Waiting for the start the midgies had their anual pre midsummer bloodfest that is the Ben Sheann Hill Race. The village was blessed with a nice breeze but the startline is well sheltered behind the trees.
About 2 1/2 miles with the 1400' climb in a mile to start tried to get on the gas from the start and keep it there. Good steady climb through the forrest to a nice breezy summit in under 23 mins.
The descent about 1/2 a mile longer as it drops off the back and then circles round into the forrest to meet the outward route about half way down.
Plenty of people to chase and be chased by kept the pace up, however once back in the forrest a gooey pine needle clad surface meant a fine line between pace and disaster. Couple of knee trembling slips but stayed upright with the help of a few handy trees and new shoes.
12 min plus descent to finish under 35 mins. Celebrated the PB with a swim in the river Balvag before the scratchiest drive home of the year.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Beinn an Lochain Sat 13th June
A walk with David and Marni, a bit steeper this time, the Corbett Beinn an Lochain overlooking Loch Restil at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful. Marni managed fine even though she was well out of her comfort zone, she's used to a couple of laps of the Christie Park on a good day.
We set out after 4 for an early evening walk up this near Munro, about 2850 feet high. Walked along the road past Loch Restil from the RaBT car park, turned left off the road at the end of the layby just as the road steepens toward Butterbridge. Picked up a feint path taking us to a well worn narrow track up the ridge, good views down Glen Kinglas to Loch Fyne.
Shortly before we took the picture above a huge black cloud had drifted past dumping a hailstorm on us and the Arrochar Alps across the road, we sheltered under a cliff just in time, too wet to even think about getting the camera out, one thunder crack but thankfully no lightning.
A good ridge track winds through several steep crags and gullies, great views open up all round about but no scary exposed bits. The summit ridge soon comes into view.
Some good crags to the North West, the path offering a variety of viewpoints where you can catch your breath between the steeper bits. One viewpoint overlooks a boulderfield, a good one to avoid on your way up!
Luckily it was an isolated storm cloud and the sky stayed clear for the rest of walk, a few midgies and funny looking flying beasts bugged us at the base of the summit cone but by the time we got to the summit breezy sunshine kept the beasties at bay and views for miles. Unusual view looking down from the top to a small tarn at the bottom of the summit cone all the way down to Loch Restil 2000' below.
We sat at the summit cairn and ate a late lunch soon realising that you can never take enough food with you even when you raid Gregs before you leave the Vale.
It would have been nice to stay a while longer but once the food was done we carried on over the second top and down a broad ridge which started to take us past the car park below. After a wee recce we decided to go straight down to avoid a long trudge back to the car, pretty steep, 2000' in a mile or so, but the going was ok as the ground was reasonably dry.
We didn't quite come straight down, our descent route is on the left hand side of the picture below.
A reasonably short walk, about 4 miles or so depending on your descent route, well worth it for the views. We only met 4 other people and one dog on the way up, we had the summit to ourselves, so more peaceful than the Arrochar Alps across the road which can be a bit crowded. For some reason we met no one on the way down?
A few more pictures in the Galleria.
We set out after 4 for an early evening walk up this near Munro, about 2850 feet high. Walked along the road past Loch Restil from the RaBT car park, turned left off the road at the end of the layby just as the road steepens toward Butterbridge. Picked up a feint path taking us to a well worn narrow track up the ridge, good views down Glen Kinglas to Loch Fyne.
Shortly before we took the picture above a huge black cloud had drifted past dumping a hailstorm on us and the Arrochar Alps across the road, we sheltered under a cliff just in time, too wet to even think about getting the camera out, one thunder crack but thankfully no lightning.
A good ridge track winds through several steep crags and gullies, great views open up all round about but no scary exposed bits. The summit ridge soon comes into view.
Some good crags to the North West, the path offering a variety of viewpoints where you can catch your breath between the steeper bits. One viewpoint overlooks a boulderfield, a good one to avoid on your way up!
Luckily it was an isolated storm cloud and the sky stayed clear for the rest of walk, a few midgies and funny looking flying beasts bugged us at the base of the summit cone but by the time we got to the summit breezy sunshine kept the beasties at bay and views for miles. Unusual view looking down from the top to a small tarn at the bottom of the summit cone all the way down to Loch Restil 2000' below.
We sat at the summit cairn and ate a late lunch soon realising that you can never take enough food with you even when you raid Gregs before you leave the Vale.
It would have been nice to stay a while longer but once the food was done we carried on over the second top and down a broad ridge which started to take us past the car park below. After a wee recce we decided to go straight down to avoid a long trudge back to the car, pretty steep, 2000' in a mile or so, but the going was ok as the ground was reasonably dry.
We didn't quite come straight down, our descent route is on the left hand side of the picture below.
A reasonably short walk, about 4 miles or so depending on your descent route, well worth it for the views. We only met 4 other people and one dog on the way up, we had the summit to ourselves, so more peaceful than the Arrochar Alps across the road which can be a bit crowded. For some reason we met no one on the way down?
A few more pictures in the Galleria.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cort Ma Law Wed 11th June
Another perfect running night, sunny with a breeze to keep the midgies away. 99 runners set off without a red ballon in sight for the steep climb up from Jamie Wright's Well. The race demands full body cover, map, compass and whistle, they would be better with snorkle and flippers or perhaps snow shoes to get you over the swampy bits.
The route is a backward P, after the initial climb you undulate over three unamed tops before a tussocky boggy traverse to Cort Ma Law itself. An abrupt left turn, if you see the markers, for a flattish run across a swamp to the top of Lecket Hill.
From Lecket another left turn to follow a fence line into a gulley, for once managed to overtake a few and stay upright at the same time . The climb out the gulley, another left turn, is time for a rest cum walk over some more tussocks until you rejoin the outward route, by this time you are blowing bigstyle but can't afford to ease up or risk losing a place or two.
The run back takes you over the first two tops trying to regain some composure for the final drop back to the start and waiting photographer. Finished in 64:09, a PB, the years first, by about 14 seconds.
The swampy bits toughen it up a bit to make up for the lack big climbs but conditions pretty dry this year made for easier going.
The route is a backward P, after the initial climb you undulate over three unamed tops before a tussocky boggy traverse to Cort Ma Law itself. An abrupt left turn, if you see the markers, for a flattish run across a swamp to the top of Lecket Hill.
From Lecket another left turn to follow a fence line into a gulley, for once managed to overtake a few and stay upright at the same time . The climb out the gulley, another left turn, is time for a rest cum walk over some more tussocks until you rejoin the outward route, by this time you are blowing bigstyle but can't afford to ease up or risk losing a place or two.
The run back takes you over the first two tops trying to regain some composure for the final drop back to the start and waiting photographer. Finished in 64:09, a PB, the years first, by about 14 seconds.
The swampy bits toughen it up a bit to make up for the lack big climbs but conditions pretty dry this year made for easier going.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Luss Horseshoe Sun 7th June
Last longish run before the Arrochar Alps at the end of June a Clockwise Glen Luss including a new hill, the 701 metre top past Doune Hill.
Sun splitting the skies this morning with a cool breeeze, pretty much what you need for an easy run round Glen Luss.
Parked at the entrance to the Glen and ran up the road cutting onto the hill just before Edentaggert farm for the 1800' climb up Beinn Eich. Banks of clouds seemed to be coming in over the hills but a lot of clear sky remained over LL.
Nice undulating run along to Doune Hill, stopped for a picture looking down the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Paddy's Milestone. Clear air today and you could see for miles.
From Doune Hill there is one more hill to finish the ridge which has always been a thought, went for it today, only 5 or so minutes to get to the top. Run into Sith Mor tussocky as usual.
The climb up the back of Mid Hill took a bit of time, quite steep to begin with and my effort wandering with concentration or lack of, even a few Jelly Tots didn't create much of a spark. Picked up the effort after the peat hags when the gradient eases and the top comes into view.
Short break at the second cairn and decided to aim for a sub 4 hour finish, nothing extreme, a steady run round the corries and down Beinn Dubh to the bottom of Glen Luss. All in about 12 miles and 5000' of ascent, finished just under 3 hours 50 mins. Beautiful day with a cool down swim in Luss Water at the end. AFPITG.
Sun splitting the skies this morning with a cool breeeze, pretty much what you need for an easy run round Glen Luss.
Parked at the entrance to the Glen and ran up the road cutting onto the hill just before Edentaggert farm for the 1800' climb up Beinn Eich. Banks of clouds seemed to be coming in over the hills but a lot of clear sky remained over LL.
Nice undulating run along to Doune Hill, stopped for a picture looking down the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Paddy's Milestone. Clear air today and you could see for miles.
From Doune Hill there is one more hill to finish the ridge which has always been a thought, went for it today, only 5 or so minutes to get to the top. Run into Sith Mor tussocky as usual.
The climb up the back of Mid Hill took a bit of time, quite steep to begin with and my effort wandering with concentration or lack of, even a few Jelly Tots didn't create much of a spark. Picked up the effort after the peat hags when the gradient eases and the top comes into view.
Short break at the second cairn and decided to aim for a sub 4 hour finish, nothing extreme, a steady run round the corries and down Beinn Dubh to the bottom of Glen Luss. All in about 12 miles and 5000' of ascent, finished just under 3 hours 50 mins. Beautiful day with a cool down swim in Luss Water at the end. AFPITG.
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Gargunnock HR Sat 6th June
Race run from a small agricultural show in the village of Gargunnock, the 5 mile 1000' Hill Race is in its second year and had a good turn out of nearly 70 runners.
Arrived in good time to check out the livestock, a variety of prize sheep, cows and horses. Birds of prey you could get close up with and a post race falconry show.
Usual lap of the field to start then run through the village onto farm roads before crossing a couple of fields climbing steadily all the way. Onto the hill for a walk run on a narrow track to a broad peak.
The descent is on a farm track which winds through a few crags then a couple of fields.
At the bottom a short road section then a slight incline round a field, a wee sting in the tail. Just as the MC comes into earshot the route wanders through a wood before popping out at the back of the show field a hundred or so yards from the finish.
Lovely wee race no difficult or steep terrain in a nice low key village farm show with a vintage tractor parade at the end. Only problem they ran out of veggie burgers by the time I finished, 36th in 42:03.
Arrived in good time to check out the livestock, a variety of prize sheep, cows and horses. Birds of prey you could get close up with and a post race falconry show.
Usual lap of the field to start then run through the village onto farm roads before crossing a couple of fields climbing steadily all the way. Onto the hill for a walk run on a narrow track to a broad peak.
The descent is on a farm track which winds through a few crags then a couple of fields.
At the bottom a short road section then a slight incline round a field, a wee sting in the tail. Just as the MC comes into earshot the route wanders through a wood before popping out at the back of the show field a hundred or so yards from the finish.
Lovely wee race no difficult or steep terrain in a nice low key village farm show with a vintage tractor parade at the end. Only problem they ran out of veggie burgers by the time I finished, 36th in 42:03.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Kilpatrick Hill Race Wed 3rd June
9th time I have run this race, lovely night, sunny, cool breeze. Set off at half seven, large field of 90 in this years race.
Steady run up the road then jog walked the track as it winds its way up the Kilpatrick Braes. Pushed on but steady once onto the moor along the ridge and then throw yourself down the short steep drop back onto the farm track.
Raised the effort along the undulating track which takes you past past Loch Humphrey working off a couple of other runners. Despite this the Marshall tells us there's too much chit chat and to run instead.
More hard work over undulating moorland with a few boggy bits and ditches to jump before the narrow path skirting around Greenside reservoir. Always worried I will fall in. Big effort all the way up the Slacks to the trig point.
From the trig point its down hill and gradually wind up the pace as you get your breath back and the gradient increases. The run back down the steep slope to the road as fast as you can without falling.
On the road for the last half mile relax as much as possible and push the pace once breathing back under control. Kick hard from the last road junction and then glide in to the finish in 59 mins 11, missed a PB by 3 seconds, best time for 5 years.
Steady run up the road then jog walked the track as it winds its way up the Kilpatrick Braes. Pushed on but steady once onto the moor along the ridge and then throw yourself down the short steep drop back onto the farm track.
Raised the effort along the undulating track which takes you past past Loch Humphrey working off a couple of other runners. Despite this the Marshall tells us there's too much chit chat and to run instead.
More hard work over undulating moorland with a few boggy bits and ditches to jump before the narrow path skirting around Greenside reservoir. Always worried I will fall in. Big effort all the way up the Slacks to the trig point.
From the trig point its down hill and gradually wind up the pace as you get your breath back and the gradient increases. The run back down the steep slope to the road as fast as you can without falling.
On the road for the last half mile relax as much as possible and push the pace once breathing back under control. Kick hard from the last road junction and then glide in to the finish in 59 mins 11, missed a PB by 3 seconds, best time for 5 years.
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