Ben More (1171) is the highest Munro's of the Trossachs Highlands , basically the highest south of Ben Lawers . Also ascending its top is consider as a very tough climb , so that makes this mountain very iconic . Although I am not a "Munros' bagger" , I have wanted to "bag" Ben More since the time I had seen it first time. However as I hadn't hiked for long time , I didn't feel confident enough to start the climb from the north side on A85 , where the most popular route starts . Instead I choose the track going south, along east slopes and ascending on south-east ridge. That alternative seemed to be less strenuous , with more interesting terrain through the wood. I started from a small car park by the main road and then on the path along the burn .
On the higher ground above the forest I found the proper trail , vegetation-grown old landrover track. At some point the track crosses the wider road for forestry vehicles and the steep path winds up through the wood again .
On the photo ; looking back to the North and Glen Dochart .
Having emerged from the wood , I had to find a stile to cross a deer fence . The path going south is boggy and disappearing at places, I couldn't see in which direction should I go .
At last I saw the stile . I got on the other side and moved off roughly westward, alongside the fence. The sun disappeared and for the next half an hour I was exposed to the rain . Luckily enough, when I got soaked and started cursing this damned weather , I found a big boulder with a niche in it , large enough to shelter me from raindrops . I waited there 20 minutes till the rain stopped and then again on up the hill .
The sunshine was back for good and far away , as I looked eastward , I could see Ben Lawers range .
The rugged ridge joining the summit was clear and close to me finally . I could assume , that I would be soon on the top . The fence was turning sharply right , and up towards the ridge . The path wasn't obvious again and I wasn't sure if the right decision would be to follow the fence . Eventually , I turned right along the fence , but seeing no clear path , I tried to get onto the ridge by shortcut , negotiating the steep , rocky slopes .
Traversing the ridge I finally approached the main bulge of Ben More , the last ascent to the summit .I passed by a large patch of ice , a small " glacier " on the south side - I had read earlier that patches of snow could be seen on north face till early summer . But that amount of hard snow in the beginning of August ? I wondered if this was indeed the snow from the last winter . If so , this was really a miniature glacier .
On closer inspection I saw a couple of birds moving amongst grass and stones - probably ptarmigans .
The higher the better vistas .
Stobinian , looking south from near the summit .
Finally , on the top - after 4,5 hrs walk just 15 minutes spent enjoying the panorama and having my lunch . Then back to the route , descending northward .
Despite being tired , I quickly ( I had to catch the return bus in Crianliarich ) rushed down . One hour later Ben More was behind me. I started the last leg of my walk ,along A85 to Crianliarich.
