Hills, Parks, Squirrels and Ducks.

Icy wind under blue skies, opted for a run over a couple of local lumps, Pappert Well and Whinney Hill, with a bit of road before and after each lump. Not sure why this run always feels harder to me than other ones with more ascent and rougher ground. Set off nice n steady once clear of the houses and trees slip and slide round the snow and icy mud path. With some imaginative route finding managed to keep my feet relatively dry and warm. Great views all the way.

Got to the trig point and forgot how to take pictures on my phone, Trig points don't provide much shelter from the wind and I started to freeze trying to work out what was wrong, after a few on off's realised why the screen went white and that pressing the zoom didn't take a picture.

Running again through more trees and mud, left the trial at the style, across fields and onto the road behind Balloch Park and the Whinney Hill Trail. Lot of walkers out today. More mud and trees, stopped to take in the views over to Luss and up the Loch. Round the loop and back down to Balloch Park, lots of life, human and wild.

Tired legs and took a shortcut through Balloch station, Argyle and Christie Parks, about 14 miles, 2100' in just over three hours. Sunday's plan was for a few easy miles, along to Stoneymollan, same blue skies and icy wind as Saturday. Ran up through the trails, keeping off the road as much as possible. On the way up we decided to go along the 3LW to Ben Bowie. On the way back we ran along the moor to the fort above Carman Reservoir. 

Snowy paths icy in places a few muddy bits to avoid off trail. A bit further than planned, worth the effort, 11 miles, 2000' in about 2 1/2 hours. Pictures from Saturday here, Sunday here.

Beinn Dubh and Stoneymollan

Saturday's forecast showers with the wind dropping later on, set off for an afternoon run over some Luss hills. Lower slopes pretty clear of snow, not quite frozen, made for colder feet. Wind hadn't listened to the forecast and picked up a bit towards the top as a squall filled with icy snow blew through. Running the ridge to Mid Hill slow on the frozen lumpy snow, turned back for the second time in a week.The squall passed on the descent and nearly turned back encouraged by the scraps of blue sky overhead. Reached the bottom just as the next shower blew through. 5 miles, 2000' in just over 90 mins. Sunday a group run up Stoneymollan, along the ridge to the Fort then exit via quarry and behind Carman Reservoir, 7 miles, 1000', 90 mins.

Beinn Dubh

Timekeeping at Saturday's club Cross Country, today a run in the Luss Hills, plan was similar to two weeks ago Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill then turn back or descend and cross the glen to come back down Coille-eughain Hill. Loads of cars at the entrance to the Glen, the conditions probably keeping most away from higher places like Arrochar and Crianlarich. Clear blue skies and an easy jog in a couple of inches of snow to begin. Passing walkers every few minutes, breeze picked up with height soon the spindrift was covering the footprints of those just in front.

Onto the second part of the climb, deepening snow slows me to a steady walk, approaching the top exposed to a full on icy blast down to a slow trudge in the deepening snow. Find a sheltered spot along the ridge towards Mid Hill, time for an extra layer, second jacket, trousers and gloves on. Path now invisible, pick out patches of frozen snow crust just about holds me and ok to run on, slow to a stumble through the softer drifts, round the first corrie I've had enough and turn back.

Stop for a few pictures where I find a bit of shelter, once off the top the wind gradually eases, fun descent in the snow a makeshift path worn by all the walkers, by the bottom the sun has found its heat again.

 A day of two's,  two pairs of trousers, two thermal tops, two jackets, two pairs of gloves, two hats, all at once apart from the hats. The top, so close to sunny Loch Lomond, a different world, views to die for and easy to get into trouble without the right gear, two miles shorter than last time but 20 minutes longer, a few more pictures here.

Ben Bowie

Late run today, out and back along the 3LW to Ben Bowie, wet, windy and cold. Left about 3. Up the Stoneymollan on to the forest road winding round and up through the trees, path now complete means you can run it instead of ploughing through gloopy mud. Muddy upper trail then a bit of a swamp before the short climb to the top. Loch Lomond out of sight in the mist and rain, Helensburgh's lights just about shining through. Stopped for a few pictures, ran back the same way too dark to run back over Bromley and Carman muirs. 11 miles, 1900' in just over 2 hours. A few murky pictures here.

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Manflu and I hadn't run for about 3 weeks, back to work tomorrow meant get out there and christen the year, a cold misty, on top, Luss Run, just about what was required. Slow plod up Beinn Dubh, ground icing up nicely made for not too cold and dry feet with my sealskinz socks. Quite a few walkers out today, they tend to frequent these lower hills in the snow. Ran round the corries to the two small cairns and Mid Hill, some blue sky and nearly sunny for a few minutes then I turned back along the ridge to Beinn Dubh. Out and back, about 7 miles, 2500' in just over 2 hours. A few pictures here.