Sunday, February 06, 2011

Luss Horseshoe, Sat 5th

Return to Glen Luss for another medium horseshoe, same 12 miles and 5000' feet of ascent but the reverse from a couple of weeks ago, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain, Doune Hill, Sith Mor, Beinn Dubh, Creag an t-Seilich. Start and finish at the bottom of Glen Luss.

Set off just after one and an easy run up the glen before plodding up Beinn Eich from Edentaggart farm, the ground now thawed out so cool toes again. Stopped to put my jacket on towards the top just as the weather closed in and a snowy squall appeared from the North West, luckily only a short burst and it cleared up as I reached the top.

Not stopping in the chill wind I ran over Beinn Lochain keeping to the highest and hopefully driest ground. Slowed going up Doune Hill's steep sides and ran past the trig point down into shelter of the gullies behind. Stopped for a break and to plan the route into Sith Mor.

Picked out a narrow ridge that snakes its way into the glen alongside a small stream, crossed to the North side of the stream to avoid rougher ground then further North to avoid a large flooded area where the stream was joined by a spring bubbling from under a rock. You could see pools of water lying on grassy terraces all the way to the valley floor.

Another pause towards the bottom to pick out a line up the other side, the climb went well avoiding the steepest parts, but not for the first time I found myself pushed off line by the dreaded peat hags probably adding a couple of hundred yards to the climb.

Reached the small cairns in a couple of minutes over three hours, followed the path as it meanders down and round the corries and more peat hags before the short steady climb to Beinn Dubh. Easy run down to the bottom of the glen to finish around 3 hours 45.

Quiet afternoon on the hill, only met two walkers and that was 100 yards from the finish.

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