Polaroid Cross Countrry

First club race of 2019, two laps round the Polaroid Industrial Estate. Starts in the field in front of the council buildings, through the trees to the path alongside the River Leven, follow this to the back of Strathleven estate, the path comes out near a small pond, round the pond and follow a narrow path up, down and along to the Ind Estate exit road, take the tussocky verge back to the start, repeat. Happy to finish inside 39 minutes.

Glen Fruin again

Better weather, not much wind but a lot colder than last week, hoped to get round a few more hills. Instead of running up to the reservoir I turned right straight up Auchengaich Hill once I crossed the gate.

Shorter climb than Chaorach, boggy at first then dried out as it got steeper. Tussocky on top, found an undulating trail along the ridge over Beinn Tharsuin to Beinn Chaorach.

Beinn Chaorach from Beinn Tharsuin

A bit icy in places but mostly runnable. Followed the fence posts from Choarach down grassy slopes to the Glen Fruin/Luss watershed, kept to the steeper ground as any flat bits tended to be covered in ice. Crossed the glen and picked up a quad bike track alongside a newly built fence beside a deep gulley up Beinn a Mahanachs southwest flank. Followed the fence to a high col just below the summit, a short push to the top for some pictures.

Reservoir with Auchengaich Hill behind from Beinn A Mahanach

Turned back to the col and a track that ran down towards the Strone with its firing range warnings. Much better route today, 7 or 8 miles, 3000' of ascent in just over 2 1/2 hours.

Glen Fruin

New route today, aim was to run up the road to Glen Fruin reservoir then ascend Beinn Chaorach dropping off the back into Glen Luss climb Cruach an t Sidhein, coming back over Beinn Mahanach and The Strone.

About 9 miles and 4500' of ascent. Set off about 1pm, with the lack of daylight hours a bit late and decided to miss Cruach an t Sidhein out. Slow climb up Chaorach, wind increasing with height, into crouch mode on the top.

Difficult to stay upright and scuttled off as quickly as possible, decided to give Mahanach a miss as well, dropped down to the watershed between Glens Luss and Fruin, crossing over for the short climb to The Strone, ignoring the temptation to climb Mahanach.

Steady run down the track past the firing range warnings signs to finish about 6 miles and 2500' of ascent inside 2 1/2 hours.

Luss Hills

Parked at the turning point near the top of Glen Luss, preferred space at the end of the road taken. Ran to the top of the road and on to Beinn Eich, slow trudge up, then along to Doune Hills trig point via Beinn Lochain, about turn and run back.

Doune Hill from Beinn Eich

 Doune Hills Trig Point

 Beinn Eich from descent off Beinn Lochain

 Cruach an t Sidhein from Beinn Eich

Loch Lomond from descent off Beinn Lochain

 Fairly misty and cool with a light breeze, ok if you kept moving. Finished the 8+ miles in just over 2 1/2 hours.