Birnam

SHR championship time again, first one Birnam, short and steep, 4 miles, 1750' of ascent, big field well over 200. Started at the back not feeling particularly strong, a short road section gradually climbs before we start onto the hill, kept jogging similar pace to those around me walking, picked off a few then dropped into walk mode and lost a few. The path twists its way up through trees then levels out onto a scraggy path over a series of minor tops. The run off starts down steep soft muddy ground for a few minutes before joining a forest trail. The trail drops down quickly twisting and turning its way back towards Birnam. Save some energy for the last miles wee undulations. The last few hundred yards gently downhill, finished under 47 mins, a few slower than last time.

Finlas, Fruin, Luss

Longer route today taking in the tops overlooking Glens Finlas, Fruin and Luss. The plan was Coille-eughain Hill, Beinn Tharsuin, Beinn Chaorach, Beinn Mhanaich, Cruach an t Sidhein, Beinn Eich, 12 miles and 6000', in the end we ran round Mhanaich instead of going over the top for a similar distance with 1000' less ascent. Parked at the top of Glen Luss crossed the river straight onto the steep Coille-eughain Hill, easier today as it was the first rather than last one.

View from Coille-eughain Hill towards top 657.

Onto the broad ridge the day promised much, clear blue skies, gentle cooling breeze, another short climb onto an undulating ridge, four tops, 2 numbered, 657 and 693, 2 named, Tharsuin and Chaorach.

View from Chaorach towards Clyde Estuary.

From Chaorach we decided to miss out Mhanaich, instead contouring round on what looked like deer tracks far below. Turned out well the tracks taking us relatively painlessly through the tussock filed glen to the bottom of Cruach an t Sidhein, a tough wee climb 1200' in under 3/4 of a mile.

Outward route on the right, homeward route over Beinn Eich on the left, taken from Cruach an t Sidhein's rounded top.

One more climb to go, Beinn Eich, ran and walked fueled by a couple of jelly babies. Superb wee day out, finished just under 5 hours, only met one other person, a walker on t Sidhein's top. More pictures here.

Deer Beinn Dubh

Back in the groove this week, longer Saturday, easier than last week, planned for 3 hours, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille-eughain and the Paps to finish.9 miles and 3700'. A bit quicker up Beinn Dubh and met a 30 plus herd of camera shy deer sitting just off the ridge to the south.

As we ran along the ridge half the herd ran in front of us the rest crossing behind. Cool breeze round the corries, Arrochar Alps looked frozen, a few weeks before we venture up there.

Coille-eughain the usual trudge, a Stag and Hind teasing us keeping just out of camera range. The only wildlife close enough a bit more static.

Good run off down the grassy Paps to finish just under three hours. Sunday's effort just over the hour, round the Stoneymollan race route.

Luss Horseshoe

Reverse running this weekend, short local run on Saturday, up to the Fort, due to high winds, glad I didn't go any higher. Sunday bright an breezy, back to Luss to see if I could finish another recent abandoned run, a clockwise loop round the glen, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain, Doune Hill, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh to finish, about 12 miles and close to 5000' of ascent. Ran up the glen road, a large group of hill walkers were in front of me on Beinn Eich, good some people to pick off, caught the first couple before the 2nd style, the rest waiting at the second style.

Outward route, Beinn Eich on the left, Doune Hill the middle of three tops at the back.

Oh well, steady walk up, a bit quicker than last time. Approaching the last wee down and up before the top the wind kicked up a notch, fleece hat on and pushed on over the top, no hanging about for pics, very exposed run along to Beinn Lochain where an icy squall blew in, took refuge behind a large rock just off the ridge, could be another bailout. After about 5 minutes the sky began to clear, set off again but stopped after a few minutes, 2nd jacket and 2nd pair of gloves on, staggered off along the ridge into a fresh breeze gradually warming up. Straight over Doune Hill and down into Glen Mollochan thankful to be out the wind at last.

Mid Hill left, Beinn Eich right

 Across a tussocky Sith Mor, on the climb up Mid Hill, the wind picks up again, helping from behind now. Along the top then round the corries the wind helps keep tired legs moving. Jogged down Beinn Dubh gradually removing layers as the wind dropped and sun kicked in, finish in just over 4 hours. More pictures here.

Whinney Hill Cross Country

Small field for today's club Cross Country race, 8 of us set off round Balloch Park and onto the Whinney Hill  trail. Undulating up for the first couple of miles then undulating down for the next couple of miles. About 5 miles all in with 500' of ascent in just over 45 mins. Stoneymollan Sunday cool down.

Beinn Eich

Odd run today, arrived at Glen Luss with odd shoes, luckily one for each foot, old Inov8 for the right foot, new Inov8 for the left foot, the old ones have a few holes in the sole, half a size larger as well. The plan was to run up the Glen road, up Beinn Eich along the ridge to Doune Hill, cross the Glen and come back via Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh. The tops had some new snow. Easy run up the glen, startled by a few large deer gazing at me from a roasdside field, past the art gallery, a closing down sale I feel I should visit. Soon onto the hill, ground softer than the last few times. Cross the first two stiles and jog to the third, the sun's out but the cold wind bites through, getting my jacket out I realise one of my juice bottles is cracked, leaking its contents on my spare gear and down the back of my tracksters. Some snow lying now and I drop into walk mode from here.

Steep initial climb, snow getting deeper all the way, about three quarters of the way up the clouds close in and it starts to snow horizontally, staggering through hidden drifts I think about turning back as visibility drops to a few metres. Snow's reasonably deep, I move on, up for the top, then I'll turn back, I should be able to follow my footsteps back down, there's only mine, no-one else has been up here today. I think I'm on top, can't see much, not even the summit cairn, then I realise I'm standing on it.

Quick picture then down following my footprints, after the first hundred yards they start to disappear the spindrift covering and filling them in leaving not much more than small slits, about half way down, the squall blows through, clear blue skies again, inviting me back up.

Not today, I run down, cross the glen and climb up Coille-eughain hill rather than face a run down the road. Reach the top in the sun, great views, the next squall comes in as I run down the Paps.

9 miles, 3500' in about 3 1/2 hours. One of those runs, if you knew what it was going to be like at the top you wouldn't go, having been, you are quite pleased. More pictures here. Usual Sunday Stoneymollan cool down, back into the snow.

Carnethy 5 and Stoneymollan

45th Carnethy 5, over five hundred runners set off, good conditions, cool and dry, a bit soft underfoot. Usual charge across the bogs onto Scald Law, steady run over South Black and the Kips. Descending traverse to the Howe. Up the three short climbs to Carnethy's big summit cairn, heather and scree descent and back across the bogs. Finished in 82 mins for 328th place. Link to report, results and pictures here. Sunday's cool down, round Carman reservoir, through the quarry to the Fort, returning past the radio mast on farm track and road.

Third time lucky

I turned back the last couple of times on these hills and although it was still cold, the lighter winds, blue skies and a lack of icy precipitation meant it was time for another go at a Luss loop. Starting up Beinn Dubh, along to Mid Hill, drop to the glen road across and up the other side, returning back to the foot of the glen over the Paps. 9 miles or so and 3000' plus ascent. Not much snow on the lower slopes, still frozen, makes for dry and not cold feet, Sealskinz socks help, Sealskinz gloves as well, had to take them off on climb up Beinn Dubh in the sun, too warm. Quite a few walkers out today. Towards the top the wind picks up, jacket and gloves on, for the last few hundred yards, great views of snowy mountains to Arrochar and beyond from the top. Stopped to take a few photos but they don't have the wow factor you get when you see it yourself.

Didn't take long to cool down and scuttled off for Mid Hill. Great running on frozen turf and snow, skimming across the boggy bits faster than usual. Mid Hill, more pictures then run off into the glen. too warm again. Jogged the first part of the climb up Coille-eughain Hill then resorted to the usual steady trudge. More pictures at the top. Great run down the Paps past Auchengavin back to the car. Frozen ground and Sealskinz stop the feet turning numb with cold and makes for an enjoyable run. About three hours today, more pictures here. Sunday, out for about an hours cool down run around Carman reservoir up to the Fort.

Hills, Parks, Squirrels and Ducks.

Icy wind under blue skies, opted for a run over a couple of local lumps, Pappert Well and Whinney Hill, with a bit of road before and after each lump. Not sure why this run always feels harder to me than other ones with more ascent and rougher ground. Set off nice n steady once clear of the houses and trees slip and slide round the snow and icy mud path. With some imaginative route finding managed to keep my feet relatively dry and warm. Great views all the way.

Got to the trig point and forgot how to take pictures on my phone, Trig points don't provide much shelter from the wind and I started to freeze trying to work out what was wrong, after a few on off's realised why the screen went white and that pressing the zoom didn't take a picture.

Running again through more trees and mud, left the trial at the style, across fields and onto the road behind Balloch Park and the Whinney Hill Trail. Lot of walkers out today. More mud and trees, stopped to take in the views over to Luss and up the Loch. Round the loop and back down to Balloch Park, lots of life, human and wild.

Tired legs and took a shortcut through Balloch station, Argyle and Christie Parks, about 14 miles, 2100' in just over three hours. Sunday's plan was for a few easy miles, along to Stoneymollan, same blue skies and icy wind as Saturday. Ran up through the trails, keeping off the road as much as possible. On the way up we decided to go along the 3LW to Ben Bowie. On the way back we ran along the moor to the fort above Carman Reservoir. 

Snowy paths icy in places a few muddy bits to avoid off trail. A bit further than planned, worth the effort, 11 miles, 2000' in about 2 1/2 hours. Pictures from Saturday here, Sunday here.

Beinn Dubh and Stoneymollan

Saturday's forecast showers with the wind dropping later on, set off for an afternoon run over some Luss hills. Lower slopes pretty clear of snow, not quite frozen, made for colder feet. Wind hadn't listened to the forecast and picked up a bit towards the top as a squall filled with icy snow blew through. Running the ridge to Mid Hill slow on the frozen lumpy snow, turned back for the second time in a week.The squall passed on the descent and nearly turned back encouraged by the scraps of blue sky overhead. Reached the bottom just as the next shower blew through. 5 miles, 2000' in just over 90 mins. Sunday a group run up Stoneymollan, along the ridge to the Fort then exit via quarry and behind Carman Reservoir, 7 miles, 1000', 90 mins.

Beinn Dubh

Timekeeping at Saturday's club Cross Country, today a run in the Luss Hills, plan was similar to two weeks ago Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill then turn back or descend and cross the glen to come back down Coille-eughain Hill. Loads of cars at the entrance to the Glen, the conditions probably keeping most away from higher places like Arrochar and Crianlarich. Clear blue skies and an easy jog in a couple of inches of snow to begin. Passing walkers every few minutes, breeze picked up with height soon the spindrift was covering the footprints of those just in front.

Onto the second part of the climb, deepening snow slows me to a steady walk, approaching the top exposed to a full on icy blast down to a slow trudge in the deepening snow. Find a sheltered spot along the ridge towards Mid Hill, time for an extra layer, second jacket, trousers and gloves on. Path now invisible, pick out patches of frozen snow crust just about holds me and ok to run on, slow to a stumble through the softer drifts, round the first corrie I've had enough and turn back.

Stop for a few pictures where I find a bit of shelter, once off the top the wind gradually eases, fun descent in the snow a makeshift path worn by all the walkers, by the bottom the sun has found its heat again.

 A day of two's,  two pairs of trousers, two thermal tops, two jackets, two pairs of gloves, two hats, all at once apart from the hats. The top, so close to sunny Loch Lomond, a different world, views to die for and easy to get into trouble without the right gear, two miles shorter than last time but 20 minutes longer, a few more pictures here.

Ben Bowie

Late run today, out and back along the 3LW to Ben Bowie, wet, windy and cold. Left about 3. Up the Stoneymollan on to the forest road winding round and up through the trees, path now complete means you can run it instead of ploughing through gloopy mud. Muddy upper trail then a bit of a swamp before the short climb to the top. Loch Lomond out of sight in the mist and rain, Helensburgh's lights just about shining through. Stopped for a few pictures, ran back the same way too dark to run back over Bromley and Carman muirs. 11 miles, 1900' in just over 2 hours. A few murky pictures here.

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Manflu and I hadn't run for about 3 weeks, back to work tomorrow meant get out there and christen the year, a cold misty, on top, Luss Run, just about what was required. Slow plod up Beinn Dubh, ground icing up nicely made for not too cold and dry feet with my sealskinz socks. Quite a few walkers out today, they tend to frequent these lower hills in the snow. Ran round the corries to the two small cairns and Mid Hill, some blue sky and nearly sunny for a few minutes then I turned back along the ridge to Beinn Dubh. Out and back, about 7 miles, 2500' in just over 2 hours. A few pictures here.

Glen Loin and Kilpatricks

Snow plastered hills this weekend, Saturday opted for a run round Glen Loin staying well below the white crags above. The trail winding up the Glen soon snow covered, sleet turning to snow, upper Glen over 6" deep makes for a good workout, ran down trails through the forest for a few hundred yards of snow free running, finishing inside 2 hours. Sunday, warmer, wetter and windier, 10 miles in the Kilpatrick's, starting off from the gas station, followed the road up and round till the race route rejoins, left the RR just past Loch Humphrey on a trail round the first couple of Duncolm tops then climbing the last one. Soggy path back to Greenside reservoir, instead of the Slacks we set off down a farm track into the back of Duntocher, to finish a trail runs along the back of the cemetry to the gas station, just over two hours today.

Arrochar Trails

Contrasting weather from last weekend, colder, wet n windy, route plan was to run from Succoth, along the trails to Ardgarten, Cat Crag loop and back to Succoth, about 12 or 13 miles and 2500'.

Half way round the CC loop

Not many people out today, the trees keep most of the chill breeze off, a good day to run only without the views, arrive back at Succoth and run annother 2 or 3 mile loop/500' for 15 miles, 3000' inside three hours. Mixture of trails with a couple of miles on the road to join them together. Some pictures here.

BOO

Got up to clear skies, sun and no wind. Drove up to Bridge of Orchy - BOO - and set off for the two Munros that overlook. Beinn Dorain and Beinn An Dothaidh (Pron Dohay). The first mile a rocky boggy path up into the clouds to Coire a Dothaidh. I reach the high Beallach between to the two hillls and I'm through the clouds, a cold breeze here but endless blue skies and sunshine, stop for a few pictures.

Hills overlooking the Black Mount from the beallach.

Dorain first, a 1000' and a mile or so South, steep at first then levels off, more runnable with a few wee steep bits. Double summit, the real summit is the second one, 100' or so down and up. More photos here, views are good today.

Lui and Arrochar hills and Ben Lomond

About turn through the dip and back to the Beallach, catching a Glory on the clouds below. The path up Dothaidh good at first then fades into bog, the path reappears on the short climb to the SE top, run round the other two tops, the middle on is the real summit. More pictures!

Beinn Achaladair's rolling summit ridge and Beinn a Creachain behind

A reluctant run back to the Beallach and the boggy rocky path down to BOO, Just under 3 1/2 hours for the 9 miles and 4300'. Views from Ben's Lomond to Nevis, the CMD clear beside it, Cruachan, Lui, and the Arrochar Alps all poking through the clouds, mountains for miles. More pictures here.

Road Race

Glasgow Uni 5 mile Road Race, one of the few road races that I run, route has evolved into sort of a two lap affair to avoid public roads as much as possible, includes a few undulations. Starts and finishes within Gascube Sports Complex touching the Switchback, Dawesholm and Maryhill on the way round. Finished just inside 37 minutes in 142 place from 211 finishers, times ranged from 25 to 54 minutes. Cakes after not as good as they used to be or rmaybe need to run faster.

See Planes

Saturday was a nice day for a run, drove up to Arrochar, plan was to run to Beallach A Mhaim then up a couple of hills. Easy run up the zig zags and past the Narnain Boulders, Narnain and the Cobbler in cloud. Started up Narnain's NW ridge to the sound of Sea Planes overhead. Reached the top, clouds swirling around and below, views to Loch Long, Gareloch and beyond opening and closing every few seconds.

The Cobbler from Narnain.

Easy run down and up the Cobbler while the clouds were sliding over the surrounding summits,.usual crowds of people on the Cobbler.

 The Needle, Arrochar and Ben Lomond.

Just over 3 hours for the 10 miles, 4500'. More pictures here.

Tinto

Third attempt at this little up and down traily hill race. About 250 entries for the 4 miles and 1500' makes for a crocodile like start as we trot up the path in a line, track muddy at first gradually gives way to a broken stoney trail then smoother chuckies towards the misty top. Round the huge summit cairn, the downward trail seems rougher than on the way up, good fun bombing down the steeper sections, finished inside 50 minutes just before the rain started. Pictures here and here.

Ben Lomond

Cooler today for today's cool down run over the Ben. Up the tourist path, down via Ptarmigan Ridge, about 8 miles and 3400'. Steady jog at the start, not too many walkers about so walked the steeper bits. Breeze picked up as we approached the plateau via the off path track, jacket, gloves and hat. Ran most of the plateau then walked up the steep steps onto the summit ridge, into the clouds and a  stiff breeze, running now to keep warm. Short break at the top then off down the rocky Ptarmigan Ridge. Looking back the summit cleared, stick like figures just visible on the top. Out for about 2 1/2 hours.

Looking back to the summit from Ptarmigan Ridge, more pictures here.