Narnain and The Cobbler

Dreich forecast, set off for an Arrochar run, not many in the car park and decided to stick to the tourist path, as quiet as it gets. Past a few people coming down and a couple going up the zig zags. No one from the Narnain Boulders to the top of Narnain and back towards The Cobbler, past 2 on the climb up the back stairs. Took it easy as the rocks slippery in the wet. Windy on the tops, didn't hang about. Weather was improving and there was a few more people venturing out as I ran down the Buttermilk Burn path, took the Argo track to avoid the zig zags and soon back at the car in Succoth.

Narnain and The Cobbler

Back to an old favourite, Narnain and The Cobbler, the quiet way, early start before 8, straight up Narnain via the Argo track then block track, a bit muggy today, glad of a breeze as I climb. Eventually spot a few walkers ahead which helps maintain the effort. Clouds skimming the tops makes for interesting views. Surprisingly busy on top, sat behind the shelter wall at the trig for a couple of minutes then off through Bealach a Mhaim to the Cobblers back stairs, as steep as ever. A few people on the Cobblers summit beside the needle, another short stop then down the An T Sron ridge, at the end of the ridge turned North down to the Buttermilk Burn, refreshing wade across and onto the Argo track back to Succoth.

Ridge to A Chrois

The Spearhead

The Brack

  

Beinn Ime

First run for a couple of weeks, reasonable forecast and decided to try Beinn Ime, late start, not many spaces left in the car park at Succoth, decided to take the zig zags, first run for a while and they are a bit easier. A lot of work has been done on the path through the trees, wider, flatter and surfaced with type 1. Left the shelter of the trees into a cool breeze, gentle at first then picked up on the approach to Bealach A Mhaim, across the Bealach to the start of a trudge up Ime, into the cloud and it got pretty cold, path icy in places, easy enough to avoid, a few walkers ahead gave me some targets to keep the effort up, didn't quite come out the clouds at the top, a bit of blue above, maybe another 100 or so feet would have done it. Didn't hang about, freezing, glove upgrade for the descent. Easy run down, ran beside the path most of the way to the Bealach, easier underfoot and avoided most of the ice. Wind eased as I ran down, warming up once back into the shelter of the trees, gloves off and a steady jog to finish.

Narnain and The Cobbler the quiet way

Arrochar run before the weather breaks, straight up Narnain, across Bealach a'Mhaim to The Cobbler, down via An t Sron and the Argo track. Looked good for a run, high cloud and little wind, set off for the block path up Narnain, a few people out on the climb meant I had a some targets to catch, helps keep the effort up. Good views, the cloud skimming the surrounding tops and a bit of fog floating around added to the atmosphere. Reached the summit plateau empty except for a couple of people sitting at the cairns. Passed a couple of walkers on the run off towards Bealach a'Mhaim, then had it all to myself, no one about, no wind, silence apart from my breathing and footfall, this area is usually really busy, set off for The Cobbler, still no one about, another empty summit apart from a couple sitting behind some rocks looking towards Loch Fyne. Ran down the ridge to An t Sron, rocky at first then grassy with the odd bad step, fine views. Ran down over the Buttermilk burn and took the argo track back to Succoth, peaceful run today without the usual Arrochar Alp crowds.

  

Hammer Run

Easier Arochar run this week, Narnain and The Cobbler via the tourist path, more of a trail run with plenty of ascent. Forecast ok for the AM to get worse as the day progressed probably why the Succoth car park was only half full. Legs a bit tired maybe due to yesterdays bike ride. Took it slow running up the 2nd zig zags, easier going as the gradient eases on the path passing the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim. Walked up the steps/path to Narnains summit, quiet in the mist. Round the trig, down to the Bealach and another walk up to the Cobblers plateau, a few more walkers about now. A quick refuel, back to the Bealach for the 3rd time, finished with an easy run down past the Boulders, taking the argo track to Succoth avoiding the zig zags.

 

Windy Hills

Shorter Arrochar run this week, Narnain & Ime, weren't sure as the forecast was for high winds/gusts to 50 or 60 mph, turned out a good bit less probably 30 or so, only uncomfortable section was the short flat traverse across to Ime's summit. Straight up Narnain to start, jackets off when the rain went off after 20 mins, back on near the top as it got windier. Met a few people coming down due to too much mud and water on the path, or too windy at the top, we pushed on ready to turn back if it wasn't safe, turned out fine, wind helping slightly as it was mostly behind. Top of Narnain and no one else there, stopped for a picture then set off for Ime, a few more walkers about but quieter than usual. breezy on the way up Ime, less sheltered than Narnain, the last 100 yards exposed to the wind but ground is easy and no steep drops. Sheltered behind the summit cairn then ran back down to the Bealach and the tourist path to the top of the zig zags, argo track back to Succoth.

Arrochar hill run

It's been a couple of months since I was in the Arrochar hills, plan was for Narnain and Ime, ended up taking in The Cobbler as well. Set off about half 8 in heavy drizzle, ran along the road behind Succoth village and up through the woods avoiding the zig zag path, along the forest track to the argo track starting the climb up Narnain, reached the concrete block path as the rain stopped, another runner passed and asked to tag along, which was fine except he was a good bit faster than me, helped me to push the pace a bit which must be a good thing. Soon into the clouds, not much of a breeze and reasonable warm. Didn't hang about on top of Narnain, down through the boulder field then took the grassy option towards Ime, steady trudge up Ime, back into the clouds, a few photos on top then a run back towards the Bealach, a wee route change here, climbed the back steps to The Cobbler then descended via the An t Sron ridge, rocky at first then easy grassy tracks with a few rocks, from An t Sron dropped down to the Buttermilk burn and over the tourist path to get to the argo track avoiding all the zig zags on the way back to Succoth.

    

Not The Cobbler Hill Race

This years Cobbler Hill Race was cancelled, with a fine forecast decided to run it anyway and add some hills on as it is a bit short. Parked at Honeymoon Bridge Car Park in Glen Croe and took the forestry track to the race start point, an old walkers path about a mile from the car park, beautiful day, clear blue skies and a cold wind. Onto the race route, steep trudge up through the forest to the open hill and a faint path to An t Sron, undulates up from here, more runnable. Reached the top in about the same time as I am up and down in the race. Only one other person on top. A couple of pictures and a re-fuel then ran off the top towards Bealach a'Mhaim for the climb up Ime, a few walkers about now. Brisk walk most of the way up, with a few short jogs on the flatter parts. Great views from the top, mountains for miles, Jura, Ben Nevis easy to see. A quick re-fuel in the bitter wind then back down to the Bealach, numbers of walkers increasing through the morning, straight across the Bealach to the Narnain path, another trudge/jog and up through the boulder field to the summit plateau. A bit warmer now. Back to the Bealach for the third time and the last climb back up to the top of The Cobbler, walkers streaming by as I climbed. Busy top, another re-fuel then off down the race route, thankfully not many go up or down here.

The Brack and Ben Donich from An t Sron

Ime from An t Sron

Narnain from The Cobbler

Lui Munros with views all the way to Ben Nevis and CMD

View from Ime to Ben Lomond over Narnain/A Chrois

Hills of Glen Douglas, Luss, Fruin & Finlas from Narnain

  

Narnain & The Cobbler the quiet way

First time in Arrochar for a few months, morning run, low cloud, but warm and dry, straight up Narnain from Succoth, busier than usual and caught and passed a few groups of walkers. Summit plateau to myself for a few minutes then down to Bealach a'Mhaim and a trudge up to the top of The Cobbler, saw no-one but could hear a few voices in the mist. Ran down the An t'Sron ridge then across to the Buttermilk Burn and down the argo track to Succoth. Good to be back out on some bigger hillls.

The Spearhead

Narnain

The Cobbler

On the way to An t Sron