Geal-charn and A’ Mharconaich from the Pass of Drumochter

Dogs, Mountains, Training Runs No Responses »
Apr 072012
Date Saturday 7th April 2012 Geal-charn and A' Mharconaich from the Pass of Drumochter Start Location
Start Location Layby on A9 near Balsporran Cottages
Weather High cloud occasionally covering tops
(6.3°C, 83.4% Humidity, 10.6km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 12.8 km
Time Taken 2 Hours 59 Mins
Ascent 735 metres
Accompanied by Emma, Milo and Inca
MunroCount Geal-charnA' Mharconaich
Peaks Climbed Geal-charn | A’ Mharconaich
The start of the run

The start of the run

Whilst I try to climb peaks in good weather so that I can get a good view from the top, there are a number of hills that I will relax this rule if the weather is 50/50. The Munro’s that are situated on either side of the A9 in Drumochter fit this bill. Ideally, a cloud free day would be desirable but if the weather is questionable then it is no big deal. The last time I was in this area, a couple of years back, I was subjected to a pretty brutal ‘white-out’ whilst heading over Sgairneach Mhor and Beinn Udlalmain. Not that I was expecting similar conditions today however, but it is a pretty bleak area and cold at the best of times so I was not expecting shorts and t-shirt weather.

The weather forecast was reasonable and the route offered some good running so hopefully it would be a decent day. As we approached the start point near Balsporran Cottages, the sky was grey but the tops were clear. We kitted up and put the dogs on their harnesses and set off across the level crossing and up the track towards our first peak, Geal Charn. After a while, we left the path and headed up the slopes towards the summit top. It was wet and boggy and pretty slow going in places but we made good progress onto the flat shoulder and to a cairn. From here it was an easy push to the summit where we stopped for a quick snack and admired the views over Loch Ericht to Ben Alder. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 7:16 pm Tagged with: , ,

Mount Keen

Dogs, Mountains, Training Runs No Responses »
Mar 122012
Date Sunday 11th March 2012 Mount Keen Start Location
Start Location Car Park area end of public road, Glen Tanar
Weather Sunny and cloud free summits
(15.3°C, 46.0% Humidity, 14.6km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 27.7 km
Time Taken 4 Hours 40 Mins
Ascent 778 metres
Accompanied by Emma, Milo and Inca
MunroCount Mount Keen
Peaks Climbed Mount Keen
The Half Way Hut

The Half Way Hut

Mount Keen is the most easterly of the Munros and raises up on the spine of the Mounth between the River Dee and Strathmore. The quick route from the south, starts from Glen Esk and heads north through Glen Mark to the summit. The other route is from the north and heads through Glen Tanar. Although longer it is apparently more picturesque and we fancied a decent run so we decided to take this option.

We left Dunfermline at first light and by the time we had travelled past Kelty, the cloud had disappeared and it looked a fine day. The one disadvantage of the northerly approach was the long drive but we made decent progress and when we arrived at Glen Tanar there was only one other car parked up. It was already getting warm and I regretted not bringing shorts. Instead, I rolled my running tights up into three-quarters. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 1:26 pm Tagged with: , ,

White Coomb

Dogs, Mountains, Training Runs No Responses »
Feb 222012
Date Sunday 19th February 2012 White Coomb Start Location
Start Location National Trust Car park, A708
Weather Sunny and cloud free summits
(0.3°C, 56.3% Humidity, 28.0km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 13.0 km
Time Taken 3 Hours 36 Mins
Ascent 718 metres
Accompanied by Emma, Milo and Inca
Corbett Count White Coomb
Donald Count Lochcraig Head
Peaks Climbed White Coomb | Lochcraig Head
Ascending up the well made path

Ascending up the well made path

With two decent hikes under my belt since the turn of 2012 I decided it was about time I got my fells shoes back on and got a decent run in. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Challenge withstanding, I had not been running on any trails of note since my trip to San Francisco and the amazing run in Mount Tamalpais national park. A quick look on MWIS and the best weather looked to be towards the Scottish Borders so we planned a trip up White Coomb.

At 821 metres, White Coomb is the highest peak east of the M74 and with a distance of about 12km and 750 metres of ascent, it would be an ideal peak to blow the fell running cobwebs off. There was not a cloud in sight as we drove south and there was plenty of black ice on the A708 so progress was pretty slow. There was only one other car in the National Trust car park which was good news. This looked a popular route but fortunately we had arrived before the ‘Jeans and training shoes’ brigade had rocked up.

Wasting no time, we kitted up and set off, crossing the Tail Burn and ascended up the well-made path above the gorge. It did not take long to gain height and with the dogs pulling hard on their harnesses we soon reached the impressive Grey Mare’s Tail waterfall. There was some wild mountain goats lingering near the path but they did not seem too bothered by our presence. Once above the waterfall, the path levelled out slightly and we were able to start running. There were patches of ice on the path and after a couple of near slips; we decided to stop to put on our micro spikes. With traction restored, we made good progress to the picturesque Loch Skeen where the views across the plateau were amazing. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 12:45 pm Tagged with: , , ,

An Socach, Beinn Lutharn Mhor and The Cairnwell Three

Hiking, Mountains, Wild Camping No Responses »
Feb 102012
Date Friday 27th January to Saturday 28th January 2012 Location Map
Start Location Edge of Plantation on A93 near Baddoch
Weather Friday: Clear Skies
(-3.4°C, 94.8% Humidity, 19.9km/h Wind Speed)
Saturday: Clear Skies, great visibilty
(-3.8°C, 89.8% Humidity, 11.2km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 38.92 km
Time Taken 12 hours 54 minutes
Ascent 1748 metres
Accompanied by No one
Munro Count AnBeinn Iutharn MhorCarn a'GheoidhThe CairnwellCarn Aosda
Munro Top Count AnBeinn Iutharn BheagMam nan CarnCarn Bhinnein
Peaks Climbed An Socach East Top | An Socach | Beinn Iutharn Bheag | Mam nan Carn | Beinn Iutharn Mhor | Carn Bhinnein | Carn a’Gheoidh | The Cairnwell | Carn Aosda
Wild camping just off the east summit of An Socach

Wild camping just off the east summit of An Socach

It is unlikely that The Cairnwell and Carn Aosda would feature on many a person’s ‘top-rated’ lists. Instead, I suspect they are demoted somewhere in depths, relegated to obscurity alongside Ben Chonzie. I was no different and just could not get excited about these peaks.. The usual route starts at the Glenshee ski centre and threads its way up through the ski tows to the summit ridge where the peaks are easily attained. Having driven past them on numerous occasions, the thought of weaving my way up through the metal carnage that has scarred the hillside just did not motivate me at all. Maybe, it would just be a case of getting these two out of the way. A couple of ticks in the logbook, two more Munro’s down.

But then an opportunity opened. A night time hike to a summit of a Munro, an approach from the west, a huge loop that takes in five Munro’s and four tops and amazing conditions. It started with an amazing weather forecast on MWIS. I really fancied the idea of a summit wild camp so that I would ideally positioned for an early morning sunrise the following day. With short days, the idea of pitching up mid-afternoon then spending a good fifteen hours or so in my tent did not exactly ‘float my boat’ so I hatched another plan.

How about a midnight hike up to the summit and that way by the time I got set up, I would not be imprisoned in my tent for more than just a few hours. Sounded a good idea but what mountain? Something nearby, nothing hard-core, just something that offered potential. After a little deliberation, I struck upon An Socach. The walk-in looked decent and the summit ridge was wide so there should be plenty of opportunities to camp. Additionally, there was some good looking peaks nearby that I could combine into the trip. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 11:11 am Tagged with: ,

Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain from Inverlochlarig

Dogs, Hiking, Mountains No Responses »
Jan 182012
Date Sunday 15th January 2012 Location Map
Start Location Car Park at the end of Loch Voil
Weather Low cloud
Distance 16.6 km
Time Taken 8 hours
Ascent 1170 metres
Accompanied by Emma, Milo and Inca
MunroCount Beinn TulaicheanCruach Ardrain
Peaks Climbed Beinn Tulaichean Cruach Ardrain
It was a slog up uphill

It was a slog up uphill

My hill action has been pretty limited recently. In fact it had grinded to a halt! I had not ticked off any Munro’s since September and if I wanted to hit the 150 mark by year end; it was time to get things moving again. Unfortunately, over the last few months my free weekends had coincided with poor weather but this weekend looked favourable. In fact it looked more than favourable. MWIS was banding figures of 90% cloud free Munro’s, no wind and cloud inversions. Time to get involved!

I was torn between Glas Tulaichean and Carn an Righ near Spittal of Glenshee or the two peaks of Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean from Inverlochlarig. With Emma and dogs tagging along I decided on the second option because the mileage was less and with short daylight hours, I did not want to be experiencing another night time experience like last years Meall Buidhe and Cam Chreag from Bridge of Gaur trip

We set off at 6am and with a clear sky and stars visible I was optimistic of a great day. Indeed, as we drove through Callendar and past Ben Ledi the top of the peak was sticking through the cloud. Bring it on! We drove up the road alongside Loch Lubnaig then headed west down the minor road past Loch Voil towards Inverlochlarig. We parked up in the public car park, kitted up and set off towards the farm. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 10:12 am Tagged with: , ,

Mount Tamalpais

Running, Training Runs No Responses »
Nov 082011
Date Sunday 6th November2011
Start Location Pantol Ranger Station Park HQ
Weather Sunny and blue skies
(11.5°C, 70.6% Humidity, 1.2km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 26.4 km
Time Taken 4 Hours 31 Mins
Ascent 1060 metres
Accompanied by No One
Peaks Climbed Mount Tamalpais East Peak
Awesome views down to Stinson Beach

Awesome views down to Stinson Beach

A three day business meeting in San Francisco had opened up the opportunity to sample some trail running US style. I had flown out from London a day earlier on the Saturday rather than the Sunday on the premise that I would need a full day to recover from the flight. What I really wanted was some free time to visit Alcatraz and more importantly hit the trails.

Having landed at 2pm I managed to stay awake until 9pm and then drifted off to sleep, totally wasted. I was wide awake at 3am however and on the internet planning a running trip. I definitely wanted to head over the Golden Gate Bridge and with Mount Tamalpais National Park just over the other side of the bay, this seemed the ideal location. At 5.30am, I headed down to Safeway, picked up some supplies, returned and had breakfast and set off. The sky was blue and it was great driving through early morning San Francisco and across the amazing Golden Gate Bridge. My plan was to head up somewhere near Mount Tamalpais and just hit some random trail. If Tamalpais National Park is good enough for Dean Karnazes then it is good enough for me!! :) Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 3:06 pm Tagged with:

Ben Vuirich and Beinn A’ Ghlo

Mountains, Running, Training Runs No Responses »
Sep 162011
Date Sunday 4th September 2011
Start Location Cattle Grid near Loch Moraig
Weather Sunny and cloud free summits
(10.7°C, 64.7% Humidity, 13.3km/h Wind Speed)
Distance 30.35 km
Time Taken 6 Hours 17 Mins
Ascent 1764 metres
Accompanied by No One
Munro Count Carn LiathBraigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgainCarn nan Gabhar
Munro Top Count Airgiod Bheinn
Corbett Count Ben Vuirich
Peaks Climbed Ben Vuirich | Carn nan Gabhar | Airgiod Bheinn | Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhalgain | Carn Liath
There was plenty of cars parked up when I arrived

There was plenty of cars parked up when I arrived

I have deliberately left myself a good smattering of Munro’s to climb near home. That way I would always have some nearby options if I did not want to travel for miles. With a good weather forecasted I was keen to get up in the hills but I was not in the mood for an epic car journey. Looking at my Munro wall map, I contemplated my options. The nearest Munro that I have yet to climb is Ben Chonzie. I intended to save this for the winter so my eye was drawn up the A9 and the three peaks that make up Beinn a’ Ghlo. I had already climbed Carn Liath a couple of years back but the clag was down so there would be no issue in knocking it off again. This seemed a good option.

I was also interested in the Corbett, Ben Vuirich, located south-east of Carn nan Gabhar. It would probably be busy up Beinn a’ Ghlo but I suspected that most people would be tackling just Carn Leith or maybe all three Munro’s but definitely not all three and the Corbett. If I climbed Ben Vuirich first then came up the back of Carn nan Gabhar, I could avoid the crowds and hopefully arrive on Carn Liath when the hordes had gone home. Continue reading »
Posted by Darren at 8:20 am Tagged with: , ,
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