The Cobbler an Ben Narnain

Weather looked better than forecast and set off under blue skies for Arrochar. From the car park dark clouds over the hills and rain began to fall. Only lasted about 20 minutes so jacket off the breeze kicked in climbing up the back steps to the Cobbler. Running up by the Buttermilk burn a rainbow brightened up the view.

Climbing the Cobblers back steps a squally hail shower blows through. Didn't hang about at the top. Soon going up Narnain and the sky clears only for it to cloud in just before the top.

Down through the spearhead and sky clears again to finish under blus skies in about 3 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Beinn Dubh

Late afternoon run up and down. Set off after half three, steady running to about half way where the wind picked up. Stuggled to run from there, keeping upright good enough. Round the cairn and blown straight back down. Wind eased from about half way down, finished in about an hour and a half.

Beinn Ime

Wet and windy all weekend, Sunday long run, start late morning as wind meant to subside through the day. Left Succoth before midday up the zig zags then alongside Buttermilk Burn past the Narnain Boulders, the usual wind tunnel effect from the Boulders to Bealach A Mhaim made for hard going. Soggy climb up from Bealach a'Mhaim to Ime's claggy summit, at least there was some shelter from the wind.

Couple of photos of mist at the top then back down Ime's soggy terraces and across the Bealach to meet the Buttermilk Burn path.

Clouds clearing as I run back down to finish in just over 3 hours. A few more pictures here.

Beinn Eich

Short run up and down Beinn Eich, top hidden in cloud and wind increasing with height then dissapears on the summit.

Didnt hang about on top and soon back into the wind and under the cloud, nice view down to loch Lomond.

Finished in about 80 mins.

Pentland Skyline Hill Race

Signed up for this to complete my 4th race from the Long Classics series. About 16 miles and 6000' of ascent over 16 hills. Started at the back and took it easier than usual, 9 hills on mainly grassy trails on the way out to the Drove Road water station, 7 hills on the way back, the first 4 on heathery boggy stuff just when your looking to take it steady then back on to grassy trails for the last three, a good test in judgement of pace and effort. Cool at the start, soon heats up under clear sunny skies on the way out, not much of a breeze. Walked more than last year. Reached the Drove Road comfortable and set off for the rougher run back. Ease back through heather and bog keeping cramp away ss long as possible. Jog and walk to the last two tops then push on to finish in 4 hours 10. A great run.

Carn Mor Dearg and the Ben

Glen Nevis weekend plan to run a few Mamore hills, slept in as it was a bit wet, change of plan to CMD and the Ben, a bit shorter and busier start and finish. Ran from Glen Nevis youth hostel up heart atTack hill onto the tourist path to half way Lochain, took the path into Coire Leis crossed the river and up steep heathery bouldery slopes until the path to Carn Mor Dearg gradually made its way onto the top of the ridge.

Getting cold, leggings, gloves and headgear on, pushed the pace towards CMD summit to generate a bit of heat then taking the chicken run path just off the top where possible.

Picked my way carefully along to the climb up Nevis, missed the posts for a while, a bit too bouldery and starting to snow , back on track and summit cairn and shelter appear out the mist, sounded like a party in the shelter.

Familiar ground now, steady run down the tourist path and down heart attack hill to the youth hostel, just over 5 hours. Good fun, more pictures here.

Mid Hill

Getting harder to get out before darkness, shorter run tonight, up and down Mid Hill and the two small tops/cairns a few minutes beyond. A bit gloomy, warm and breezy with some cooling misty drizzle.

Beinn Dubh

Holiday Monday, weather improving all day to give a sunny late afternoon run. Slow climb then easy run round the corries to the two cairned tops. Took in the views and ran back to Beinn Dubhs top, nice run down to the foot of the glen.

More pictures here.

Narnain and the Cobbler

Same hills as last week but different route to start. Straight up the front of Narnain, 2 1/2 miles and 3000' plus of ascent. Mostly walking, past a few hill walkers. Into the cloud and thankfully a wee breeze as lower down too warm.

Jacket on through the Spearhead, used the 2nd gulley for a change. On top and not much too see in the cloud. Choice was Ime or the Cobbler, chose the Cobbler a bit easier. No one else on top. Ran back to Bealach a'Mhaim passing a few walkers, down past the Narnain boulders and down the zig zags, loads of walkers out in big groups. Finished just over 3 hours. More pictures here.https://photos.app.goo.gl/4xMJTZePmLhGRV6t1

Narnain and the Cobbler

Afternoon Arrochar run over Narnain and the Cobbler, man made trails most of the way makes it a bit easier. A bit warm until past the Narnain Boulders where the weather changes as usual, a nice cool breeze this time. Up Narnain on the new path as far as its built, 4 guys working away, above that its a pile of boulders, a muddy wee path forming at the side of them. Traverse across for the last climb on grassy slopes to the boulder field.

Ben Lomond past Narnains Trig

Nice on top, no one else there. A few pictures then off back down to Bealach a'Mhaim then up the Cobbler path, a few people at the top including a climber scaling the sheer face of the North Top.

Narnain from The Cobbler

Steady run back down past Narnain Boulders and through the zig zags to finish in just over three hours. More pictures here.

Conic Hill run

Hadn't run over Conic for a few years. Up the WHW then up onto the top, over the back followed a narrow trod back down to the WHW continuing down to the bridge. About turn back up the WHW and a detour onto the top again. Sun going down and set off back to Balmaha car park.

Devils Beeftub Hill Race

Final SHR Championship race of 2017, short sharp Beeftub, over 100 started, lined up just over the fence, 20 yards from the steep climb, hands and feet used to propel us up the short grassy climb onto the undulating swampy tussocky ridge round the Beeftub, last couple of undulations drier and soon at the last top before the steep plunge back down. Managed to keep upright finishing inside 33 mins to qualify for my SHR mug.

Ben Nevis

Ben Race time, near 500 lined up in Claggan Park, nice and sunny with hint of a breeze. Felt fine along the road to Achintee, onto the tourist path ran where I could, round windy corner slowed a bit, same across the scar path to the Red Burn, stopped for a drink then straight up steep grassy slopes then the Red Burn screes where the leaders started careering back down. Gradient started to ease and running again, not enough drive, fantastic views from the summit. Took it steady on the way down, working my way round each of the runners I managed to catch, only a couple passing me. From the Red Burn back down the Scar Path to rejoin the tourist path, careful on the rocky steps. Not much energy left on the road back from Achintee, finishing a few minutes slower than last year. My 13th in 14 years.

Good race, hope to be back next year.

Sgurr a'Mhaim and Stob Bhan from Glen Nevis

New bridge at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre

Mid Hill

Monday and Wednesday evening runs up Mid Hill, pre Ben race runs, with Tuesday nights longer Stoneymollan run probably too much.

Bein Narnain

Last long run before Nevis race next Saturday, up the zig zag paths past the Narnain Boulders to the new path up the North Eastern shoulder, lots of large rocks positioned like steps packed with mud and grit to form a solid rocky staircase, paths complete for about half of the climb, piles of boulders in place for the rest. Makes it more runnable on the way up.

Short break on top, dramatic views through the clouds. Back down the same way to finish inside three hours. More pictures here.

Ben Lomond

Weather and time combined to allow a mid week Ben run. Arrived at Rowadennen at 6 and set off up the tourist path, most folk coming down at this time, passed one walker just after the bad step, not so bad now with the path improvements. Steady/easy running all the way, concentrating on keeping heart rate and breathing under control. A runner passed on their way down just as I reached the summit ridge. Not much to see from the top in the Bens cloudy cap. Turned and set off down, no rush a nice steady run, passed the walker near the top, making good time, only a few hundred yards behind me.

Onto the plateau and out the cloud, stayed on the path all the way ignoring the race route options. Arriving at the car park in just over 2 hours as the runner I had passed near the top set off on a second ascent. The fast walker arriving 10 or 15 minutes later.

Mid Hill

Weekday run up Mid Hill to the two wee cairns and back to the glen. Warm and no wind at the bottom, slight cooling breeze on top, good views to Arrochar and Ben Lomond.

Finished in about 1:15.

Glen Luss

Friday run as I'm away this weekend. From the top of Glen Luss up Beinn Eich along the ridge over Beinn an Lochain to Doune hill, dropping back into the Glen and climb up the other side to the top of Mid Hill. Kept moving through a heavy shower and cool breeze on the way to Doune Hill, sheltered from the wind dropping into the glen, wind and rain kicked in on the way back out towards the top.

 Finished back down in the glen, 8 miles, 3500' of ascent in about 3 hours 15.

Beinn Dubh

Keeping up variety in mid week runs, blowing a gale and pouring with rain, set off up a stream of a path. Met a backpacker on his way down looking for a dry alternative to his leaky tent. Up in about 50 mins and didn't hang about, touch the cairn and run-stagger back down, rain eased off to plan in the last two minutes before reaching the car.

The Cobbler

Last day of my summer holidays and went for an easy run up the Cobbler. A few more photo breaks than usual, busy paths with the number of walkers about.

Great views on top. Visited two of the tops before a steady run back though the glen beside the Allt a'Bhalachain.

Finished in three hours. More pictures here.

Beinn Eich

Short run today, up and down Bein Eich, parked a the top of the glen and soon on the up for about 50 minutes. Short break on top for a couple of pictures. Ran back down to finish in about 70 mins.

Sgur Choinninch Mor

Visit to Glen Nevis, looking for an easier one after yesterdays Bidean run. Decided Sgurr Choinnich Mor the most Westerly of the Grey Corries.

Started from the Upper Falls car park running up a busy gorge path past Steall falls and on up the Glen towards Meanach. Took a faint walkers path past Sgurr a Bhuic and up towards the coll between Choinnich Mor & Beag.

Sgurr Choinnich Mor

Short run up into the clouds and Mor's narrow summit ridge. Visited the two tops before deciding the first one was probably higher. Ran back towards Choinnich Beag, last time I was here I went on a narrow trod round the back to avoid the re-ascent as this is not a Munro, only a short climb and managed to get over the top.

Sgurr a Bhuic

Longer descent to the coll before Sgurr a Bhuic thought about this climb as well but gave up and ran down to the valley floor beside a series of tumbling waterfalls and back through the gorge to finish just over 4 hours. More pictures here.

Bidean nam Bian

Have driven past many times pausing to admire the view, came up about mid day and stopped for a run. Up through the hidden valley to Stob Coire Sgreamach, back across to Bidean nam Bian, the return over Stob Coire nan Lochain and down Coire nan Lochain. Good paths all the way, some erosion on the way out the hidden valley at the steeper bits and similar on the drop off Bidean.

Great views over the Aonach Eagach to the Ben, down loch Etive and over the Ballachulish bridge, mountains for miles.

Running into Coire nan Lochain unusual for a herd of deer to be hanging around, became clearer as I got closer I could see a Stag standing on its own about 50 yards from the herd, got up to about 20 yards when  realised it was injured, damaged leg.

Ran past and down the glen to finish just over 4 hours. More pictures here.

Ben Rinnes hill race

5th go at this race, run from Dufftown Highland games 14 miles and about 5000' of ascent. Out and back over Little and Meikle Conval and Ben Rinnes. About 100 in this years race. Previous times 3:07 to 3:21 or so, always wanted to beat three hours. Race strategy was run where i could, then walk. Ran most of the Convals and the first two parts of Rinnes walked as quickly as i could up the final zig zags. Stuck to the path on the way off Rinnes, a few took short cuts. Steady walk back up the steep rough part of the 1st Conval then slow jog n walk to the top. Running again across the top and down the rough track to the last climb up Little Conval, not so little on the way back. Reach rhe top and push on, quads complaining, a runner goes past, keep working and happy to finish inside 3:02 a 5 min pb

Beinn Dubh

Beautiful night for a run up Beinn Dubh, passed a few walkers enjoying this summer evening. Took a few minutes to enjoy the great views then back down finished in about 80 minutes

Beinn Eich to Doune Hill

Shorter run this week, from the top of glen Luss up Beinn Eich over Beinn an Lochain to Doune hill and back. Steady run up BE into the clouds , warm, luckily with a good breeze, ran straight over the top past a small group of walkers having a break. Took the lower path to BAL sheltered from the cross wind across the cloudy top and up the short climb to Doune Hills trig. No views today and didn't hang about. Easy run back with a steep climb back up Beinn Eich. Caught the walkers on the farm track just psst the style, finished in about 2 hours 15.

Ted Baker Pappert Well Race

Club handicap race, 8 took part, warm sunny night, trail still pretty muddy made for smooth running. Happy to finish just under 45 mins.

Mid hill

Lovely night and drove to the top of glen Luss. Jogged back to Mid hill and started the 40 minute up, nice breeze towards the top. Ran along to the two wee cairns then turned for the run back down, finished in about 75 mins.

Glen Douglas

Better weather and some energy in the legs after an easier run than expected yesterday. Three Glen Douglas hills, a nice circuit, about 6 miles and over 3000' of ascent. Ran most of the first hill Beinn Bhreac except the penultimate up, too steep. Breezy on top stopped for a couple of pictures then off to Beinn Reoch, followed a tussocky quad bike track, mostly running, cool breeze, dropped down to the last climb up Tullich hill, skirted the crags and climbed up later than usual, found a large pool hiding between some crags. Run off Tullich down the ridge to Glen Douglas, a bit messy at the bottom through the newly planted birch and beech plantation, finishing just over 2 1/2 hours.

Beinn Ime

Wet run today, plan was for Ime and the Cobbler. Set off , a red squirrel ran across the road at the start, up through the forest behind Succoth onto the higher Glen Loin trail a buzzard flies out the trees just ahead on the way to the dissapearing stream. Soggy trod between Vane and Ime, river in full spate, nothing but a few tiny frogs here. Climbed the back of Ime passing three Ptarmigan, into the clouds, onto the ridge and across the two tops. Didn't hang about running down the soggy hillside to Bealach a'Mhaim and the nice new path back down to Succoth inside 3 1/2 hours.

Maddy Moss hill race

Warm sunny evening, race or head for the hills, decided to race, early start 7pm got there with half an hour to spare. Short steep climb to start before a narrow flat trail to the main climb up the Law, hands on knees and push for 20 plus minutes with a few wee short jogs on the flatter bits. Enjoyed the climb probably meant i didn't push it too hard or hard enough. Over the top of the Law and running to Ben Cleuch round the cairn and back past the Law to Andrew Gannel hill. A short down and up then a longer down hill to Mill glen to a short steeper rocky drop to rejoin the outward track back to finish inside 75 mins.

Ben Vane and Beinn Ime

Set off for the 12 mile 5000' round of two of the Arrochar Alps. Weather just about perfect, sunshine, a few clouds and a breeze. Took it easy on the run up through Glen Loin. Through Coiregrogain and passed a few walkers. Onto the hill a few more groups of walkers gave me something to work against and keep the effort up.

Nice breeze on top, ran off the back towards Ime, quiet between these two hills except for a couple walking down the back of Ime. Went the straight up the gulley route, steeper but  more direct.

From the top of Ime back in to the crowds, ran down to Belach a'Mhaim onto the newly made paths. Usual route past the Narnain Boulders and down the zig zags to finish in just over 4 hours, more pictures here.

Beinn Dubh

Warm evening for a short run up Beinn Dubh. Late start about half 7 made for an empty hill. Started slow and managed to run to the top.

Break for a few pictures then an easy run back to the glen. More pictures here.

Ben Narnain

Home early and off to Arrochar for a run over Narnain, up the zig zags and past the Narnain boulders. Reached the bealach and new paths towards Ime and Narnain.

Ran past three deer who seemed rather disinterested about 30 yards away.

Short break at the top for some photos before running down through the spearhead and down through the crags snd back to Succoth inside 3 hours. More pictures herehttps://goo.gl/photos/nzU6vPjMpY9y152h7.

Double Dumgoyne

Easier run this week, started with a steep climb up the front of Dumgoyne and see how far you can run. Took the path straight to the top clouds sitting just above the ridge to the Earls seat. Ran off the back and up to the ridge and the cloud had dropped, stayed in the cloud until dropping back to the base of Dumgoyne. Not a lot to see, visibility about 30 yards, the hills look bigger in the mist. Short break at the trig, jacket, hat and gloves on for the run back into the wind. Finished in about 2 hours with a run back over Dumgoyne.

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.

The Brack

Plan was to run the Brack and Ben Donich, I had run these hills once before in 2010. Started at Ardgarten car park running down loch Long side before turning up Coilessan glen to the high point.

From here turn right onto the curving ridge to the Brack, wind picks up with height, happily its from behind blowing me up some steep slopes. Path fades in and out as it winds round a series of crags, hollows and grassy lumps.

The top too windy to hang about, straight over and down steep grassy slopes towards the bealach before Ben Donich. Too windy to go on to Ben Donich and dropped down to the forest road via the Donich access trail and short run back to Ardgarten checking out the Brack access trail on the way. More pictures here.

Fairy Glen race

Club race, 3 mile laps at the far end of Balloch Park taking in Fairy Glen and the top of heart attack hill. 7:50 first lap, slowed to about 8:08 on lap two, couldn't drag out a sub 8 third and finished just outside 24 mins, a good wee test.

Monday evening run in the Luss hills

Home early and great weather, drove to the top of glen Luss. Route planned for an out and back over Beinn Eich to Cruach an t Sidhein. Slow jog up Eich, nice cooling breeze. Great views open up all round.

View from Beinn Eich to Cruach an t Sidhein

Ran down the back and traversed along the side of Beinn an Lochain, trashing my ankles but avoiding too much extra ascent. Slow plod up Cruachs steep flank.

View from Cruach an t Sidhein to Beinn Eich

Stopped to take in the views and for a few photos, easier run back along to Eich, only a few minutes real effort to get to the top. Last look at the views from Lui to Ailsa Craig. Easy run down to finish in about 3 hours. More pictures here.

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.

Mid week Mid hill run

As a change to the hills round the Vale set off for the top of glen Luss and a run up and down Mid hill, the aim to run all the way, great night sunny with a cooling breeze.

Passed one hill walker coming down on my way up. On top ran along to the two small cairns, stopped for a few photos then back down to the glen. More photos here.

Narnain and the Cobbler

Late morning run set off in low cloud and drizzle. Started up the zig zags then along to the old block covered trail, one of my favourite descents I ran down last time, hadn't run up this way for a few years. Climb up through a series of grassy crags with short flattish bits between. Stopped half way up to put on a decent jacket as the breeze picked up, met a couple of runners coming down.

The last up bit rather rocky, named the Spearhead.  Didn't hang about on the exposed top. Running down to bealach a'Mhaim past a busy path construction team. Ran up the back steps to the Cobblers top.

Quiet today in the mist and rain. Steady run down the slippy steps and the tourist path back to Succoth just under 3 hours. A few more pictures here.

Cort Ma Law hill race

Great conditions for this race blue skies and a breeze to keep the midges away. Kit checked and we were off and running slowly up the steep trail to the Lairs then CML. Ran most of the way to the top, a couple of short walks on steep rocky parts. Pick up the pace as the gradient eases, over a few minor tops and a couple of bogs before the top of CML always people to pass and a few getting past me. CML to Lecket hill fun, the bogs not as big this year but still slows other people more than me. Steady run into the gulley keeping something for the climb out and run back. Short walk then manage a slow jog through the tussocks gradually increasing the effort. Over the fence onto smoother turf keep pushing and passing other runners. Hit the downslope hard and pick off another 3 or so runners to finish under 69 minutes, about 3 minutes quicker than last year.

Arrochar run over Beinn Ime and Narnain

Afternoon run, thundery showers leaving the Vale, clear in Arrochar.

Set off from Succoth clockwise round the Glen Loin trail until just after the ford. Leave the trial to run through the glen between Vane and Ime, quite tussocky means a jog walk, pleasant beside the stream and a few waterfalls. Reach Lag Uaine and ascend beside the gnarly ridge steep rocky pathless ground to start, a faint path forms in the upper reaches of the corrie.

Onto the ridge just as the rain starts and run along over Ime's two tops, the second one is the higher. Short break for a drink then off towards Bealach a'Mhaim. Sky clears and sunshines again. Narnain's summit quickly reached passing a mass of boulder bags, looks like path construction from the Bealach is about to start.

Another short break then off through the Spreahead, descending 3000' feet in a couple of miles. Finished in just under 4 hours 15, some more pictures here.