1st November 2015- White Rose Ultra

On Saturday evening I arrived at registration at the race Hq in Golcar to the west of Huddersfield and declared that I would do the 60 mile race as opposed to the 100, as I didn't feel motivated enough for it. So after registration I had a quick pint at the Golcar Lily and then slept in the warehouse of the race Hq.
It had been misty in the night for the 100 mile runners, but this had cleared and was turning out a sunny day. We set off with the 30 mile runners at 8am and the first miles ticked away as it does when talking away to other runners. The checkpoints were every 5 miles, with water and some basic snacks, but the water was well needed as it was a very hot day for November. The route followed trail, track and road and after the 15 mile checkpoint went round Pule hill and then down into Marsden along the road. It was then upto the Wessenden reservoirs and upto Wessenden head for the checkpoint. 

Wessenden Reservoir

From the checkpoint it WS along the road for a couple of miles with fantastic views of the valleys below. After another 8 miles it was the end of lap 1 and 30miles in about 5hr20. After a quick coke and a snack it was out again into the heat. It was a more lonely experience as I ticked off the miles meeting more people at checkpoints than runners. This let me focus on the route findings and I soon clocked up the miles and was at the checkpoint halfway round lap 2. I aimed to make it into Wessenden reservoirs before dark so pushed on. I managed to pass a few more runners before I made it to the checkpoint at the end of Wessenden reservoirs when it got dark. 

It was a brief stop at the checkpoint to sort out the headtorch and then continue by torchlight. Some of the markings were a little tricky in the dark but I managed to keep a steady pace and ended up finishing in a respectable time of 11:20.

16+17th October 2015- The Mamores

On Thursday from Glen Nevis campsite I walked up the valley, through Nevis gorge and after passing Steal falls ascended into the tranquil Valley of Allt Coire Guibhsachen and up onto the col between Carn Mor Dearg and Aanoch Mor. From there ascended the steep hillside and across to the top of Aanoch Beag, for a fantastic 360 view, as it was another sunny day. 

The Mamores from Aanoch Beag

I then backed up onto Aanoch Mor and then down the grassy slopes following the ski tows to the Nevis Centre. It was then a tricky downhill to the bottom, due to no path. But once down it was forest tracks to Fort William to pick up supplies for a two day trip.

Start of Downhill MTB route at Nevis Centre

Thursday night I stayed at the Glen Nevis youth hostel so I could get an early start on Friday. I left at 7:30 in the dark, following the road up Glen Nevis to the start of the path up Mullach Nan Corrien. 

Foggy Glen Nevis

It was a little path through the woods till it came to open hillside and then a good slog uphill to follow the ridge to the top (munro 1). The sun had come out on the ascent and was turning into a hot sunny day.

Top of Mullach Nan Corrien

After taking in the views, I continued along the Mamore ridge to Stob Ban (munro 2). 

Stob Ban

It was then a descent down to a small Loch under Sgorr an lubhair which was followed by a steep ascent to the start of the Devil's Ridge. It started off as a narrow grassy ridge with steep sides and then to a narrow rocky ridge with some fun scrambling.

Devils Ridge to Sgurr a Mhaim

After the ridge it was an ascent upto the summit of Sgurr a Mhaim (munro 3) and more impressive views. After a small rest it was back over the ridge to Sgorr an lubhair.

Devils Ridge to Sgorr an Lubhair

From here there was a small descent and then a bigger ascent onto Am Bodach (munro 4). From Am Bodach it was down and then upto Stob Coire a Chain (munro 5), where I pondered the next difficult ascent up An Gearanach. 

An Gearanach

It was a little ascent and then an easier than expected ascent up the steep southern slope up onto An Garbhanach. But from here it was a scramble across a ridge to the true top on An Gearanach (munro 6). 

On top of An Gearanach

It was back the same way across the scrambly ridge and down to the col below Stob Coire a Chain and then a traverse below the peak to the col below Na Gruagaichean. It was then a long slog upto a flase summit with a cross on.

Na Gruagaichean (false summit)

I briefly basked in the sun before then carrying onto the actual summit of Na Gruagaichean (munro 7) which was a rocky peak where I was surprised to meet someone else enjoying the view. After a good chat I carried on to the highest peak of the Mamores, Binnean Mor (munro 8).

From Binnean Mor

I then descended towards the loch at Coire an Lochain looking for somewhere to camp and settled with a high camp on Sgor Eilde Beag at about 950m. I pitched the tent and ate dinner while the sun went down and the temperature dropped. It was a cold night and not tranquil as the sounds of the rutting stags echoed around.

Sunset looking southish

It was a frosty start, but another beautiful morning. After a pork pie breakfast I pitched the tent and then set off for Sgurr Eilde Mor, which started with an icy ascent up its steep western slope. 

Frosty Morning

It felt hard work, so at the top of Sgurr Eilde Mor (munro 9) I has a quick break. On the way down I passed a couple of walkers who’d had an early start. 

Top of Sgurr Eilde Mor

I went down past the loch I’d passed previously and then down into a valley where I was able to collect some much needed water. It was then up the other side of the valley and a traverse to a small loch below Binnein Beag and a steep rocky slog into the top of it (munro 10) where I was shortly joined by the walkers I’d met half an hour ago.

Binnein Mor from Binnein Beag

It was now about getting down to Glen Nevis to walk back to Fort William. So I picked a line, occasionaly following a path and eventually getting to the bottom of the glen. It was then a long walk athrought the glen, with the highlight being Steall Falls and going through the Nevis Gorge.

Steall Falls

After the gorge the path comes to the car park at the end of the Glen Nevis road, so I briefly followed this until there was an offroad alternative through Nevis forest and a track which went all the way to Fort William where my walk ended. 

Back at Fort William