Monday, March 05, 2007

Luss Hills Monday 5th March

Took a holiday today and after the kids left for school set off for a run. Clouds down to about 2500' and snow from 2000' so instead of the planned Ben Venue went a few miles up the road to Luss for a run round the Horseshoe, logic being they go just over 2000'.

Usual route planned, 12 miles and 5000' of ascent, up Beinn Dubh, run along the ridge, round the corries, drop into Sith Mor then up Doune Hill and back to Glen Luss via the ridge over Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich.

Started the climb up Beinn Dubh through a muddy field/swamp before picking up the path. The path alternated between stream and swamp most of the way up. After the initial steep climb the wind kicked in, no gusts just difficult. Difficult to breathe & difficult to keep your hat on. Solution...put 2 hats on.

Got to the top with a jog walk, too windy at the top to stop so kept on towards the 1st corrie. Took in views of a stormbound Arrochar Alps from the shelter of some peat hags. Toes began to freeze in the icy slush along the top and thoughts of the Beinn Eich ridge began to fade. Pretty soon the wind chill had wiped it out comletely. Soon realised why the toes were so cold, loose laces, somehow even when they were tied up didn't feel like Beinn Eich.

Ran on past the second corrie and dropped into Sith Mor, still no urge to climb back up into the wind and as the toes slowly came back to life cut left down Glen Mollochan eventually picking up a rough path to join the road for a run down Glen Luss. All in 9 miles and 2600' of ascent. Couple of pix in the galleria.

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