Glamaig Hill Race

3rd race in this years SHR championship gave me a good excuse to have a go. Mean to be a tough race even though its only a short one.

About 200 set off from the Sligachan Hotel across a bridge and along a short section of road before joining a narrow walkers path undulating gently upwards across moorland towards Glamaig.

The ascent is a a steep grassy climb, a few rocks come flying by dislodged by runners ahead. Gradient eases and after a grassy gulley a bouldery clamber to the top, round a cairn gasping at the stunning views then plunging down steep scree covered slopes, rocks and dust flying everywhere, towards the bottom the scree blocks a bit bigger slow the pace a bit then onto grassy slopes back to the road to finish at the hotel in about 84 mins.

130th out of 199 finishers.

Great wee race with the Sligachan Hotel providing a free dinner, drink and ceilidh after the race. More pictures here.

The Cobbler

Run up the Cobbler in the cool of the evening. Nice and quiet, only a few walkers and a couple of climbers topping out on the summit. Great views all around, distant peaks lost in the haze.

Mid Hill

Afternoon run up Mid Hill.

Ben Lomond

Early start to beat the heat, up the tourist path and down Ptarmigan, no clouds so could pick out the route I ran from Drymen to Inversnaid.

Managed to run all the way, then a wee break at the top before descending the quieter Ptarmigan route.

Finished in about 3 1/2 hours with the a cool down in the Loch.

More pictures here.

Stoneymollan

Easy run, my route choice, no one else at the club tonight , reservoir, quarry, fort and back via radiomast. Just over an hour.

Ben Ledi, Ben vane

Another hot day, ran as much of the climb up Ben Ledi as I could, at lot of new path work made for easier running, but steeper in places. Great views from the top.

Decided to run the out and back to Ben Vane, undulating path that follows a fence line almost all the way. Short break on Vanes summit to take in the views from Ben Lui, to the Arrochar Alps and the new Forth Road Bridge!

Easier run back, undulates down, turned down Stank glen instead of back over Ledi. Left about a mile of road at the end. Nearly five hours for the 12 miles and 3500' of ascent. More pictures here.

Stoneymollan

First run since finishing the West Highland Highway, easy run up behind Carman reservoir, past the quarry along to the trig point, turned back and ran along the undulating ridge to the fort, down past the radio mast.

Highland High Way

Stats for the record....

Wednesday 13th, Drymen to Inversnaid, 31km, 1600m (19 miles & 5250'), 7 hrs 15.
Thursday 14th, Inveruglas to Inverarnan, 18km, 1200m (11 miles & 3950'), 5 hrs 30.
Friday 15th, Inverarnan to Tyndrum, 29km, 1800m (18 miles & 5900'), 8 hrs 15.
Saturday 16th, Tyndrum to Brdige of Orchy, 24km, 1300m (15 miles & 4300'), 5 hrs 45.
Sunday 17th, BOO to Glencoe Ski Centre, ~30km, ~ 1500m (19 miles & 4900'), 7 hrs.
Monday 18th, Glencoe to Kinlochleven, 19km, 600m (12 miles & 2000'), 3 hrs 30.
Tuesday 19th, KLL to Glen Nevis, 20km, 1500m (12 miles & 4900'), 5 hrs 30.

TOTALS 171km, 9500m (106 miles & 31,200') 42 hrs 45 min.

:)

Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis

Last day of my WHHW run, travel out of Kinlochleven on the WHW, the path climbs up through birch woods to join the track though Lairig Mor for a few minutes, cross a bridge then take a faint path beside the stream, the path soon firms up and winds up towards the ridge between Am Bodach and Sgurr an lubhair.

Onto the ridge just as the cloud is rolling in to cover Sgurr a'Mhaim. Turn along the ridge over ex munro Sgurr an lubhair and down past the lochain on the way towards Stob Ban.

Stob Bans summit in the mist, a short ruin along and scramble up to the top. Cloud blowing in and out on the way to the last top of Mullach nan Coirean give some good views.

Run down the north east ridge and down to the lower falls car park for the last couple of miles on the road finishing in about 5 1/2 hours at Glen Nevis campsite. More pictures here.

Glencoe to Kinlochleven

Slept for 12 hours after yesterdays excitement. Forecast better later and took my time leaving as I hoped to do part of the "real" Aonach Eagach ridge today. Followed the WHW to the top of the Devils Staircase then left along the ridge, the plan was 4th top then back along the ridge to a drop off towards Kinlochleven. Easy run along the WHW past the new Kingshouse Hotel construction and Buchaille Etive Mor looking good across the road.

Up the Devils Staircase and along the broad grassy ridge to the first couple of tops, good views all round.

Looking down into Coire Gabhail, the lost valley.

The next tops capped with dark clouds and after yesterdays detour decided to drop off via Sron a Choire Odhair bhig and rejoin the WHW for the last mile or so. Short day today, finished in about 3 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe

Last nights hope of a clear day turned out to be false, set off for the Clach Leathad Traverse from the Bridge of Orchy Bunkhouse about 9:30 along the WHW to Victoria Bridge, there the route goes up over the hills above Black Mount, should have been Stob Gabhar, Clach Leathad and Meall a Bhuiridh, low cloud and switching off my GPS as I left Stob Gabhar meant I took a wrong turn and came out in Glen Etive, very scenic but left with a long road run to get to the Glencoe Ski Centre where my bag was being left.

Turned left along the farm road to the Old Schoolhouse then up the trail beside the Allt Toaig into Coire Toaig. Past Corein Lochain and up into the mist over the Aonach Eagach ridge to Stob Gabhar.

From there managed to come down Sron a Ghearrain instead of Aonach Mor. Met a few deer and a lot of frogs. I realised where I was and decided to continue down to Glen Etive instead of the turning back and up to try and find Aonach Mor.

Following a series of scenic rivers and glens down to Glen Etive, these might not be there much longer, hydro schemes are proposed for this  and another two or three similar glens nearby. Very scenic run back up the glen, an extra hour or so running on tarmac to finish in just over 7 hours wasn't what I needed. More pictures here.

Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy

Started along the West Highland Way supposed to turn off to Auch Glen and go over Ben Dorain, low cloud again and decided to run to Bridge of Orchy then do an out and back to Ben Dorain up the walkers path.

A few walkers on the WHW but not many on the hill. Ben Dorain has two summits and found a new path traversing past the first summit that came up behind the second higher summit.

Ran along the ridge over the lower summit on the way down. Met a group of walkers who had strayed from the path, they were pleased to get back on track. Finished in just over 5 1/2 hours. A few more pictures here.

Inverarnan to Tyndrum

Longer day today, cross the road from the Drovers on the grassy path back to the forest track from yesterdays descent. Followed this up Gleann nan Caoroann past the pipeline following the track as far as it goes towards Ben Oss. Aiming for the bealach between Oss and Lui which was just visible. The cloud level dropped and missed the bealach by about 100 yards, starting the climb up Oss, turned down to the bealach and up to Lui's summit, no views. Back towards the bealach and came off the ridge too early working back to the ridge nearly turned back up Lui again, ignoring the advice of my phones GPS! Spotted Oss's steep flank through the mist and turned back before any extra ascent. Followed a fain path to Oss's misty summit.

Short down and up to Dubhchraig, then about turn back to the wee lochans and down to the Cononish green huts and an easy jog to Tyndrum finishing in just over 8 hours, a few more damp pictures here.

Inveruglas to Inverarnan

Set off about 1 from Inveruglas on the Sloy Dam access route, turned right just past the sub station up to the radiomast and onto a faint path where the road ends. It winds up into a huge amphitheatre of rock and ridges leading to Vorlich's summit. Great route to go up.

Stayed below the ridge line as far as possible to avoid the gusty wind. Joined the usual ridge path a few minutes from the top. Scuttled along keeping as low to the ground as possible grabbing rocks when the wind tried to take control. Windy drama soon over as we made our way over the summit and down into the glen the next climb to the lochains ahead.

Ran over rough wet ground towards the last descent into Inverarnan. Finished in the sun in about 5 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Garadbhan to Inversnaid

1st day of a week long run along the West Highland Highway, a high level version of the West Highland Way.

First few miles on the WHW then turned right before Conic Hill across open moorland to reach a broad ridge that runs over 4 hills up to 2000' before Ben Lomond and on to Inversnaid over another couple of 2000 footers. First hour there was plenty of birds of prey wheeling around out for their breakfast. Off the WHW path tussocky heather bashing relief coming from the views and a few quad bike tracks and sheep and deer tracks. Walking most of the time apart from a few downhills.

Ben Lomond gradually came into view its head stuck in the clouds. Joined the tourist path about 1/3 of the way up, apart from a short jog up the plateau walked the whole way. Reached the top inside 5 hours didn't hang about on top, 4:30 boat to catch at Inversnaid. Walked down to meet the Ptarmigan ridge then turned North along the ridge line, the going easier than in the valleys more than makes up for the ups and downs, couple of tough climbs eased by jelly beans and sight of some deer and their fawns.

Tussocky descent down to Inversnaid and a short jog to the hotel, finished 30k, 6000' in about 7 1/2 hours, maybe lost 20 mins to navigation/leaving ridge and fencelines, made the 4:00 boat to Tarbet. More pictures here.

Luss Hills

Set off late afternoon, plan was Beinn Eich to Doune Hill and back via Beinn an Lochian.

Beinn an Lochain and Doune Hill from Beinn Eich

Another warm day, thunder rumbling about on the run up Beinn Eich. Running up to Beinn an Lochain more thunder then the lighting started, got to the top and decided to turn back.

Mid Hill from Beinn an Lochain

A few more bangs and flashes on the way back, big drops of rain as I finished inside 2 1/2 hours with a swim in Luss water.

Cort Ma Law hill race

A dry less boggy run this year, straight into the tough climb at the start, walk and jog trying to save something for the run round to the Leckett. Onto the top and the route undulates up across a few wee tops, working hard to keep up/ahead of the runners I reached the top with. Across the bogs, relatively dry this year easier to maintain a steady pace. One overtook me on the run into the gully. Plod out the gully then jog to the fence crossing, run back across to the final descent using whatever energy left to keep my place.

Finished in about 74 mins.

Yetholm Hill Race

Next SHR Championship race, long drive about 2 1/2 hours to get to the start at Halterburn in the hills behind Kirk Yetholm. About 140 set off, anticlockwise this year, I've done both clock and anti clock before. The anti route undulates up over five wee hills on the way out to the Curr then two on the way back. The first climb and the Curr are the biggest. Walked the ups ran the flats and downs. From the Curr the route undulates down and managed to run all the way, finished in about 1 hour 47.

The Brack

Scorching hot day so we started running from Ardgarten about noon along the single track tarmac road past the new hotel to pick up the forest road up Coilessan glen, ran most of the way until the steep wee pull up to the coll. Turned along the curving ridge to the Brack, following a faint walkers path that undulates up through a series of knolls and crags.

Great 360 degree views open up as we climb up. Good fun running down the walkers path back down towards Ardgarten instead of the steep tussocky plunge I usually take.

Finished in about three hours with a seat in the Croe water to cool off. More pictures here.

Jura weekend

Set off on Friday for a travelling and eating trip to Jura via Kennacraig, Port Askaig on Islay, across the short ferry to Jura and a few miles cycling to  Craighouse. Great weather if a bit hot.

Usual Friday evening photographic wander more eating and keeping away from the pub.

Celebrity starter!

Race day started overcast but the clouds would soon burn off. Set off with 250 others at 10:30.

The Paps of Jura with Corra Bheinn behind, shame that I would only get up the first one.

The steady run over the first three hills felt fine, dropped down into Glen Astille and across to the first Pap, a bit slow but ok to start, got slower and slower from about half way up cramping before the final bouldery climb to the top and made up my mind to call it a day. Still inside the cut off but not moving well. Worked my way down to the next col then walked in with one of the marshals on what is the Scottish Island 3 Peaks race route. Reached the finish in about 5 1/2 hours, not much faster than my usual race time. Cooled off in the bay then a beer or two from the newly opened bar in the camping field. Sunday cycled along to catch the early ferry from Port Askaig and the journey home. More pictures here. 

Beinn Dubh

Short long run today, an out and back route up Beinn Dubh and round the corries to Mid Hill. Another sunny day, bluebells out on Beinn Dubh's lower slopes.

Steady run up to the cairn then easy run out and back to mid hill stopping for a few pictures along the way.

Finished just under two hours with a refreshing swim in the faerie pool.

Crianlarich hill run

Set off early for a run over An Caisteal, Beinn a Chroin and Cruach Ardrain. Stopped near the top of Loch Lomond for a picture of the Loch.

First time up these hills in good weather, not too hot but little wind and blue skies coming through the thin cloud. Ran from the car park a mile or so from Crianlarich. Ran up the forest road to the small path to An Caisteal, slowed to a steady trudge with a few jogs thrown in as the gradient eased once onto the ridge. Cool breeze on top, great views all round.

Ran off the ridge towards Beinn a Chroin, from the high bealach its only a short climb up to its triple summit ridge. Easy run down to the grassy gully and traverse under Stob Glas's towering crags, dropped a bit too low leaving a bigger climb than I should have up to the ridge between Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain. Jog walked up the last few wee climbs to Cruach Ardrains busy summit cairn. 

Stopped for a few minutes to take in the views and grab a few pictures. Back along the ridge to the descent path I didn't find last time I was here, ran along the ridge over Meall Dhamh dropping down for a long traverse past Grey Height to avoid the boggy path back to the forest track. Sat in the river Falloch for a few minutes to cool off before the short run back to finish at the car in about 5 1/2 hours, great day. More pictures here.

Dumyat Hill Race

Big field for this race, started towards the back for the run up the road and through the forest. Onto the hill and tried to run all the way to the top, just about managed it, walking the last 100 yards of the track to the top. Round the cairn and work hard to pick up the pace mindful of the slippy rocks. Overtook a few before the fence then worked hard to keep my place. Bit of a shower and footfalls of 300 plus runners made for a fun run back through the forest, bounce off a few trees negotiating the muddy bank, over the burn and steady effort until a wee push to the line. Good fun even with a PW by about 3 minutes.

Dumgoyne and the Earls Seat

Glorious bank holiday Monday weather and we went for a run over this undulating wee route. Steep climb to the top of Dumgoyne to start, managed to run to the bottom of the last steep pull to the path that traverses round to the summit. Good views all round, took a few minutes picking out all the hills in sight.

Run down the back, up towards the wee cairn and along to the trig in about 70 minutes.

Took our time running back, its a bit easier as it undulates down. Finished in about 2 hours, more pictures here.

Stuc a Chroin 5000 Hill Race

Back for another go at this race, 174 started, 160 finished, a few, including me, timed out at the crossover point Bealach Nam Cabar, arriving 10 minutes before the cut off they told me it had been brought forward due to the poor weather, disappointing and had to take the return route missing out the out and back to the Stuc, made worse as I got sunburn on the run back to the finish.

Slight route change as the path through the forest waterlogged so more forest road at the start and finish. Usual cheery race marshals with water, jelly babies and chocolate at many points along the course. Started off with a steady run on the forest road, jog walked across Meall Mor and the steep drop into Glen Ample. Didn't push too hard up Beinn Eich, left the summit for the undulating ridge run to the Stuc. Arrived at the crossover about 5 or 10 mins slower than  last year but inside the cutoff, a marshal standing in the dip indicating they would pull me but I could go on on my own. Reached the group of marshals beyond who said that I was being timed out, the cut off had been brought forward due to the bad weather and lessons learned from previous years (one year near arctic conditions at the top meant a few runners and marshals had to be helped off suffering from hypothermia). None too happy but didn't argue with the marshal and turned back onto the route to the finish, arriving there just over an hour later, the climb out Glen Ample feeling much easier than usual without the out and back to the Stuc. Finished just over three hours.