Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Beinn Dubh Sun 28th Oct

Beinn Dubh, in Glen Luss, nice easy Sunday run, 7 miles with 2300' of ascent. Surprisingly good weather, Sunny but as usual on this exposed ridge a cold wind with only a couple of sheltered areas to stop for a quick drink. Good views to Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps but all topped with clouds. Slippy on the way down Mid Hill especially the lower slopes. Finished with a jog down Glen Luss road.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

10 Mile Handicap Sun 14th Oct

Second road race of the year was the Clubs annual 10 mile handicap race round the Horeshoe. Start & finish at the Vale Leisure Centre.

The route goes up to & through Balloch towards Gartocharn turning off at the Ballochmyle & onto the Horseshoe route by Caldarvan station and back down Auchencarroch road to the Vale.

Set off too fast as usual but steadied after a couple of miles around 7 1/2 min mile pace to reach 5 miles in 38 mins. Lost it in the next 2 miles and walked up a couple of the hills before jogging to the finish in a PW of 83 + mins, 9 mins outside handicap time set by me!

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Ben Ime Sun 7th Oct

Woken at 7:30 by the sun streaming in, promise of a good day & drove up to Arrochar, changed route about 6 times on the way there but decided to go for max views on the clear day, so Ben Ime it was at 3318' the highest in Arrochar.

New route, started with a clockwise run up Glen Loin and took the faint path towards Lag Uaine just before the disappearing stream . Climbed up below the knarly ridge that leads towards Ben Imes lower top keeping in the sunlight for warmth.

Not much of a path and took my time looking at the views opening up, pushed hard up the steep corrie headwall to the summit ridge as it was cold in the shade, but luckily no wind. Once on the ridge time for a rest and some pictures with spectacular views stretching from Arran to Ben Nevis.

Having found out the hard way that Ben Ime is difficult to run off in the mist picked an easily identifiable rock near the top and followed a bearing down to the Beallach a Mhaim. Seems simple enough and hopefully it will be.

Too slow & tired for any thoughts of a quick detour up the Cobbler, maybe next time, its about 30 years since I have been up there.

New man made path all the way from the back of the Cobbler down to Arrochar makes for a fast descent as long as you can dodge the stream of walkers on their way up.

All in 12 miles and 4000' of ascent in just under 3 1/2 hours, could go quicker but you need to take your time on days like this. Some pix in the Galleria.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Glen Luss Sun 23rd Sept

Anti clockwise run round Glen Luss, 12 miles with 4000 feet of ascent. Delayed write up due to nasty cold.

Starting up Beinn Dubh then along the broad ridge round the 2 corries and over the un-named top before the steep drop down into Sith Mor followed by a stiff climb up to the highest point of the route, Doune Hill @ 2408' . Then a run along the ridge over Beinn Eich before dropping down to the Glen Luss/Mollochan intersection for the 2 mile jog back down Glen Luss.

3 hrs 37 mins which is about 10 mins longer than usual maybe a sign of what was to come the next week.

A few pix in the galleria.