Glen Finlas run

Looking for a shorter run this weekend before next weeks Stuc, started at the bottom of the haul road onto the track towards Finlas dam. Cut off up the ramp to the right just before the dam, undulates alongside the reservoir. Just past it turn right up the hill beside a fence to the top of Beinn Ruisg.

Followed the path that runs alongside the fence/ridge round to the two unnamed tops spot height 657 and 693. Decided to do the out and back over Beinn Tharsuin to Beinn Chaorach.

Returning to top 693 then running down over Balcnock, cutting down a bit earlier than usual towards the NW end of the reservoir. Good descent then  picked up a rough tussocky sheep track just above the reservoir before the run back down the track to the car, finished inside 4 hours.

Beinn Dubh Hill Race

First Bog and Burn race of the year for me, 4 miles all in, 2 up and 2 down. Over 100 runners tonight. Ground very dry and a cool wind blowing at the top. Set off with a jog walk jog walk trying to keep the effort high. First half of the climb went well, eased off a bit on the second half, reached the top in about 38 minutes, round the cairn and started easy then built up as much speed as I could, the turf quite dry and springy at first. Kept it going across the plateau, ground very dry on the the last steeper drop to finish inside 52 minutes, a PB by about as minute.

Luss Horseshoe

Afternoon run, very warm today, thankful for the breeze once I gained a bit of height. Wasn't sure of the route and decided on Eich, Lochain, Doune, Mid. Set off easy up Beinn Eich, stopped to watch a couple of eagles wheeling around.

Tried to take a picture with my phone!

Thankful for sunscreen and a breeze towards the top. Stopped for a couple of pictures, only local hills, the rest lost in the haze.

Cruach an t Sidhein  from Beinn Eich

Ran off the back and stopped to look at a route change, turning left and returning via Chorach/Tharsuin, will do that another day and take in CTS. Ran over Beinn Lochain and up to Doune's trig point summit, a couple of pictures, then down and up its second slightly lower summit.

Doune Hills trig point from its second top

Running down into the glen towards Sith Mor is easier from this top, not so many gullies and steep drops to avoid, worth the few minutes of extra climb.

Beinn Dubh from last wee cairn 

Across the tussocks at the bottom and trudged up Mid Hill, took in the two wee stone cairns and a couple of pictures before turning back and dropping into the glen finishing inside 3 1/2 hours with a cool down in the Glen Mollochan burn.

Arrochar Run

First Arrochar run for a couple of months, route was Glen Loin to Coiregrogain, Ben Vane, Lag Uaine, Beinn Ime, Bealach a Mhaim, back via Buttermilk Burn path. Started before 8 through Glen Loin, cool breeze and sunny.

Ben Vane

Turned onto the Ben Vane path just after Coiregrogain, once up the initial steep bank I could see a walker approaching the cave which would give me a measure of pace, if I could catch him. Breeze picked up and temperature dropped with height, passed the walker as the gradient eased towards the top, changed into thicker gloves and woolly hat. Through the wee scramble the ground covered in icy white drops. Reached the top, a quick photo and attempted to use my Go Pro which ran out of battery in a couple of seconds, bitter wind and didn't hang about for long.

Lui Munros from Ben Vane summit

To avoid the steep craggy ground between Vane and Lag Uaine I ran off the top on the usual 280 bearing to the rock then gradually swung left down gentle grassy ramps taking my time to avoid the black icy patches hiding underneath. Thankfully the wind eased as I dropped into the valley.

Lag Uaine

Climbed up the back of Ime, starting up the usual small ridge and through the crag, the gradient easing towards Glas Bealach between Ime and Chorranach. Traversing round Ime as I climbed helped to give some shelter from the wind but I still needed a change up to ski mitts. Ran straight over the top to get out the bitter wind, stopped for a couple of photos sheltering behind the twin summits.

Cobbler from path off Ime

Steady run down to Bealach a Mhaim onto the Buttermilk Burn path passed the Narnain Boulders and down the zig zags to finish inside 4 1/2 hours, pleasantly warm at last!