Training Log Archive: RHFIn the 1 days ending Sep 19, 2020:
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Saturday Sep 19, 2020 #
9 AM
Walking 9:05:29 [2] 16.79 km (32:29 / km) +1250m 23:41 / km
shoes: X-Talon 212 2017
Ben Cruachuan and Stob Diamh horseshoe
A great and deservedly popular horseshoe above the reservoir. Last time I was near here was in 2012 for my first mountain marathon. The start was on the impressive dam and headed up the neighbouring Corbett for our first control. Good to be back, years later.
Fortunately got the last decent parking space on the busy road. A twisty climb up through the woods to start with. Path a lot smaller than I expected then up to the dam. Really impressive arches and a flight of steps up then along a road into the corrie. Ben Cruachuan is a big hydroelectric power station "hollow mountain" with a large store of water inside. Steep up to the bealach and then a rocky and loose ascent to the summit. We were taking our time and enjoying the great views. Quite a lot of ascent when you get to 1150m from basically sea level.
Incredible views: could see down to Arran, the Paps of Jura, Mull, Skye, Ben Nevis and panaromic mountains.
From here some more rocky descent and a bit of scrambling. Ibhad been a bit worried from description but it was fine. Helping Nicole a bit when she wasn't feeling confident descending. Quite slow going over the next Munro top and onwards to Stob Diamh. Quite a lot of people out on the loop. A grassier descent from Stob Diamh down to the pass and then a grassy sometimes wet descent down to the reservoir. Had thought there'd be another track this side, but there wasn't and it was slow going. Then back down through the woods. Nicole was moving pretty slowly and I was feeling a bit tired. Probably could've done with more food (2 pittas, hula hoops and some cereal bars). Both days completely underestimated the time the route would taken (mainly due to the rougher than expected terrain and Nicole's descending speed): 3kph not adjusting for climb.
A long day out and a proper quality mountain day.
A great and deservedly popular horseshoe above the reservoir. Last time I was near here was in 2012 for my first mountain marathon. The start was on the impressive dam and headed up the neighbouring Corbett for our first control. Good to be back, years later.
Fortunately got the last decent parking space on the busy road. A twisty climb up through the woods to start with. Path a lot smaller than I expected then up to the dam. Really impressive arches and a flight of steps up then along a road into the corrie. Ben Cruachuan is a big hydroelectric power station "hollow mountain" with a large store of water inside. Steep up to the bealach and then a rocky and loose ascent to the summit. We were taking our time and enjoying the great views. Quite a lot of ascent when you get to 1150m from basically sea level.
Incredible views: could see down to Arran, the Paps of Jura, Mull, Skye, Ben Nevis and panaromic mountains.
From here some more rocky descent and a bit of scrambling. Ibhad been a bit worried from description but it was fine. Helping Nicole a bit when she wasn't feeling confident descending. Quite slow going over the next Munro top and onwards to Stob Diamh. Quite a lot of people out on the loop. A grassier descent from Stob Diamh down to the pass and then a grassy sometimes wet descent down to the reservoir. Had thought there'd be another track this side, but there wasn't and it was slow going. Then back down through the woods. Nicole was moving pretty slowly and I was feeling a bit tired. Probably could've done with more food (2 pittas, hula hoops and some cereal bars). Both days completely underestimated the time the route would taken (mainly due to the rougher than expected terrain and Nicole's descending speed): 3kph not adjusting for climb.
A long day out and a proper quality mountain day.