I wanted to try and do a couple of short runs on the northern sections of the WHW in preparation for the DOTH race. Two mistakes today. First being the drive up Loch Lomondside. Every caravan, campervan, tourist coach and lorry had decided today would be a good day to use this road. And secondly, I had forgoten about the road works at Pulpit Rock, where they are currently widening the A82. So after a bout of tourettes I eventually got to GMR two hours after I set off.
It was pishing down and the car park at the Ski Centre was virtually empty.
The waterproofs were on right from the start. The cloud was low over Glencoe so I knew I was in for a damp run. Off I went down the access road, crossed the A82 and passed the Kingshouse. It was miserable underfoot all the way to Altnafeadh. The water runing off the slopes of Beinn a Chrulaiste had turned the path into a long river. The water was freezing to boot. Memories of the WHWR came 'flooding' back. Today was worse though. It entered my head to jack it in at Altnafeadh, but seeing as I was wet through to my pants I may as well just head up the hill and turn there. I ran the early part of the Devil's Staircase and then powerwalked to the summit.
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The views were mince! Reached the top in 1 hour 10 minutes, took a few photos and thought 'sod this' and turned back for the return run. No sooner had I left the twin cairned summit and the cloud broke and the rain eased to a sticky drizzle. Still just as bad underfoot and I ran through the puddles and streams, which in truth were just one long river.
Arrived back at the car in around 2 hours 20 minutes for the out and back run. Despite the rubbish weather, the run served it's purpose. I'm going to try and do a run from Kinlochleven to Lundavra before the DOTH in 3 weeks. It'll just be a short run but I want to remind myself of the climb here and the first 5 or 6 miles to the ruins.
As I said in my previous post, I'm not running the Clyde Stride next week but I'm hoping to try and get to the start to cheer on those doing it. I might pop up along the route somewhere, so smile for the camera if I do.
