Lusstrous

Clouds above the tops but Scotland's mountains still snow covered meant another Luss run.

 I planned a longer route this week, 18 miles with 8000' of ascent. The first part of the run the same as last week, Beinn Dubh & Doune Hill,  then instead of Beinn Eich & Coille-eughain hill to finish, I planned to cross to the other side of Glen Luss over Cruach An t-Sidhein, Beinns A' Mahanach, Chaorach and Tharsuinn and a couple of unnamed tops, finishing over Coille-eughain hill. Lower down the ground wasn't frozen so cold feet to start in the melt water from last weeks ice and snow. The tops are still frozen hard so a chance to dry my feet but a bit tough to run on.

All went well until I was having a break on Cruach An t-Sidhein and a snowy squall blew through, difficult to tell how bad it would get so I dropped into the Glen missing out Beinn A'Mhanach, it was hard going through the Glen on trackless tussocky ground and as the skies cleared overhead I changed back to the planned route climbing Beinn Chaorach with a few hundred feet extra thrown in as I had passed the beallach by then. Still managed to cover 9 hills with 17 miles and 7400' of ascent, finishing in just under 6 1/2 hours. Pictures and route map here. The skylarks were singing so maybe Spring is here at last.

Luss again

Looking for a longer run this week and with the clag down thought about Arrochar as its easier to navigate, a change of plan saved the day and I set off for Luss, same route as a couple of weeks ago, starting up Beinn Dubh and finishing off down the Paps. Good running at the bottom, ground firm but not frozen hard. The wind picked up as I climbed higher, second jacket and fleece lined hat on before the top, now some icy stuff coating the grass, the wire fence rime encrusted.

Not a day for hanging about, although once on the ridge towards Mid Hill the wind eased off. Ran down into Sith Mor dropping out the clouds and into the relative calm of the valley. Picked my way up Doune Hill using the gulleys to shelter from the worst of the wind. Reached the bealach for the last push to the top the wind stealing my breath, careful to keep some idea of direction as I skirted round larges patches of ice on the way.  The summit was a blast, visibility down to a few metres with icy rain stinging face and eyes.

The icy grass hiding any sign of the path I made my way off towards Beinn Lochain, the quad bike tracks at the bottom of one steep slope a sign I wasn't too far off line. More pathless stuff up and over Beinn Lochain and I was happy to meet Lyndsay on the way to Beinn Eich, he was out for a shorter run and turned back with me. Heads bowed we kept moving as we took more arctic blasts over Beinn Eich finally relaxing when they eased as we dropped down into the glen. I crossed the glen for the 1000' in a mile trudge up Coille-eughain Hill, back into the wind but nothing like before, pleasant run down the Paps, a bit quicker than a couple of weeks ago, finishing just under 4 1/2 hours. A few more pictures here.

Lomond 1/2

35 runners for the 3rd race in thus years GP, 11 from the club and 24 guests. A hilly half, round the Horseshoe, through Balloch Park, Balloch, Lomond Shores then onto the cycle path to the Vale returning to the club round the Vale Academy. Staggered start and I went with the last group and watched them run off into the distance before catching a few on the way round. Good run for a road race, finished in about 1:49. Some pictures here and here.

Luss

Perfect weekend for Luss hills, ground frozen and feet stay dry and warm. Anti clockwise circuit of Glen Luss/Glen Mollochan, 14 miles and about 6000' of ascent. Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain, Beinn Eich, Coille Eughain Hill and down over the Paps to finish back at the mouth of the glen. Busy day with lots of walkers out enjoying the air. Quite warm climbing Beinn Dubh until the last couple of hundred feet, jacket on as the breeze freshened. Great views to the snow capped peaks of the Arrochar Alps and beyond while running along the ridge to Mid Hill. I took a wider than normal route down into Sith Mor starting off West then North dropping in on a herd of deer on the way. The climb up Doune Hill a bit easier than usual on the frozen ground. Different route at the top taking on the North side picking my way round snow patches while traversing the steep slopes overlooking Glen Douglas. On the way back I met a crowd from the Langcrags walking club on Beinn Lochain, I'd run with a couple of them. Lots of frozen snow made the going easy at the top of the ridge to Beinn Eich then good ground on the way down to the Glen passing groups of walkers. As usual I wanted to avoid the run down the road and set off across the Glen for the short climb up Coille Eughain Hill, this took its toll and the run across the tussocks and bogs at the top tough on tiring legs. The reward was a fern free run down off the Paps with only the usual boggy bits at the bottom to slow me down. Finished in about 4 3/4 hours incl a few stops to chat and a sheep rescue.

Carnethy 5

The 43rd running of the Carnethy 5 and my 9th. Its the first race in this years SHR Championship series and a record field turned out on a good day for running over these five Pentland hills, dry and cool with little breeze. Usual charge across the bogs to start, the new Carnethy financed gate less of a hold up than the old style we used to climb over. Soon we're climbing up Scald Law, 22 1/2 mins to the top, steady run along a squidgy path to the sharp ups and downs of the Kips via South Black Hill. Got my breath back for a while on the traversing descent from West Kip to the Howe. The climb up Carnethy soon fixes that, three short ups in succession, track, gulley then the pull up to the summit. Round the top for the first part of the descent on steep grassy tracks, a chance to relax before the heathery plunge to the bottom. The heather takes its toll and I almost come to a halt before finding slightly easier going down what used to be a path to a short fast scree section, why some people slow down here I'm not sure, more heathery bits before I hit the bottom with dead legs for three or four minutes of torture across the bogs to finish just under 84 minutes, a few seconds quicker than last year. As usual loads of pictures, Bobbies, SHR, Sandy Wallace, Bob Marshall, see if you can spot the Milburn Vest!

Whinney Hill

A wintery day for the last Club Cross Country of the season, the only record broken today was the number of runners, 23. A lap of a soggy Balloch Park to start then we exit on the narrow path to Boturich road. Into Whinney Hill then across the road, nice path to start soon deteriorates into a slippy muddy root strewn path up the hill. No respite when at the top with ankle deep mud until come out the other side. Similar to Polaroid, the first three away and clear I'm in the second group of three, we swap places a few times along the way. Through the deer fence and I plod my way up the top section towards the seat and back into the mud,. From the seat its downhill and slippy for a while then a wee rest before turning up into the forest and the mud fest again, gradually pick up pace along the top before a tricky run down to the road crossing. The path back down to the park easy to run on then a twisting turning muddy path back to finish at Balloch Castle in just under 48 mins and a Team Millie Soup kitchen in full flow.

5k and PWWHSM

Had another go at the 5k Balloch Park run today, not as many runners this week, same friendly welcome. A few seconds faster than last time finishing just under 23 minutes. Home for refreshments then set off for a round of the Vale's hills, Pappert Well, Whinney Hill & Stoneymollan. Running nice and easy onto the hill towards Pappert Well under blue skies. The ground was frozen so a chance to keep my feet dry and relatively warm, reached the trig point in just over 40 minutes. Pappert to Whinney takes me through a variety of terrain, fields, the golf course, housing estates then the Whinney Hill trail from Boturich road, rather muddy today. Reached the seat in 2 hours. Plenty of walkers out today all taking a variety of routes to avoid the muddy trail. Back in Balloch Park I chased a large bird of prey, just before I could take a picture it would take off and fly a few trees further along, soon gave up the chase and set off for the Stoneymollan. Getting tired now and I was looking forward to a walk up the road, lots of walkers and a mountain biker out so I just kept running. Managed to jog most of the way up to the trig point, then easy running along to the fort, down past the radiomast, happy to get home in about 4 hours 10. A few pictures here.

The Dukes Path

This weeks long run, the 20 mile Ardgarten loop. Down Loch Long side to start, the trail is covered with a few inches of snow, blue skies overhead, pleasant running, stopping for a few photos of the surrounding hills along the way. The Brack.....

Tullich and Doune Hills.....

 Tullich Hill and Ben Reoch behind....

Its good fun for five or six miles with a height gain of about 500'. The next mile and a half to Corran Lochan was where the fun started, climbing uphill another 250' was enough for the snow to increase from 3 or 4 inches to about a foot deep and a slow energy sapping trudge.

The views over an icy Corran Lochan to Clach Bheinn behind were looking good in the snow and I set off across to Loch Goil, its only a couple of miles!

No running here either but another 150' of ascent and a few more inches of snow made for a long walk, luckily a snowy squall blew through to help me along.

By the time I reached the Loch Goil track, the sky was clearing with great views to the hills across the loch. I was ready for a run to thaw out the blocks of ice that were my toes. 4 miles from here and a mile and a half past Lochgoilhead is Pole Farm and I turned on to the forest trails again for a steady 3 mile 1000' climb up to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful. Somehow the snow got deeper again and its another mile or two of walking to get to the top. I turned into Glen Crow, downhill at last, the snow didn't seem to get this and stayed about a foot deep, another couple of miles of walking towards the Cat Crag Loop turnoff where at last the snow began to release its grip and I managed a steady run for the last mile or so finishing in just over 5 hours 40 instead of the usual 4 hours.

Polaroid Industrial Estate

First club race of the year, 2 laps of the Industrial Estate. The trail had been cleared since last week, the track dug out and fallen trees removed, combined with the low temperatures drying the ground out made for a faster run. 19 of us set off over the tussocky field through the woods and one of the two remaining muddy bits down to the path beside the river Leven, the first couple of hundred yards had been dug out, ok for walking, not so good for running. The front three stretched away ahead and I stayed in the next group of three before we split up after one and a half laps and I dropped behind. The second part of each lap goes through more trees and mud as the river turns away from the course, through some fields with a short up and down and some rougher ground before the run down the grass verge to the finish, then we do it again. First lap just over 18 mins, second lap nearer 19. Cooled down collecting the markers in, a good day for a run.

Pappert

Struggled out for a run on Sunday afternoon, along the cycle path to the Polaroid Industrial Estate and tried a lap of next weeks cross country course. The course was nice and muddy and clear with a couple of fallen trees to negotiate. Set off up through Strathleven then Pappert and onto the hill behind, took a direct route all the way up and we came out of the trees into a white clad misty landscape.

We ran up the ridge to the trig point and followed the trail round past the well, cold and wet underfoot,  frozen toes didn't make the going very easy. From the style we ran back to the remains of Northfield Cottage and onto the track that drops to the back of Bonhill. My heart was willing but my legs, and toes, couldn't face the Stoneymollan so we parted company at Bonhill bridge, straight home for me, about 10 miles and 1200' in just under 2 hours.

Two Crags

A nice short race to start the year, Calendar Crags, about 3 miles with 800' of ascent. Big field of about 130, congested start helped to keep the pace sensible up the narrow zig zag path, ran where I could, it is a race after all, towards the top the gradient eases as the ground gets rougher, roots, rocks and mud, so you have to balance pace and effort, 18 minutes to the top, pass the cairn running now along and down the short ridge path into the woods where the path slalom's round the trees for a hundred yards or so before your sent along a short road section, slightly uphill at first then gets steeper downhill for about half a mile before the last half mile or so back on forest trails, finished in 35 and a half mins. Sunday's crag was the Cat Crag Loop with a few extra miles. Starting at Ardgarten I ran three quarters of the way round the CC Loop then continued up to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful on the trails on the South side of Glen Croe.

View from the Cat Crag Loop to Arrochar

Should have brought some money  for the Tea Van in the car park at the top of the Rest. Ran back down the old road into the wind past deer, cows and then horses clad in padded jackets.

Looking back up the old road

A loop on the high trail on the north side of Glen Croe to finish, it was tough running past Ardg 400' below before coming back via the lower trail.

Nearly finished! The Brack from the lower trail on the approach to Ardgarten

Finished the 14 miles with 2800' of ascent in just under three hours, got the first couple of hours dry then drenched for the last hour.

Glen Finlas

Setting off about half nine we could see the tops were covered in snow and didn't fancy a slog up either Shantron or Creachin hills so we ran along the road towards the damn. Just before the damn a track leads off to the right and makes for a runnable climb, once past the loch we leave the track and head towards the low point on the ridge just past Beinn Ruisg. Following a faint trod up the side of the glen to begin with, once into the snow we take what looks like the smoothest route onto the ridge avoiding a big gulley near the top of the glen.

On the ridge we work our way round anti-clockwise towards the two un-named tops marked 657m and 693m, only sheep for company today. From top 693 we run away from the Finlas horseshoe, West out to Beinn Tharsuinn then North to Beinn Chaorach, these hills overlook the top of Glens Luss and Fruin. This stretch is bit more exposed and I could feel my face freezing as we run along. The top of Chaorach is like a blast freezer, we didn't wait too long at the trig point before turning back towards the Finlas horseshoe. Its hard going in the snow, one second your on top then the crust breaks and you sink in up to your knees, by the time we get back to top 693 my legs are like jelly, we run straight over on a snowy path towards Loch Lomond. Working hard now over tussocks and snow drifts we maintain a steady pace to Balcnock and down towards Craperoch where there's a few peat hags and bogs to negotiate, difficult to run now and after a few shin crunching tumbles into icy bogs we escape by turning North East straight towards the glen from the top of Craperoch for a steep run down to cross the damn wall and an easy 2 mile run back to the car. We covered 4 hills plus two un-named tops (one twice) in 12 miles with 4000' of ascent in just under 4 hours. A few  more pictures here.

Balloch Park Cross Country

Great morning for the first of the Club Cross Country races, pity my effort didn't match the day. Nineteen runners in all, three laps for most, a few two & one lappers as well. The Spaniels providing moving hurdles when you weren't looking. Took the first lap nice n steady then got slower and slower, it was a nice day for a run. Team Millie out in full with cups of tea and coffee to finish, there was soup, a fry up and mulled wine if it took your fancy.

Glen Croe

An Arrochar run with a difference, a low level trail run, starting in Succoth up through the woods onto the forest trail to Ardgarten, along Glen Croe to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful using what's left of the old road, returning to Ardgarten on the forest road below Ben Donich and the Brack, cross the A83 and back to Succoth on forest tracks and roads, 14 miles and 2750' of ascent with only about 1 mile on the road. Being on forest roads makes it possible to run all the way, a change from the usual jog walk over the surrounding hilltops. No complaints today as the clouds were scudding around leaving a white pallor behind as they moved from top to top. A few pictures here.

Tinto and a Duathlon

A new race for me, Tinto is about 4 1/2 miles with 1500' of ascent. We set off at 2 pm up the track. Runnable at first then the undulations put me into jog walk mode up most of Totherin Hill, we bypass the top, running again around its flank through Maurice's Cleuch before the gradient puts me in my place, another walk, I gradually pick up pace towards the top of Tinto reaching it in just over 35 mins, I run round the large cairn eager for the descent realising the winner has finished a few minutes ago. Easy running down over the red felsite rock Tinto is made of wary of the frequent muddy patches preferring to go off path onto the heathery stuff at the side. I manage to pass a few people on the way back which helps to make up for my slow climb. Descent time about 14 mins, pleased to finish just under 49 mins, 163rd out of 259. Pictures here and here.

Sunday was the 2nd last race in this years Club Grand Prix, another new one, a Duathlon, a 4 mile run round the Vale then 8 miles on the bike on Auchencarroch Road, finished in 71 minutes, 6th out of 14, 31 minute run, 40 minute cycle, pictures here.

Dumyat Dash

Back for a second go at this short race, 5 or 6  miles and 1800' of ascent. Another good day, clear skies, cool with little or no breeze. As I approached Drymen snow covered Campsies came in to view which reminded me I had left my race shoes at home, oops, a double back from Drymen to collect them took half an hour and now I was pushed for time hopefully I missed the speedtrap on the Stirling Straights. The race starts and nearly 100 of us set off from Menstrie village green, a short section of road then a couple of miles of farm track undulating up as it winds its way into the Ochils behind Dumyat. Off road and a short drop into the Glen and through the Menstrie Burn before a jog walk up the back of Dumyat the leaders come tumbling by as I trudge up the tussocky ascent. 51 Minutes and I'm running round the summit cairn, superb views all round. I take a while to get into a rhythm on the way back down and only manage to catch a couple of runners in front by the bottom of the glen. From here the return route takes a muddy undulating trail beside the Menstrie Burn, a couple of steep inclines keep the pace in check then I get a second wind and ease past three runners in quick succession thankful for the grippy shoes I went back for. Soon we rejoin the farm track for a quick run down into Menstrie, I can't catch the two runners just in front until they bypass one of the steep tricky shortcuts I go for it, stumble down and come out in front. Steady effort for a couple of hundred yards keeps me ahead and I'm back running along the road to finish on the village green in 76 minutes, a minute or so quicker than last year. Tea and biscuits in the village hall, showers too if you want.

Cool running in the Arrochar Alps

The morning at least promised good weather and I woke to clear skies although a bit dark. Vane, Ime and Narnain seemed about right. I set off through Glen Loin just after half 8 clear blue skies above frozen ground underneath. Walking the hills to save something for later. Reaching the cut off for Vane thankful the usually swampy ground was frozen keeping my feet dry and not cold, not warm either but hey ho I can put up with that. As usual negative thoughts come to the fore on this climb, why bother, maybe I'll just do this one and run back down the glen, it seems to be a bit of a struggle today. I get to the top after a few photo stops and walk around the small summit plateau to take in the views. Feeling better now and exit the summit along the ridge to the west, run a bit further than usual before dropping down into the Glen, this means more running than scrambling and helps to keep my body and feet warm, the sun hasn't reached this side of the hill yet. On the climb out the other side from a usually deserted Lag Uaine I meet a lone walker, a hello and a wave as we pass from our respective ridges is as close as it gets here. A frosty climb to Ime's summit follows where I am joined by a walker and his dog for a few minutes, we both agree 4 legs are better than 2 up here. The path off Ime frozen hard and I run on the soft rush to the side taking care to avoid icy rocks and frozen streams lurking beneath the grass. This side of the Alps is busier with walkers and gives me something to chase and keep a bit of effort going on the way up Narnain. At the top I hide behind a draughty dry stane shelter beside the trig point, too cold to wait here for long I scramble off through the Spearhead for the long run down to Succoth. Finish the 14 or so miles with 6500' of ascent in just under 5 1/2 hours.

Milestones

Luss run on Saturday morning, the target was 12 miles, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain and Doune Hill for the outward half, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh then back in to the glen to complete the horseshoe. Steady run up the road to start, soon walking once on the steep lower slopes of Eich. I managed a few jogs on the top half as the gradient eases helped by a few stops to take in the views which were good today, the tops clear with cloud lying in the valleys and over the loch.

From the top of Beinn Eich we run most of the way to Doune Hill then freewheel down into Sith Mor before the slow trudge up Mid Hill pleased to reach the top in just over three hours. Jog along to Beinn Dubh took us 20 minutes, we then eased down the hill to complete this undulating run with 5000' of ascent in 3 hours 47. A few more pictures here. I've been running since 1997 and today's 12 miles took me to 20,000 since I started including over 1500000 feet of ascent. Not much in comparison to others but worth a couple of beers all the same.

Narnain and the cobbler

Took a while to choose a route, drove to Arrochar and set off after 3, Narnain and the Cobbler was the target, .  Straight up from Succouth, concrete blocks, swamp then crags, good fun and steady effort required to get to the top, 1 hr 30, 10 mins slow!!! Run off Narnain sub 20 minutes and found a nice trod taking me to the Cobbler, 15 minute climb to the Beallach between the Cobbler tops, hard work running off the front, next time I'll go back down the way I came, 8 miles and 4400 feet in 3 hours 5 minutes, misty pictures here.

Ben Lomond

The weather forecast said go my legs had other ideas but felt ok after a nights sleep. Scraped ice off the car and we set off for Rowardennan. Only a slither of low cloud over Loch Lomond promised much as we jogged along to the Ptarmigan path. Walking the steep bits, I gradually ease into the hill jogging slowly where I can. Lots of short breaks to take in the views and a few photos. Over one ridge we disturb a couple of deer. Apart from a single walker we pass at the top of the Ptarmigan ridge and two walkers leaving Lomond's summit we have had the climb to ourselves. Icy steps for the last steep climb to the summit. What a day, Jura, Arran, Ailsa Craig all clear on the horizon, a couple of walkers point out the Forth Road Bridge as they sit in the sun. We stay as long as we can in the cool breeze in our running gear then set off along the ridge dropping down the new race route we come across 4 Ptarmigan who scuttle along a few yards in front so I chase them for a few photos before they fly away, only 10 yards or so, although its enough to send us on our way down. We run along the rocky plateau dodging the crowds on their way up, towards the end we take a grassy track taking us off the path and cruise down to the gate happy to be on softer ground, through the gate we're back onto the track, brakes off and I let gravity take over for a while, it feels effortless without the pressure to race and before I know it I'm on the last wee downhill into the car park. 2 1/2 hours of fun, mountain and sun.