The Ben via CMD

Another few days in Fort William, staying in Glen Nevis Campsite, forecast was hot and sunny. Decided on a loop from the campsite round Carn Mor Dearg, the Arete and Ben Nevis. Early start, about 5:45 am to try and beat the heat and get some views. Ran from the Campsite to the Youth Hostel and up to the tourist path via Heart Attack Hill, rather I walked up Heart Attack Hill, on the tourist path only a few others out, jog and walk round windy corner to half way lochan and round to the end of the path at the outflow from the loch. Pathless descent, NNE, into the glen, across the river and some more tussocks to join the walkers path towards CMD, a steady climb about 3000 in 3 miles, on the way up the cloud rolled in over CMD and the Arete. The sun did pop out now and then, still stunning scenery whatever the weather. Only saw 4 other people from half way lochan, up over Carn Dearg Meadhonach to Carn Mor Dearg, a few Brocken Spectres appeared but always seemed to fade before I could get a picture, saw one more guy ahead on the chicken run path along the Arete, soon caught and passed him, one more, another runner, going in the opposite direction. From the cairn at the col a short steep rocky climb up the Ben, eventually found one of the metal posts and a bit of a path before the crowds appear at the top. Easy run down, took the race route rather than the zig zag path, a few walkers followed but soon gave up and returned to the path, Slow going from the Red Burn to Heart Attack Hill giving way to the hordes now climbing in the increasing heat. Soon back at the campsite, pleased to finish before 12 under a now cloudless sky.

Stob Ban

Glen Nevis campsite for the weekend and an opportunity for a run over my favourite hill, Stob Ban in the Mamores. Forecast was for heavy rain all day, got lucky, dry and mostly clear. Got a lift to the Lower Falls car park and set off up the rough path between Stob Ban and Sgurr a'Mhaim, ran bits but a brisk walk for much of the climb up to the ridge, the tops clear as I ascended, ran along the ridge to the rocky climb to Stob Bans airy summit, the clouds rolled in as I climbed, soon on top, not much of a view but good to be there again, a few minutes taking it all in then back down the way I came, the steep rocky descent much easier on the way down, ran along the ridge, looking back the top had cleared again. Jog and walked down the rough path back to the Lower Falls, the forest track bacK to the campsite seemed to be covered in trucks and machines so I ran down the road, 2 1/2 miles of not so nice tarmac, the views were good.

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

   

Mamore hill run

Staying in Glen Nevis campsite for a few days, to get to my run on Saturday morning cycled up the glen to the lower falls car park for a loop round a few hills. Mullach Nan Coirean to start accessed via forest roads and trails winding up to the NE ridge, the ridge steep and boggy to start, the gradient eases for a while and a couple of walkers ahead gave me a target to maintain effort as the views open up all round, passed the first walker before the steep rocky climb to the summit the second just before the cairn. Next the undulating traverse to Stob Ban, a few more walkers coming towards me, keep to the top of the crest avoiding the worst of the boulder fields, the final climb slow up through glistening quartzite which contrasts with the red granite of the Mullach. Changed into a thermal base layer to combat the cool breeze and slow pace along the rocky ridges, with some food as well I soon perked up leaving behind ideas of cutting the run short and continued past the wee lochain on the way to Stob Choire a' Mhail and the Devils Ridge to Sgurr a' Mhaim, another quartzite capped hill, plodding up the zig zag stalkers path from the lochain the ridge looked busy with a few small groups of walkers, by the time I got to the ridge it was clear and I had the narrow path to myself. Soon on top of Sgurr a'Mham, stopped for a brief refuel then down the steep NW ridge, a fun descent to start, a twisting scree covered path, the scree fades too soon leaving more bouldery ground, a good workout for the quads, the cycle back to Glen Nevis Campsite thankfully mostly downhill.

Mellantee, Half Way Lochain and the Ben from Mullach Nan Coirean

Ridge to Stob Ban from the Mullach

The Devils Ridge and Sgurr a'Mhaim from Stob Ban

Mullach Nan Coirean from Stob Ban

Lochain Coire Nam Miseach

Stob Ban from the Devils Ridge

Glen Nevis from Sgurr a'Mhaim

Nevis Race Weekend

Fort William for the weekend, another go at the Ben race, lucky with the weather, strong gusts of wind eased on Saturday morning, a wee bit warm was the worst you could say. A lap round the games field and off up the road towards the tourist path, steady running until windy corner, slow to a walk as the gradient picks up, walked from here until the summit plateau where a slow jog resumed picking the pace up where possible. Turned at the top, gloves on for the descent,  across the plateau and as the gradient increased cramp took over, took a couple of electrolyte tablets and it gradually eased, pattern repeated every 15 or so minutes meant a steadier than usual descent, reached the road a the end of the tourist path just over 2 hours 51, new I had to get a move on to break 3 hours, only 1 1/2 minutes left when I reached the games field, max effort to finish 4 seconds inside 3 hours. Sunday saw  a run over Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean, lost my phone on the way up, luckily it was returned to me the next morning. On the way home on Monday, blus sky day meant I had to stop in Glencoe for a wee run over a munro I had still to do on Buchailletive Beag, Stob Coire Raineach.

Bidean Nam Bian and The Three Sisters from Stob Coire Raineach

Ben Nevis and the Mamores from Stob Coire Raineach

Buchaille Etive Mor from Stob Coire Raineach

Stob Dubh from Stob Coire Raineach

The Anonach Eacgach from Stob Coire Raineach

Stob Coire Raineach from the col between that and Stob Dubh

River tumbling into Lairig Gartain from the col

Ben Nevis Hill Race

Back at the Ben for 15th race in 16 years, great weather, maybe a bit warm. Usual weekend in Glen Nevis, registration, 2nd breakfast then back for the race.

Reasonable pace to the end of the road, kept it going up the tourist path, gaining a few places on the first Melantee short cut. Windy corner usual stress as the gradient increases, good drink from a pleasantly cool Red Burn, up the screes ok at first then a bit of cramp cut the pace, struggled to get back running as the gradient eases, time to take in the views, hand in my number to the summit marshals and down we go, took it steady as it was very busy with walkers, found some good lines going down the screes to the Red Burn crossing kept me ahead of a couple of keen runners behind. Down the rough trod from the high to the low path round Melantee, ignored the short cuts and picked up a few places.

Road slower than the way out running round the track to finish just over three hours.

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.

Fort William Weekend

Arrived in Glen Nevis Friday afternoon, tent up, dinner on. Freezing outside, lucky I had an electric heater for the tent, more than most of the few campers who had braved the conditions.

Saturday, early rise before driving to Glenfinan to try the Corryhully Horseshoe. Two munros Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm separated by an undulating ridge.

The first three miles are up an estate road that passes underneath the viaduct and onto a rough track. The munro paths are signposted.

Sgurr nan Coireachan from Sgurr Thuilm

Sgurr Thuilm from Sgurr nan Coireachan

Set off towards Sgurr nan Coireachan, the initial climb up an outlier called Sgurr a'Choire Riabhaich, The path gradually dissapeared with increase in snow depth/height. A walker had already been up and his footprints were a guide to where he thought the path was. He lost it a few times but always came back! Towards the top of Riabhaich the path dissappeared completely. The walker in front had taken a steep direct route for the top.

Sgurr nan Coireachan's summit, I turned back at the top of the "white" bit below the rocky summit, about 50' from the top. There were three walkers behind, they continued on and made it over the top ok. Dropped back down to the glen on the path I had come up. On the way down I decided to go up Sgurr Thuilm rather than cut my run short. An easy path over boggy ground at first then steeper and drier with height and back into the snow. Met the walker I had followed up the first hill on his way down after completing the circuit. Continued up the snow ridge Druim Coire a'Beithe to a small knoll before Sguir Thuilms summit.

Sgurr Thuilm's summit cone.

Wind was rather strong and chilling. Decided that was far enough and turned back towards the glen. One side of me too hot in the sun the other frozen in the wind. There was about 10 people out on the route today, 5 going each way.

View down Glenfinnan from ridge Druim Coire a'Beithe.

About 15 miles and 4500' of ascent,  mile or two further than the planned route, with a wee bit more ascent.

Sunday, plan was for another new route the Loch Lochy munros, decided to try Ben Nevis via tourist route instead, no steep bits! Slow Jog and walk to the Red Burn where the ground was icy as any snow had  melted and refrozen. perfect conditions, blue skies, sun and no wind.

Meall an t-Suidhe loch from the Red Burn.

Brisk walk to the top, for stunning views to the Mamores and over the Aonachs to the Grey Corries.

One of those days you could stay a the top forever! Great run down the shallow snowy path, micro spikes on for the last couple of icy zig zags to the Red Burn.

Monday, time for home, decided to have a short run on the way. Stopped behind Glencoe village for a run up the Pap of Glencoe, walked most of the up, stunning views all round, fun run back down over boulders and loose scree.