'd leave this one out unless you plan to camp up there and come back down the next morning.

Be prepared for any weather though. It's very exposed up on the summit and I wouldn't go up in strong winds.

Scotland, Lake District of England, Wales and even a little bit in Madeira.

It's been such a busy year of mini adventures.

I'll keep this short for you guys, but I'll post some highlight images of the last 12 months.

The images posted include the following (from left to right):-

- My trip to Y Garn in the Snowdonia Range, Wales.

This was a tough one. I ascended by the North end of the mountain. Very steep and a sketchy bit not far from the summit with loose scree and a narrow ridge walk with long drops to each side.

I completed this as a solo hike. It's challenging but I'd recommend it as a hike. Just be sure to take an emergency shelter such as a bivvy bag or something as it's pretty remote and if you have to call for help (I had a full phone signal up there) help will take time to get to you. Think hours rather than minutes. So to you need to be self sufficient entirely. Don't attempt alone if you've never hiked such terrain before and you can't map read. Take a map and compass, don't pin your hopes on your e devices!!! The next image along was from the same trip before I started my ascent. The 3rd image along is the view from the summit of YGarn towards Yr Wydffa and Crib Goch.

- Derwent Edge, Peak District, UK.

This was part of a hike and wild camp with a couple of like minded, very responsible pals. The evening was a beautiful one so I couldn't resist grabbing this shot. No midges for a change and it rained just once with light winds. Perfect! Beautiful sunrise the next morning. I used my Durston Xmid 2 Pro+ that night so a huge palace of a tent and ultra light at just 650g ISH. Great tent.

- Keswick, Lake District, UK.

This was a wet hike with rain on and off all day. We took in the Great Wood below Walla Crag. Despite being wet it was a great hike. If you have the right clothing and a make shift shelter you can make some of the wet days in the Lakes still enjoyable. The forestry and lush vegetation up there is gorgeous. I highly recommend a visit for anyone. Many visitors to the UK do London and Scotland and don't think to visit The Lakes and Wales etc. They're really missing out. The next image is of my wife in a fast pitch shelter from the rain. We stopped to have a brew and a snack on our way back. The shelter is a One Tigris Tentsformer Poncho. It's got a dual purpose. It weighs just 600g with tent stakes and three guy lines and it was perfect to get out of the rain and block the wind so we could boil some water and have a fresh coffee. The smell of freshly ground coffee beans in the aeropress is divine.

- The next image is My wife and I at the summit of Lose Hill in the Peak District, England.

This is a great ridge walk with stunning views. There is a great route from Castleton village, up Lose Hill, along the ridge to Back Tor, then Mam Tor. Then you descend back down Mam Tor,.pick up a track that takes you along the apocalyptic appearing Broken Road. This is a road that was destroyed by a huge landslide in the 1970s as a huge piece of Mam Tor slid away and caused the damage there. You'll pass the Devils Cave on the route back down and you end up back in Castleton village. It's about 8 miles round trip. Well worth doing mid week but stay away at the weekends and Bank Holidays as it gets ridiculously and unpleasantly overcrowded. Parking becomes ridiculous and traffic jams trying to get out of Castleton end up being ridiculous. So mid week for this one for sure.

- The next image is The Wife and I and a tour guy up the Pico De Airero mountain in Madeira. We took a 4x4 trip most of the way up then did a short walk to the summit so not really a proper hike. It's one on our list to revisit and do the route between that mountain and the Pico De Ruivo (I think this is correct) which is a world renowned and epic hike. Madeira is just stunning! It's clean and well kept, the people are super friendly and helpful, I didn't see any typical louty types there. The eating places are of a very high standard and the old town in Funchal is great for a romantic meal and a civilised drink afterwards. We'll deffo be back there. One of the best places in the world I have visited. The volcanic formed landscape there is incredible and it's hard to believe its real. It looks like a really well painted landscape on a canvas. Amazing place!

- The next image, Ben Lomond from the Summit looking NE from memory.

Stunning Ben Lomond. The best hike I've done to date! Very challenging, full day hike, with lovely views all the way. However. I can't stress enough how important it is to reach the summit if you want to see it's best, most amazing view. It's very much well worth the effort. It's a very technical route up and the same back down.

The weather can change in a minute, so be sure to take all necessary safety precautions and have an emergency shelter. I wouldn't do this one alone personally. But some of you might. Just be aware its very remote and you're unlikely to have a phone signal so a Garmin In Reach or similar device would be my recommendation to carry with you if you're doing it alone. Loch Lomond area itself is just absolutely magical. Scotland is hard to beat.

- Finally, the last image is in the deep snow from earlier this year at Derwent Edge, Peak District, UK.

It was a challenging and very cold hike up but it was stunning.

It was about -6c at 470m, but well worth the effort and cold temperatures to see the views in the snow.

So that's it. I had many many more adventures but this is a small snapshot.

As usual, hit me up with any questions, particularly if you're looking to visit the UK and you want any info I can help with to help make it a good trip with some great sights.

All the best and speak soon.

Regards.