Glen Douglas Hills

Sunday morning and after a no run week got a call to go for a run over some of the Glen Douglas hills. Start and finish from Invergroin. After a boggy start a pleasant pull up faint tracks on Beinn Breacs Western flank, a few false summits and 50 odd minutes later we were on top great views up and down Loch Lomond and the Ben with its head in the clouds.

An easy ridge run along to Ben Reoch, over both its tops rewarded with views to the Arrochar Alps. A steep drop down into Ant Sreang and then a 20 minute climb up to the final top, Tullich Hill for views of Luss  hills and the Arrochar Alps. Nice 1/2 hour run down easy grassy slopes to Invergroin to finish, 6 miles, 3400' of ascent in 2 1/2 hours over these quiet hills. A few more pictures here.

Durisdeer

A wet Saturday for the 2nd medium race in this years SHR Championship, doubling up as the 2012 SAL Championship as well. A good field of 150 plus turned out despite the rain, hill runners like their cake. Set in the Lowther Hills we start with a charge up Black Hill before dropping down over Pettylung and a steep descent for the first of two crossings of the A702 onto farm track through Dalveen where a minor navigational error cost a few minutes. The route loops round Steygail on good tracks and paths over a couple of minor cols, the second one steep enough to force me to walk, before dropping down to cross the road again after Upper Dalveen. A steep climb through grassy crags and a tussocky jog to the foot of Well Hill, another walk to the top. Pleasant run down following a fence line before a short runnable climb back up Black Hill and a downhill cruise to finish in 2 hours 45 for the 10 miles and 3800' of ascent. A runners pictures here give you a feel for the route. Three runners went missing, luckily they phoned the Moffat Mountain Rescue who went to pick them up so we could all enjoy our tee and cakes in the old Durisdeer Church.

Easy run

After a couple or three hard weeks and forecast for wind and rain I gave the Glenrosa Horseshoe a miss and went for a run in the nearby Luss Hills, a loop over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille-eughain Hill, about 10 miles and 3700'. Turned out to be a lovely sunny morning, set off for the jog walk up Beinn Dubh pleased to get to the top in 53 mins, felt longer. Pleasant run round the corries to get to the run down Mid Hill. Good views down Glen Luss to Loch Lomond.

Ran up the Glen road and across to the short steep climb up Coille-eughain hill. Worth it to avoid a run down the Glen road. Ran down the Paps finishing in 2 hours 45 with a quick cooling plunge into one of the large pools in Luss Water.

Cort Ma Law

My planned run to the top of the first climb changed to "walk all the way" within a few seconds of the start, ok it was a quick walk and I was far from last. Up onto the top and familiar undulating run over 4 minor tops on the way to CML summit. Slowly caught and passed the three runners just ahead. After CML the marshy run to Lecket Hill, dry this year with only the odd knee deep plunge. Tried to keep a steady pace without too much oxygen debt and got past another two. From the Lecket a progressively steeper run down into the gulley helped me pass two more tentative runners, crossed the two streams at the bottom and into good effort for a fast as possible walk mode up out the gulley, soon running again although slowly when I was caught by the last big bog as I tried to jump across, dragged myself out and set off again, thoughts of catching any more runners ahead changed to keep ahead of those behind, sneaked a glance on the last downhill and had enough of a gap to cruise down to finish in just over 71 minutes. Quick change in the car park as the midgies feasted before the drive home.

Slioch

A hilly weekend taking in the Slioch Hill Race and an easy run over some of Beinn Eighe's bits. Left on Friday afternoon for the 5 hour drive to Taagan campsite just past Kinlochewe. Great drive surrounded by classic Scottish mountain scenery through Glens Coe, Garry, Shiel, Carron, finally arriving in Glen Docherty at the head of Loch Maree just as the sun began to set.

Saturday morning and after porridge in the Whistle Stop Cafe (well worth a visit if your passing through) I had some time to kill before the race, drove through Glen Torridon to look over tomorrows run and spent a nice hour or so watching pairs of eagles soaring above while I had my second breakfast.

Just over 50 runners for the 12 mile race with 4000' of ups and downs. The first and last 3 miles are on a trail along towards Slioch, leaves most of the climbing packed into 6 fun miles, onto the first climb, Sgurr Dubh, it just gets steeper all the way to 2400 feet in a couple of miles, felt like I was going backwards, soon only two behind me and those in front going away, had a couple of jelly beans and felt a bit better, over the top and a welcome if short downhill to the two lochans before an easier climb to the first of Slioch's two summits.

Sgurr Dubh front middle, Slioch's summits back left, Sgurr an Tuill Bhain back right.

A short run across to the second top then a nice undulating ridge run, I was quite happy to jog along taking in the views, to Sgurr an Tuill Bhain. The drop off here is quite steep, but grassy and easy to run down, at the bottom a steeper rocky path drops into Gleann Biansadail, managed to reel in three runners by the bottom, good fun having to concentrate and work hard to keep the pace going. A quick splash and drink in the stream before what seemed like an endless run out towards Loch Maree, after 20 minutes of undulating riverside path at last I was back on the 3 mile trail to the finish where each small hill took its toll, walking and shuffling trying to catch the runner in front and not look back, sensing a runner behind. Its a cruel finish especially on a warm day, the reward is a beer and a chance to watch the next few runners come in before walking back for a feed in the village hall. I finished the 12 miles and 4000' in 3:35.

Slept better on Saturday night, the warm sun waking me at 8 the next morning. Packed up and left for Glen Torridon and the Coire Dubh Mor path, a stoney path not great for tired legs but it climbs gently passing between Beinn Eighe and the huge lump of Liatach.

Liatach with the Coire Dubh Mor path below

Round the prow of Sail Mhor the sense of wilderness grows as a jumble of mountian views opens up. The track gets a bit steeper as I approach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, well worth the effort, stop for a break in the sun, a few pictures and something to eat. At the back of the corrie I climb up a series of terraces past small pools and waterfalls towards my target, the stone chute to the side of the triple buttress, onto the Beinn Eighe ridge. A simple scramble on the North side of the chute makes for easier going. Up on the ridge, breezy and I set off for Ruadh-stac Mor the highest of Beinn Eighe's 9 tops. A quick run up and back to the main ridge helps keep me warm, I traverse along towards the other munro top, half way there I check out my planned descent route, A Choinneach Mhor, a steep scree slope. I've been out for nearly 4 hours and decide to miss the 2nd top and set off back down with anticipation. I am not dissapointed, a mixture of scree, rocks and boulders and I'm soon sliding, surfing and sometimes sitting in rivers of moving scree flowing down towards the valley floor. An absorbing 20 minutes later I'm back on the CDM path and jog back to the car in 4 hours 20 for 10 miles with 4000' of climbing. A wash in the river Torridon and I'm ready for the slow drive home.

Glengarry

A few more pictures here.