Wintery weekend

Saturday set off for Luss, same run from a few weeks ago the road works stopped. Good day for a run, no wind, ground frozen so dryish warmish feet. Parked at the top of the glen, set off for Beinn Eich, into snow about 1500'.

 From Beinn Eich towards Doune Hill

About a foot deep at the top, kept to the less snowy south (left) side of the ridge. Run towards Beinn an Lochain kept low (left) avoiding the snowier ridge path. Doune Hills top nice and snowy, picked my way down the back keeping to the tussocky ground where I could avoiding the smoother steep snow slopes.
 

 Mid Hill from Doune Hill

Climb up Mid Hill back into some snow at the top before an easy run off into the glen now filled with warm sunshine, finished under four hours, photos here. Sunday's plan was a short run over Stoneymollan, sun and blue sky changed that, set off for Arrochar. Both car parks full to overflowing, ran up the tourist path, got a row for taking a shortcut from a guy who claimed he helped make the paths.

 The Cobbler

Out the forest and a white topped Cobbler shining above a heathery hillside, the path clear of snow until the Narnain boulders, maybe that's why they are there. Ran up Narnain from the bealach, snow smoothing the way, microspikes on as it got steeper. Walkers and climbers everywhere. Snow cover made crossing the boulder field easy, stunning views from the top.

 Views down Loch Long to Arran from Narnain

Stayed and took in the views for a few minutes, fun run down in my microspikes. Finished inside three hours, more pictures here.

Ben Bowie

Saturday, first run for a week, touch of manflu, through Chrsitie Park to the Stonymollan, followed the 3LW to Ben Bowie.

 
Hail shower sent me back towards Stoneymollan after a couple of minutes, along past the Trig, Fort and Radiomast, finished the 10 or so miles in just under 2 1/2 hours. Sunday recovery run up behind the reservoir, through the quarry to the Fort, back down via the Radiomast.

Carnethy 5

Snowy day for this years charge round 5 Pentland Hills.

Not at my best so took it easy across the bogs, 1st climb felt ok, good stretch on my legs, passing a few on the way up, flats and downhills slow, repeat another 4 times, good to pass folk going up for a change probably as I wasn't using much energy or oxygen on the flats or downs. Slowest C5 time and my 1st race where it snowed the whole way. RO insisted on an extra layer worn or carried, sensible, very cold on the tops, although fine if you kept moving. Report and links to pictures here. Finished 408th out of 499 in about 97mins.

Luss

Plan was Eich, Doune, Mid, roadworks half way up the glen threatened to delay the drive home. Back to the bottom of the glen, route change, Dubh, Mid, Coille-eughain, a bit shorter and less climb, still about 10 miles and 3500' of ascent.

Not too cold to start, breeze picked up nearer the top into the cloud then snow, jacket and wooly hat on. Run along to Mid's snowy tops.

Drop back into the glen into sleety hail, the cloud level had dropped. Easy jog up the glen road before crossing the new bridge and slippery trudge up CE Hill. Steady run down the Paps across the fields back to the bottom of Glen Luss, just over three hours.