Luss Sat 23rd Jan

Looking to recover lost ground this week and finally some half decent weather meant a run around in the Luss hills was on. Route choice was an anti clockwise run starting up Beinn Dubh and after coming off Ben Eich finishing with a run down the Glen Luss road.

A steady trudge up Beinn Dubh in just under an hour. The boggy ground gradually turning frozen as we gained height and managed to keep the feet reasonably dry. Into the snow as we neared the top but you could feel a bit of sun heating our backs as well. Views to die for, Loch Lomond twisting through snowy mountain tops

and the Arrochar Alps on fire

Relatively flat on top so time for a run round the two corries the snow adding to our toil. We kept to the paths or what we could see of them until the trackless descent reaching Sith Mor in about 1:40 all in. A couple of bumslides added to the fun on the way down.

Steep climb up Doune Hill starting in soggy heather soon turning back to snow as we gained height. Picked a line a bit too close to the stream which meant a lot of ups and downs but slotted into a couple of easier gullies nearer the top.

While we waited for the rest in the col beside Doune Hill a runner in shorts and long sleeved top came down from the adjacent 701m top, inquired after our well being then ran up the short steep ascent to the trig point, suppose he had to run to keep warm!

Doune Hill top covered in wind blown icy snow delightful views down the Firth of Clyde to Arran. Crusty snow on the return ridge was hard work sometimes it held your weight sometimes not and scraping your ankles, jealous of the neat gaiters on the lone runner. Even the downhills were hard work, relax and take it easy coming off the ridge earlier than usual to get some shelter from the icy winds.

Slow trudge up Bein Eich as the mornings exertion took effect, a bit of extra care required on the narrow path covered in frozen snow. Met a party of walkers who were happy to reach just one top.

Last hurrah running off Bein Eich, the ice made it tough to start with, good fun in the softer snow as we descended before a return to slippy mud through the fields at the bottom.

Jogged down the road to complete in about 4 hours 40 mins, a good effort in tough conditions.

2-0 to the girls?

Set off for a 20 mile 3800 FOA run of Glen Loin plus the Cats Crag loop last Saturday. Start and finish in the Succouth car park. First mistake was to start with an anti clockwise Glen Loin, feet wet straight away, not the best in the cool conditions.

Lower Glen reasonably ice free with only the odd patch of ice left. It was a different story in the upper Glen especially the approach to the turning point across the stream where the track was covered by 6 inches of freezing slush sloshing in and out your trainers with each step.

The stream itself was in spate with the meltwater coming off the surrounding hills a tricky crossing, just past the stream the slush turned to snow but the team wouldn't take the Bealach option, second mutiny, and we had to turn back the way we came.

Reached the bottom of the glen and third mutiny, instead of picking up the planned route, gave up and came home, struggling to claim 11 miles, perhaps ultra runners need some inspiration such as one of John Fleetwoods epics?

Heated Seats and cold beer

I wish, Sat mornings run was a snowfest, Stoneymollen, Whinney Hill and Pappert Well, close on 20 miles and 3200 FOA.

Nine of us set out, the two Jim's went at their own pace, rest of us gradually pulled away in front. First was a run along to the giant steps to pick up the trail which goes behind the Carman reservoir, one - me - kept off road in the spirit of the run while the others ran along the road to the quarry. Walked most of it in knee deep snow.

Ran up through the quarry onto the hill, now mostly walking, in single file to the trig point. Ran off the hill from the trig point to the top of the Stoneymollen, re-grouped and jogged down through Balloch and into the park. Couldn't relax on the down hill, cadence not right and wasn't looking forward to the next 3 hours and 14 miles.

Ran round Balloch Park and out onto the Whinney Hill Trail, running ok now and the trail relatively easy as the usual slippy mud hidden under firm snow, nice and smooth to run on. Good view across the Loch from the seat, large football pitch sized pieces of ice between the shore and Inchmurrin.

After Whinney Hill three left for home while the rest of us ran up through the Haldane across Auchencarroch road and into the fields and over the golf course, another one called it a day here while three of us continued up to the Pappert Well trig point via a white pink path.

Returned via the same path to the style then cut through fields to the back of Bonhill behind the bridge, an easy jog back to the club. About 4 hours 45 and it felt like it. The two Jims dug in and finished in six something showing the youngsters a thing or two. A few pictures in the Galleria.

What about the heated seats and cold beers, there was none, not for our team anyway, luckily my transfer request has been accepted. Spent the afternoon walking in Balloch Park trying to steal a sledge then more snow frolicks up the Dilli at night.

Long run Sun 3rd Jan

Set off for a later than usual Sunday run, not sure exactly where or how long. Maybe start with the 3 Parks then Whinney Hill. Reached Balloch and decided the day was too good and needed a bigger hill, Ben Lomond looked good but required return home, get car, same for Luss.

Entered Balloch park by the riverside path, ho ho, make that an ice chute, and no ho ho's just ouch as I hit the deck. Slid across to the edge of the path so that I could stand up and continued on a wee bit wary.

Ran thru the park aiming to leave via the path at the top of heart attack hill, too icy so ran up the field next to the path. I wanted some pictures of Loch and hills and before Whinney Hill ran along the Boturich road to its highest point.

Arrived back at the Whinney Hill gate needing a bigger hill for better views and decided to take in the Stoneymollen. Ran to the foot of the Stoney thru the Park and Balloch main st.

Plod up the Stony then a left before the second gate, a narrow track worn in the snow made for easy going at first, another plus was all the ditches were frozen. All went fine until the end of the trees where wind blown drifts had covered the ready made tracks and I was trying to run in foot deep snow.

This was hard work and stayed like this along the ridge line until coming off Bromley Muir where the snow got a bit deeper reaching a couple of feet with some waist deep plunges thrown in for fun, quite comfy once your in them.

Great views all round, to the North, the Luss Hills, Ben More and Stob Binnien beyond Ben Lomond, West and the Arran tops peaking out over the moors behing Greenock. East, the Campsie Fells and Mentieth Hills either side of Flanders Moss. Dumbarton Castle looking small 4 miles away to the SE.

All in about 14 miles and 2000 FOA, finished in 3 hours 6. Exhilirating to run over the hills in the snow. The increase in depth of snow as you climb or where the route is exposed to drifting snow make running so much harder, impossible in many places, good lessons to learn in the relative safety of the Vale Hills. A couple of pictures in the Galleria.

Calendar Crags

New Year and the first race is cancelled due to icy bits at the start and finish. The rest of the course was reported as good and after eating the post race hot Apple Strudle and Christmas Pies 15 or so of us set off for an easy run round.

Tip toed over the icy footprints on the lower track, the ice also gave me an excuse to take it easy on the initial steep zig zags. After a few minutes the ice gave way to snow for a delightful run in the sun under blue skies as views opened up all round.

Stopped to take some pictures at the top of the Crags then took off after the others, plenty of grip in the snow as you wind your way down through woods to a single track road. The road rolls down towards Calendar but you leave it for forest tracks back to the start, the last 100 yards a bit icy.

Finished in 38 minutes, a bit slower than race pace. A nice run to start the year.