Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Shorter morning run.

Lochinver Lochathlon (trademark)
Attempt to swim in as many lochs in one run/go as we could. Had planned on E carrying kit as back up (he's far too sensible to try the whole concept) so we could swim across lochs, however the initial terrain was pretty desperate stuff (inside a regeneration block - it will be lovely in 30-40 years once the undergrowth is suppressed by the trees). He gave up before loch 3 and we had to revert to plan B - out and back swims.
1 - Loch a' Phollain, a bit weedy
2 - Loch a' Phollain Drisich, weedy but nice route across to some Assynt rocks (boulder field down to the water edge).
3 - Lochan Caorainn, weedy and shallow but enough to do a decent out and back
4 - Loch Glac na Goibhre, lovely steep sides, out to rocks and back
5 - Loch Meall a' Chuna Beag, weedy at edge but OK
6 - Loch Meall a' Chuna, lovely rocky entry point, across to some amazing gnarly rocks and back.
7 - un-named puddle to north - managed to wallow across and back - belly and knees in mud most of the way :-)
8 - un-named little logan to NW of 6, found some deep enough water after a bit of a wade.
9 - un-named lochan to west of 6, lovely deep sided cutting, steep slope in and lovely old gnarly rowan on far side.
10 - un-named loch to west of 9, a bit of a wade but fine in middle.
Starting to get a bit light-headed - there was a cold and blowing from west into our faces in second half so cut back from here - the 10m contours on OS 25k maps really don't show much in the way of the size of the hills! Back via Pollan and happy to shuffle quickly along the track back to main road trying to warm-up.
Suitable end to a great holiday.

C • I think McGreal has beaten ... 4

10 x lochs

Morning run - along beach front and riverbank then up to Kirkaig bridge and back.

Walk up Quinag with E - took direct line from near loch - quicker than path but a stiff climb to near the summit. Back via col and then jogged bits back to car.
Out 2-20, probably 2 hours moving time.

Back from near loch to car, running bits and pieces.

Maiden Loch (near Clachtoll). Water fairly warm but heavy rain showers meant head got wet and chilly!

To Badnaban and back, feeling rough.

Kayaking from Old Dornie near Achiltibuie. Lovely sea - flat and calm. Round a wee island, never pushing (in a double with S) as the others didn't seem to want to work at all!
Out about 90 minutes.

Loch Druim Suardalain, superb setting - overlooked by Suilven and Canisp. Water seemed warmer than some, maybe a shallower loch, there was some weedy stuff even in the middle of the loch (slightly disconcerting to get some wrapped round a leg!).

Missed morning run but did walk back from bivvy site and home by 0800.
Then headed up Cul Beag from the Lochside to the south. BIG climb and legs not appreciating it after a disturbed nights sleep. Great views at top despite the rain shower and then back down toward the SE but turned off ridge line too soon and ended up following deer tracks down some fairly hefty sandstone cliffs... Still probably a quicker route than planned, just with the chance of an even quicker if somewhat terminal option.
About 2 hours moving time.

LochAssynt - definitely a lot colder than the other swims despite warm air and sunshine. Reckon the water in the bigger, deeper lochs doesn't heat up and the winds recently will have stirred things up so cold deep water has mixed with any warmer stuff on top layers.
Still managed a wee crossing to another headland and back.

Dead-end road and back (6 minutes), then along past bay and up river, back along road.

Lochinver to Achmelvich, lovely run - lovely little decent quality footpath over the hills to Achmelvich road then tarmac last ,mile, but beautiful woodland and scrub - lots of aspen. hazel and birch almost overwhelming the road - felt like bits of wild Italy with trees sprouting out of rock faces and the road twisting and turning.

quick dip into the Atlantic off Achmelvich beach, refreshing but cold - and salty :-(

Loch Bad na Muirichcin. Best loch yet, 500m walk in to it through a deep valley/gorge and great views to Suilven to keep attention from swimming. Sunny and warm, lovely.

Wander in to bivvy spot late on - hilltop above Rubha a' Phuill Losgann. Nice bits of sunset - especially a late light on the west end of Suilven - lighting it up red across the crags.
Not a great nights sleep - right shoulder aching and midges definitely present (slept in midge-hood all night).

To Badnaban and back.

Up Conival and Ben More Assynt. Out 5-15 moving 4-45. Tough long climb then bouldertastic on the ridge, you really wouldn't want to fall with he sharp edges of quartzite looking pretty wicked.

Loch Buine Moire, across and back, felt very cold on entering water but oK once going. Managed to survive without monster shakes afterwards.

Drove to Kirkaig bridge and ran along the riverbank path from there - much more pleasant than the road (and no locals tooling along at 60). Legs felt bad at start but perkier by end, maybe getting used to the morning runs.

Wander round the peat-road loop from Drumbeg. Pleasant but breezy morning. Out for about 90 minutes.
Then after lunch headed east past Nedd, great name ;-) and wandered down to Loch Ardbhair and looked at the broch - but it was separated from us by a 2m wide channel among seaweed coated rocks... so didn't attempt to jump it! Saw several red deer on the way down including an impressive stag with huge 12 point antlers. Living well in the birch woods.
Out about 30 minutes.

Loch Drumbeg - very windy so chose western end to try to avoid worst of the wind-chop on the water. Raining and cold but once in water was same as ever.