Sunday, January 07, 2007

Stoneymollen Swamp Sun 7th Jan

Another late afternoon run up Stoneymollen in the dark and lashing rain. Out for just over 1 1/2 hours about 20 mins slower than the same route in daylight, the uphills no real problem but much slower on the downhills. Managed to stay upright apart from a couple of slides on hands and feet which dont really count as a fall. Although cloudy only had to use the headtorch twice, both times to find paths, one back through the quarry and the other to avoid posts guarding a path through some woods.

The track up the Stoney was ok until through the gate and then it was a bit slippy on the first rocky part. From the top its a left turn up the hill, the path easy to pick out as it was a stream, thankfully managed to jump the ditches without any problems but walked the 3 short steep parts as extremely slippy mud on what looks like motorcycle or quad bike tracks.

Picked my way up the climb and emerged into the low clouds and wind, ok as working quite hard. Ran aong past the bomb crater and trig points and along towards the quarry either in a stream or through a swamp.

The descent towards the quarry road very slow avoiding the variety of rocks and ditches. Put on gloves as very quickly got cold due to the reduced effort.

Down through the quarry, across the Carman road and back onto a waterpath towards the reservoir. Followed the waterpath behind the reservoir and down through another swamp back towards the Vale. Ran along verges and through fields to avoid the dreaded roads. Surprisingly didn't see a single soul during the run.

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