Snowymollan

Superb winter conditions but not if you are a runner. Difficult to find suitable runs so I revert to the old favourite the Stoneymollan. Last Friday route from the house over Stoneymollan to my mums in Cardross then back. Today, ran up behind Carman reservoir then through the quarry and along the hillside to the top of the Stoneymollan.

On Friday set off about two pm up through Christie Park and along the bypass verge, bad choice, two feet of snow piled up from the road, trudge trudge. The run up the Stoney was good plenty of wakers had left a narrow trod over the top and about half way across. The path splits here and without the volume of walkers no track to follow and high knee lifts required to make progress through deep snow to the other side of the moor, wind chill kicked in as I left the shelter of the trees, not sure if I fancy this on the way back. Ran down the Darlieth ok if a bit icy.

Just under 1 hour 17 to mums for coffee and cakes while my running gear dried off.

Left just after four for the run back over. Good steady running up the Darlieth past the Black Third Farm,  luckily the wind had dropped for the high knee lift walk back over the moor. Ran down the Stoney in the dark, avoided the snowy bypass and ran back along the main road to home. About a minute slower coming back, 13 miles and 1700' of ascent. A few pictures here .

Today's run in glorious winter sunshine, 7 miles and about 1100' of ascent. I wanted to get to the trig point before sunset and set off about half two, plenty of time. Ran along past the Carman on the roads and onto the track leading behind Carman Reservoir, a few walkers had been before me so ok for running but hard work on any up hill. Ran on the road to the quarry, the track through the quarry hard packed and smooth good to run on as well. All changed half way up the hill, only a few had been through so walked out the back and onto the moor.

I could pick up the trail leading to the trig point as the snow was slightly smoother but hard work with the snow from varying from knee to thigh deep only the odd bit where the frozen crust would support my weight, perhaps I should buy a pair of these. Trudged across the moor and up towards the trig point just getting there a few minutes before sunset. Great views over the Clyde and Loch Lomond. Took a few pictures and tried to wait until the sun set behind the Arran peaks but too cold and set off for the run down to the top of the Stoneymollan with windproof jacket and ski gloves on.

I have been here in deep snow before and although I expected a hard run I would have turned back if it wasn't for one the set of visible footprints I could follow. Any time I strayed from them it was a fall into deep soft snow, very tiring. Easy to see how you could get into trouble. With a second frozen crust cutting into your ankles with each step it was impossible to run so slow trudge along to the top of the Stoney. Run down the Stoney ok but not as easy as Friday. Arrived home in about 2 hours 15 mins, about an hour slower than usual. Stunning views, a few pictures here.