Cool running in the Arrochar Alps

The morning at least promised good weather and I woke to clear skies although a bit dark. Vane, Ime and Narnain seemed about right. I set off through Glen Loin just after half 8 clear blue skies above frozen ground underneath. Walking the hills to save something for later. Reaching the cut off for Vane thankful the usually swampy ground was frozen keeping my feet dry and not cold, not warm either but hey ho I can put up with that. As usual negative thoughts come to the fore on this climb, why bother, maybe I'll just do this one and run back down the glen, it seems to be a bit of a struggle today. I get to the top after a few photo stops and walk around the small summit plateau to take in the views. Feeling better now and exit the summit along the ridge to the west, run a bit further than usual before dropping down into the Glen, this means more running than scrambling and helps to keep my body and feet warm, the sun hasn't reached this side of the hill yet. On the climb out the other side from a usually deserted Lag Uaine I meet a lone walker, a hello and a wave as we pass from our respective ridges is as close as it gets here. A frosty climb to Ime's summit follows where I am joined by a walker and his dog for a few minutes, we both agree 4 legs are better than 2 up here. The path off Ime frozen hard and I run on the soft rush to the side taking care to avoid icy rocks and frozen streams lurking beneath the grass. This side of the Alps is busier with walkers and gives me something to chase and keep a bit of effort going on the way up Narnain. At the top I hide behind a draughty dry stane shelter beside the trig point, too cold to wait here for long I scramble off through the Spearhead for the long run down to Succoth. Finish the 14 or so miles with 6500' of ascent in just under 5 1/2 hours.

Milestones

Luss run on Saturday morning, the target was 12 miles, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain and Doune Hill for the outward half, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh then back in to the glen to complete the horseshoe. Steady run up the road to start, soon walking once on the steep lower slopes of Eich. I managed a few jogs on the top half as the gradient eases helped by a few stops to take in the views which were good today, the tops clear with cloud lying in the valleys and over the loch.

From the top of Beinn Eich we run most of the way to Doune Hill then freewheel down into Sith Mor before the slow trudge up Mid Hill pleased to reach the top in just over three hours. Jog along to Beinn Dubh took us 20 minutes, we then eased down the hill to complete this undulating run with 5000' of ascent in 3 hours 47. A few more pictures here. I've been running since 1997 and today's 12 miles took me to 20,000 since I started including over 1500000 feet of ascent. Not much in comparison to others but worth a couple of beers all the same.

Narnain and the cobbler

Took a while to choose a route, drove to Arrochar and set off after 3, Narnain and the Cobbler was the target, .  Straight up from Succouth, concrete blocks, swamp then crags, good fun and steady effort required to get to the top, 1 hr 30, 10 mins slow!!! Run off Narnain sub 20 minutes and found a nice trod taking me to the Cobbler, 15 minute climb to the Beallach between the Cobbler tops, hard work running off the front, next time I'll go back down the way I came, 8 miles and 4400 feet in 3 hours 5 minutes, misty pictures here.

Ben Lomond

The weather forecast said go my legs had other ideas but felt ok after a nights sleep. Scraped ice off the car and we set off for Rowardennan. Only a slither of low cloud over Loch Lomond promised much as we jogged along to the Ptarmigan path. Walking the steep bits, I gradually ease into the hill jogging slowly where I can. Lots of short breaks to take in the views and a few photos. Over one ridge we disturb a couple of deer. Apart from a single walker we pass at the top of the Ptarmigan ridge and two walkers leaving Lomond's summit we have had the climb to ourselves. Icy steps for the last steep climb to the summit. What a day, Jura, Arran, Ailsa Craig all clear on the horizon, a couple of walkers point out the Forth Road Bridge as they sit in the sun. We stay as long as we can in the cool breeze in our running gear then set off along the ridge dropping down the new race route we come across 4 Ptarmigan who scuttle along a few yards in front so I chase them for a few photos before they fly away, only 10 yards or so, although its enough to send us on our way down. We run along the rocky plateau dodging the crowds on their way up, towards the end we take a grassy track taking us off the path and cruise down to the gate happy to be on softer ground, through the gate we're back onto the track, brakes off and I let gravity take over for a while, it feels effortless without the pressure to race and before I know it I'm on the last wee downhill into the car park. 2 1/2 hours of fun, mountain and sun.

Ben Venue

3 Millies took part within the 101 starters, weather couldn't have been better, clear blue skies, almost no wind. Off we went, a longer run up the forest roads this year as the trees are being chopped down. We followed the usual return route on the way out then hung a right behind the remnants of the forest to to pick up the ascent ridge of Ben Venue, Stevie C away ahead and when Bo passed me before BV summit it gave me a wee lift and I upped the effort to regain a few of the places lost on the climb. Took a few pictures on the way up, working too hard to care after that. Picked my way along the rocky run off BV running where possible. After the cairn the track follows a fenceline, undulating upwards, boggy in parts with a couple of deep pools to wade, reached the 2nd summit checkpoint looking for some respite, thankfully its all down hill from here. Picked a good line down to start the descent, a runnable gulley better than the usual slither and slide, only went to ground once. Near the bottom ferns give a bit of grip and I gradually reel in a couple of runners in front. Keep it steady along the narrow undualting track to the forest roads then try to relax into a faster pace, doesn't really work and the runner in front edges ahead without getting away, he's looking back and that usually gives me a boost, nothing extra left, probably used it all up along the ridge between the summits. Passed the old finish line in 2 hours, another 5 minutes to the finish and tea and cakes before a wash in Loch Achray, just managed to resist the urge to dive in.

Blusstery

Luss horseshoe run, an early start today as I wanted to be back before 1, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Sith Mor, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich, 12 or so miles and close to 5000' of up and down. Climbing Beinn Dubh I am working hard but getting cold in the high winds, there's a sheltered spot before the top and I stop to put on a second jacket, hat gloves and a buff and just try to keep moving forwards. Reach the top in about an hour.

Running along the ridge towards Mid hill is a bit of a struggle into the wind, keep going to try to warm up my feet. The path winds round the corries and past the small cairns before the tussocky run off Mid hill into Sith Mor the wind whipping through from Glen Douglas. As I approach a crag on the way down some deer run across in front of me, 2 adult females and a fawn, too fast for my camera, I look up as I pass the crag and a Stag peeks over about 10 feet above me then jumps back startled. Across Sith Mor and into the sun for the climb up Doune Hill, I stick to smoother ground away from the stream which tumbles from the lochan at the top, more exposed here and the wind strengthens again as I climb up. A few squally showers blow through as I reach the top the rain needle like on the side of  my face. Blown along the ridge over Beinn Lochain the wind now at my back gives me a welcome shove on the last climb up Beinn Eich.

Jog down into the calm of the Glen and the last couple of undualting miles on the road, pleased to finish in 4 hours 15. A few pictures here.