Another Arrochar run

Left home just after six planning to try the Lui munros, bike in the back of the car for the 3 mile out and back to get to the hill. Driving up the loch side low clouds prompted a route change, back to Arrochar for a run over Vane and Ime. Set off round the Glen Loin trail to the new path up Vane from Coiregrogain, not many out at this time, Nearer the top you could feel the heat from the sun then the clouds turned bluey grey before I popped out into a blaze of sunshine above a sea of cloud. Quite a few sitting around takin in the views. Stopped for a few pictures, something to eat and drink then plunged down into the cloud lying between Van and Ime. Good run down in the thick clag a couple of navigational handrails near the bottom confirmed I was going the right way. Found the small ridge I use going up towards Ime, there's a zig zag ramp through a crag half way to Glas Bealach then a featureless tussocky climb, veered left to ensure I didn't miss the steep pull up to Ime's summit. Towards the top the heat built up and popped up through bluey grey clouds into sun and sea of clouds again. Ime is a few hundred feet higher, even better views. Another crowded summit everyone gazing at the rocky islands sticking through the cloud. Took the walkers path back to Succoth, the cloud starting to break up as I reached the lower zig zags.

The Lui munros from Ben Vane

Ben Narnain from Vane

Beinn an Lochain from Vane

The turning stone and Ime from Vane

A fog bow on the run down to Lag Uaine

Vane, Vorlich then Stuc a Chroin and Ben Vorlich(Loch Earn) from Ime 

Ben Lomond in the distance over Narnain and A Chrois from Ime

The Cobbler from the run down to Bealach a Mhaim

Luss Hill Run

Navigation run today, the plan was to start up Beinn Eich at the top of Glen Luss then go a new route anticlockwise via Cruach an t-Sidhein, Beinn a' Mhanach, Beinn Chaorach and Tharsuin overlooking Glen Fruin dropping back into Glen Luss off Coille Eughain Hill. Parked at the top of the Glen and set off into low cloud finally popping out the cloud near the top of Beinn Eich.

Ran along the ridge down into the cloud contouring to the left of Beinn Lochain to save some energy. As I reached what I thought was Creag Tharsuinn before the next climb the sound of gunfire from the MOD range encouraged a change from the planned route which skirts the range. Didn't fancy missing a turning in the cloud and running into some wargames. Sat down for 10 minutes to see if the cloud was going to clear, no change so about turn and climbed up to the top of what I hoped was Beinn Lochain, soon back above the cloud and pleased to be where I thought. Continued my run round to Doune Hill then dropped into Sith Mor and the stiff climb to the top of Mid Hill, by then the cloud had gone leaving a hazy sunshine. I would probably have been ok but I'll leave that run for another day. Finished the 9 miles and 4000' in just under 4 hours. Some more pictures here.

Ben Lomond Sun 6th Nov

Weather angel set to good so no time to give in to the can't be bothered bug, the autumnal sunshine promised to continue into Sunday and I set off with stiffening legs after the DD to Ben Lomond. Cold and misty at sea level I started out nice n easy through the woods running where I could, this would be my last hill run for a few weeks. Leaving the woods behind I climbed past the conifer remnants through the gates onto the hill and into the sunshine. Passed a few walkers as I came up out of the cloud everyone taking a break to take in the views. I continued up Sron Aonach dripping with sweat in the sun, broke into an easy jog winding my way along the plateau path towards the summit dome stopping every so often to check out the surrounding hills like islands in sea's of cloud. A chill wind now meant on with jacket hat and gloves so that I could continue my slow jog along the track. Only one other person ahead on the hill and he was coming down. The trail kicks up towards the summit dome, the last time I ran almost the whole upper section, and most of the summit ridge as well, today was to be an easy day walking the steep parts and running the rest just fast enough to stay warm. Jogging again as I turned along the top of the summit ridge stunning views, mountains for miles over valley's of clouds. I stayed a few minutes on the summit, spinning round trying to take it all in, a few photos later and I had to leave as I was cooling down rapidly. Running down I met more and more walkers on their way up, is it far? What's the view like? Running off Sron Aonach lots of walkers sitting about having popped up out the cloud, I stopped for a last look then plunged back into the mist.