Montana Roja

On holiday in Plays Blanca Lanzarote, went for a run up the a small volcano just behind the resort, Monatana Roja, Red Mountain.
Round trip from our apartment, including round the top was just over three  miles with about 500' of ascent.

Great views from the top and fun to be able to say I have run up a volcano. Walked up again with Andrew later on in the week.

Glen Douglas

Forecast was about right, although frosty in the glen the ground wasn't frozen, higher up it was but the damage was done on the boggy slope lower down, wet feet and cold toes.

Reached the top of Beinn Bhreac to great all round snowy peaks disappearing into the distance. The old path  to Ben Reoch criss crosses a new fence built just of the crest of the ridge, followed this down to the Beallach then gradually turned towards Reoch as the fence dipped down to the right.

The uphills a slow trudge in the patchy snow.

Stunning views of the Arrochar Alps from Reochs top.

Steep down into the glen then another trudge up beside Tullich Hills crags, nice and warm in the sun, apart from  my toes! Couple of small frozen lochs at the top add to the views.

East run back down into the Glen, found a nice trod though most of the new "native" plantation to finish just over three hours.

Beinn Ime

Slept in after a hard week, went for a single hill, Beinn Ime the tallest of the Arrochar hills. Overcast but clear, snow on the tops, set off up the zig zag trail. Came out the trees to the classic view of the Cobbler and a cool breeze.

Made it to the Narnain Boulders where I put jacket, hat and gloves on as the conditions always seem to deteriorate after these massive blocks. Not many people out today. A helicopter buzzing around the tops eventually hovering over Narnain before heading off. Started up Ime from the Beallach, a lone walker coming down meant I would have the hill to myself.

New path construction not complete, the bottom section still to be done, the volunteers tools lying abandoned in the cold, from about half way up the man made path is completed, made for an easier ascent until the ice further up made it easier to go off path, wind strengthening and firing a bit of snow across the hillside, fine needle like particles that stung your face. Reached the top in a bitingly cold wind, immediately turned back to get some shelter to get my phone out for a couple of pictures, ran back up to the top for a couple, although views were good it was a bit too inhospitable to hang around, my hand quickly froze as I have to take the weatherproof gloves off to use my camera. Good views to Ben Lui, Ben Lomond and the surrounding Arrochar tops.

Struggled to get my glove over my numb fingers then set off back along the path. Good fun running off the top in the shallow snow and I was soon back at the Beallach where a walker took my place on the hill starting his ascent as I came down. Easy run down past the Boulders and through the zig zags to finish inside 3 hours.

Trossachs Night Trail Race

First race of this years series, Aberfoyle, cold and raining as I arrived to register, a quick change in the car park then back into the registration hall in the Forth Inn for a heat.

The rain had stopped when we emerged for the start and 170 plus runners set off along a roller coaster of trails, forest roads and muddy single track. The route undulates up for about 3 1/2 miles from the village round the David Marshall Lodge, along behind the golf course then drops down and across the golf course, hole #7, onto a track beside the 11th finishing with a short section of single track and forest road, good fun.

Tinto Hill; Race

Late morning drive down the motorway turning off at Abingdon for Tinto, new set up this year, park and register at Damn Delicious beforw a short warm up across a couple of fields to the usual start.

Slightly smaller field this year, about 200 set off, a bit muddy on the lower slopes.

A minute or two slower than my best time to the top running all the way, turn and pick up pace, each mile faster.

Finished inside 50 mins and back to DD for some hot soup.