Ben Rinnes

Another go at the 5 Tops Hill race from Dufftown Highland Games. The 5 tops are Little Conval, Meikle Conval, then Ben Rinnes, returning over the Convals. A lap of the games field to start and finish. About 80 runners. Race started at mid day, and the temperature climbed as we ran. A mixture of run and walk over the Convals, Slow jog up Rinnes then a fast walk as the trail steepens towards the top, Going well until just before Rinnes summit then the wheels come off and in to survival mode, just pleased to finish the race probably lost 15 or 20 minutes on the way back.

Hammer Run

 Run over The Cobbler and Narnain via the walkers paths, It's called the Hammer run as the Strava trace is shaped like a claw hammer (or ice axe in winter!). Steady run through the 2 sets of zig zags, gradient eases as you come out the trees along past the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim, pointed a few walkers in the right direction for the Cobbler, limited views today in the mist. Cobbler first then Narnain, returned to Succoth past the Boulders and zig zags.

Narnain from Bealach a'Mhaim

Narnain's Trig point

Clach Thoull loop

Port Appin for a few days, short trail run round the Clach Thoul loop. 

Arrochar run

Another run over The Cobbler and Narnain, different ascent and descent from last week, avoiding most of the walkers, went up the Cobbler via An t Sron. Steep climb to start then a runnable ascent along the ridge with a short steep climb to the top of The Cobbler to finish. Followed the walkers paths down into Bealach a'Mhaim and up to Narnains flat top. Descent off Narnain through the Spearhead, more walkers than usual coming up here today.

The Brack from An t Sron

Eyes of the Needle

The Cobbler from Narnain

The Cobbler and Narnain

Too nice a day not to run up a hill. Stuck to the trails in Arrochar, through 2 sets of zig zags then undulating up past the Narnain Boulders. Brisk walk up the back stairs to the Cobbler plateau and central top, easy run back to Bealach a'Mhaim, another briskish walk to the top of Narnain, easy running back to Succoth. Nice and peaceful at that time on a Friday, maybe saw 10 or 12 others instead of the usual 100.

Ben Lomond

Ben Donich, left, Beinn an Lochain, right from The Cobbler

The Brack from The Cobbler 

Ime and Vane from The Cobbler