Beinn Dubh and mid Hill

First time outside my local hills since March, made it to Luss for a short out and back run. Up Beinn Dubh and along to Mid Hill, good to be up bigger hills again, made it up Beinn Dubh a bit easier than expected, ran along the ridge to the two small summit cairns overlooking Doune Hill and Glen Douglas. A bit of cloud blowing around made for an atmospheric run, finished in about 2 hours.

Glenstriddle Horseshoe

Went to Luss for a shorter hill run this morning, ended up a bit longer than planned. Started up Beinn  Dubh, into the clouds about three quarters of the way up. Ran round the Corries to Mid Hill then decided to drop down into the Glen, cross the road and take in Coillie Eughain Hill as well. Ran down over the Paps through the tussocky forest and through Luss water to finish inside 3 hours.

Luss

Lots of snow above 1500', set off for Luss to try an out and back over Beinn Eich to Doune Hill. Ground nearly freozen at the start kept my feet reasonably dry through the lower boggy sections. I could see a couple of walkers about half way up, I would catch them just before the top. Took it nice and steady, trying to run all the way so a few stationary rests / photo stops. Not long before the wind picks up and require jacket, hat and ski-gloves.

Up into the snow, easy running at first then a few drifts make it a bit stop start, the frozen crust supports my weight then gives. Pass the walkers who had stopped for a rest.

Onto the top for a few picutres then set off down the back, snow much deeper, two or three feet, makes for slow going and Beinn an Lochian and Doune Hill look similar.

Stop for a few pictures then turn back and meet the walkers at Beinn Eichs top. Good fun running down in the snow, hat and gloves off once out the wind. Decide to try Mid Hill as well, only problem is having to run past where the car is parked and not give in to temptation to drive home to a warm house. Loads of people coming down Mid Hill, use them as the excuse not to start walking. Back up into the snow again, not as much wind now, sun beginning to set. Round the corrie from Mid Hill to the un named top, the walkers have all taken a more direct line and follow this through 2 or 3 feet deep drifts.

 Soon on top for stunning views to Arrochar and beyond, Ben Lomond dull in the shade, hang about for 5 or 10 minutes and the sun gradually spreads across a pure white top. One of those days you want to stay forever.

 Reluctantly turn back towards Mid Hill, picking off the walkers passed on the way up. One couple stopped just below the snow line sitting to watch the sunset on a gloious still winters afternoon.

Finished in about 3 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Mid week Mid Hill run

A wee change from the local hills, 15 minute drive to the top of Glen Luss for a run up Mid Hill and the two unnamed tops nearby. Aim was to run the hill only break at the gate and style. Quite warm with only a slight breeze near the top.

Stopped at the top of Mid Hill for a couple of pictures then ran to the small cairns marking the tops. Camera ran out of batteries so only phone pictures here. Easy tun down to the glen and back to the car in about 70 mins. A few more pictures herehttps://goo.gl/photos/BuYiLsxSrgszeEZL7.

Beinn Dubh, Mid hill, Coille Eughain hill

Short run this week, over Beinn Dubh along the ridge to Mid hill, dropping down to the glen, up to the top of the road and cross the river climbing up Coille Eughain hill before returning to the bottom of the glen over the Paps.

Tops in cloud on the way up, very warm with little breeze. Only a few hill walkers here today. On the top the clouds began to break up and a nice breeze for the run along to mid hill.

 

Easy run down then up the last bit of the glen road through thw field to the wee hidden bridge. Steady walk up CE hills steep flank. Good views from the top the sun catching the beaches on the islands on the loch.

Finished in about 2 hours 45 with a cool down in the river. More pictures here.

Luss hills

Parked at the top of Glen Luss for a run round Beinn Eich, Beinn an Lochain, Doune hill and Mid Hill. The forecast low cloud broke up on the way up Eich made for interesting views to Ben and Loch Lomond and the Arrochar Alps.

Managed to run all the way, short break at the top, ran off along the ridge to Doune Hill.

Another rest sitting in the sun just off the top. Easy run down into tussocky Sith Mor before the final climb to the two unnamed tops beside Mid Hill.

Ran down to finish just over 3 hours, more pictures here.

Luss horseshoe

Couldn't get to the top of the glen for ice, plan b, Bein Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille Eughain hill to finish. Snow and ice crunching underoot all the way, blue skies and a cool breeze made the effort worth while, a bit slower than usual to the top. Run-round the Corrie's plenty of photo stops, Mid Hill break taking in the views up to the top of Loch Lomond and surrounding snowy peaks. Descent off Mid Hill back to the glen fun in the snow. Ran up the road then acrosss to Coille Eughain Hill steep as usual. Steady walk up its steep sides, views opening up to a stormbound Cobbler framed by Glens  Luss and Mollochan. From the top views opened up over Loch Lomond. Descending over the paps a small herd of deer provided a welcome distraction from tussocks and bogs. Finished n 3 1/2 hours, stunning day. Pictures here. Sunday recovery run, a couple of hours over Stoneymollan, a bit stop start through brashing from felled trees, visit to the Trig Point and Fort eventually dropping down behind the reservoir and back through fields, a few photos here.

Luss Hill Run

While the clouds shrouded the runners on the tops of the Arrochar Alps, the Luss hills sat below the clouds and enjoyed a fair bit of sun. First up was Beinn Eich, along the ridge to Ben an Lochain and Doune Hill, dropping off the east ridge for a change, paused to watch 5 deer flow across the hillside below. Walked up the back of Mid Hill running back down into the glen to finish in just over 3 hours.

 Mid Hill, left, Beinn Eich, right from Ben an Lochain

 

Mid Hill from Ben an Lochain

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Up Beinn Dubh, along the trail to Mid Hill and back in a couple of hours, quite a few walkers out today, cloud level about 2000', the tops with a little snow, best day for a while, sunny, little wind, the white capped peaks of the bigger hills to the north and Ben Lomond to the east disappearing into cloud. More pictures here.

Beinn Dubh

Shorter run this week, Beinn Dubh to Mid Hill, then either down and across the glen or back the way I came. Turned out the latter, set off, early confrontation with the residents of the first field, negotiated safe passage. Stop start on the climb for a few pictures, the trees and hills taking on their autumnal cloak.

Warm on the climb until near the top a cooling breeze, jacket, hat and gloves kept it comfortable for the run to Mid Hill. New fence round the peat hags and bog. Took the easier option and turned back for Beinn Dubh instead of crossing the Glen to Coille Eughain Hill.

Clouds began to clear, glimpses of blue skies and the sun on the way back, a few walkers out today. Finised in just over 2 hours. More pictures here.

Luss Horseshoe

Reverse running this weekend, short local run on Saturday, up to the Fort, due to high winds, glad I didn't go any higher. Sunday bright an breezy, back to Luss to see if I could finish another recent abandoned run, a clockwise loop round the glen, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain, Doune Hill, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh to finish, about 12 miles and close to 5000' of ascent. Ran up the glen road, a large group of hill walkers were in front of me on Beinn Eich, good some people to pick off, caught the first couple before the 2nd style, the rest waiting at the second style.

Outward route, Beinn Eich on the left, Doune Hill the middle of three tops at the back.

Oh well, steady walk up, a bit quicker than last time. Approaching the last wee down and up before the top the wind kicked up a notch, fleece hat on and pushed on over the top, no hanging about for pics, very exposed run along to Beinn Lochain where an icy squall blew in, took refuge behind a large rock just off the ridge, could be another bailout. After about 5 minutes the sky began to clear, set off again but stopped after a few minutes, 2nd jacket and 2nd pair of gloves on, staggered off along the ridge into a fresh breeze gradually warming up. Straight over Doune Hill and down into Glen Mollochan thankful to be out the wind at last.

Mid Hill left, Beinn Eich right

 Across a tussocky Sith Mor, on the climb up Mid Hill, the wind picks up again, helping from behind now. Along the top then round the corries the wind helps keep tired legs moving. Jogged down Beinn Dubh gradually removing layers as the wind dropped and sun kicked in, finish in just over 4 hours. More pictures here.

Third time lucky

I turned back the last couple of times on these hills and although it was still cold, the lighter winds, blue skies and a lack of icy precipitation meant it was time for another go at a Luss loop. Starting up Beinn Dubh, along to Mid Hill, drop to the glen road across and up the other side, returning back to the foot of the glen over the Paps. 9 miles or so and 3000' plus ascent. Not much snow on the lower slopes, still frozen, makes for dry and not cold feet, Sealskinz socks help, Sealskinz gloves as well, had to take them off on climb up Beinn Dubh in the sun, too warm. Quite a few walkers out today. Towards the top the wind picks up, jacket and gloves on, for the last few hundred yards, great views of snowy mountains to Arrochar and beyond from the top. Stopped to take a few photos but they don't have the wow factor you get when you see it yourself.

Didn't take long to cool down and scuttled off for Mid Hill. Great running on frozen turf and snow, skimming across the boggy bits faster than usual. Mid Hill, more pictures then run off into the glen. too warm again. Jogged the first part of the climb up Coille-eughain Hill then resorted to the usual steady trudge. More pictures at the top. Great run down the Paps past Auchengavin back to the car. Frozen ground and Sealskinz stop the feet turning numb with cold and makes for an enjoyable run. About three hours today, more pictures here. Sunday, out for about an hours cool down run around Carman reservoir up to the Fort.

Beinn Dubh

Timekeeping at Saturday's club Cross Country, today a run in the Luss Hills, plan was similar to two weeks ago Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill then turn back or descend and cross the glen to come back down Coille-eughain Hill. Loads of cars at the entrance to the Glen, the conditions probably keeping most away from higher places like Arrochar and Crianlarich. Clear blue skies and an easy jog in a couple of inches of snow to begin. Passing walkers every few minutes, breeze picked up with height soon the spindrift was covering the footprints of those just in front.

Onto the second part of the climb, deepening snow slows me to a steady walk, approaching the top exposed to a full on icy blast down to a slow trudge in the deepening snow. Find a sheltered spot along the ridge towards Mid Hill, time for an extra layer, second jacket, trousers and gloves on. Path now invisible, pick out patches of frozen snow crust just about holds me and ok to run on, slow to a stumble through the softer drifts, round the first corrie I've had enough and turn back.

Stop for a few pictures where I find a bit of shelter, once off the top the wind gradually eases, fun descent in the snow a makeshift path worn by all the walkers, by the bottom the sun has found its heat again.

 A day of two's,  two pairs of trousers, two thermal tops, two jackets, two pairs of gloves, two hats, all at once apart from the hats. The top, so close to sunny Loch Lomond, a different world, views to die for and easy to get into trouble without the right gear, two miles shorter than last time but 20 minutes longer, a few more pictures here.

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Manflu and I hadn't run for about 3 weeks, back to work tomorrow meant get out there and christen the year, a cold misty, on top, Luss Run, just about what was required. Slow plod up Beinn Dubh, ground icing up nicely made for not too cold and dry feet with my sealskinz socks. Quite a few walkers out today, they tend to frequent these lower hills in the snow. Ran round the corries to the two small cairns and Mid Hill, some blue sky and nearly sunny for a few minutes then I turned back along the ridge to Beinn Dubh. Out and back, about 7 miles, 2500' in just over 2 hours. A few pictures here.

Lusstrous

A post by Dave Sargent of his continuous run 7 times up and down Blencathra, once on each of its ascent ridges attracted my interest. I looked at  map of Glen Luss and the Hills I run round most of the year. A route began to take shape, all the hills overlooking Glen Luss in one continuous circuit, 18 to 20 miles and 9000' of ascent.

I had run all of it at one time or another, just get fit enough and have a go on a good day. Couple of attempts didn't work then today a free day, good forecast and enough thousand feet in the legs. Late start, 10 am, the Lomond Valley filled with cloud, climbed Beinn Dubh up into the sun. Round the Corries, picnic at Mid Hill and back into the Glen for the short road section to Beinn Eich. Steady walk up BE, another picnic, down over Beinn Lochain to Cruach A t-Sidhein.

Just over half way distance but more climb, 5500' , low point here and thought about bailout options, luckily they all involved a bit of effort (pain) and hassle, so just one more hill and I would think about it again. Same negative thoughts for the next two climbs, Beinn a'Mhanaich and Beinn Chaorach, both over 1200', pathless, hot and running low on water. Followed some sheep on a nice zig zag trod up Beinn a'Mhanaich about 1200 feet in 3/4 of a mile rather than the steeper direct route through the crags I was thinking of, good move, a bit longer but managed to keep moving. Beinn Chaorach, not as steep but more of a struggle, worked my way up beside a fence, resting at every big white fence post.

This was the last main top, I new it was undulating from here, about 5 miles with 1000' of ascent and 2000' of descent over 5 tops.

Finished just under 9 hours with a swim in Luss Water, two and a half litres of fluids not enough and cereal bars didn't go down well, jelly babies better but probably not enough. A few more pictures here.

Luss, hiding again

Cloud down again today, set off for a 12 mile 5000' run over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich.Added a mile or so zig zagging about looking for the paths coming off Mid Hill and Doune Hill in the pea souper with visibility down to 20 or 30 yards in places, compass out running off Doune Hill gave me the confidence to keep going on unfamiliar ground until eventually finding the trail going up Beinn Lochain. Finished in a slower than usual 4 hours 20. Sunday's Stoneymollan recovery run round the reservoir through the quarry with an out and back to the trig point.

Was it Luss?

Glorious weather all week then Saturday forecast came true, low cloud and rain, set off from the top of the glen road, Beinn Eich climb first, after that it was too claggy for my navigation skills to run the planned trackless route back round the Glen Finlas tops so along to Doune Hill it was, difficult picking out the narrow trods in the mist. Run off Doune Hill fun, slowly down to the Beallach with top 701 then slow descent into a tussocky Sith Mor, unable to pick a good line in the clag, too close to the burns and fern filled gulleys. Up Mid Hill back into the mist before a short run down to the road. 8 miles with 4000' of ascent in 3 hours 20. Sunday brought brighter weather for a run up Ben Bowie.

Inchmurrin with Conic Hill in the background from the 3LW

Dumbarton Rock from the Fort overlooking Carman Reservoir

Returning over Bromley and Overton Muirs, 11 miles, 2000' in 2 hours 25. A few more pictures here.

Luss and a double Dumgoyne

Set off on Saturday for a run round and over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille Eughain Hill, 9 miles and 3700' of ascent. Didn't quite turn out that way. Beinn Dubh first, climbing up, jog walk for the first half, then mainly walk, into the clouds and then snow with a cold wind whistling around. Stopped in a wee sheltered spot just short of the summit to put on a second jacket, head scarf and fleecy gloves.

On past the summit cairn snow a bit deeper now, not easy to run in places, slow plod round towards Mid Hill, dropping below cloud base level then back up through drifting snow a couple of feet deep in places. The wind whipping snow off the ground, good for the complexion.

Reached the cairn at the top of Mid Hill and turned back retracing my tracks, by the time I started up Beinn Dubh wind blown snow had covered them up.

As I ran down towards Luss all change within a couple of hundred yards, I dropped out the clouds with patches of sunshine around. Finished just over two hours, 8 miles and 2500' of ascent. Pictures here.

Sunday, sunny but cold and a run over Dumgoyne to the Earls seat and back was planned. A bit sluggish on the initial climb but it was a good day to be out.

From the top of Dumgoyne views to Loch Lomond and snow capped mountains all around. A lot of the boggy ground was frozen, combined with Sealskinz meant reasonably warm  (not frozen) feet. Slow jog walk up Garloch Hill before a breezy run to the Earls Seat. Although only a couple of hundred feet lower than Luss there was no snow only a freezing wind so didn't stop long at the trig. Managed to run all the way back until the last steep wee climb.

Over Dumgoyne again, an easy walk on the short steep climb up the back and a run down the front for the first time, usually take the easy way round instead of over. Loads of walkers out now. Finished in about 2 hours 20, 7 miles and 2700' of ascent. Pictures here.

Hats off to Doune Hill

First Luss hill run for weeks. Low cloud and drizzle greeted us as we started at the top of the Glen. Slow jog and walk up Beinn Eich, into the mist about half way up, patches of snow still around. The wind kicked in as we crested the summit, no longer sheltered from the strong Westerly. Ok at first as we dropped down the back. It was a struggle to jog up Beinn Lochain more sideways than forwards, not far to Doune Hill from there so on we went turning North to get to the areas highest top. A brief stop on the small summit plateau saw my hat fly off in the direction of Glen Mollochan. We turned for home concentrating on keeping the paths in sight in the mist, the wind helping now blowing us about as we ran down and up over Beinn Lochain. A slow trudge back up Beinn Eich. Wind blew us down towards Edentaggart farm, only sheep for company today, good run once it was over, about 8 miles, 3200' in 2 hours 30. Sunday and another late start, short recovery run through fields, across the Carman and up the path behind the reservoir and the short run up to the Fort through the quarry, down past the radio mast and home, about 1000', 5 miles, just under the hour.

Cold Toes

Woke up late today hoping for bad weather but it was to clear skies. Got my gear together and set off for Luss. Arrived at the bottom of the glen under a dark cloud emptying out sleety rain. Sat for a few minutes, didn't fancy being up on the ridges in this and set off for Arrochar for a trail run instead. The skies cleared within a mile or so and I returned to Glen Luss for the planned run over 4 hills, about 13 miles and 5000'.

Today's route, left to right, Beinn Eich, Doune Hill, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh,

Ran up the glen to start, snow dusted hills all round. Ran and walked up Beinn Eich, into the snow about half way up. Reached the top, great views, ran along to Doune Hill into the teeth of a freezing cold wind over the minor top of Beinn Lochain. Stopped for a few pics on top of Doune Hill, a trifle cold to hang about. Pleasant run into Sith Mor, in the sun most of the way down and sheltered from the wind.

On the slow trudge up Mid Hill my feet start to freeze, worse a squall approached as I arrived at the top luckily it passed by, the wind helping send it off down Glen Douglas.

Ran along to Beinn Dubh, legs tiring and happy to reach the cairn for the 2 mile run down to the foot of the glen, finishing in about 3 hours 50. Some more pictures here.

Sunday and we met for a run round next weeks Cross Country route, luckily the flooding from the Leven is starting to subside and we could get all the way round with dry feet. Disturbed a Heron on the small pool, it hung around long enough to watch our vain attempts to photograph it. Followed the trail back round to the bridge and from there we decided to go for a run over Stoneymollan including a new trail through the quarry up to the fort. Good run along Overton and Bromley Muir's except for my icy feet, no Sealskinz today. 10 miles, 1200' in just over two hours.