Glen Douglas Hills

Sunday morning and after a no run week got a call to go for a run over some of the Glen Douglas hills. Start and finish from Invergroin. After a boggy start a pleasant pull up faint tracks on Beinn Breacs Western flank, a few false summits and 50 odd minutes later we were on top great views up and down Loch Lomond and the Ben with its head in the clouds.

An easy ridge run along to Ben Reoch, over both its tops rewarded with views to the Arrochar Alps. A steep drop down into Ant Sreang and then a 20 minute climb up to the final top, Tullich Hill for views of Luss  hills and the Arrochar Alps. Nice 1/2 hour run down easy grassy slopes to Invergroin to finish, 6 miles, 3400' of ascent in 2 1/2 hours over these quiet hills. A few more pictures here.

Durisdeer

A wet Saturday for the 2nd medium race in this years SHR Championship, doubling up as the 2012 SAL Championship as well. A good field of 150 plus turned out despite the rain, hill runners like their cake. Set in the Lowther Hills we start with a charge up Black Hill before dropping down over Pettylung and a steep descent for the first of two crossings of the A702 onto farm track through Dalveen where a minor navigational error cost a few minutes. The route loops round Steygail on good tracks and paths over a couple of minor cols, the second one steep enough to force me to walk, before dropping down to cross the road again after Upper Dalveen. A steep climb through grassy crags and a tussocky jog to the foot of Well Hill, another walk to the top. Pleasant run down following a fence line before a short runnable climb back up Black Hill and a downhill cruise to finish in 2 hours 45 for the 10 miles and 3800' of ascent. A runners pictures here give you a feel for the route. Three runners went missing, luckily they phoned the Moffat Mountain Rescue who went to pick them up so we could all enjoy our tee and cakes in the old Durisdeer Church.

Easy run

After a couple or three hard weeks and forecast for wind and rain I gave the Glenrosa Horseshoe a miss and went for a run in the nearby Luss Hills, a loop over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille-eughain Hill, about 10 miles and 3700'. Turned out to be a lovely sunny morning, set off for the jog walk up Beinn Dubh pleased to get to the top in 53 mins, felt longer. Pleasant run round the corries to get to the run down Mid Hill. Good views down Glen Luss to Loch Lomond.

Ran up the Glen road and across to the short steep climb up Coille-eughain hill. Worth it to avoid a run down the Glen road. Ran down the Paps finishing in 2 hours 45 with a quick cooling plunge into one of the large pools in Luss Water.

Cort Ma Law

My planned run to the top of the first climb changed to "walk all the way" within a few seconds of the start, ok it was a quick walk and I was far from last. Up onto the top and familiar undulating run over 4 minor tops on the way to CML summit. Slowly caught and passed the three runners just ahead. After CML the marshy run to Lecket Hill, dry this year with only the odd knee deep plunge. Tried to keep a steady pace without too much oxygen debt and got past another two. From the Lecket a progressively steeper run down into the gulley helped me pass two more tentative runners, crossed the two streams at the bottom and into good effort for a fast as possible walk mode up out the gulley, soon running again although slowly when I was caught by the last big bog as I tried to jump across, dragged myself out and set off again, thoughts of catching any more runners ahead changed to keep ahead of those behind, sneaked a glance on the last downhill and had enough of a gap to cruise down to finish in just over 71 minutes. Quick change in the car park as the midgies feasted before the drive home.

Slioch

A hilly weekend taking in the Slioch Hill Race and an easy run over some of Beinn Eighe's bits. Left on Friday afternoon for the 5 hour drive to Taagan campsite just past Kinlochewe. Great drive surrounded by classic Scottish mountain scenery through Glens Coe, Garry, Shiel, Carron, finally arriving in Glen Docherty at the head of Loch Maree just as the sun began to set.

Saturday morning and after porridge in the Whistle Stop Cafe (well worth a visit if your passing through) I had some time to kill before the race, drove through Glen Torridon to look over tomorrows run and spent a nice hour or so watching pairs of eagles soaring above while I had my second breakfast.

Just over 50 runners for the 12 mile race with 4000' of ups and downs. The first and last 3 miles are on a trail along towards Slioch, leaves most of the climbing packed into 6 fun miles, onto the first climb, Sgurr Dubh, it just gets steeper all the way to 2400 feet in a couple of miles, felt like I was going backwards, soon only two behind me and those in front going away, had a couple of jelly beans and felt a bit better, over the top and a welcome if short downhill to the two lochans before an easier climb to the first of Slioch's two summits.

Sgurr Dubh front middle, Slioch's summits back left, Sgurr an Tuill Bhain back right.

A short run across to the second top then a nice undulating ridge run, I was quite happy to jog along taking in the views, to Sgurr an Tuill Bhain. The drop off here is quite steep, but grassy and easy to run down, at the bottom a steeper rocky path drops into Gleann Biansadail, managed to reel in three runners by the bottom, good fun having to concentrate and work hard to keep the pace going. A quick splash and drink in the stream before what seemed like an endless run out towards Loch Maree, after 20 minutes of undulating riverside path at last I was back on the 3 mile trail to the finish where each small hill took its toll, walking and shuffling trying to catch the runner in front and not look back, sensing a runner behind. Its a cruel finish especially on a warm day, the reward is a beer and a chance to watch the next few runners come in before walking back for a feed in the village hall. I finished the 12 miles and 4000' in 3:35.

Slept better on Saturday night, the warm sun waking me at 8 the next morning. Packed up and left for Glen Torridon and the Coire Dubh Mor path, a stoney path not great for tired legs but it climbs gently passing between Beinn Eighe and the huge lump of Liatach.

Liatach with the Coire Dubh Mor path below

Round the prow of Sail Mhor the sense of wilderness grows as a jumble of mountian views opens up. The track gets a bit steeper as I approach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, well worth the effort, stop for a break in the sun, a few pictures and something to eat. At the back of the corrie I climb up a series of terraces past small pools and waterfalls towards my target, the stone chute to the side of the triple buttress, onto the Beinn Eighe ridge. A simple scramble on the North side of the chute makes for easier going. Up on the ridge, breezy and I set off for Ruadh-stac Mor the highest of Beinn Eighe's 9 tops. A quick run up and back to the main ridge helps keep me warm, I traverse along towards the other munro top, half way there I check out my planned descent route, A Choinneach Mhor, a steep scree slope. I've been out for nearly 4 hours and decide to miss the 2nd top and set off back down with anticipation. I am not dissapointed, a mixture of scree, rocks and boulders and I'm soon sliding, surfing and sometimes sitting in rivers of moving scree flowing down towards the valley floor. An absorbing 20 minutes later I'm back on the CDM path and jog back to the car in 4 hours 20 for 10 miles with 4000' of climbing. A wash in the river Torridon and I'm ready for the slow drive home.

Glengarry

A few more pictures here.

Kilpatrick Hill Race

Just made the start arriving straight from work for this bog and burn favourite, 6 miles and 1400 feet of climbing. A bit midgie for tonights 99 runners. Tarmac to start before a steady climb up the Kilpatrick braes, on top progressively faster running across the moor as I catch my breath then onto a landrover track covered in chuckies, sore on my feet so I kept to the side, past loch Humphries then onto moorland again a few ups and downs, one fall, don't step on wet rock at speed,  to a narrow tricky trod alongside Greenside reservoir, the short climb up the slacks feels hard but you can jog most of the top half if you don't look up. Past the trig point and I can breathe again, over fences and ditches then running hard downhill towards the steep drop back to the dreaded foot slapping tarmac to finish in 65 mins.

Arrochar in the sun

What a difference a week makes, another late start, sun sun sun, indecisive and went to Arrochar. Route was Glen Loin, over the stream then access the glen between Ime and Vane from the disappearing river, up through the glen and climb up Ime beside the gnarly ridge finishing with a quick down, up, down over Narnain. The 5 mile run up the Glen was hard in the heat, the trees keeping the breeze away. Nice run up to Lag Uaine beside the stream then a steep rocky climb into one of Ime's North facing corries, I even managed a bit of a run up towards the corrie rim. Made do with Ime's SE top before an easy jog down to Bealach a'Mhaim. Steady climb to Narnain's flat rocky summit before the 3000' in 2 mile descent back to the forest roads. Sweat and stoor washed off in the Jacuzzi, finished 12 miles with 4800 of climbing in 4 hours 10, some pictures here.

Chasing Ptarmigan

Late run yesterday, left the house about 2, I wanted some steep hills and Ben More from the Crianlarich side sort of fitted. The route was to be a circuit over Ben More, Stob Binnien and back via Stob Coire an Lochain and Meall na Dige, didn't quite make it. Start point was a path from a layby 5 miles past Crianlarich. Soon onto forest roads winding up under Glas Leathad, saw a path saying "open hill access" that's what I took, it led back onto the forest road further up, decided to head uphill through a brashing filled gulley towards the ridge Sron nam Forsairean, had to turn onto a forest road to avoid a lot of fallen trees then took another track marked "open hill access". Happy as long as I was going uphill. A faint path went off to the right alongside a stream, it was marked with white tape, checked the map and it looked ok and should cut out some of the forest road switchbacks. After a few minutes I came out of the trees and onto the hill side, picked my way up beside the stream over lumps and bumps, climbed a deer fence and eventually onto the ridge. A path picked its way along the ridge, I missed a turn and soon onto steep slopes surrounded by snow patches. Worked my way back on to the path on the top of the ridge, Ben More's summit looming out the cloud ahead. Near the top a Ptarmigan ran across the path, probably leading me away from its nest, followed trying to get a picture, they only let you get so close.

Now on the last steep climb to Ben More's rocky summit, the path disappears in the snow, tried to go round on a boulder field below the snow, didn't work, then tried to go above through small crags, decided it wasn't to be and turned back, leaving the route for another day. Ran back down the Sron nam Forsairean ridge to the forest. No real path or track through the forest but found more white tape leading me a fairly direct route through the trees and across forest roads back to the tracks I started from. 2 hours up, 1 hour down. A few pictures here.

Ben Lomond

Cracker of a day for this years race. After a bus trip from Rowardennan around 150 set off from the Rowardennan Hotel for the trudge to the top and back. Warm on the lower slopes as the path clambers through the trees. Out of the trees, jogging and walking as the gradient changes. Sent off path up grassy slopes before the plateau, different line this year, we were taken 100 yards further left. Onto the plateau and running again, the leaders coming down a bit sooner than I would have liked. A change to the top section this year, stay on the zig zag path onto the shoulder following the path along to the top in a slow 75 mins. On the way back we are sent down steep grassy slopes half way along the shoulder, easier than I thought it would be, not as steep as it is going up. On the run down the plateau keep going and try to catch those in front. Catch a few down the grassy bank. A short path section then off on the other side down pathless mucky rocky hillside. Back to the path and I have to force it to keep the pace up. Good fun over the lower rocky sections where I manage to catch and pass a few more tentative runners. The dreaded run along the road to the finish, nip past a Westie in the finish funnel, after a slow 35 mins descent. Enjoyed the race but not my time. Soup and rolls and a seat in the sun watching the speedsters get their prizes. Pictures here , here and here as well.

Midweek Races

Ran the Club 10k race on Tuesday and felt as if I was running on someone else's wibbly wobbly legs, the race started and finished at Balloch Castle and followed the old Polaroid 10k route. Within a couple of hundred yards I new it wasn't going to be fast. I settled into a steady pace and watched the rest of my start group go off into the distance. It was Luss Road before I caught and passed anyone else. Felt good on the short downhill stretch into Lomond Shores then slowed down again on the flat run through the complex. Eased up the hill into the Park to finish just over 54 mins.

Last night was Dumyat hill race, 5 miles and 1200', I wasn't looking forward to it after Tuesday's struggle. Arrived just in time to register for the 7 pm start, big field again, turned out to be about 380 runners. No time or desire to warm up before we were off and running. Road and farm track to start, gently climbing, felt ok, legs much better off than last night, I felt I could run again. The track soon undulates up through the forest with a few bottlenecks where everyone queued and I could gasp a few extra breaths. Onto the open hill and ran where I could, the leaders start to come back down sooner than I hoped. Avoid the worst of the bog then a last push for the top. Start the run down freewheeling until I gain some sort of breathing control pushing hard on the downs but unable to keep it going on the short flats in between. Reach the bottom for the run back along the track to the Uni, slight uphill at first and loose a few places, able to relax for the closing few hundred yards as they are downhill, accelerate through the finish in 53:24.

Stuc A Chroin

My 9th Stuc, roller coaster of a race, you come out feeling like you've spent a few hours in a washing machine. Not at my best just now and thought I should give it a miss, decided to go and set a target of sub 4 hours instead of aiming for 3 1/2. Ran steady along the first two easy miles on forest tracks.

The run across the moor to Glen Ample

Onto the hill and a rough run across the moor past Meall Mor before the drop into Glen Ample for the climb up Beinn Each.

Beinn Each across Glen Ample

A bit steep, hands on knees, the ground, pulling on the heather, anything to get me up there. Tried to keep it steady as there is a bit to go after this.

The ridge to the Stuc from Beinn Each's summit

Drop a few hundred feet off the side onto the 2 miles of lumpy ridge to the Stuc, the leading runners bomb past on their way back once I'm past the crossover. I reach the top in 2 hours 18. Steady run back along the ridge, try to save something for the climb out Glen Ample. At the crossover we're sent off down into Glen Ample, straight down at first then a traversing descent along the glen to the path for the exit climb. Struggling now usually I can gain a few places here, concentrating on not stopping seems to be a good idea. Drink some high5 electrolyte stuff to try to avoid cramping on the next climb. Cross the track and start up the other side of Glen Ample, boggy at first then dries out the higher you get, cramp starts then eases, maybe its worked. About 4 miles left, two across the moor then two back along  the forest track. The three runners ahead drift away across the moor, unable to catch them I try to maintain the effort and not lose any places. Glad to reach the forest and soon pop out on the track after 3 hours 34 only two miles left, the first slightly uphill in 10 minutes takes its toll, the last mile, downhill, takes 12 minutes, still I finished inside my target in 3 hours 56. Contrasting route today, moor and valleys a bit boggy but the ridges and tops dry and sair feet stoney. Lots of marshalls out as usual, water chocolate and jelly babies and encouragement in their usual quantities. Pictures here (view last to first), and here.

Dumgoyne

Driving out I couldn't figure why the hills behind the distillery were silver. After last nights rain, got up to a clear blue sky, almost sorry to have a short run this week in prep for next weeks Stuc. First time I've tried this run since last October, running from the distillery over Dumgoyne hill and along to the trig point at the Earls Seat. Crossed the style and started running, how far up could I run? Crossed the next pair of styles through the mud, getting steeper now, kept picking away but had to start walking short of the grassy ramp up to the boulders. Second check, 26 mins 40 secs to the top. I had passed a few a few flecks of snow on the way up and as I reached the top I could see the hills behind had taken a dump of snow.

Good fun running off Dumgoyne, a bit slippy at first, then the short scree chute lets you fly down to the bottom. Running up Gairloch hill into the snow following some footprints along the trail, these soon turn off leaving only sheep tracks. Working hard in the snow eventually reaching the small cairn marking the summit and the cold wind blowing across the moor soon cools me down. The sheep tracks veer off and leave the trail, now running over pristine snow in the sun, things could be worse. I can see the trig point in the distance, it seems to take an age to get there as the trail sweeps round past the cairn in an undulating arc. One last uphill stretch and I'm there, pause to take in the views before the run back.

Easier run back along, good fun, the snow smooths the worst of the tussocks and even the swampy bits are more or less frozen. Soon I'm running down towards Dumgoyne and the ground turns back to muddy brown. Finish in just over two hours, some more pictures here.

Spoilt for choice

Struggled to get up this morning, it's been a hard week. I couldn't make my mind up on the route for my run, decided on Luss Hills, about 12 miles and 4 hours of undulations, the last part would be new as the last time I tried it I bailed out in a low cloud and snow whiteout. Finally managed to leave the house about half an hour late, driving along I saw this.....

A quick change of plan and about turn to Ben Lomond. Arrived at a busy Rowardennan car park, full of people harnessed to various shapes and sizes of Huskies. They set off up the hill before I was ready. Started out nice n easy until I caught up with the canine train and just had to pick up the effort to get passed. Onto the open hill with a few groups of hill walkers ahead, picking up the pace as I approached each group trying to ignore the oxygen debt until I got passed. Impending implosion meant I had to ease back the pace and finally managed this across the plateau. Into the snow just before the steep climb up to the summit ridge, picked my way up, the path seemed to attract the snow, a couple of feet deep in places. Onto the ridge and the nice clear top pictured from Duck Bay earlier had disappeared into the mist.

Paused for a quick drink at the top then picked my way back along the snowy ridge and down to the plateau. Steady run along the plateau then some fun on the steep rocky track as it drops down towards the loch. Finished in 2 hours 20. A few pictures here. 

Arrochar

Sunday run for a change and I left for Arrochar just before 8 a sunny blue sky morning with a cool breeze. Car park nearly empty as I set off on the Glen Loin trail, cool breeze now slicing through me even with double thermals. Gradually warmed up as the trail undulated up towards the days hills Ben Vane and Beinn Ime. Reached the Vane path and into walk mode, caught a couple of walkers too quickly then eased back for the trudge through Vanes rocky outcrops the path disappearing every few yards in the snow. The top a pleasant contrast to the climb, no wind. Ran off the back along the ridge to the usual rock before turning left into Gleann Uaine where a tip toe descent, watchful of the black icy patches hidden in the grass, made it
difficult to use enough energy to stay warm.



Crossed Lag Uaine and found a feint ridge path that would take me half way up towards Glas Bealach on dry firm ground. Through some crags then the gradient eases over wet ground until I get to Glas B. Back into the snow from here traversing round as I climb to avoid some snowy crags. Higher and steeper and I am glad to find the footprints of two walkers and use these to improve the grip, sometimes using them for hand holds as well. The snow makes for a tough climb and towards the top I stop for a few seconds every twenty yards or so then push on before my feet freeze. The top breezy and I rest for a few seconds to take a drink and gaze at the surrounding snowy tops. The run off Ime fun in the snow, lower down towards the Bealach I manage to find firm ground and keep my feet reasonably dry. A lot of walkers about for the run along the track between Narnain and the Cobbler and down the zig zags back to a packed car park, 14 miles and 5700' in 4 hours 45.

Clachnaben

The first race in this years SHR Championship, just south of Banchory, its a long day out. I ran this race in 2009 the last time it was a championship event. New course for this year a bit shorter although over the same two hills, Mount Shade and Clachnaben with its rocky Tor. Car parking on a forest road and then a 10 minute walk into the forest to registration. At noon a couple of hundred of us set off from reg to the start a few hundred yards down the track.

Soon we are off onto a muddy trail winding through the forest then we start to climb up via a couple of short firebreaks before coming out on the open hillside. Time for a photo break in the queue for the style, the field strung out ahead on their way to Threestane Hill.

Heathery stuff now, after Threestane Hill we continue up the ridge towards Mount Shade, with Clachnaben peeking out behind. 

The descent from Mount Shade takes us south, away from Clachnaben then skirts the edge of some woods and a traverse round Mt Shade's Western flank back towards Clachnaben for the last climb zig zagging up to the summit Tor.

From the Tor we run down a scraggy walkers path beside a narrow stream, a soft peaty heathery mush. I'm catching up those in front until we hit the forest road again for the last 3k where they pull away from me. We get to within a few hundred yards of the finish and are sent off on a narrow track through the forest, uphill of course, a few unexpected minutes effort brings me in to the finish, I should check the route map more carefully in future.

Time for a seat and a beer courtesy of Deeside Brewery one of the race sponsors. Plenty of prizes, apart from the ones for those that run quickly, prizes are given out for the dirtiest runners, the runner with the most Scottish name, the most helpful DNF and those who found the tiny Easter chicks hidden around the course.

Pictures here here here and here.   

Stoneymollan

The 10th Stoneymollan race, two of us have run them all. There were 16 runners tonight, set off in handicap order, target for all to finish at 7:30. Cool evening good for running, 16 minute climb for me to the top of the track. The next part is on a hill path undulating over Bromley and Overton Muir's, kept the effort going, soon on top and able to relax for a few minutes before the next short climb. A slight route change before the last steep wee climb then downhill for a run through the brown stink bog and gorse alley. From there its rough track and road to the finish. Missed 7:30 by a minute and a half. Tea and cake to finish, helps keep the weight up. Some pictures from the run here.

Another Luss Hill Run

On sight, map and compass in the bag and it stayed there on a delightful spring morning round of a few Luss hills. Started the same as last week with a plod  up Beinn Eich, followed the path all the way to the top for a change. Ran off the back and traversed to the beallach before a short climb to the top of Cruach an t-Sidhein, only the last 50' as steep as it looked.

Beinn Eich on the left, Beinn Chaorach on the right from ascent of an t-Sidhein.

Good views from the summit to Arrochar and the Ardgarten peninsula. Sat and refuelled for a few minutes planning the route back then set off south west for Beinn a Mhanach, 1000' feet down and 1100' back up in just over a mile. Kept as high as possible crossing the glen to save re ascent, curved ascent to avoid gullies and crags on the run up to Mhanach's top which is some way back from where you expect it to be. Another 1000'+ descent and re ascent to get to Ben Chaorach, starts with an easy run down over grass and soft rush to cross a boggy bealach. A steep climb undulates up beside a fence before the gradient eases onto a gentle broad runnable ridge to the summit, relieved now that most of the day's climbing was done. The last third of the route is a gently undulating ridge run over Beinn Tharsuin and a couple of minor tops and the day's efforts began to have an effect, any uphill meant walk or maybe the odd shuffle if it wasn't too long. All too soon I was looking down to Coille Eughain Hill over Creag an Leinibh and the last couple of miles of running all the way to the finish 2000' below. Out for 5 3/4 hours. A few pictures here.

Luss Hill Run

Navigation run today, the plan was to start up Beinn Eich at the top of Glen Luss then go a new route anticlockwise via Cruach an t-Sidhein, Beinn a' Mhanach, Beinn Chaorach and Tharsuin overlooking Glen Fruin dropping back into Glen Luss off Coille Eughain Hill. Parked at the top of the Glen and set off into low cloud finally popping out the cloud near the top of Beinn Eich.

Ran along the ridge down into the cloud contouring to the left of Beinn Lochain to save some energy. As I reached what I thought was Creag Tharsuinn before the next climb the sound of gunfire from the MOD range encouraged a change from the planned route which skirts the range. Didn't fancy missing a turning in the cloud and running into some wargames. Sat down for 10 minutes to see if the cloud was going to clear, no change so about turn and climbed up to the top of what I hoped was Beinn Lochain, soon back above the cloud and pleased to be where I thought. Continued my run round to Doune Hill then dropped into Sith Mor and the stiff climb to the top of Mid Hill, by then the cloud had gone leaving a hazy sunshine. I would probably have been ok but I'll leave that run for another day. Finished the 9 miles and 4000' in just under 4 hours. Some more pictures here.

Stoneymollan

My first run for a while round the Stoney in cool spring sunshine, I turned off the road and the quiet soon shattered by motorcylists scrambling round tracks in the woods. Left them behind and the only sound my laboured breathing, good to get out again moving over rough ground just fast enough to stay warm. Jogged my way round the reservoir and soon going up past the quarry, managed to keep going til the top and a nice view down the Clyde.

Followed the trail to the trig point where I stopped again, not for long in the chilly breeze. Easy run down  to the top of the Stoney passing masses of fallen conifers almost reaching the path. Down the Stoney and along the bypass returning home via Christie Park. Out for an hour and a half.

Conic Hill Race

Turned our for the Conic Hill Race last week. Local race with a sensible start time, 11:00 am. 5k and with 1000' of ascent a nice wee race, after a short section of forest track into walk mode up the steep steps about a third of the way up then onto the open hill up Conic's lumpy spine. A few false summits and we were at the top. About turn and drop onto the WHW path running back down, leaving the path running straight on just before we were to meet the outward route. We ran down a narrow spur before dropping steeply towards some woods, across a fence onto a narrow path for as short up and down a root covered path to finish just inside 39 mins. Results here, lots of pictures here, and here.