Arrochar Trails and Ben Lomond

Set off for Arrochar for a run round some undulating trails, starting in Succoth, along to Ardgarten, a nice run on the trail to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful, back down towards Ardgarten on the new tarmac surface on the old road before taking the upper trail back to Succoth. About 14 miles and 2800' in just over three hours.

Clouds just above the tops, most of the them snow covered, we were lucky and got it dry. Some more pictures here.

Sunday's run, Ben Lomond, we set out early to beat the forecast wind and rain. Pleasant running up the lower slopes, dry and not too windy. On the climb up to the plateau the wind picked up, time for wooly hats, into the cloud with the first snow on the ground. The snow got deeper as we went along the plateau, but the wind dropped so not too cold. Had a go at climbing up to the summit ridge, ok but didn't fancy coming back down so I waited at the end of the plateau while my companion went on up to the summit ridge, not quite topping out, too icy. Waiting for him to come back I put on my spare fleece, jacket and overtrousers, only my feet suffering from the cold, even with Sealskinz.

Easy run back down, snow and ice along the plateau, nice slippy rocks for the rest of the way. Came back out of the clouds as we left the plateau, wind reduced to a gentle breeze, jacket, overtrousers, hat and gloves all had to come off, it was too warm, some contrast to the arctic world a 1000' feet above.

We ran about 7 miles with 2800' of ascent in 2 1/2 hours including my 15 minute wait.