Dollar

First SHR Champs race for me this year as I missed Scolty. Nearly 300 set off on this undulating run over a few grassy Ochill Hills. Once your up the first climb pretty much runnable all the way. Held back a bit on the first climb this year with the large number of runners meant I had some energy left once on the tops, with plenty of people in front to use as targets managed to pick off a few along the way, finished the 10 miles and 3000' plus just inside 1 hour 50 for the first time. Cake fest in the pavilion after, no mean feat providing home catering for 300 or so hungry runners and their friends. Pictures here. Sunday's cool down an extended Stoneymollan. Pictures here.

Vorlich, Vane and Douglas too

With Ben Vorlich separated from the other Arrochar Alps by Loch Sloy its not one I visit too often, last time was the Arrochar Alps race in 2011. Run up through Glen Loin past Coiregrogain to the wee path that twists and turns up to Vorlich's summit ridge. Pass a few walkers on the way up, on into the mist so no views from the top today. Visit both tops the real top with the cairn and the lower one with trig point. A wee break for a re-fuel then off down the steep drop straight down to Sloy Dam. Across the dam and up to the right of the buttress, the opposite to the race route. Steady trudge up, probably one lump too far to the right and reach the ridge further down and away from the top than planned. Easier climb to the top along the ridge, this time clouds just over the tops and good views to Loch and Ben Lomond. Fun run down the tourist path past a few walkers we had met earlier on. All too soon back on the Glen Loin trail to Succoth, 15 miles, 6700' of ascent in 5 hours 50. Sunday, no plans to run but too good a day to miss and set off for Glen Douglas's hills, Beinn Bhreac, Ben Reoch and Tullich Hill, a nice wee round, 6 miles and 3300' a bit cleggy until into the breeze above the tree line, after the first climb a good undulating run round, ran lochside of the lumps between Bhreac and Reoch, pathless but an easy run, walk to a welcome breeze on the top. A few pictures and off down the steep drop towards Tullich Hill. On the way up a couple of deer amble across a hundred feet or so above. Onto the summit plateau via the usual gulley past the two lochans, more photos and views. Easy run down to Invergroin, 2 hours 45. Saturday pictures here, Sunday pictures here.

Vane, Ime Narnain

Arrochar for a few hills,Vane Ime and Narnain, 12 miles and 6500' of ascent, started up a warm Glen Loin path to Coiregrogain and onto the trudge up Vane, passed a few walkers, into the cloud before the top. Cloud lifted on the descent so didn't really need a bearing but took one anyway, good practice for when you do need it. Easy run down into Lag Uaine. Slow walk up Ime towards the beallach then up past the crag, a wee pause for a seat in the snow. Back into the clouds for a rest at the top then another easy run to Beallach a' Mhaim. Short climb up Narnain to finish the hard work, down through the Spearhead for the 3000' drop back to Succoth, finished in 5 hrs 20 mins with a quick plunge in the jacuzzi to wash the mud off and a seat by the loch.

4000's and a Big buchle

Last June I ran the Mamores, great day out, time to try the other side of the glen. Staying in Glen Nevis Campsite for the weekend, woke Saturday to a good day for hills, a bit of cloud, sun and  breeze, rain forecast for later. Started from the Youth Hostel up Heart Attack hill onto the Ben tourist path, hoards of walkers from various charities and a few runners. Topped out in just over two hours, a seat to refuel and work out the way to the Carn Mor Dearg arete, East, South East past some fence poles dropping down bouldery ground then North East to join the arete. A peaceful contrast to the Ben with only a few walkers and runners. Made my way round the arete, carefully at first, eyes fixed on the ground, avoiding looking at the drops on either side, relaxed and gained confidence as I picked my way along as the path fades in and out along easy scrambles, a short climb and I'm on top, its almost 2 hours since I left the Ben, a seat to re-fuel and gaze at a stunning Ben Nevis rock face. East again down a steep rocky ridge distracted by the aerial display over unseen crowds watching the Mountain Bike World Cup. Across the narrow beallach before the steep 1000' climb up Aonach Mor's twisty loose path, the gradient eases and a run along to the cairn, another brief stop then chased three other runners across to Aonach Beag, they were going to Corrour Station via the Grey Corries, a shortish climb to the snow covered top, staying well back from the corniced edge. Easy run down grassy slopes to the last top of the day, Stob Coire Bhealaich. Traversed round Coire a' Bhuic down beside the alt Coire nan Laogh to Steall Meadows. Ran down the bouldery track then a 5 mile shuffle as the rain started on the road back to camp. 17 miles, 7500' in 8 hours 15. Sunday sunshine dried out the tent over a leisurely break of fast and camp. Drove through Glen Coe stopping at the valley between the Buachailles. Set off a couple of miles along the Lairig Gartain taking a good path up beside Stob Coire Altrium, turned up and over Stob Na Doire along to Stob Dearg, a couple of false summits and I'm on top, a quick stop as the cloud and rain sweeps in closing out the views, retreat between snow cornices scrambling into Coire na Tulaich, steep at first then man made bouldery path back down. 7 Miles, 3200' in 3 hours 30.

Cort Ma Law

Drizzly low cloud greeted us, full kit and full kit check for all and body count before the start. The field spread out, mostly ahead on the run walk up the steep slope from Campsie Glen. Steady running past a few minor tops and a few minor bogs on the way to CML. Fun started on the way to Lecket Hill, bog city, good ones where I stepped on mostly tussocks, some I didn't and further along resorting to jump, dive, grab the far side and pull myself up while trying to overtake and not be overtaken, all too soon we started the short climb to the top of Lecket followed by a boggy run into the gulley. Felt fine on the slow trudge back to the crossover ran where I could avoiding too much of a plunge into the last big bog. Undulating run back and down the steep grassy bank to finish in about 74 minutes.

Ben Bowie

Late Sunday run, Stoneymollan, 3LW to Ben Bowie, back to the top of the Stoney, home along the hillside over Bromley and Overton Muir's, a warm and drizzly 11 miles, 2100' in just over 2 hours.