Warmer weather provided an early opportunity to have a go at some of the Arrochar Alps with some new route choices thrown in. Plan was to run up Glen Loin towards Loch Sloy Dam, up Ben Vorlich, returning to the Dam then up Ben Vane before dropping down over the back into Gleann Uaine, finishing with the rest of the Glen Loin path back to Succoth. About 16 miles and 6500 feet.
Took the path to Corriegrogan and then on up towards the Sloy dam. About a 1/4 of a mile before the dam a man made ramp leads up Ben Vorlich. Initial slog from the top of the ramp gives way to the usual path which snakes through the jumble of rocks and crags and along the ridge to the summit. Into the clouds at about 2000' so no views from the top today.
On the way back down started off the same way as I had come up until level with the Sloy dam 2000' below then its straight down. The first 100' feet or so a bit steep but there are some faint paths and sheep tracks to ease the strain. Met a walker going up with some advice on the new route planned for BV. Only slight hiccup on the way down was going through some crags at the bottom.
Crossed the dam and ran away from Glen Loin alongside Loch Sloy climbing diagonally up Ben Vanes NE flank, new route to me following the main streams seen from the Dam. At about 2000' the route levels out slightly but no chance to see where to go as clouds still down low.
Took the walkers advice and stuck within earshot of the stream. At about 2200' the hill steepened up again for what was hoped to be the last big climb of about 800'. The map had implied the stream stopped about 1800' but it continued up over 2000' before dissapearing under a boulder.
Another bonus the gullies feeding the streams seemed to continue almost to the top.
Not too sure at this point where I would pop up as it is easy to go off course in mist when following streams and gullies. Headed for the low point on the horizon and the ground looked familiar as it levelled out, sure enough the last short climb to the top of BV loomed out of the mist.
Got a bit disorientated in the mist on top so instead of the planned drop into Gleann Uaine on the other side took the path down to Corriegrogan and through Glen Loin back to Arrochar.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Carnethy 5 Sat 17th Feb
This race kick starts the year and is the largest Hill race in Scotland, about 500 runners. As such it is a bit more organised and provides changing and showers followed by a hot meal after the race - school dinner - and with 2 sports shops in attendance selling all sorts of running gear.
The school is a few miles away from the start and buses shuttle back and forward taking the runners to the start area. At the start a couple of small marquees are set up, one for refreshments and the other is a medical tent.
The race is 6 miles with 2500 feet of ascent over 5 hills, the first and last climbs are close to 1000' each with the 3 in between minor blips. It starts with a mad dash across the swamp to the foot of the 1st 1000' climb up Scald Law. The middle part of the race is an nice easy run over 3 hill tops, South Black Hill, East Kip and West Kip, followed by a plunge down steep grassy slopes and a run along easy ground to the foot of the final 1000' climb up to Carnethy Hill. A steady plod up and run the short sections where the trail levels out if you have any energy left.
From the top of Carnethy its a steep drop, initially on paths but to prevent erosion you are soon directed off the path through deep heather hiding avariety of rocks and holes waiting to trap the unwary. For the last few hundred yards its back across the swamp to the finish for coffee and biscuits before catching the bus back to school for a hot shower and a hot meal before the drive home.
The school is a few miles away from the start and buses shuttle back and forward taking the runners to the start area. At the start a couple of small marquees are set up, one for refreshments and the other is a medical tent.
The race is 6 miles with 2500 feet of ascent over 5 hills, the first and last climbs are close to 1000' each with the 3 in between minor blips. It starts with a mad dash across the swamp to the foot of the 1st 1000' climb up Scald Law. The middle part of the race is an nice easy run over 3 hill tops, South Black Hill, East Kip and West Kip, followed by a plunge down steep grassy slopes and a run along easy ground to the foot of the final 1000' climb up to Carnethy Hill. A steady plod up and run the short sections where the trail levels out if you have any energy left.
From the top of Carnethy its a steep drop, initially on paths but to prevent erosion you are soon directed off the path through deep heather hiding avariety of rocks and holes waiting to trap the unwary. For the last few hundred yards its back across the swamp to the finish for coffee and biscuits before catching the bus back to school for a hot shower and a hot meal before the drive home.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Glen Finlas Sun 11th Feb
Late night, late start, luckily set off for an anticlockwise run round this 10 mile 2900' feet of ascent run round Glen Finlas. Lucky? you get lost quicker this way, the clockwise route follows a fence until you are 4 or 5 miles away from the lochside road, getting lost there could be more of an issue.
No snow in the Glen but after about 40 or so minutes reached what might have been the 1st top, Creachin Hill, in snow, cloud, and visibility down to about 50 yards. Ground featurless due to the snow which pretty much merged with the sky.
Not too risky as this part of the moor is only a mile or two from lower ground in any direction except the planned route. With this in mind tried the "keep going up" route finding method but it didnt work as I couldn't see the next hill and it didn't seem like I was getting anywhere.
After about 20 mins of wandering through giant peat hags got the compass out. Figured out east should take me back towards Loch Lomond and after another 10 minutes or so started to descend and soon dropped below the cloud and snowline.
Came out on the wrong side of the hill, obviously disorientated by the hags and I was not where I should have been. Picked up a trod half way down the hill and contoured back round to Glen Finlas and on up towards the dam, dropped down to the lochside, crossed the dam and contoured back down towards the loch. All in about 2 1/2 hours.
No snow in the Glen but after about 40 or so minutes reached what might have been the 1st top, Creachin Hill, in snow, cloud, and visibility down to about 50 yards. Ground featurless due to the snow which pretty much merged with the sky.
Not too risky as this part of the moor is only a mile or two from lower ground in any direction except the planned route. With this in mind tried the "keep going up" route finding method but it didnt work as I couldn't see the next hill and it didn't seem like I was getting anywhere.
After about 20 mins of wandering through giant peat hags got the compass out. Figured out east should take me back towards Loch Lomond and after another 10 minutes or so started to descend and soon dropped below the cloud and snowline.
Came out on the wrong side of the hill, obviously disorientated by the hags and I was not where I should have been. Picked up a trod half way down the hill and contoured back round to Glen Finlas and on up towards the dam, dropped down to the lochside, crossed the dam and contoured back down towards the loch. All in about 2 1/2 hours.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Stoneymollen Sun 4th Feb
Late night so short late afternoon run was all that could be done. Ran along towards Renton through fields avoiding the roads where possible. Took the steep path leading you behind the reservoir and then parallel to the road, crossing to go into the quarry.
Steady plod up behind the quarry as views of the Clyde open up. Once clear of the quarry cut left to join the track to the trig point. Pause at the trig point to take in the views, the Clyde on one side and Loch Lomond, islands, Conic Hill and Ben Lomond on the other.
Easy jog along to the Stoneymollen and a last look at the Loch before the descent back into the Vale.
Steady plod up behind the quarry as views of the Clyde open up. Once clear of the quarry cut left to join the track to the trig point. Pause at the trig point to take in the views, the Clyde on one side and Loch Lomond, islands, Conic Hill and Ben Lomond on the other.
Easy jog along to the Stoneymollen and a last look at the Loch before the descent back into the Vale.
Whinney Hill Cross Country Sat 3rd Feb
Perfect day for the inaugural running of this race, the start was unusual with male runners going in the opposite direction to the ladies so that we could include a lap of Balloch Park before joining them on the Whinney Hill trail at the top of Heart Attack Hill.
The trail is a new man made path and took us out the back of Balloch Park crossing the Botourich Rd and undulates through woods and fields. There is a nice seat at the turning point for those who want to sit and gaze over Loch Lomond, this was the only time I havn't made use of the seat, maybe next year.
By now runners were appearing from a variety of directions as some of the course markers had apparently been spiritied away by the locals, a few moans but people should check out the course in advance as markers are dificult to see when running quickly through trees and rough terrain, eyes tend to be down watching out for tree roots and the like.
Too good a morning to stand and drink T & Coffee after the race so ran round and collected the remaining markers as the sun shone, inviting Ben Lomond in the background.
The trail is a new man made path and took us out the back of Balloch Park crossing the Botourich Rd and undulates through woods and fields. There is a nice seat at the turning point for those who want to sit and gaze over Loch Lomond, this was the only time I havn't made use of the seat, maybe next year.
By now runners were appearing from a variety of directions as some of the course markers had apparently been spiritied away by the locals, a few moans but people should check out the course in advance as markers are dificult to see when running quickly through trees and rough terrain, eyes tend to be down watching out for tree roots and the like.
Too good a morning to stand and drink T & Coffee after the race so ran round and collected the remaining markers as the sun shone, inviting Ben Lomond in the background.
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