Sandwich run

Luss hill run this week was a bit greener than usual as I cycled there and back.  After 12 before I made it out, route planned was Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill back via Coillie Eughain Hill. Set off up Dubh, ran the first steep section to where the gate used to be then lapsed into walk the steep bits and run the rest. Cloud lifted off the top of Beinn Dubh as I gained height, good views up and down the loch but the Arrochar Alps stayed cloud topped throughout. Easy run along to Mid Hill and down to the glen, couple of route choices, stick with the plan, turn off for the Lollipop route or the harder double back over Mid and Dubh, Reached the glen and chose the harder option, trudged back up Mid Hill then an undulating run along to Dubh and the last two miles easy down hill to Luss. The cycle back was easier than expected.

Across the Loch to Conic

Looking over one of the Mid Hill cairns to a cloud topped Glen Douglas and Arrochar hills

Loch Lomond islands from Mid Hill

Ben Lomond from Mid Hill

Loch Lomond from Beinn Dubh

Roon the Vale

Decided to run local as the forecast was for gales on the hills. A 17 mile anti clockwise route round the Vale of Leven, taking in Pappert Well, Whinny Hill and Bromley Muir. Pappert Well first, across Bonhill Bridge over the river Leven, a gradual climb beside houses to start then grassy and muddy paths to the Pappert Well Trig. Sunny with a cool breeze, kept moving and just warm enough without gloves or jacket, great day to be out. Looped past the Well down a muddy fire break before turning through fields towards Whinny Hill  More houses and tarmac to the back of Balloch Park, straight up more fields to the Whinny Hill trail loop and back to Balloch Park. Another mile or so of tarmac to get to Upper Stoneymollan road. Last 5 miles off road, legs starting to suffer but felt better buoyed by the lack of tarmac to come. Three Lochs Way to start then the walkers paths over Bromley Muir to the Carman Fort. Last mile and a half mostly down hill on paths and though fields.

Pappert Well Trig

Upper Stoneymollan

The Ben and Loch Lomond

Mount Malow cairn, Carman Reservoir & Dumbarton Castle

Autumn

 

Is it a path or is it a stream?

Took to my local hills today, the access roads were like rivers. Up towards the fort and the path flowing like a stream which would be the the same for most of the morning, no avoiding it as it is surrounded by ferns and heather. Incessant rain but not much of a breeze so it was fine for a run. Along Bromley Muir to the top of the Stoneymollan then the three lochs way to Ben Bowie, stopped for a bit of path maintenance through the forest to divert a stream that was ripping up the hardocre path. Ben Bowie to Killoeter via the ridge and the Hel n Back route, not much in the way of views but still good to be out. Down though the forest on my way back and my path repair had worked but probably too late as there is a 4 inch deep groove where water had been running down the path.

Bromley Muir Trig

Ben Bowie Cairn

Killoeter Cairn/Stick!

Narnain and The Cobbler, the quiet way

Fancied a longer run today, changed my mind at the Succoth car park ticket machine, wen for a 3 to 4 instead of a 4 to 5 hour ticket. Straight up Narnain, by the Block path at first then the new steps winding my way up into the mist, the sun trying to shine through. Only passed two people just before the Spearhead, no one on top, stopped for a picture and a drink. Down to Belach a'Mhaim and up to The Cobblers summit, a few people leaving as I arived, left before anyone else came up. Down via An t Sron, took my time, again no one on this ridge. A mile or so on forest track to finish, another couple of people sitting taking in the views. Good peaceful run, cloud and mist made for atmospheric views, and finished before 12.

Ben Lomond from Narnain

The Spearhead

Narnain summit cairn

Narnain summit Trig and cairn

Towards Butterbridge from Narnain

Arrochar from An t Sron

Loch Long

Killoeter and Ben Bowie

Friday for my long run this week, went over a couple of local hills, something a bit easier after the last few weeks. Along to Upper Stoneymollan road and the three Lochs Way, turning off for a traverse over Killoeter, turned back up the 3LW for a few minutes before taking a softer walkers path to the top of Ben Bowie. Back via the 3LW and Upper Stoneym road.

Glen Finlas and Luss hills from Stoney

Clyde Estuary from Kiloeter

Ben and Loch Lomond from Ben Bowie

5 Mile Handicap

6 of us set of in reverse order for our nearly 5 mile handicap, 4 finished within a minute, 1 got a bit lost and I was slower than I hoped. Good night for a race even though it was on the road.

Crianlarich Hill Run

Couple of hills near Crianlarich for a change. Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean, mostly out and back with a couple of minor tops both ways. Improving forecast for the day, cloudy when I left home, gradually cleared as I drove up Loch Lomond side. A mile of forest track to start, turned off for a climb up to the ridge which has the minor tops Grey Height and Meall Dahm on it. Warm on the way up to the ridge but cooled down in a Northerly breeze as I picked my way along the ridge, slow going with its twists and turns, rocks and stones. Steep climb to the col between Ardrain and Tulaichean, Went for the higher top first, Ardrain, cloud covered when I reached  it, took a couple of pictures, turned to leave and the cloud cleared, stayed to take in the views and a few more pictures. Set off for Tulaichean just over a mile away, another photo stop then back towards Ardrain to the exit path, easy run back along the undulating rocky ridge as the day warmed up, plenty of stops to take in the views and pick out future route options.

Beinn A Chroin and An Caisteal from Ardrain

Beinn Tulaichean from Ardrain

Ardrains summit cairn

Ardrain from Tulaichean

Boulder with Stob Binnien behind

Meall Dhamh and Grey Height

Wee lochan, Lui Munros behind
 

Arrochar Run

Stuck to the main trails, my go to Hammer Run, for something a bit easier. Set off at half 8 for a run over Narnain and The Cobbler though Bealach a'Mhaim. Only a few walkers and runners out. Quiet today, the noise muffled in the mist. Avoided the first set of zig zags taking the old path straight up from the start, a few of the old concrete blocks still visible. On to the forest track to Ardgarten then right up the second zig zag path. Out the forest and the gradient eases until Bealach a'Mhaim, walk jog up Narnain, mostly walk. Didn't hang about at the top running back to the Bealach and another mostly walk to the top of The Cobbler. A quick refuel at the top and set off back to the Bealach and down to the zig zags, avoided the lower ones running a bit further along the track taking a narrow path by a small stream. Very warm today, had a breeze for the first couple of hours which died away towards the end.

 

Ben Nevis

Another year at the Ben Race, my 17th, staying in our fav Glen Nevis Campsite for a couple of nights. Woke up to clearing skies, it would be a warm race. Cycled down to the start, enjoying the atmosphere as 450 runners and many more friends gathered for the 1pm start in Claggan Park. A mile of undulating up road to start joining the tourist path at the Nevis Inn. Slight route change this year, we had to stay on the tourist path from the Inn to the Red Burn on the way up and the way down, avoiding the Red Burn Short Cut due to concerns over erosion and land slips, although this added about 3/4 of a mile it only seemed to add about 5 or 6 minutes to my time. The path is a lot smoother. From the Red Burn its straight up over scree and boulders. Towards the top the gradient eases and some shuffle running enjoyed over the shattered rocky path, one of my favourite sounds. Electronic timing at the top this year saw me there in 2 hours. Gloves on for the descent in case of a tumble, luckily they weren't needed. Stopped a couple of times to assist cramping runners as I had some extra electrolytes after bad cramp last year. Back on the Red Burn screes bring a smile to my face and overtake a few more timid runners, tourist path again from the Red Burn, the rocky steps and multitude of hill walkers keep the pace sensible. The last mile on the road, thankfully mostly downhill with a trot round Claggan Park to finish in just over 3 hours.

The Ben from Glen Nevis

Claggan Park

   

Glen Fruin

Looking for an easier long run this week, parked at the access road to the Fruin Reservoir and set off for Auchnegaich Hill, no running, just a steady trudge, once on top started an easy jog over Beinn Tharsuin and Chaorach with a few photo stops. A fine day, warm, gentle breeze and some sun. From Chaorach ran towards the glen dropping down then traversing across towards  A'Mhanach, another trudge, not as steep but longer, from A'Mahanach its downhill all the way to the haul road with a wee diversion via Maol am Fheidh and continuing down The Strone, short road section and I was back at the car.

Up the glen from ascent of Auchngaich

Tharsuin to Chaorach

Chaorach cairn and trig

Chaorachs trig to a'Mahanach

a'Mahanch from the glen

View from a'Mahanch

Finnart Oil Terminal

From Maol am Fheidh looking down The Strone