WHW

Poor weather forecast and went for a trail run from Garadhban to Balmaha and back, follwoing the WHW over Conics shoulder. Started just after 8, not many out at that time, over Conic and down into Balmaha, a few more people out on the WHW now. Turned back and took in 3 of Conics summits running down the back re-joining the WHW about half way down. Started snowing for a while on the way back, passed some more walkers and a few runners, finished the 10 plus miles inside 3 hours.

Carnethy 5

Wet and windy for this years race, thermal leggings, double thermal top, jacket, hat and gloves from the start as the rain swept in on one of our winter storms. 500 plus runners dashed across the swamp to the first hill, Scald Law, staggeringly windy on top, short down and up  South Black Hill, the Kips were the windiest, almost crawling across West Kip, down to the Howe in relative calm before the trudge up the gully and helpfully blown up the final climb to Carnethy hills cairn. Down the heathery slopes , one tumble as I tried to film the descent then back across the swamp to the finish and feeding a hypothermic runner with hot sweet tea.

Ardgarten Trails

Not a great forecast so back to Ardgarten for more trail running, early start to beat the storm, turned out fine, didn't neeed a jacket. Planned route from Ardgarten to Honeymoon bridge Car Park, onto the upper trail round to Glen Loin, round the Glen Loin loop in a clockwise direction rejoining the trail to Ardgarten taking the lower track down to Ardgarten, finishing inside 3 1/2 hours, the last half hour pretty slow, new Inov8 Roclite trail shoes worked ok.

 

Glen Douglas

Started and finished in Glen Douglas at the usual wee car park but ran in to Glenh Fruin and Luss hills for a change. Took advantage of an access road and bridge into the missile store and ran on a soggy trail round the fenceline heading up rising traverse through a young conifer plantation onto the ridge to Cruach an T Sidhein. Gentle climb with a short steep climb to the top. New fences are appearing all over these hills make for easier navigation but not so much fun. Dropped down to the bealach before the trudge up to Beinn Lochain and along to Doune Hill. A shhort down and up to Doune hills second lower top and took off straight down towards Glen Douglas, I did this descent about 9 years ago and lucky enough to pick a good line, not so good this time, veered too far right and caught in crags requiring re ascent and traversing along, took nearly an hour for what shoudl take about 20 or 30 minutes, next time I'll take the longer quad bike track that comes down at a farm with a bridge saving a wade through the river.