Birnam

SHR championship time again, first one Birnam, short and steep, 4 miles, 1750' of ascent, big field well over 200. Started at the back not feeling particularly strong, a short road section gradually climbs before we start onto the hill, kept jogging similar pace to those around me walking, picked off a few then dropped into walk mode and lost a few. The path twists its way up through trees then levels out onto a scraggy path over a series of minor tops. The run off starts down steep soft muddy ground for a few minutes before joining a forest trail. The trail drops down quickly twisting and turning its way back towards Birnam. Save some energy for the last miles wee undulations. The last few hundred yards gently downhill, finished under 47 mins, a few slower than last time.

Finlas, Fruin, Luss

Longer route today taking in the tops overlooking Glens Finlas, Fruin and Luss. The plan was Coille-eughain Hill, Beinn Tharsuin, Beinn Chaorach, Beinn Mhanaich, Cruach an t Sidhein, Beinn Eich, 12 miles and 6000', in the end we ran round Mhanaich instead of going over the top for a similar distance with 1000' less ascent. Parked at the top of Glen Luss crossed the river straight onto the steep Coille-eughain Hill, easier today as it was the first rather than last one.

View from Coille-eughain Hill towards top 657.

Onto the broad ridge the day promised much, clear blue skies, gentle cooling breeze, another short climb onto an undulating ridge, four tops, 2 numbered, 657 and 693, 2 named, Tharsuin and Chaorach.

View from Chaorach towards Clyde Estuary.

From Chaorach we decided to miss out Mhanaich, instead contouring round on what looked like deer tracks far below. Turned out well the tracks taking us relatively painlessly through the tussock filed glen to the bottom of Cruach an t Sidhein, a tough wee climb 1200' in under 3/4 of a mile.

Outward route on the right, homeward route over Beinn Eich on the left, taken from Cruach an t Sidhein's rounded top.

One more climb to go, Beinn Eich, ran and walked fueled by a couple of jelly babies. Superb wee day out, finished just under 5 hours, only met one other person, a walker on t Sidhein's top. More pictures here.

Deer Beinn Dubh

Back in the groove this week, longer Saturday, easier than last week, planned for 3 hours, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille-eughain and the Paps to finish.9 miles and 3700'. A bit quicker up Beinn Dubh and met a 30 plus herd of camera shy deer sitting just off the ridge to the south.

As we ran along the ridge half the herd ran in front of us the rest crossing behind. Cool breeze round the corries, Arrochar Alps looked frozen, a few weeks before we venture up there.

Coille-eughain the usual trudge, a Stag and Hind teasing us keeping just out of camera range. The only wildlife close enough a bit more static.

Good run off down the grassy Paps to finish just under three hours. Sunday's effort just over the hour, round the Stoneymollan race route.

Luss Horseshoe

Reverse running this weekend, short local run on Saturday, up to the Fort, due to high winds, glad I didn't go any higher. Sunday bright an breezy, back to Luss to see if I could finish another recent abandoned run, a clockwise loop round the glen, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain, Doune Hill, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh to finish, about 12 miles and close to 5000' of ascent. Ran up the glen road, a large group of hill walkers were in front of me on Beinn Eich, good some people to pick off, caught the first couple before the 2nd style, the rest waiting at the second style.

Outward route, Beinn Eich on the left, Doune Hill the middle of three tops at the back.

Oh well, steady walk up, a bit quicker than last time. Approaching the last wee down and up before the top the wind kicked up a notch, fleece hat on and pushed on over the top, no hanging about for pics, very exposed run along to Beinn Lochain where an icy squall blew in, took refuge behind a large rock just off the ridge, could be another bailout. After about 5 minutes the sky began to clear, set off again but stopped after a few minutes, 2nd jacket and 2nd pair of gloves on, staggered off along the ridge into a fresh breeze gradually warming up. Straight over Doune Hill and down into Glen Mollochan thankful to be out the wind at last.

Mid Hill left, Beinn Eich right

 Across a tussocky Sith Mor, on the climb up Mid Hill, the wind picks up again, helping from behind now. Along the top then round the corries the wind helps keep tired legs moving. Jogged down Beinn Dubh gradually removing layers as the wind dropped and sun kicked in, finish in just over 4 hours. More pictures here.