Cort Ma Law

First run in this race since 2019, renowned for its bogs, 70 plus runners set off, warm evening thankfully with a breeze when the sun came out, run and walk up the steep starting slope, into a steady run as the gradient eases, keep running all the way to CML summit, the bogs reasonably dry so far, that didn't last, there's usually a few bogs from CML to The Leckett this year they seemed to have joined together for long stretches of strength sapping tussock hopping , hoping, to avoid the mushy bogs, hard work all the way to The Leckett, short downhill into the gulley then a short climb and trudge towards the final pit of doom bog, managed to cling to the fence at the side and avoid a swim, try to pick up the pace as the route undulates down then a mad dash steeply down to the finish in 51st place.

Vorlich and Vane

A few years since I had a run over Ben Vorlich, picked a route from Inveruglas, Vorlich and Vane, a bit shorter than running from Arrochar. Forecast was cloudy and breezy with wind picking up later. Easy run up the access road for Sloy dam, taking the tourist path from the wee cairn, only a few walkers out to use as targets on the climb, quite windy on top so only went to the Trig point, not the real summit, round the Trig and back down the path to the drop off point for the dam, straight down, steep at first then eases into runnable, towards the bottom cross the stream early, its a bit easier, still slow going down to the dam, cross over and go right of the buttress that sits behind the dam, not as steep on this side, pathless with plenty of tussocks. By this time the cloud has dropped to cover the ridge to the top of Vane, arrived on the ridge and found the path, it fades in and out a bit, tricky navigation, as I climb the wind is picking up and I have to crouch low to keep my balance, only a few hundred feet from the top but decided that was enough and turned back, managed to pick out the route I climbed and an easy run down to the dam and back round to Inveruglas.

Sloy dam on the way up Vorlich

Vane from Vorlich

Vorlichs Trig Point

Descent to the dam

Ascent route to Vane

Interesting rock

  

Club races

2 Club trail races this week, Tuesday Fairy Glen, Thursday Ben Bowie. Fairy Glen is short, 3 off 1 mile laps, with a short down and up to keep it interesting. 6 of us set off, a couple of us had started earlier. Ran in second place all the way to the finish. Ben Bowie, an out and back from the end of the tarmac up Stoneymollan to Ben Bowies double top, only two of us made the start, same second place again. Slower than last year in both races but an improvement on Ben Bowie.

Cnoc Coinnich and The Brack

New hill for me today, Cnoc Choinnich, also took in The Brack, both Corbetts, CC only promoted to one in 2016. Started at the Ardgarten car park, 3 miles on road and forest rack to start, climbing up through Coilessan glen, from the high point hang a left, faint paths over moorland then a steepish climb through a wet gulley onto the ridge with a short run to the top, good views down the Clyde estuary and across to the rest of the Arrochar Alps, a bit of cloud blew in as we reached the top. Back down and across Coilessan glen and a path up The Brack, there's a few different paths, picked a better one than usual, took us all the way to the top. Took the race route down, taking our time on the steep, twisty, rocky descent. Finished with a mile or so on forest tracks back to Ardgarten.

The Brack from Cnoc Coinnich

Arrochar from Cnoc Coinnich

The Cobbler and Narnain from The Brack

Bromley Muir

Long run over some local hills this week, out and back over Bromley Muir with a loop round Ben Bowie and Killoeter in the middle, same route as back in April with the loop reversed and a few extra yards climbing Ben Bowie from the Loch Lomond side. Warm, overcast and only a few walkers out. Very dry over Bromley Muir, easier running than usual as the bogs were mostly solidified. 

 

Narnain and The Cobbler

Back to an old favourite, Narnain and The Cobbler, the quiet way, early start before 8, straight up Narnain via the Argo track then block track, a bit muggy today, glad of a breeze as I climb. Eventually spot a few walkers ahead which helps maintain the effort. Clouds skimming the tops makes for interesting views. Surprisingly busy on top, sat behind the shelter wall at the trig for a couple of minutes then off through Bealach a Mhaim to the Cobblers back stairs, as steep as ever. A few people on the Cobblers summit beside the needle, another short stop then down the An T Sron ridge, at the end of the ridge turned North down to the Buttermilk Burn, refreshing wade across and onto the Argo track back to Succoth.

Ridge to A Chrois

The Spearhead

The Brack

  

Glen Douglas

First run round these hills since my LDFF run last June. Beinn Bhreac, Ben Reoch and Tullich hill with a visit to the spotty Trig at Monadh Tigh na Laraich. Managed to run the first half of Bhreac, followed the quad bike track until it veers towards Reoch then straight up. Great views from the top. The trail to Reoch runs beside a fence, handy on misty days, mostly runnable until a short steep pathless climb to the top. Tulloch hill next with a detour to the spotty Trig overlooking Arrochar and the Alps. Pick some good lines, sheep and deer tracks ease the terrain. Last wee climb to Tulloch hill, undulates up then a steep bank to the top. Visit the multiple tops and wee lochan before the run off the hill, a dog gate saves climbing the steps over the deer fence, take my time through trees and ditches of the new plantation and a short road run to finish.

Photos in reverse order.