Cobbler and Narnain

Early start, followed the walkers path a bit too warm until we cleared the trees and gained a welcome breeze. The tops hidden from view as we ran past the Narnain Boulders and along to the stairs up the NE ridge of the Cobbler, soon up into the cloud, only brief glimpses of the hills and valleys around as the sun tried to come out.

Back down the stairs and up Narnain, soon joining the path from the Beallach and back into the clouds. Clouds swirling around at the top, momentary glimpses of the Cobbler and Loch Long below. Back the way we came down the roller coaster path then traversed across the front of Narnain to pick up the old concrete block access path down to Succoth, short cut past the Jacuzzi to finish in 11 miles, 4500' in 4 hours. Some pictures here.

Beinn Dubh

Nearly 90 runners started in the second running of this short race, 4 miles with 2000' of up and down including 6 from our club, probably a record. Drizzlly with cloud on the top half, started with a jog but soon walking the steeper bits. Reached the top 6th of 6 for the club but managed to pass three on the way back. Some interesting lines taken on the way down in the gloomy mist. Finished just over 54 minutes. Good to get this years Bog n Burn series underway.

Arrochar and Glen Douglas

With Dan Duxbury on his Munro round and due to run the Arrochar Munro's today I thought I might run three of them the opposite way and see how he was doing. Sadly he lost a day in Glen Etive and won't be in Arrochar until tomorrow, today he was on the Lui Munros, so I took a few photos of them.

Ran up Glen Loin to Coiregrogain then onto the Ben Vane path which alternates between steep and very steep, trudged up avoiding the odd snow patch, great day, good views. Cool refreshing breeze on top, took a few photos then dropped off the back into Lag Uaine. Lucky there was no one with me today to see my wee slip into the mud at the bottom. Steady walk in to Glas Bhealach passing the snow filled gully then directly south for a steep climb to Ime's top, bit cooler here, 300' higher than Vane.

Photo and fuel break before the easy run down to Bealach A' Mhaim. One more climb, up the twisty rocky path to Narnain's flat top. Took in the last views of the day before heading down through the Spearhead, a 30 strong walkers party gathering at the bottom, soon found out why as I ran on down, a large snow filled gully, it was only a 10 yard crossing  but the run-out was a trifle rocky, skirted round the snow scrambling down through steep bouldery ground before climbing back up to the track past the snow, legs starting to complain at the unexpected work.

Cramp soon eased as I got running again. Super day out, returned to a jam packed car park, 5 1/2 hours after I started. More photos here.

After a late night and morning, blue skies and sun again, drove along to Invergroin in Glen Douglas for a run up Beinn Bhreac, a steep wee grassy hill across the loch from Ben Lomond with great views of the loch and the Arrochar Alps beyond. Contrast from yesterday's rocky busy Arrochar run, Beinn Bhreac was deserted, steady plod up the steep tussocky hillside, the trig point hidden from the glen by several false summits.

The Cobbler and Narnain from Beinn Bhreac.

A seat in the sun to take in the views before a leisurely jog back down. A few more pictures here.

Ben Ime and the Cobbler

Forecast was improving but windy, we started from Succoth on the trail between Narnain and The Cobbler to Ime, wet climb the ground soaked with snowmelt, cold feet without my Sealskinz. Wind picked up as we climbed and a snowy squall blew through on the approach to the summit. Strangely calm at the top for a re-fuel break, back into horizontal hail and snow for the descent. Tentative on the greasy turf back to Beallach A'Mhaim across the Beallach for a short climb up The Cobbler. Didn't stand too close to the edge in the gusty conditions. Tricky descent down the steps in the wind then we were blown back through the glen. Into the forest, sheltered warm sunny jog back to Succoth, 11 miles, 5000' in 3 1/2 hours. A few pictures here. Sunday's recovery run up behind Carman reservoir, through the quarry and up to the Fort back home via last weeks race route.

Stoneymollan

Club Hill race, about 4 or 5 miles with 1000' of climb. 17 club members and 2 guests set off in reverse order spread over 26 minutes, aim is we all finish together, as usual one beat the handicapper, the rest finishing within 5 minutes of each other. The route takes us just over 1 1/2 miles up the road and stoney path to the second gate, a lumpy mile to the trig point, mainly down hill from there means a couple of short climbs on the way to Mount Malow, began to overtake a few here, a few more on the run down beside the radio mast and back on to the tarmac past the cemetery. Finished just inside 46 minutes.

Two Ben's

First Munro run of the year, not sure if we would get to the top, set off early on a drizzly cloudy day and only passed a few people on the way up. Jogged and walked through the undulating rocky bottom section before the steeper climb to the plateau and into the cloud. A good day to run, no wind and enough damp to keep you from overheating. Jogged up the plateau, a runner who came past on the run up to the plateau passed again on his way back down as we climbed up to the summit ridge. A chill wind picked up a bit now. No views today, met three Finish lads on the summit, a short camera exchange later the cold began to bite and we set off back along the ridge keen to get to the calmer conditions on the plateau. Running off the plateau we dropped out the cloud revealing lots of walkers on their way up. About 2 1/2 hours for 7 miles and 3192'. A few pictures here. Sunday's run longer with lest ascent, 11 miles and 2000', along to the Stoneymollan to join the 3LW through the forest with its brashing and muck emerging for the short run up to Ben Bowie. This part of the 3LW is also a part of the soon to be opened John Muir Coast to Coast Trail. On the way back ran over Bromley and Overton Muirs, good run despite the damp murky conditions giving my new Mudclaws a wee test. Same run time as Saturday.