Pappert XC recce

Next Club race is the Pappert Cross Country, some new runners so we had a recce, couple of laps then I ran up to the Pappert Trig, cold, ground partially frozen and drier than normal, great views up Loch Lomond and surrounding hillls.

 

Bromley Muir

Ben Bowie and Killoeter, this time via Bromley Muir, tops suitable covered in mist, not many views but good running, took the by pass path onto Killoeters ridge, along the ridge and down towards Helensburgh, up towards Ben Bowie on the 3LW cut off for the soft ground to B Bowies summit, 3LW back to the Vale.

Carman Fort

Bromley Muir Trig

Killoeters stick

Ben Bowies cairn

Luss Hill Run

Forecast cold and windy with higher, Munro's, covered in snow so I went to Luss for a loop round Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille Eughain Hill. No sign of wind when I set off from the foot of the glen, picked up as I cleared the trees, it was cold, thankful of my double thermal base layers, fleece and Goretex jacket, thermal tights, waterproof socks, wooly hat and thermal waterproof gloves to keep me comfortable. Not many others out, one hill walker came down Beinn Dubh as I climbed, then two walkers passed as I ran along the plateau to Mid Hill. Didn't stop too often on the top or along the ridge, a short break in the glen before I trudged up Coille Eughain, back into the mist at the top before the 2 mile descent back to Luss.

Ben Bowie & Killoeter

Shorter run today, drove to the flyover at the bottom of the Stoneymollan for a lollipop route out to Ben Bowie, a loop round to Killoeter and back down the Stoney to finish, cut out the usual 1 mile plus of road at the start and finish, trails and hills all the way, cloud and mist so not many views but good to get out.

 

Polaroid Cross Country

Managed to get this race on after last weeks cancellation due to ice, 5 of us made it on a good morning for Cross Country, cool and damp, a few mud and bramble patches on the course, brambles got me on the second lap, set off in third place and stayed there, second lap about 10 seconds slower than the first, made my sub 40 minute target, good to be out.

Glenstriddle

Club cross country race cancelled due to ice on the paths, set off for the Luss hills for a short run, hopefully no ice and the snow not too deep. Some ice at the bottom but easily avoided. Quite a few walkers out avoiding the more arctic conditions of bigger hills. Only a few inches of snow, paths still visible as smooth tracks surrounded by snowy tussocks. Bogs frozen rather than feet made for pleasant progress. Not much visibility on top and footprints disappeared shortly after Beinn Dubh's summit cairn until a couple of walkers passed on the approach to Mid Hill. Stopped on the decent into the Glen, at about 4 miles and turned back, took it easy avoiding any icy patches, passing plenty of walkers on the way back.

Looking towards Glen Finlas

Beinn Dubh summit cairn

Mid Hill summit Cairn

Polaroid and the Fort

Recce of next weeks club cross country round the Polaroid Industrial Estate, route is fine the landscaping work appears to be finished, couple of laps then home via Carman reservoir and the Fort Fine morning for a run.