At five in the morning, when I've been lacking in energy recently, I wasn't convinced that getting up and getting a train North for a big day of walking was a great idea. Fortunately, something or other prevailed. The weather turned out fine, nay it was a gorgeous day. I mean I was actually too hot all day (well, until waiting around on a station platform after sunset). Sun hot on my face, great views; effort is rewarded.

I took a train up the west highland line to Ardlui, and walked over Ben Vorlich and Ben Vane to the next station down, Arrochar & Tarbet. Quite a long day, in terms of distance and ascent, since between the two hills is a glen with a (dammed) loch. 8.5 hours it took me, station to station; there were just over 10 hours between my trains.

There wasn't much snow around. Which meant it was the first time I actually needed to use my crampons; the top of the hills were basically a sheet of ice. Nice to be able to just walk up it.