Narnain and the Cobbler the quiet way

Shorter long run this week, weather perfect, blue skies , a bit of cloud and a gentle cool breeze. Avoided the zig zags out of Succoth, straight up Narnain, usually this is fairly quiet, not so today, gave me plenty of people to chase and pass. A few people between Narnain and The Cobbler, the Cobbler summit busy as usual. Peace at last descending the An t Sron ridge before the mile or so of forest track back to Succoth.

The Brack from Narnain

Ben Vane from Narnain

The Cobbler, Ime & Narnain from An t Sron

Narnain and The Cobbler

Friday afternoon run, set off just after half 3, straight up the old hill access path with the concrete blocks, this route is usually quiet and only met three people on the top half. Warm in the afternoon sun, once I cleared the treeline a slight breeze helped. The path on the next part has been upgraded, large rocks and stones form an uneven staircase, ok going up, not so good for a fast descent. Views open up with height to A'Chrois and the Cobbler, through the Spearhead onto Narnian's summit plateau, great views all round the Arrochar Alps, the hills beyond fading into the haze. Down to Bealach a'Mhaim and up the Cobblers back steps to the central peak, another 3 people, usually its 103. Descended behind the summit crags onto the ridge to An t-Sron, from there descending grassy slopes to meet the walkers access path, passed a few more people here, down the zig zags to Succoth inside 3 hours.

The Cobbler from ascent of Narnain

A'Chrois from ascent of Narnain

The Spearhead

Ime from Narnain

Narnain from the ascent of The Cobbler

The Brack from The Cobbler

Descending behind the Cobblers crags

The Cobbler ftom An t-Sron

The Cobbler and Narnain

Planned an early start on Saturday to catch the good weather forecast for the morning. I ran this route a couple of months ago except the opposite direction. The first climb and last descent are less used by walkers and runners compared to the bit in the middle, from the top of the Cobbler to the top of Narnain.

Set off about 8:30 up the stream/block path up Narnain to where it meets the path off to the left.

This path runs along a terrace and joins the more popular tourist path that runs up beside the Buttermilk burn past the Narnain Boulders to Sgurr a'Mhaim, crossed the tourist path and burn for a trudge up a boggy path to the An t-Sron ridge.

Ran and walked along the undulating ridge on up to the back of the Cobblers craggy top.

View back down the An t-Sron ridge, buttermilk burn on the left.

Quite breezy on top, didn't hang about and set off down the Cobblers back stairs across Bealach a'Mhaim and up Narnain. 

A rainy squall blew through making for atmospheric conditions across the top of Narnain.

Down through the spearhead for one of my favourite descents back down to Succoth, finished in about 3 1/2 hours, within a minute of my previous run in the opposite direction.