Back for another go at the Stuc, hoping to do better than last year when I was timed out at the crossover, albeit when they reduced the cut off time due to bad weather.
Gathering at the start
Nearly 180 starters this year, the cold wind blowing around when I arrived in Strahyre thankfully eased through the day. Two miles of undulating up forest track to start. The next couple of miles a marrow trod through forest and the open hill across Meall Mor to the drop into Glen Ample.
View across Glen Ample to Beinn Each, the Stuc peaking out behind
Beinn Each ascent
Beinn Each ascent
The next mile climbs about 1500' up to the top of Beinn Each, the first part requires some all fours work using old fence posts and wire and heather to aid the ascent, thankfully the gradient eases about two thirds of the way up where it gets a bit cooler as the wind kicks in. Over the top and onto the 2 mile ridge to the Stuc reaching the Bealach nam Cabar crossover a bit quicker than last year.
Ridge to the Stuc, back right
Jog walking now as the ridge undulates up towards the Stuc with a few short steep sections along the way.
Approaching the Stuc summit
Round the summit cairn and back along the ridge to the crossover, again a few short steep ups and downs along the way. Just past the crossover and realised I have lost my GoPro, turned back, thankfull to find it about 30 yards back up the hill.
Glen Ample checkpoint
On my way down into Glen Ample for the traverse along to the Glen checkpoint before the last big climb out the Glen, only 500 to 600 feet, probably about 15 mins of grind, feels like more, aided by some cramp reducing electrolyte fluids. Working harder now to keep a reasonable pace going over the moor and through the forest before the last two miles on forest roads to finish just over 3 hours 42, 122nd out of 168 finishers.
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