Arrochar Hill Run

 Sizzling hot day set off earlyish for a run over Vane, Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler. Glen Loin trail to start, a few walkers out here, got to the start of Vanes path and eased into a steady walk, thankfully a nice breeze once I gained some height, passed loads of walkers going up and down, slowed on the top third or so in the heat. Got to the top, no one else there, took a few minutes to refuel and take in the views. Easy run down grassy slopes avoiding the crags into Lag Uaine, back into walk mode for the trudge up to Glas Bealach then on up to Ime, only met one walker going in the opposite direction between Vane and Ime's summits, slowed again towards the top of this stiff climb. At the top of Ime back into the crowds, another pause to refuel and take in the views from Jura to Ben Nevis. Short easy run down to Bealach a Mhaim then the up to Narnain, started to cramp on the climb and it took a couple of Salt Stick Fast Chews to ease the pain. It's a short climb and soon on top, refuelled and set off for the Cobbler, thankfully a shortish climb up here as well, loads of walkers out enjoying the fine day. left the summit via the An t Sron ridge, much quieter, although still busier than usual, at the end of the ridge dropped down and cooled my feet in the Buttermilk Burn before crossing the walkers path and taking the argo track back to Succoth. A fine day to enjoy these steep wee hills.

Ben and Loch Lomond from Vane

Ime (r) Narnain (l) & The Cobbler from Vane

Lui Munros from Vane

Vane from Ime, Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine to the right

Beinn an Lochain and Butterbridge from Ime

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Cobbler from Narnain

Ime (l) Vane (mid) & Narnain (r) from The Cobbler

Arrochar and Glen Fruin run

Easier run planned this weekend, on good paths over The Cobbler and Narnain, set off late Friday afternoon, early enough to finish in daylight. Trails and hills quiet at this time of day. Started up the path behind Succoth's houses missing out the stoney lower zig zag path, steady jog through the upper zig zags and past the Narnain Boulders to the back stairs, made it up with only a couple of short breaks. Only saw one other person, a ghost in the mist at the top, didn't hang about back down the stairs and plodded up Narnain, round the trig and back the way I came up, finishing in just over three hours.

Narnain from the Narnain Boulders

The Cobbler

Cobbler summit

Narnain shrouded in mist

Narnain clears for a few minutes

Being watched

Naranins trig

Squeezed a short run in on Saturday. The Strone and Beinn a Mahanaich, managed to keep a steady jog to the top, no views again today, easy run down to finish in about 90 mins. Strava feed failed after a few seconds, restarted at the summit cairn.

The Strone and Auchengaich reservoir

Across the Gareloch from The Strone

Beinn a Mahanaich's summit cairn

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The Cobbler and Narnain

Early start just after 7 am, another runner past me in the half light with his head torch on, it wasn't that dark! Ran up the two sets of zig zags past the Narnain Boulders to the Cobblers back stairs, managed to run up them with only a couple of rest stops, onto the short plateau section running easier then a last jog walk to the middle top. Didn't hang about, cold cold wind, dropped down for a bit of shelter, jacket, hat and gloves on, quick photo.

Soon feeling more comfortable. Down the stairs and across to Narnain, run up with another few rest stops, through the boulder field on to the top, although higher, stopped for a few pics as it isn't as windy here.

Back down to Bealach a Mhaim running down the path beside the Buttermilk Burn to the zig zags.

Warming up now, hat and gloves off, finishing in just over 3 hours.

Beinn Ime and Narnain

Started off clockwise round the Glen Loin loop, left the trail at the disappearing stream for a trudge towards Lag Uaine. Climbed up the back of Ime beside the Gnarly ridge, up to the minor top and on to the summit. Tried and failed to shelter from the wind and set off for the Bealach before the short climb to Narnain. Another short break to take in the stunning views, left the top through the Spearhead and the interesting descent to finish in about 4 1/2 hours in Succoth.