Missed the Stuc yesterday for the first time in 5 years, too many away days coming up. Looking at the reports missed another cracker, See the SHR Site for report & pics.
Plan for today's run was to go up Ben Vorlich. Good run up through Glen Loin to Corriegrogan walking the steep parts and running the rest and then on up the road towards the Sloy Dam.
Turning off the road at the man made culvert just past the main path avoids the lower boggy slopes and keeps the feet dry until the way down at least. The initial climb is a hard slog straight up beside a stream until rocky clffs reached. A quick traverse across to the right picks up the path which takes you on a maze like climb through crags into the heart of the mountain. Large slabs of rock appearing out of the clouds and big drops disappearing back in as well - couldn't see too much, so no panic here!
The slope eases the nearer to the top you get and the path eventually disappeared so turned up hill and found the trig point. Spent a few minutes on top in near silence with visibility down to about 30 yards.
Retraced steps to pick up the same path as on the way up. The day was mainly overcast with a light breeze on the top. Sun came out coming back through Glen Loin.
Met no-one on the way up and only a few people on the way down, Vorlich tends to be less busy than the other Arrochar Alps. Being up there early helps as well.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Whangie Whizz Wed 26th April 06
One of the best wee hill races, great introduction for anyone wanting to give it a go. Big field tonight with good runners at the front, Scottish Champs & former World Champs. Biggest turnout I've seen for this race reported to be 150 with a big Millie contingent.
Conditions just about right, cool, dry & bright, paths generally good with some mud - oh good - and the usual boggy bits - even better!
Having a good run until the 1st junior tried to pass me, they had set off 2 mins after us, quickly elbowed my way back in front of her, luckily the juniors turned back early & I could ease back before implosion! Time better than last year but about a minute down on my best, still pleased with the effort apart from the run back to the style where I suddenly realised I was able to breathe ( = not trying ) .
Conditions just about right, cool, dry & bright, paths generally good with some mud - oh good - and the usual boggy bits - even better!
Having a good run until the 1st junior tried to pass me, they had set off 2 mins after us, quickly elbowed my way back in front of her, luckily the juniors turned back early & I could ease back before implosion! Time better than last year but about a minute down on my best, still pleased with the effort apart from the run back to the style where I suddenly realised I was able to breathe ( = not trying ) .
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Arrochar Alps revisited Sun 23rd April
Instead of watching the London Marathon went back to try the 3 from 4 munro run again, weather a bit better than last week, forecast for sun and showers.
Planned route, starting at Succoth, Narnain, Bealach a Mhaim. Ime, Lag Uaine, Vane, Corriegrogan, back to Succoth via Glen Loin path, 13 miles & 6900'.
Going up Narnain generally less snow but more water and a herd of deer going towards A Chrois. Small shower just after the concrete blocks but otherwise sunshine & light breeze.
Some snow at the 1st gully but 2nd gully still full so went across to the next which was snow free, a bit steeper but ok.
Wet run down to the Bealach and up Ime. Generaly avoided snow where possible as it was a bit gloopy and always the chance of falling through into a stream. Large snow patches near the top of Ime so tip toe along summit paths. Steep slope off the back towards Glas Bealach pretty treacherous and took some time to pick out a path avoiding snow & ice as much as possible.
Run down to Lag Uaine and back up Vane wet and rough as usual. Snow increased towards the top but easy enough to skirt round. After a small snowshower on the way up hit the top in bright sunshine, didn't hang about as a bit behind schedule due to snow and ice.
Run off Vane started with a nightmare 50' bum crawl down near vertical snow slope with BIG snow coverd drop to the North and BIG grassy drop to the South. Hands and bum numb by the bottom and nerves frayed. Rest of the path ok but quite a bit more erosion than last year. Picked out a new path to avoid the swamp just before rejoining the Glen Loin path .
Ran down Glen Loin back to the car park in warm sunshine. Runtime 4:57.
Planned route, starting at Succoth, Narnain, Bealach a Mhaim. Ime, Lag Uaine, Vane, Corriegrogan, back to Succoth via Glen Loin path, 13 miles & 6900'.
Going up Narnain generally less snow but more water and a herd of deer going towards A Chrois. Small shower just after the concrete blocks but otherwise sunshine & light breeze.
Some snow at the 1st gully but 2nd gully still full so went across to the next which was snow free, a bit steeper but ok.
Wet run down to the Bealach and up Ime. Generaly avoided snow where possible as it was a bit gloopy and always the chance of falling through into a stream. Large snow patches near the top of Ime so tip toe along summit paths. Steep slope off the back towards Glas Bealach pretty treacherous and took some time to pick out a path avoiding snow & ice as much as possible.
Run down to Lag Uaine and back up Vane wet and rough as usual. Snow increased towards the top but easy enough to skirt round. After a small snowshower on the way up hit the top in bright sunshine, didn't hang about as a bit behind schedule due to snow and ice.
Run off Vane started with a nightmare 50' bum crawl down near vertical snow slope with BIG snow coverd drop to the North and BIG grassy drop to the South. Hands and bum numb by the bottom and nerves frayed. Rest of the path ok but quite a bit more erosion than last year. Picked out a new path to avoid the swamp just before rejoining the Glen Loin path .
Ran down Glen Loin back to the car park in warm sunshine. Runtime 4:57.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
5 Mile Handicap Thurs 20th April
23 runners turned out for the annual 5 mile handicap roon the Vale, conditions excellent, dry and cool, no wind. Passed by one for 3rd place in 33mins 2 secs, best time since 02. Ran by HRM, started with the aim of 163 max but by the Bonhill bridge accepted 170 and managed to maintain this all the way to the end. Bit of effort required in the last mile to maintain pace and struggled in the last 100 yards so pace probably about right for fitness.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Arrochar Alps detour 16th April
The Plan was for a run round 3 of the 4 munros, Narnain, Ime & Vane, nearly 13 miles and 6900' of climb. Snow still evident on the tops but hopefully ok.
Set off straight up Narnain from Succoth a few snow patches but nothing too bad until the last couple of gullies which were snow filled. Wind was getting up as well so stopped for a drink before going up to minimise the time spent exposed on the top. Using the compacted footprints already there quickly moved through the gullies and reached the top, pretty horrible up there so ran straight past the trig point and had an easier than usual run down through a snow filled boulder field into the Bealach a Mhaim.
The conditions on Ime are usually worse than Narnain, maybe as its 300' higher, so if it doesn't look good the plan was to go about half way up and then contour round into Glas Bheallach. More snow, wind and cloud meant it did not look too inviting plus the path along to the second peak is v exposed the drop off the back v steep and not too much fun in the snow and ice. Decided to contour round through Glas B into Lag Uaine and up Ben vane. Contoured round but tended to take the easy downhill option to get around the gullies and crags in the way, dropped too low so the contour took longer than planned and after about 30 mins realised a stiff climb was required to reach Glas B. Running round a mountain is harder than over the top!
Decided that the sensible option was to continue down to Butterbridge and run to the top of the Rest, down the old road and then pick up the forest rack through Glen Croe back to Succoth. Still a reasonable mornings run about 14 miles with 5000' of climb. Only a couple of pictures as it was too cold for the camera and me.
Set off straight up Narnain from Succoth a few snow patches but nothing too bad until the last couple of gullies which were snow filled. Wind was getting up as well so stopped for a drink before going up to minimise the time spent exposed on the top. Using the compacted footprints already there quickly moved through the gullies and reached the top, pretty horrible up there so ran straight past the trig point and had an easier than usual run down through a snow filled boulder field into the Bealach a Mhaim.
The conditions on Ime are usually worse than Narnain, maybe as its 300' higher, so if it doesn't look good the plan was to go about half way up and then contour round into Glas Bheallach. More snow, wind and cloud meant it did not look too inviting plus the path along to the second peak is v exposed the drop off the back v steep and not too much fun in the snow and ice. Decided to contour round through Glas B into Lag Uaine and up Ben vane. Contoured round but tended to take the easy downhill option to get around the gullies and crags in the way, dropped too low so the contour took longer than planned and after about 30 mins realised a stiff climb was required to reach Glas B. Running round a mountain is harder than over the top!
Decided that the sensible option was to continue down to Butterbridge and run to the top of the Rest, down the old road and then pick up the forest rack through Glen Croe back to Succoth. Still a reasonable mornings run about 14 miles with 5000' of climb. Only a couple of pictures as it was too cold for the camera and me.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Stoneymollen Hill Race Thurs 13th April
Completed this short sharp 5 mile hill race over Bromley & Overton Muirs via the Stoneymollen path in 44 mins 17 s for 3rd place. Ok for the conditions, nice and soft with some waist deep bogs on the way. On the way up the Stoney views of Loch Lomond and after the trig point views over Dumbarton and the firth of Clyde towards Helensburgh. Good turnout with 16 runners braving the weather, mixture of downpour to bright sunshine in the space of a few minutes.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Luss Horse Shoe Sun 9th April
An undulating route of about 12 miles and 5000' total ascent. There are two main climbs, the first one up Beinn Dubh and the second from Sith Mor to Doune Hill. Overall distance depends on navigation particularly the drop into Sith Mor. Run mainly on paths apart from the drop into & out of Sith Mor.
Snow level from about 1500'.
Set off at 8:30 in the sun from the bottom of Glen Luss on the 2000' climb up Beinn Dubh. From there it's a 1 1/2 mile jog undulating round Coire ne h-Eanachan and Coire Carlaig before plunging 1200' down into Sith Mor.
The 2nd big climb, 1700' up to Doune Hill, includes trying to catch a deer! The last 200' pretty much covered in snow and ice demanding concentration in the strong winds. The snow varies depending on the aspect of the slope to the prevailling wind from solid frozen where you crunch in less than an inch to thigh deep in the space of a few feet.
From Doune Hill a good run down to Beinn Lochan and a then bit of care required up into the deeper snow & ice on the narrow ridge to Beinn Eich.
The 1800' drop off Beinn Eich starts in snow until the slope steepens. Below the snow line it's mostly firm due to the cold semi frozen ground, boggy bit at the bottom as usual, easy 2 mile jog down Glen Luss back to sanctuary of the car.
Carried full wind/waterproof body cover and thermal hat/gloves, not needed as long as you keep moving. Feet damp due to snow and mud, again ok as long as you keep moving.
Good run in fine conditions, 5 or 10 mins short of 4 hrs, some pictures in the Gallery.
Snow level from about 1500'.
Set off at 8:30 in the sun from the bottom of Glen Luss on the 2000' climb up Beinn Dubh. From there it's a 1 1/2 mile jog undulating round Coire ne h-Eanachan and Coire Carlaig before plunging 1200' down into Sith Mor.
The 2nd big climb, 1700' up to Doune Hill, includes trying to catch a deer! The last 200' pretty much covered in snow and ice demanding concentration in the strong winds. The snow varies depending on the aspect of the slope to the prevailling wind from solid frozen where you crunch in less than an inch to thigh deep in the space of a few feet.
From Doune Hill a good run down to Beinn Lochan and a then bit of care required up into the deeper snow & ice on the narrow ridge to Beinn Eich.
The 1800' drop off Beinn Eich starts in snow until the slope steepens. Below the snow line it's mostly firm due to the cold semi frozen ground, boggy bit at the bottom as usual, easy 2 mile jog down Glen Luss back to sanctuary of the car.
Carried full wind/waterproof body cover and thermal hat/gloves, not needed as long as you keep moving. Feet damp due to snow and mud, again ok as long as you keep moving.
Good run in fine conditions, 5 or 10 mins short of 4 hrs, some pictures in the Gallery.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Time Trial 30th March
Thursday nights Club 4.3 mile time trial, 30:30, maintained a steady pace but legs still not really doing what they are meant to and couldn't have gone much faster without risk of pain & injury, probably a combination of marathon & post mara cold.
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