Ben Nevis

Another year at the Ben Race, my 17th, staying in our fav Glen Nevis Campsite for a couple of nights. Woke up to clearing skies, it would be a warm race. Cycled down to the start, enjoying the atmosphere as 450 runners and many more friends gathered for the 1pm start in Claggan Park. A mile of undulating up road to start joining the tourist path at the Nevis Inn. Slight route change this year, we had to stay on the tourist path from the Inn to the Red Burn on the way up and the way down, avoiding the Red Burn Short Cut due to concerns over erosion and land slips, although this added about 3/4 of a mile it only seemed to add about 5 or 6 minutes to my time. The path is a lot smoother. From the Red Burn its straight up over scree and boulders. Towards the top the gradient eases and some shuffle running enjoyed over the shattered rocky path, one of my favourite sounds. Electronic timing at the top this year saw me there in 2 hours. Gloves on for the descent in case of a tumble, luckily they weren't needed. Stopped a couple of times to assist cramping runners as I had some extra electrolytes after bad cramp last year. Back on the Red Burn screes bring a smile to my face and overtake a few more timid runners, tourist path again from the Red Burn, the rocky steps and multitude of hill walkers keep the pace sensible. The last mile on the road, thankfully mostly downhill with a trot round Claggan Park to finish in just over 3 hours.

The Ben from Glen Nevis

Claggan Park

   

Mullach Nan Coirean and Stob Ban

Friday evening run in the Mamores, to avoid a 6 am start to pick up my youngest son near Inverness at 10 on Saturday morning I drove to Fort William after work on Friday. This would mean a more civilised 8 am start. Arrived at Glen Nevis camp site about 5pm, quick tent pitch and drove up to Achriabach. Started running up the track beside the river, dark clouds appeared over the hills in front and rain started to pour down, hoping it was a quick shower kept going for a few minutes then stopped to put jacket and hat on. Took a wrong turn on a forest road and ended up on the old path now covered in fir tree branches after the forest had been cleared, 10 minutes of slippery trudge to get through it and reach the steep path that climbs up beside the fence. Probably another 20 minutes of effort to reach the ridge. A short run to the bottom of the rocky summit cone and another walk to the top.

View from Mullach summit towards the rest of the Mamores, Stob Ban right, Sgurr A'Mhaom left

The rain had stopped and cloud cover clear of the tops meant good views, only time for one more hill tonight, Stob Ban, a wee favourite, running easily along the ridge felt good, taking in the views, not another soul around.

Stob Ban from the ridge from the Mullach

View from Stob Ban back to the Mullach

Last wee climb to the top of Stob Ban

Over a couple of rocky parts, nice and slow, soon on the last wee climb up the quartzite rocks to the summit cairn. The exit point a few yards down the hill, slowly and carefully again down the rocky path.

Sgurr A'Mhaim and the Devils ridge from Stob Ban

Glen Nevis from the top of the ridge to#wards Sgurr A'Mhaim

Looking back to Stob Ban

Soon on the grassy ridge running towards the stalkers path back to Achriabach.

Stob Ban's crags

Easy run down the twisty path overlooked by Stob Bans stunning rocky face and beside some nice waterfalls to finish back at Achriabach in about 3 1/2 hours. Time lapse here.