Tinto and Ben Narnain

White topped hills greeted us to the borders for Tinto hill race, 200 plus runners set off up the trail, 2 miles up and 2 miles down, set off trying to run all the way up, managed it apart form the last climb in single file on slippy snowy ground. As I ran up other runners would run past then slow to a walk, so I would pass them, this pattern continued all the way to the top, jog stagger round the summit cairn and set off down the heathery slopes beside the path, managed to pass a few on the way down with some good tussles on the stoney path, the last few hundred yards tough as the trail leveled off, finished inside 47 minutes, then back to Symington village hall for soup revival and my 2013 SHR mug. Forecast for Sunday was good, a late start after a late night, Ben Narnain was the target, clear blue skies and snowy tops made for busy mountains. Ran up to the Narnain Boulders and into the snow.

Ran past the Cobbler and up Narnains NW shoulder, a slow trudge in the snow, the views got better and the snow got deeper as I climbed up, a clear day and I could see from Ailsa Craig to Ben Nevis.

The breeze picked up towards the top, nothing a light jacket and gloves didn't solve, as the gradient eased towards the top the crust froze and supported your weight, good for running and the snow filled gaps made the boulder field easy to cross.

Snowy mountains for miles from the top.

Fun descent going on to soft fresh snow to the right of the steeper walkers path I took on the way up, all too soon I was back down at Bealach a Mhaim and turning for Succoth on the path between Narnain and the Cobbler. 2 hours 50 runtime for 11 or 12 miles and 3800', more pictures here. Great hill run in perfect winter conditions.