Beinn Dubh

Cold and overcast we set off for Luss, Beinn Dubh loop round to Mid Hill, back down the glen road, climbing Beinn Dubh into the clouds, faint blue tinge above, gradual increase in blue above and snow underfoot until we emerged above the cloud, power snow and powder blue sky, white topped mountains for miles, one of those days you don't want to go down, on the way to Mid Hill a bonus Broken Spectre as we looked towards Ben Lomond, finished happy in two and a half hours, Pictures here

Balloch park cross country

First club cross country race of the year, 10 of us set off for three laps starting behind the castle looping round inside the tree line. got into second place on the first lap third runner closed the gap but managed to hold on with a few seconds to spare. Finished inside 38 minutes.

Tinto Hill Race

4th go at Tinto hill race, straight up and down, 2 miles each way with 2000' of ascent. After a pre race sandwich and coffee in the Tinto cafe set off near the back of 220 runners, worked my way forward before the real climb began, kept a steady jog going working at getting past a few walking or jog walking. The rocky muddy path undulates up into the mist and round a minor top before the last wee pull to the summit and a run round the huge cairn in 112th place. Worked hard on the descent gained over a dozen places, lost a couple on the flattish run in to finish in 101st place inside 46 minutes. Soup and rolls in Symington hall after.

Narnain and the Cobbler

Bright and breezy, set off from Succoth up the walkers path. Quite a few walkers to navigate round. Along the trail past the Narnain Boulers and the cold wind picked up, a 45 degree lean forward seemed to work best, hard work, ice forming in any puddles and ground beginning to freeze. Jogged up Narnain, North wind helped to push me up, reached the top, no hanging about, a few quick photos and runn off to get out the freezing wind. Easy run back to the Bealach watchful for patches of ice. Ran up the back steps of the Cobbler and onto the middle summit, same routine, a few photos and set off for the Bealach. Steady run back through the glen, the wind easing and temperature rising after the Boulders, jacket and hat off as I ran through the forest zig zags in the sun finishing inside 3 hours. A few pictures here.