Narnain and The Cobbler

Dreich forecast, set off for an Arrochar run, not many in the car park and decided to stick to the tourist path, as quiet as it gets. Past a few people coming down and a couple going up the zig zags. No one from the Narnain Boulders to the top of Narnain and back towards The Cobbler, past 2 on the climb up the back stairs. Took it easy as the rocks slippery in the wet. Windy on the tops, didn't hang about. Weather was improving and there was a few more people venturing out as I ran down the Buttermilk Burn path, took the Argo track to avoid the zig zags and soon back at the car in Succoth.

Narnain and The Cobbler

Back to an old favourite, Narnain and The Cobbler, the quiet way, early start before 8, straight up Narnain via the Argo track then block track, a bit muggy today, glad of a breeze as I climb. Eventually spot a few walkers ahead which helps maintain the effort. Clouds skimming the tops makes for interesting views. Surprisingly busy on top, sat behind the shelter wall at the trig for a couple of minutes then off through Bealach a Mhaim to the Cobblers back stairs, as steep as ever. A few people on the Cobblers summit beside the needle, another short stop then down the An T Sron ridge, at the end of the ridge turned North down to the Buttermilk Burn, refreshing wade across and onto the Argo track back to Succoth.

Ridge to A Chrois

The Spearhead

The Brack

  

The Cobbler

Short long run this week, fine weather , ran up the forest track from Honeymoon Bridge car park, about a mile to where the Cobbler hill race starts from. The first of a series of old white wooden posts mark the path that climbs up through trees to the open hillside to An t Sron, fairly boggy in patches, steep climb on faint paths up to the ridge then mostly runnable to the base of the Cobbler summit crags. Short trudge up pathless tussocky ground to the summit, busy summit, great views with a partial inversion,  though a bit hazy. Took in the views and watched someone thread the needle before the run back down, slow at first as the path picks a way through bouldery ground, then easy running on grassy paths to An t Sron then a steep drop through tussocks, trees and bogs with an easy mile on forestry track to finish.

   

Narnain and The Cobbler the quiet way

Arrochar run before the weather breaks, straight up Narnain, across Bealach a'Mhaim to The Cobbler, down via An t Sron and the Argo track. Looked good for a run, high cloud and little wind, set off for the block path up Narnain, a few people out on the climb meant I had a some targets to catch, helps keep the effort up. Good views, the cloud skimming the surrounding tops and a bit of fog floating around added to the atmosphere. Reached the summit plateau empty except for a couple of people sitting at the cairns. Passed a couple of walkers on the run off towards Bealach a'Mhaim, then had it all to myself, no one about, no wind, silence apart from my breathing and footfall, this area is usually really busy, set off for The Cobbler, still no one about, another empty summit apart from a couple sitting behind some rocks looking towards Loch Fyne. Ran down the ridge to An t Sron, rocky at first then grassy with the odd bad step, fine views. Ran down over the Buttermilk burn and took the argo track back to Succoth, peaceful run today without the usual Arrochar Alp crowds.

  

Hammer Run

Easier Arochar run this week, Narnain and The Cobbler via the tourist path, more of a trail run with plenty of ascent. Forecast ok for the AM to get worse as the day progressed probably why the Succoth car park was only half full. Legs a bit tired maybe due to yesterdays bike ride. Took it slow running up the 2nd zig zags, easier going as the gradient eases on the path passing the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim. Walked up the steps/path to Narnains summit, quiet in the mist. Round the trig, down to the Bealach and another walk up to the Cobblers plateau, a few more walkers about now. A quick refuel, back to the Bealach for the 3rd time, finished with an easy run down past the Boulders, taking the argo track to Succoth avoiding the zig zags.

 

Arrochar hill run

It's been a couple of months since I was in the Arrochar hills, plan was for Narnain and Ime, ended up taking in The Cobbler as well. Set off about half 8 in heavy drizzle, ran along the road behind Succoth village and up through the woods avoiding the zig zag path, along the forest track to the argo track starting the climb up Narnain, reached the concrete block path as the rain stopped, another runner passed and asked to tag along, which was fine except he was a good bit faster than me, helped me to push the pace a bit which must be a good thing. Soon into the clouds, not much of a breeze and reasonable warm. Didn't hang about on top of Narnain, down through the boulder field then took the grassy option towards Ime, steady trudge up Ime, back into the clouds, a few photos on top then a run back towards the Bealach, a wee route change here, climbed the back steps to The Cobbler then descended via the An t Sron ridge, rocky at first then easy grassy tracks with a few rocks, from An t Sron dropped down to the Buttermilk burn and over the tourist path to get to the argo track avoiding all the zig zags on the way back to Succoth.

    

Arrochar Hill Run

 Sizzling hot day set off earlyish for a run over Vane, Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler. Glen Loin trail to start, a few walkers out here, got to the start of Vanes path and eased into a steady walk, thankfully a nice breeze once I gained some height, passed loads of walkers going up and down, slowed on the top third or so in the heat. Got to the top, no one else there, took a few minutes to refuel and take in the views. Easy run down grassy slopes avoiding the crags into Lag Uaine, back into walk mode for the trudge up to Glas Bealach then on up to Ime, only met one walker going in the opposite direction between Vane and Ime's summits, slowed again towards the top of this stiff climb. At the top of Ime back into the crowds, another pause to refuel and take in the views from Jura to Ben Nevis. Short easy run down to Bealach a Mhaim then the up to Narnain, started to cramp on the climb and it took a couple of Salt Stick Fast Chews to ease the pain. It's a short climb and soon on top, refuelled and set off for the Cobbler, thankfully a shortish climb up here as well, loads of walkers out enjoying the fine day. left the summit via the An t Sron ridge, much quieter, although still busier than usual, at the end of the ridge dropped down and cooled my feet in the Buttermilk Burn before crossing the walkers path and taking the argo track back to Succoth. A fine day to enjoy these steep wee hills.

Ben and Loch Lomond from Vane

Ime (r) Narnain (l) & The Cobbler from Vane

Lui Munros from Vane

Vane from Ime, Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine to the right

Beinn an Lochain and Butterbridge from Ime

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Cobbler from Narnain

Ime (l) Vane (mid) & Narnain (r) from The Cobbler

Not The Cobbler Hill Race

This years Cobbler Hill Race was cancelled, with a fine forecast decided to run it anyway and add some hills on as it is a bit short. Parked at Honeymoon Bridge Car Park in Glen Croe and took the forestry track to the race start point, an old walkers path about a mile from the car park, beautiful day, clear blue skies and a cold wind. Onto the race route, steep trudge up through the forest to the open hill and a faint path to An t Sron, undulates up from here, more runnable. Reached the top in about the same time as I am up and down in the race. Only one other person on top. A couple of pictures and a re-fuel then ran off the top towards Bealach a'Mhaim for the climb up Ime, a few walkers about now. Brisk walk most of the way up, with a few short jogs on the flatter parts. Great views from the top, mountains for miles, Jura, Ben Nevis easy to see. A quick re-fuel in the bitter wind then back down to the Bealach, numbers of walkers increasing through the morning, straight across the Bealach to the Narnain path, another trudge/jog and up through the boulder field to the summit plateau. A bit warmer now. Back to the Bealach for the third time and the last climb back up to the top of The Cobbler, walkers streaming by as I climbed. Busy top, another re-fuel then off down the race route, thankfully not many go up or down here.

The Brack and Ben Donich from An t Sron

Ime from An t Sron

Narnain from The Cobbler

Lui Munros with views all the way to Ben Nevis and CMD

View from Ime to Ben Lomond over Narnain/A Chrois

Hills of Glen Douglas, Luss, Fruin & Finlas from Narnain