Narnain and The Cobbler, the quiet way

Fancied a longer run today, changed my mind at the Succoth car park ticket machine, wen for a 3 to 4 instead of a 4 to 5 hour ticket. Straight up Narnain, by the Block path at first then the new steps winding my way up into the mist, the sun trying to shine through. Only passed two people just before the Spearhead, no one on top, stopped for a picture and a drink. Down to Belach a'Mhaim and up to The Cobblers summit, a few people leaving as I arived, left before anyone else came up. Down via An t Sron, took my time, again no one on this ridge. A mile or so on forest track to finish, another couple of people sitting taking in the views. Good peaceful run, cloud and mist made for atmospheric views, and finished before 12.

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Spearhead

Narnain summit cairn

Narnain summit Trig and cairn

Towards Butterbridge from Narnain

Arrochar from An t Sron

Loch Long

Killoeter and Ben Bowie

Friday for my long run this week, went over a couple of local hills, something a bit easier after the last few weeks. Along to Upper Stoneymollan road and the three Lochs Way, turning off for a traverse over Killoeter, turned back up the 3LW for a few minutes before taking a softer walkers path to the top of Ben Bowie. Back via the 3LW and Upper Stoneym road.

Glen Finlas and Luss hills from Stoney

Clyde Estuary from Kiloeter

Ben and Loch Lomond from Ben Bowie

5 Mile Handicap

6 of us set of in reverse order for our nearly 5 mile handicap, 4 finished within a minute, 1 got a bit lost and I was slower than I hoped. Good night for a race even though it was on the road.

Crianlarich Hill Run

Couple of hills near Crianlarich for a change. Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean, mostly out and back with a couple of minor tops both ways. Improving forecast for the day, cloudy when I left home, gradually cleared as I drove up Loch Lomond side. A mile of forest track to start, turned off for a climb up to the ridge which has the minor tops Grey Height and Meall Dahm on it. Warm on the way up to the ridge but cooled down in a Northerly breeze as I picked my way along the ridge, slow going with its twists and turns, rocks and stones. Steep climb to the col between Ardrain and Tulaichean, Went for the higher top first, Ardrain, cloud covered when I reached  it, took a couple of pictures, turned to leave and the cloud cleared, stayed to take in the views and a few more pictures. Set off for Tulaichean just over a mile away, another photo stop then back towards Ardrain to the exit path, easy run back along the undulating rocky ridge as the day warmed up, plenty of stops to take in the views and pick out future route options.

Beinn A Chroin and An Caisteal from Ardrain

Beinn Tulaichean from Ardrain

Ardrains summit cairn

Ardrain from Tulaichean

Boulder with Stob Binnien behind

Meall Dhamh and Grey Height

Wee lochan, Lui Munros behind
 

Arrochar Run

Stuck to the main trails, my go to Hammer Run, for something a bit easier. Set off at half 8 for a run over Narnain and The Cobbler though Bealach a'Mhaim. Only a few walkers and runners out. Quiet today, the noise muffled in the mist. Avoided the first set of zig zags taking the old path straight up from the start, a few of the old concrete blocks still visible. On to the forest track to Ardgarten then right up the second zig zag path. Out the forest and the gradient eases until Bealach a'Mhaim, walk jog up Narnain, mostly walk. Didn't hang about at the top running back to the Bealach and another mostly walk to the top of The Cobbler. A quick refuel at the top and set off back to the Bealach and down to the zig zags, avoided the lower ones running a bit further along the track taking a narrow path by a small stream. Very warm today, had a breeze for the first couple of hours which died away towards the end.

 

Ben Nevis

Another year at the Ben Race, my 17th, staying in our fav Glen Nevis Campsite for a couple of nights. Woke up to clearing skies, it would be a warm race. Cycled down to the start, enjoying the atmosphere as 450 runners and many more friends gathered for the 1pm start in Claggan Park. A mile of undulating up road to start joining the tourist path at the Nevis Inn. Slight route change this year, we had to stay on the tourist path from the Inn to the Red Burn on the way up and the way down, avoiding the Red Burn Short Cut due to concerns over erosion and land slips, although this added about 3/4 of a mile it only seemed to add about 5 or 6 minutes to my time. The path is a lot smoother. From the Red Burn its straight up over scree and boulders. Towards the top the gradient eases and some shuffle running enjoyed over the shattered rocky path, one of my favourite sounds. Electronic timing at the top this year saw me there in 2 hours. Gloves on for the descent in case of a tumble, luckily they weren't needed. Stopped a couple of times to assist cramping runners as I had some extra electrolytes after bad cramp last year. Back on the Red Burn screes bring a smile to my face and overtake a few more timid runners, tourist path again from the Red Burn, the rocky steps and multitude of hill walkers keep the pace sensible. The last mile on the road, thankfully mostly downhill with a trot round Claggan Park to finish in just over 3 hours.

The Ben from Glen Nevis

Claggan Park