Saturday, April 29, 2023

Arrochar Run

Change of plan due to the low cloud, instead of the hills round Glens Finlas and Fruin which turn into vague grassy lumps in the mist went to Arrochar for mostly easy to follow trails. Ran up the Glen Loin trail to Coirgrogain on to the Ben Vane path, a steep trudge accompanied by noisy complaints from various departments, quads, glutes and hips, probably due to 2 races in 5 days this last week. Quite a few walkers out today, you hear them first, their outlines emerging from the grey mist and rock then fade back to noise after I pass them. Vanes summit empty and cold in the mist and wind, a quick re-fuel and off towards Ime via the turning stone, the turning stone is a large boulder that marks my preferred descent. Easy run down through tussocks, soft rushes and over streams and bogs, all looking unfamiliar in the mist. I had hoped to drop below the mist at Lag Uaine, the lowest point between Vane and Ime, no luck today the mist fills the glen. Make my way across to a narrow ridge to start the climb to Glas Bealach half way to Ime, a faint path winds its way up fading at the bottom of a crag where a grassy ramp provides a way through, the next part towards Glas Bealach is pathless again, the climb feels too easy and I've veered away from the up slope, stop to check the ground aspect, I don't want to end up on Beinn Choarranach instead of Ime, a quick traverse and I was back on track for the steep climb from Glas Bealach, despite aches and pains going up Vane this climb went better than usual, more ghostly shapes appear as I reach the summit, lots of walkers from here. Drop off Ime to Bealach a'Mhaim then down the path that runs past the Narnain Boulders, the Buttermilk burn providing pleasant company to the top of the zig zags back to Succoth.

Glen Loin trail

Lochs Lomond, Arklet & Katrin from Vane

Ben Vane summit

Turning Stone

Crag on Ime

Ime's summit

Buttermilk Burn


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