Arrochar run

Early start ran up the Glen Loin trail to Coiregrogain then trudge up the Ben Vane access path, visibility poor in mist on the lower slopes, opened up a bit about half way up, a couple of showers but warm enough to run without a jacket. A short break on the top then dropped off the back down grassy slopes into Lag Uaine, across the valley floor and up towards Glas Bealach turned south up steep slopes to Ime's rocky top, a few people here, the first I had seen since leaving Succoth, sheltering behind the cairn. Another short break then down to Bealach a'Mhaim and the path beside the Buttermilk burn back to Succoth inside 4 1/2 hours.

On the way up Ben Vane

Looking back down Ben Vane

Ben Vane summit

Turning stone, 280 degree bearing from Vanes summit

Lochan on the way down to Lag Uaine

Water falls on the way up to Glas Bealach

Ben Ime's summit cairn

Beinn Ime

Slept in after a hard week, went for a single hill, Beinn Ime the tallest of the Arrochar hills. Overcast but clear, snow on the tops, set off up the zig zag trail. Came out the trees to the classic view of the Cobbler and a cool breeze.

Made it to the Narnain Boulders where I put jacket, hat and gloves on as the conditions always seem to deteriorate after these massive blocks. Not many people out today. A helicopter buzzing around the tops eventually hovering over Narnain before heading off. Started up Ime from the Beallach, a lone walker coming down meant I would have the hill to myself.

New path construction not complete, the bottom section still to be done, the volunteers tools lying abandoned in the cold, from about half way up the man made path is completed, made for an easier ascent until the ice further up made it easier to go off path, wind strengthening and firing a bit of snow across the hillside, fine needle like particles that stung your face. Reached the top in a bitingly cold wind, immediately turned back to get some shelter to get my phone out for a couple of pictures, ran back up to the top for a couple, although views were good it was a bit too inhospitable to hang around, my hand quickly froze as I have to take the weatherproof gloves off to use my camera. Good views to Ben Lui, Ben Lomond and the surrounding Arrochar tops.

Struggled to get my glove over my numb fingers then set off back along the path. Good fun running off the top in the shallow snow and I was soon back at the Beallach where a walker took my place on the hill starting his ascent as I came down. Easy run down past the Boulders and through the zig zags to finish inside 3 hours.

Ben Ime

Windy and wet, gave Luss a miss, a bit too crowded with the UK fell relay competition. Ok when I set off, up the zig zags and past the narnain boulders. Across the bealach to start the climb up Into wind and rain, passing a walker coming off. Steady trot up, through muddy terraces to the summit ridge, touched the top and turned back down, wind gusting a bit. Took a bit of care to stay on track. Soon back at the bealach passing another couple on their way up, easy run back to Succoth, finished in just over 2 1/2 hours, not many out today.

Fort and an Arrochar run

Lost Saturday, managed to get up to the fort in the early evening sunshine. More pictures here.

Sunday, early rise for Arrochar, Glen Loin to start, through Lag Uaine, drizzly rain, jacket, hat and gloves on for the climb up the NE slopes of Ime beside the gnarly ridge, some snow still in the corrie rim. Chilly breeze, a quick re-fuel in the rain.

No views from Beinn Ime's misty top today.

Easy run to Bealach a'Mhaim, thermal top on for the plod to Narnain's bouldery summit.

Quick drink then down through the Spearhead.

Soon warm up down the rocky trail, a fun 3000' descent in two miles to finish in about 4 hours 20 for 13 miles and 5000' feet. A few more pictures here.

Chasing Seaplanes

Ime and the Cobbler from Succoth, 12 miles and 5000' feet, timed to intercept the Cameron House Seaplane either on the way out or back, depends which way it went, but with only 40 minutes to get from Ime to The Cobbler, top to top. Set off in plenty of time with a faint blue sky through the mist above. Felt harder than usual beating my usual splits despite trying to take it easy. Great views through gaps in the swirling clouds.

Ben Lomond from Ime

Butterbridge and road to Loch Fyne from Ime

Ime from The Cobbler

Passed a few walkers on the way but managed to arrive at a deserted Ime summit, peace and quiet while I waited on the Seaplane, didnae see it, did see a walker from Buckie on a trip to gather a few of his last munros. Off down to Bealach A' Mhaim and a direct line to the Cobbler, trotted up the back steps arriving on schedule, a chat with some walkers while I waited for the Seaplane, I didnae see it. Ran back down after a few more photos, great day, mixture of cloud and sun, no wind made the waiting ok.  A few more pictures here.

Ime and Narnain

Late run today, sunscreen on which made sure the good weather broke and it rained, at least it was warm rain! Glen Loin trail to the dissapearing river then through the glen to Lag Uaine and a climb up beside the gnarly ridge onto the Eastern end of Ime's summit ridge. A quick down and up Narnain's NW ridge, as low cloud streamed in from the West and some heavier warm rain, finished with a run off through the Spearhead and back to Succoth in just over 4 hours for the 12 miles and 5000' of ascent. Photos here.

Vane, Ime Narnain

Arrochar for a few hills,Vane Ime and Narnain, 12 miles and 6500' of ascent, started up a warm Glen Loin path to Coiregrogain and onto the trudge up Vane, passed a few walkers, into the cloud before the top. Cloud lifted on the descent so didn't really need a bearing but took one anyway, good practice for when you do need it. Easy run down into Lag Uaine. Slow walk up Ime towards the beallach then up past the crag, a wee pause for a seat in the snow. Back into the clouds for a rest at the top then another easy run to Beallach a' Mhaim. Short climb up Narnain to finish the hard work, down through the Spearhead for the 3000' drop back to Succoth, finished in 5 hrs 20 mins with a quick plunge in the jacuzzi to wash the mud off and a seat by the loch.

Ben Ime and the Cobbler

Forecast was improving but windy, we started from Succoth on the trail between Narnain and The Cobbler to Ime, wet climb the ground soaked with snowmelt, cold feet without my Sealskinz. Wind picked up as we climbed and a snowy squall blew through on the approach to the summit. Strangely calm at the top for a re-fuel break, back into horizontal hail and snow for the descent. Tentative on the greasy turf back to Beallach A'Mhaim across the Beallach for a short climb up The Cobbler. Didn't stand too close to the edge in the gusty conditions. Tricky descent down the steps in the wind then we were blown back through the glen. Into the forest, sheltered warm sunny jog back to Succoth, 11 miles, 5000' in 3 1/2 hours. A few pictures here. Sunday's recovery run up behind Carman reservoir, through the quarry and up to the Fort back home via last weeks race route.

Sealskinz, Microspikes and Stoneymollan

Saturday morning run over Ben Vane and Ime, started up Glen Loin to Coirgrogain, great morning for a run, cool, with no wind and blues skies above.

Onto the the Ben Vane path ground frozen lower down instead of the usual bog didn't test my new Sealskinz socks out, feet dry and not frozen. Into the snow about 2500' a few icy patches which my microspikes coped with ok. The snow was deeper and mixed with icy rocks over the last few lumps and needed careful route choice. Met one other walker out in full winter gear, crampons and ice axe, showed him an easier route down. Took about 20 minutes longer than usual to get to the top, well worth the effort for the views.

Ran further than usual along the ridge on gentle slopes before dropping in to a cloud filled Lag Uaine. Usual ridge up towards Glas Bhealach then the snowy north facing ridge up Ime.

Patchy snow at first then smooth compacted and frozen hard when exposed to the wind. No chance my microspikes were good enough.

What I learnt, Sealskinz are good and worth the money. Microspikes only good for low level snowy and icy trails. To continue on the Scottish mountains through winter would need an upgrade to proper crampons, ice axe and learn how to use the axe.

Sunday's run over Stoneymollan rewarded with a variety of cloud inversions in the valleys. Frozen underfoot helped keep the feet reasonably dry. Stopped for a few photos.

More pictures, from Saturday here, Sunday here.

Ben Ime

Clear blue sky for today's run up Ben Ime from Succoth, 10 miles and 4000' of ascent. Tee shirt and shorts to start up the gradual zig zags, across the forest road and more zig zags, a bit steeper, still running, past the Narnain Boulders up to Bealach a'Mhaim, still running, up the boggy SE ridge and on to the summit ridge, still running, reached the top with only a few stops, 2500' to put on my Helly and a few pictures on the way. Superb views to the Clyde estuary and Ben Nevis.

Easy run back to Succoth, finished inside 2 1/2 hours. Sunday cool down round Balloch Park and the out and back to Whinney Hill, nice n easy and a few more pictures.

More pictures from Saturday here, pictures from Sunday here.