Blusstery

Luss horseshoe run, an early start today as I wanted to be back before 1, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Sith Mor, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich, 12 or so miles and close to 5000' of up and down. Climbing Beinn Dubh I am working hard but getting cold in the high winds, there's a sheltered spot before the top and I stop to put on a second jacket, hat gloves and a buff and just try to keep moving forwards. Reach the top in about an hour.

Running along the ridge towards Mid hill is a bit of a struggle into the wind, keep going to try to warm up my feet. The path winds round the corries and past the small cairns before the tussocky run off Mid hill into Sith Mor the wind whipping through from Glen Douglas. As I approach a crag on the way down some deer run across in front of me, 2 adult females and a fawn, too fast for my camera, I look up as I pass the crag and a Stag peeks over about 10 feet above me then jumps back startled. Across Sith Mor and into the sun for the climb up Doune Hill, I stick to smoother ground away from the stream which tumbles from the lochan at the top, more exposed here and the wind strengthens again as I climb up. A few squally showers blow through as I reach the top the rain needle like on the side of  my face. Blown along the ridge over Beinn Lochain the wind now at my back gives me a welcome shove on the last climb up Beinn Eich.

Jog down into the calm of the Glen and the last couple of undualting miles on the road, pleased to finish in 4 hours 15. A few pictures here.

Merrick

Back to Glen Trool for a soggy Merrick, same out and back route as last year. The weather cleared up by the start promising much.

About 40 of us set off for the 20 yard run before we relaxed into walk mode up the Fell of Esconchan, just over 12 minutes of huff puff and sweat before I was running across the top. Another walk up the steep lower slopes of Bennan, into the mist for a staggery traverse round Bennan's top skipping over rocks and holes. Steady run through Course Craig apart from the swampy bits, climbed the wall at the bottom of Benyellary into a world of wind and rain, hat and jacket to the rescue for a head down plod up the tussocky hillside, running again as I approached the top, the running action helped to keep me warm rather than making me any faster. Visibility not good, but walls and paths to follow. The front runners coming back  now, ghosting by in the mist on a variety of lines along the Neive of the Spit. Now for the last climb to the top of Merrick, I can run most of this. Round the cairn in 78 minutes. Pass the last few runners coming up Merrick on my way back, run up Benyellary and down the tussocky slopes to Course Craig, over the wall and escape from the windy rainy torture chamber. Tired legs evident on the traverse round Benan , the steep trods at the bottom churned up by the runners in front make for a fun descent and I manage to catch a couple of runners at the bottom. Run over the undulating last top before a steep swampy trod back down to the start. Finished in 2 hours 11. Some more pictures here. More pictures here. Tough wee race, about 8 1/2 miles. Big thanks to the cheery marshalls on Bennan, Benyellary and Merrick who stood there in pretty horrible conditions.

5k and a Luss hill run

Parkrun nearly comes to Balloch. Saturday mornings have a new informal 5k run round Balloch Park. About 30 gathered today, all ages and standards. The course is marked with 20 or so direction arrows and markers at each km. A nice uphill start from the Park gates, the route goes behind the Castle then back down in front, past the walled garden for a run along the lochside, turning back through the playing field and tracks finishing back at the gates. Finished 5th, just over 23 minutes. Drove up to Luss after lunch for a 9 mile 3700' run up Beinn Dubh, down Mid Hill across the Glen to the short steep climb up Coille Eughain Hill running back down to the bottom of the Glen over the Paps. A quiet afternoon only a few walkers out, a breezy mixture of sun and mist. 

Followed a new animal track off the Paps a bit longer than usual but by passed the worst of the brashing. Finished in about 2 hours 50. A few more pictures here.

5 Mile Handicap

19 of us set off at 1 minute intervals for this years race, worked for some. The starter having a bit of fun tonight handing out early and late starts depending on your behaviour. Slightly longer course this year, thanks to club members and their gps. Set off near the back, try to go slow at the start, nearly works. Onto the cycle path then over Bonhill bridge and up to Jamestown, caught one or two. Soon passing the Tullie roundabout and along to Christie Park, Middleton st, this time to the end, down to Davie Graham's and back to the club, finishing in just over 36 mins.

Ben Nevis

Weekend in Glen Nevis campsite with the Ben Race thrown in as a wee bonus. Forecast of 75 mph gales didn't quite come to fruition. Sat started damp with the top of  Melantee well hidden by cloud, by the time I registered the cloud was lifting. Just before 1 o'clock the usual plod round the field behind the pipe band, through kit check and the Race started with the news that half way was perfect and the summit windy with visibility down to 30 metres. Reached the Ben Nevis Inn in an easy 9 mins 15. Steady run up the tourist path, probably too steady arriving at the Red Burn Crossing in 57 mins. Straight up from here, started ok then faded about half way up and lost a few places. Jacket, hat & gloves on in the cold damp wind, felt a bit better and pushed on as the gradient eased, caught a few who had just gone past. Jogged over the jagged rocks to the summit checkpoint in 1 hour 53 and turned for home. Picked off runners in ones and twos down the steep rocky trail before the grassy bank. Only one got past me here, better than usual. Running down the tourist path I stuck to the path rather than any of the possible short cuts and didn't lose any more places. A bit stop start past the walkers going up and down though. Reached the Nevis Inn and onto the road for the last mile, managed to pass another three and keep ahead of those trying to close behind. Finished in 2 hours 53. A runners pictures from the weekend here. Picture set where I can be found gasping for breath here and smiling here. I'm only in the uphill pictures as I didn't run quite fast enough!

Dumgoyne and the Devil's Pulpit

We set off just after 8 for a short run in the Campsies over Dumgoyne Hill, Garloch Hill along to the Earls Seat and back. I got a 5 minute start and reached the top of Dumgoyne in just over 25 mins, for a change I was 1st, about a minute ahead. A quick break to take in the views and off we went down the back of Dumgoyne for the steady trudge up Garloch Hill, I would usually try and run all the way but it was to be easy today, so jog walk and chat instead of gasp.

From Garloch Hill the ridge undulates along, ran most of the way, a short walk here and there to keep the breathing under control. Views of hills for miles around with only a few wind turbines.

We stopped at the Earls Seat for a drink and some pictures before the easier run back finishing in 2 hours. We set off for the short drive home stopping on the way to explore the Devil's Pulpit.

 I had been here once before over 30 years ago. We walked along the top of the gorge looking for a way down and found a narrow overgrown gulley with some muddy steps known as Jacobs Ladder, scrambling down past a tree growing through the steps we reached a small sandy area at the bottom, took a few pictures up and down the gorge and to the top far above. On our way back we could hear screams, looking down there was a group in wetsuits traversing through the gulley, looked like fun, a number of companies offer to take you through for a few quid. A few more pictures here.

Arrochar Alps

After a couple of weeks off I needed some steep rocky terrain. Gave Sunday's Lomonds of Fife race a miss and set off Sat afternoon for Arrochar. The plan was Glen Loin, Lag Uaine, Ben Ime, Ben Narnain, 12 miles and 4800' of ascent. Took it nice n easy as the sun came out on the steady 5 mile climb up Glen Loin, jog/walked the lumpy path between Vane and Ime, ascending Ime initially beside the gnarly ridge then veered across to pick up a new route, directly to a misty summit where I met the first walkers of the day heading for Butterbridge. On the boggy run down Ime the cloud cleared and I could see a walker climbing Narnain, someone to chase. Set off on the climb up Narnain, running at first, then walk/gasp the rest, didn't manage to catch the walker, he was a runner from Troon resting his knees on Doctors orders. Good run down to Succouth in about an hour, finishing in 4 hours 15.

Ben More

I tried Ben More back in May when I couldn't get to the top for snow, Sat morning forecast was pretty good and I  left the Vale nice n early driving up the side of a glassy Loch Lomond in the sun. Arrived in Crianlarich blue skies above except for a big grey cloud sitting on top of Ben More and Stob Binnien. Ran up the forest road and found the trail marked with white tape through the trees, lose sight of the tape and I have to fight my way through the last few trees. Onto the open hill at last, a more direct route this time, throughn tussocks, bogs and over moss covered rocks, steeper too. Cross the deer fence and onto the Sron Nam Forsairean ridge at about 2500' where a faint path winds me up and along the craggy ridge. Thermal top, hat, gloves and jacket on as I climb up into the clouds. I'm soon past where I stopped last time, a good decision as the summit is some distance further along the ridge. The path fades in and out over bouldery ground and eventually the summit trig looms out the mist where I stop and catch a breath and something to eat sheltering from the cool breeze. The run off  easy at first down the ridge and I soon warm up when I drop below the cloud. Over the deer fence and I stop to pick a line back into the forest, the tussocks make for a slow careful descent before a steep scramble back into the forest and I find the lucky white tape again. Finish in 3 hours and 1 minute. Some pictures here.

Arrochar Hills

Made up for missing the Arrochar Alps race last week with a run over three of them, Vane, Ime and Narnain, 13 miles and 6500' of ascent. Trail run for 4 miles to start taking me up into Glen Loin and Coiregrogain. Through the bog at the bottom of Vane then the path gets drier as I climb up.

Quite atmospheric today, shafts on sunlight breaking through the clouds as they blow about in the gentle breeze. Good line off the back of Vane, footprints from last weeks race as I go down and these continue over Ime and Narnain. I find my usual ridge to start the climb from Lag Uaine up Beinn Ime then pick up a race trod SE of my usual line, more direct climbing up beside a crag I usually go round, saves me about 5 minutes.

Good running straight down to Bealach a'Mhaim, only Narnain to go, about half way up I traverse NE to a parallel path, a bit steeper but avoids some of the boulders.

Past the trig point and scramble down through the Spearhead onto the twisting and turning path back to Succoth. Washed the mud off in the Jacuzzi, jogged back to the car, just over 5 hours. A few more pictures here.

Ted Baker Pappert Well

Club hill race, the 10th running, 2 of us have managed to run them all. Starts in Bonhill up to Pappert Well and back, a runnable lollipop route, 5 miles with about 1000' of ascent. 24 runners tonight going in handicap order. I set off along the road steady effort over a small up and down before the climb initially past houses then into the woods, where the smooth path up to the stile makes the climb a bit easier. Over the stile and onto a rough path which got muddier the further we went. Round the trig point, no stopping for the views tonight. Stumble along the tricky path almost in the fir trees drop into the woods and splashed my way down the mushy track looping back to join the outward track, firmer ground now, over the stile, smooth path again, preferred this when it was roots and bumps. All downhill now apart from a short up when we get back on the road. Run in to finish in 46:40 to the sound of the bell. Prize giving and refreshments courtesy of Mo & Pete make for a nice end to the race.

Luss

An evening run so it had to be close, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille-eughain Hill, about 10 miles and 3600' sounded good. I started up Beinn Dubh the only sounds a rhythmic squelch breathe and a soothing pitter patter of rain on my jacket. The views open up at first then gradually disappear as I climb up onto the cloudy summit ridge.

Thankfully the rain and the breeze ease off for the jog along past the corries and cairns to Mid Hill. I concentrate on keeping to the path, not that I'm going to get lost, its just comfortably familiar and a bit easier to run on. Running off Mid Hill towards the glen when Luss and an island strewn Loch appear as I drop under the clouds.

Crossing an old wooden bridge over Luss Water a quiet Owl lands on the tree next to me where it swivels round to watch me take my camera out before flying off. I'm on the last climb, a steep pull up CE hill, it feels good climbing up accompanied by Larks singing as the light fades. Too soon I am on top looking down over Luss, the streetlights glow brighter as I descend the Paps. 

Leaving the Paps I pick my way through the remains of the forest in the gloom, nearly finished now, just a couple of fields and some farm track to go, I could almost taste the beer until a sudden faceplant in a ditch right where the cows cross. A quick wash in Luss Water removes the worst of it. I finish in just over 2 1/2 hours, a few minutes quicker than last month.

Dollar

Didn't fancy this, forecast poor, wet n windy, yes it was a poor forecast as it turned out sunny for most of the run. Start and finish beside the cricket pavilion at Dollar Academy a 10 mile loop covering 3200 feet of ascent over rolling grassy Ochils in the sun. Over 100 set off up through Dollar Glen for the climb up Saddle and Whitewisp Hills, about 2000' in 2 1/2 miles, the crocodile extending out in front.

Once up on top its good running over Tarmangie and Skythorn Hills to the turning point round Andrew Gammels summit to a shorter than it looks drop down and over Kings Seat Hill back towards Dollar, the minor blip of Bank Hill is the last up with a steep grassy drop into Dollar Glen where I stopped to check out a runner who had taken a tumble, a bit dazed, he had someone with him and help was on its way. A few minutes later I was through the glen and running back towards Dollar Academy to showers, tea and cakes. Finished in 2 hours and a few minutes. Pictures here.

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.