Snow capped Arrochar run

Keen for some steeper stuff set off for Arrochar, Ben Vane and Beinn Ime the plan. Loaded up the rucksack and drove through up lochside, snow capped Ben looked good. Usual car park full again. Ran up Glen Loin, a few walkers about, arrived at the Vane turn off a bit quicker than usual. Pushed hard to the cave passing a few walking groups on the way. First big snowbank about 20 mins from the top. Over the nobbly bits at the top lots of snow to try out my microspikes, the summit strangely clear of snow.

Great views all round, pity I didn't clear my phone camera lens, pictures a bit hazy and don't do the day justice. Short break on top then down the back into Lag Uaine, boggy lower down with snow melt. Met a runner going in the opposite direction on my approach to Glas Beallach, he was doing the race route in reverse but wasn't sure he'd have time for Vorlich. Steady snowy trudge to the top of Ime and a wee rest.

Lots of soft snow for the first few hundred yards off Ime with more bog and melt water towards Bealach a Mhaim. Spikes off for the trot between the Cobbler and his wife. Delightful zig zag path to finish 13miles and 5500'+ in about 5 1/2 hours. More pictures here. Sunday cool down jog past the reservoir though the quarry to the fort running back past the radiomast.

Ben Bowie

Saturday, first run for a week, touch of manflu, through Chrsitie Park to the Stonymollan, followed the 3LW to Ben Bowie.

 
Hail shower sent me back towards Stoneymollan after a couple of minutes, along past the Trig, Fort and Radiomast, finished the 10 or so miles in just under 2 1/2 hours. Sunday recovery run up behind the reservoir, through the quarry to the Fort, back down via the Radiomast.

Ben Bowie

Last run of the holiday's, through Chrstie Park to the Stoneymollan, followed the 3LW turning off to take in Ben Bowie's misty twin summits, no views today. Back to the top of the Stoney then along Bromley and Carman moors past the Trig point to the Fort, home past the radio mast and Cemetery. Just over two hours, about 20 minutes quicker than last time.

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.