Jogged up Glen Loin for a look at the ascent route up Ben Vane for next weeks Arrochar Alps, easy day so walked all the steep bits. Crossed the dam and took a few pictures of both Vane and Vorlich which are in the Galeria.
New route for me and luckily clouds above the tops to start with. Picked a route, slightly left of the large outcrops immediately above the dam, through crags and streams eventually coming over a small shoulder revealing an obvious route for the upper slopes. Looked too easy so took a bearing of 230 degrees and apart from steep was relatively easy. Clouds closed in on the upper slopes and a bit of rain which kept me comapny all the way back to Succouth.
Didn't fancy a run down Ben Vanes steep tourist path so went over the back into Gleann Uaine, in cloud so tried a 280 bearing to clear the crags and once below the clouds picked a route through the mushy rocky terraces. From Gleann Uaine took another new route out following the stream back to the top of Glen Loin where it disappears down a man made sump.
Ran the track up to the ford at the turning point and then back down the high side of Glen Loin. A bit longer than planned but hopefully more confidence in route choices for next week.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Pappert Well Thurs 21st June
4th race in 8 days so no plans for a fast time just try to keep the edge on for a steady climb on the way out and push the downhill as much as possible on the way back. Threat of thunder and rain made for a warm night. Set off by the bell and soon trailing the other 3 in my section of the staggered start.
Mass confusion on the route so I wonder what would happen on an open hill in the mist?
Worked away on the climb up but caught no-one. Once on the down hill reeled in a few, fourth on time but 6th over the line out of 19 including Buffy the dog. Sore feet, back, legs, moan, grump, groan, but will I go in for the Arrochar Alps on June 30th?
Water, cakes, tablet, tablet, tablet and biscuits to finish, roll on next year.
Mass confusion on the route so I wonder what would happen on an open hill in the mist?
Worked away on the climb up but caught no-one. Once on the down hill reeled in a few, fourth on time but 6th over the line out of 19 including Buffy the dog. Sore feet, back, legs, moan, grump, groan, but will I go in for the Arrochar Alps on June 30th?
Water, cakes, tablet, tablet, tablet and biscuits to finish, roll on next year.
Cort-Ma-Law Wed 20th June
Bog and Burn 6 mile 1700' of ascent race with lots of Bogs and Burns. Starts from Crow Road Car Park in Campsie Glen behind Lennoxtown and goes up over a couple of unnamed tops before Cort Ma Law, then its another couple of unanmed tops before Lecket Hill then a good downhill run and slog back up to join the outward route and the steep/fast descent to the finish.
In between the tops the track undulates along through streams, tussocks and bogs so you soon realise you don't need lots of steep climbs for a hard race. Fell 3 or 4 times and thigh deep a few more, worked hard after the first climb and passed more than passed me but lost 1 place in the last 50 yards due to an annoying detour at the top of the final descent.
Midgie city before and after the race, more like Ben Sheann than CML.
In between the tops the track undulates along through streams, tussocks and bogs so you soon realise you don't need lots of steep climbs for a hard race. Fell 3 or 4 times and thigh deep a few more, worked hard after the first climb and passed more than passed me but lost 1 place in the last 50 yards due to an annoying detour at the top of the final descent.
Midgie city before and after the race, more like Ben Sheann than CML.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Glen Rosa Sat 16th June
2nd go in 2 years at this tough Mountain race. Small field of 27 runners, all male, set out at 12 noon on a damp and cloudy day on Arran for the 7 checkpoint, 12 mile 5500' circuit of Glen Rosa. Information at the start was for zero visibility on the Goatfell summits.
Starting and finishing behind Brodick Castle the route takes in Beinn Chliabhain (??), Cir Mhor (Keyr Vore), North Goatfell & Goatfell with the pinnacled Stacach ridge to catch the unwary between the 2 Goatfell summits.
Cloud down to about 1500' so there would be poor visibility on all 4 summits, the leading runner after checkpoint 1 missing the markers for the descent into Coire Daingean instead carrying out a traverse of the spectacular and dangerous A Chir ridge.
The race starts with a nice easy run from Brodick Castle into Glen Rosa and as the view up the Glen opens up to the Saddle at the far end the route goes left up to checkpoint 1 at the top of Beinn Chliabhain, various route options here, and what was good last year wasn't so good this year, too many ferns and much softer going underfoot, lost time and expend too much energy so instead of going for a time it was a beat the cutoffs survival run.
CP1 was difficult to spot in the cloud along the rocky ridge but tag safely handed to the marshall and it was a quick scramble along to the steeep flagged descent into Coire Daingean, the only part of the course to be marked. Tip toe down what feels like a vertical drop - i'm sure its not - and traverse round into the Coire. From here the route contours below A Chir over heather, rocks, hidden streams and bogs, no real path just good luck if you pick up a sheep track or 2. Trick is to stay as high as possible to minimise the re-ascent when you reach Fionn Choire and not use too much energy over the rough ground.
In Fionn Choire its a steady plod to the steps cut in the corrie headwall and up into the clouds as you pick up the ridge path to the top of Cir Mhor, too dangerous for the direct route to the Saddle its back to the steps down into Fionn Coire and another ankle trashing, pathless contour, this time under Cir Mhor round to the Saddle, first part on good! sheep tracks then just good ol heather n bog.
From the Saddle its a nice 1500' or so slog up North Goatfell to the confusing ridge that is the Stacach. The runner 5 mins in front of me eventually finishing 15 minutes behind after, in his words, an epic Stacach traverse. The Stacach was bad enough last year in brilliant sunshine, but in thick cloud a tiring runner needs full concentration to work out a way through this maze covered in rocky pinnacles and cliffs. The path which finally leads you out is like something out of LOR, hidden and sneaky.
Climbed up Goatfell blind, the summit marshalls, only visible in the last few yards, have kindly put a few flags at the start of the descent back down to Brodick Castle without which who knows.
This is a difficult descent at the best of times but after 4 hours of hard effort and concentration all I can say is ouch and the rocky "tourist" path was a good excuse to take it slow. As the TP reaches the forrest the race route splits from the man made path and thankfully goes over softer ground to pick up some forrest tracks back down to Brodick Castle.
Finished in just under 4 hours 20, 22nd place with 2 DNF.
Starting and finishing behind Brodick Castle the route takes in Beinn Chliabhain (??), Cir Mhor (Keyr Vore), North Goatfell & Goatfell with the pinnacled Stacach ridge to catch the unwary between the 2 Goatfell summits.
Cloud down to about 1500' so there would be poor visibility on all 4 summits, the leading runner after checkpoint 1 missing the markers for the descent into Coire Daingean instead carrying out a traverse of the spectacular and dangerous A Chir ridge.
The race starts with a nice easy run from Brodick Castle into Glen Rosa and as the view up the Glen opens up to the Saddle at the far end the route goes left up to checkpoint 1 at the top of Beinn Chliabhain, various route options here, and what was good last year wasn't so good this year, too many ferns and much softer going underfoot, lost time and expend too much energy so instead of going for a time it was a beat the cutoffs survival run.
CP1 was difficult to spot in the cloud along the rocky ridge but tag safely handed to the marshall and it was a quick scramble along to the steeep flagged descent into Coire Daingean, the only part of the course to be marked. Tip toe down what feels like a vertical drop - i'm sure its not - and traverse round into the Coire. From here the route contours below A Chir over heather, rocks, hidden streams and bogs, no real path just good luck if you pick up a sheep track or 2. Trick is to stay as high as possible to minimise the re-ascent when you reach Fionn Choire and not use too much energy over the rough ground.
In Fionn Choire its a steady plod to the steps cut in the corrie headwall and up into the clouds as you pick up the ridge path to the top of Cir Mhor, too dangerous for the direct route to the Saddle its back to the steps down into Fionn Coire and another ankle trashing, pathless contour, this time under Cir Mhor round to the Saddle, first part on good! sheep tracks then just good ol heather n bog.
From the Saddle its a nice 1500' or so slog up North Goatfell to the confusing ridge that is the Stacach. The runner 5 mins in front of me eventually finishing 15 minutes behind after, in his words, an epic Stacach traverse. The Stacach was bad enough last year in brilliant sunshine, but in thick cloud a tiring runner needs full concentration to work out a way through this maze covered in rocky pinnacles and cliffs. The path which finally leads you out is like something out of LOR, hidden and sneaky.
Climbed up Goatfell blind, the summit marshalls, only visible in the last few yards, have kindly put a few flags at the start of the descent back down to Brodick Castle without which who knows.
This is a difficult descent at the best of times but after 4 hours of hard effort and concentration all I can say is ouch and the rocky "tourist" path was a good excuse to take it slow. As the TP reaches the forrest the race route splits from the man made path and thankfully goes over softer ground to pick up some forrest tracks back down to Brodick Castle.
Finished in just under 4 hours 20, 22nd place with 2 DNF.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Ben Sheann Wed 13th June
Bein an t-Sidhein, Hill of the Fairy, back to the usual route for this 3 1/2 mile 1400' up and doon race from Strathyre. Bigger field than usual attracted the expected midges and any more than the 2 or 3 minute delay to the start and all that would be left was lots of pairs of trainers. Idea was to take it smoothly to minimise any damage for Glen Rosa on Satrurday.
Thankfully we were soon off scratching along the road before turning up through the forrest for the 1400' in 1 1/2 mile climb, basically a 24 minute power walk, through pine needle, mud and rock strewn sort of path. As you come out the forrest near the top the climb steepens up for the last few minutes.
Straight over the top and down the back of this fierce little hill. The slightly longer return route loops anti-clockwise round and back into the forrest eventually re-joining the outward route. The whole descent is tricky and you are liable to crash most of the way down.
Caught up with the 2 runners in front but the path is too narrow to pass, had a couple of goes but kept pulling back until the 2 in front went slightly left so I went for it only for one of the runners to cut right so took evasive action and ate tree, rock and then mud. A quick check & no evidence of serious damage, so back up and running again but taking it a bit easier.
Finished in just over 36 mins, a few seconds outside previous best, to feed the midges again. Quick "Ben Sheann" change back at the car and off home via the Tesco Express in Calendar.
Thankfully we were soon off scratching along the road before turning up through the forrest for the 1400' in 1 1/2 mile climb, basically a 24 minute power walk, through pine needle, mud and rock strewn sort of path. As you come out the forrest near the top the climb steepens up for the last few minutes.
Straight over the top and down the back of this fierce little hill. The slightly longer return route loops anti-clockwise round and back into the forrest eventually re-joining the outward route. The whole descent is tricky and you are liable to crash most of the way down.
Caught up with the 2 runners in front but the path is too narrow to pass, had a couple of goes but kept pulling back until the 2 in front went slightly left so I went for it only for one of the runners to cut right so took evasive action and ate tree, rock and then mud. A quick check & no evidence of serious damage, so back up and running again but taking it a bit easier.
Finished in just over 36 mins, a few seconds outside previous best, to feed the midges again. Quick "Ben Sheann" change back at the car and off home via the Tesco Express in Calendar.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Glen Luss Sun 10th June
Easy run today with next weeks Glen Rosa in mind, a run in the Luss Hills starting up Beinn Dubh along the ridge past Glen Striddle and the 2 corries, down to the top of Glen Luss via Mid Hill and a jog down Glen Luss to finish.
Took it nice and easy in 2 hours, very warm with a lot of cloud and not much sun.
Took it nice and easy in 2 hours, very warm with a lot of cloud and not much sun.
Calendar Crags Sat 9th June
Back for the race this week on a hot sunny June afternoon. Small field for this friendly race which has been run since 1986. All sorts run the race, with their recyclable numbers printed on material.
Short enough at 3.5 miles too push all the way, probably about a 1.5 mile climb up through the forrest to the top of the Crags and past the cairn commemorating Queen Victorias Jubilee. After the cairn the track undulates along for a hundred or so yards then drops steeply and turns back through some woods, a short 1/2 mile or so on the road then back onto the forrest tracks to the finish.
About 2 1/2 minutes quicker than in the January version. A fun informal race and with the start and finish in Calendar plenty to see and do as well.
Short enough at 3.5 miles too push all the way, probably about a 1.5 mile climb up through the forrest to the top of the Crags and past the cairn commemorating Queen Victorias Jubilee. After the cairn the track undulates along for a hundred or so yards then drops steeply and turns back through some woods, a short 1/2 mile or so on the road then back onto the forrest tracks to the finish.
About 2 1/2 minutes quicker than in the January version. A fun informal race and with the start and finish in Calendar plenty to see and do as well.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Old Kilpatrick Hill Race Wed 6th June
Tired legs for this annual race in the Kilpatricks, perfect night, blue sky and a breeze once up on the hill. Jogged up the road near the back, reached the hill and jog / walked, well mostly walked, up on to the top.
Once on the top its an undulating run across the moor with a short steep drop back onto the track up beside the eastern end of Loch Humphrey, water stop as you rejoin the moor although got told I was not allowed to stop just because I was having a drink, on the moor its up and down over some minor hills and a couple of burns followed by 1/2 a lap of Greenside reservoir, difficult to keep your balance on the narrow path so close to the water.
Away from the reservoir its the last climb up the Slacks, about 300', then downhill all the way, this year crossing the fence by chair instead of a coffee table, don't tell the farmer. Join the outward route for a painful steep descent and then a 1/2 mile cruise down the road to the finish.
Once on the top its an undulating run across the moor with a short steep drop back onto the track up beside the eastern end of Loch Humphrey, water stop as you rejoin the moor although got told I was not allowed to stop just because I was having a drink, on the moor its up and down over some minor hills and a couple of burns followed by 1/2 a lap of Greenside reservoir, difficult to keep your balance on the narrow path so close to the water.
Away from the reservoir its the last climb up the Slacks, about 300', then downhill all the way, this year crossing the fence by chair instead of a coffee table, don't tell the farmer. Join the outward route for a painful steep descent and then a 1/2 mile cruise down the road to the finish.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Arrochar Alps Sun 3rd June
Missed the long Sunday runs for the past couple of weeks with a bit of a temperature. Cleared up last week however the weather didn't so it was back to Arrochar to try out the stamina and gauge if fit enough for Glen Rosa on the 16th and the Arrochar Alps on the 30th with a few others planned as well.
Low cloud and rain but not much wind & set off through an empty Glen Loin before 8. No fixed plan but once at Corriegrogan decided to try a re-run of the Van, Ime & Narnain if feeling ok. Went up Vane via the tourist path and saw my first Ptarmigan, a speckly grouse with white wings, near the top. Shame there was too much cloud and rain for pictures.
No stopping at the top but managed to pick a good line off for a quick descent in poor visibility. Also lucky as the cloud lifted above 2000' long enough to plan the route to Glas Bheallach between Ben Ime and Ben Chorranach. The plod up to Glas B was a bit wet underfoot. Zig zagged up the steep slope from Glas B up Ben Ime, almost at the top before I found a path.
Straight over the top and down the path towards Bealach a Maim. Lost the path in the clouds as usual and wary of the crags into Glen Loin overcompensate, eventually slow the pace on unfamiliar steeper ground, the only features visible are foaming streams on the other side of the Glen, worked out I was looking at the back of the Cobbler and contour back towards the path before losing too much height.
Cross a soggy Bealach a Maim and back up into the clouds and through the boulder fields to the top of Narnain. Took a couple of pics for the memory before the descent, a tricky 3000' in 2 miles back to Succouth through crags, rocks, swamps and streams with the dreaded concrete blocks to finish. 13 miles and 6500 feet in 4 hrs 40.
Low cloud and rain but not much wind & set off through an empty Glen Loin before 8. No fixed plan but once at Corriegrogan decided to try a re-run of the Van, Ime & Narnain if feeling ok. Went up Vane via the tourist path and saw my first Ptarmigan, a speckly grouse with white wings, near the top. Shame there was too much cloud and rain for pictures.
No stopping at the top but managed to pick a good line off for a quick descent in poor visibility. Also lucky as the cloud lifted above 2000' long enough to plan the route to Glas Bheallach between Ben Ime and Ben Chorranach. The plod up to Glas B was a bit wet underfoot. Zig zagged up the steep slope from Glas B up Ben Ime, almost at the top before I found a path.
Straight over the top and down the path towards Bealach a Maim. Lost the path in the clouds as usual and wary of the crags into Glen Loin overcompensate, eventually slow the pace on unfamiliar steeper ground, the only features visible are foaming streams on the other side of the Glen, worked out I was looking at the back of the Cobbler and contour back towards the path before losing too much height.
Cross a soggy Bealach a Maim and back up into the clouds and through the boulder fields to the top of Narnain. Took a couple of pics for the memory before the descent, a tricky 3000' in 2 miles back to Succouth through crags, rocks, swamps and streams with the dreaded concrete blocks to finish. 13 miles and 6500 feet in 4 hrs 40.
Not the Calendar Crags Sat 2nd June
Turned up for this little publicised race and it wasn't on. Ran round with another stray runner from East Kilbride. Much drier underfoot than in January. Hopefully learnt where to put the effort in as we took it easy on the way up and only a couple of minutes slower. Took it easy on the way down as well and about 10 mins slower overall. Maybe try and go back up for the race next week.
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