Lochnagar quintuple

Peaks: Lochnagar (Cac Carn Beag), Carn a'Choire Bhoidheach, Carn an t-Sagairt Mor, Cairn Bannoch, Broad Cairn

Area: White Mounth

For various reasons I had been saving Lochnagar for a different trip but it was too obvious an objective to avoid on this, my final day of the trip. The forecast was a little mixed again, with low cloud forecast for eastern hills, but I drove to Spittal of Glenmuick via Ballater anyway. This was new territory for me, and I had a superb night's sleep in temperatures that were at least 20c colder than home on the same night. This area of the Mounth lends itself to a running approach, so that's what I intended to do as I started off around 7.30am. However, given my slowing in the hills and the rigours of the last few days, I wasn't sure how I would go. In the event, it went very well despite almost constant clag and no views until the final descent, which really was quite unlucky. This is a 30k circuit over five munros but the terrain is generally kind underfoot and there isn't too much elevation gain (1300m). Unsurprisingly, the route up Lochnagar itself is on a very clear path for most of the way - it skirts Loch Muich and then weaves its way up to an obvious col below Conachcraig. It was then into the mist for a steep section (known as The Ladder) up a well made path which eventually emerged below Meikle Pap at a plateau. Good running west and then north up another steepening to the forepeak before heading out to the true summit (90 mins) which has a rocky top section and was atmospheric in thick mist. This was a real shame though as I had no views of the famous cliffs. The mist threatened to clear but didn't, so I scampered back to the lower peak and then branched off south-west on a good runnable path. This was glorious despite the weather and I was feeling good - the second munro (Boidheach) was an easy out-and-back, after which I continued westwards. A tight stream valley (Allt an da Craobh Bheath) gave me a drink from some giant snowfields and I briefly emerged from the mist with views down to the Dubh Loch. Lovely contouring then led to another detour, slightly longer this time, out to Carn an t-Sagairt Mor. Another clearance as I descended led to some views over Glen Callater to Carn an Tuirc and other hills I had done before. The terrain continued to be runnable (or at least joggable) as the route decisively turns south-eastwards over the final two peaks, which are quite well defined and seem to represent some kind of linguistic boundary. Cairn Bannoch had a nice rocky top and I finally had a semblance of a view at Broad Cairn, the final peak and 16th munro of this short trip. It was grey and gloomy,  but did give me some kind of idea of the broader context. I could see Mount Keen further east, as well as other unfamiliar valleys (to me) like Glen Doll and Glen Clova. The descent from Broad Cairn was surprisingly rocky and awkward initially, but led to a huge track which eventually branched off to a superb gently descending contouring path above Coire Chash. Here, finally, the weather decisively cleared for superb views over the Dubh Loch and its steep valley fringed with crags. All five mountains fringe this valley, at least partially. The path descends all the way to the Loch Muick lakeside and leaves a very long and quite tiring finish along the undulating and sometimes awkward path along the loch. This is probably harder than it would have been to stay high on the plateau for longer, but at a side valley the path becomes a very runnable track. It was now quite warm and very sunny, I passed 50 or so red deer, and got back to the car park 4.20 after setting out on this very enjoyable circuit. I had a bath in the River Muick then drove home, fine after my nourishing nine hours of sleep.

Glen Derry Round (part 2)

Peaks: Beinn a'Chaorainn, Beinn Bhreac

Area: Cairngorms

After yesterday's magnificent trip into the central Cairngorms, this was a little less glamorous and a real contrast in terms of terrain and scenery. I didn't have a particularly good night's sleep in the bothy and set off pretty early as the sun was starting to illuminate the crag at the top of the cwm. An excellent path continues down from Coire Etchtachan into the middle of the larger Glen Derry. As far as I could tell there was no direct route to the pass at the top of the glen (Lairig an Laoigh) so my only option was a longish detour south-east until I could pick up the main Glen Derry path. The pass is a sister to the more famous Lairig Ghru further west, but is less dramatic. Near the top, a steep and indistinct side path begins to climb up Beinn a'Chaorainn. It is intermittent and hard to follow at times, particularly with the early morning sun in my face, but it didn't last all that long and I soon reached the cairn for magnificent views west to the central Cairngorms, last night's bothy a tiny white dot at the bottom of the corrie: the weather was the best of the trip, very clear. Across the valley to the east rose Beinn a'Bhuiridh which I did two years ago. Then came the Moine Bhealaidh, a vast expanse of flat moorland reminiscent of the Pennines which I wasn't looking forward to. It wasn't particularly pleasant but it did at least offer the challenge of trying to pick the best lines through the bog and tussocks. I have done worse though, and I did pick up a path on the far side towards Beinn Bhreac. This becomes much drier and more pleasant as it starts to climb away from the moorland and the summit was a pleasant place with excellent views to Lochnagar and down to Beinn a'Ghlo, perfect clarity throughout. I had a much needed snack before starting the descent which looked very quick and easy but wasn't. At first, easy grassy slopes allow for quick progress down, and this gains a good path, but once it reaches the treeline it becomes boggy. It also took longer to reach Derry Lodge than I'd expected, but the views back up Glen Derry framed by the Caledonian pines were superb. Derry Cairngorm looks particularly good from here, as do all the peaks I had just done. A bigger track eventually comes in from the glen and soon I arrived back at Derry Lodge for the relaxing bike ride back to the Linn of Dee in time for an early lunch.

Glen Derry Round (part 1)

Peaks: Derry Cairngorm, Beinn Mheadhoin

Area: Cairngorms

If the weather had been favourable for this trip, I would have headed north-west to the Fisherfield Forest for some of the remoter Munros. But being in the Cairngorms is a treat in itself and I still had unfinished business. Beinn Mheadhoin in particular is one of the remoter Scottish mountains so I decided to take a leisurely approach and really immerse myself in the heart of the range. As a result, there was no rush this morning: I fuelled up with a full breakfast from the Bothy in Braemar before buying very austere provisions for the trip. My basic plan was the Glen Derry round, which I would have been able to do quite easily in a day, but I thought I would relax instead and have a short stay at the Hutchison Memorial bothy (I had my tent too). Just before midday, after coffee and an extra feed at the Linn of Dee, I set off for Derry Lodge by bike. I did the same two years ago and the scenery here is really beautiful. As ever, the great attraction of the Cairngorms is that its highlights are all hidden from view, you have to make an effort to get to them and that precludes too many people from spoiling it all. In addition, I love the contrast between the Arctic peaks and the gentle lower valleys which are probably closer to the natural biome than most other parts of the UK. Derry Lodge is a great example, all remnants of the Caledonian pine forest. I left my bike and then enjoyed the lovely path through the pines which leads to, again, the closest thing to a natural treeline in the UK, with some montane forest and dwarf trees above. The weather was lovely, blue sky with intermittent cloud, but bigger banks west and north as per the forecast. Above the treeline the path got steep for a while as it rounds the spur Carn Crom but this gives way to beautiful pink granite plateaux and then a contouring path with Derry Caingorm a pleasant cone ahead. Soon the route takes on its high Cairngorm character as it crosses various blasted tundra boulder fields and Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul become visible. A really enjoyable ascent, with a big boulder field leading to the summit. Tremendous views over Glen Luibeg to the high Cairngorms, lots of snow under blue skies. After this the day got even better with a contouring path over to the shoulder below Creagan a'Choire Etchachan and then to the lip of Coire Etchachan itself, an Arctic scene and the real heart of the Cairngorms. This microenvironment at the centre of the range is really precious, and does feel much closer to northern Norway than other parts of Scotland. Loch Etchachan glistened in the sunshine, framed by snowfields and crags, but (after a glissade down a big snowfield) it was far too windy to pitch my tent there so I stowed it for the short slog up Beinn Mheadhoin. This was almost as easy and enjoyable as Derry Cairngorm, through the same pink granite boulderfields and up to the wind blasted plateau at the top, reminiscent of Ben Avon with its granite tors. The SW top has stunning views down to the top of Loch Avon where multiple torrents clatter down between big crags from the Ben Macdui plateau: undoubtedly one of the finest places in the British mountains, and another Arctic scene. The top involves a little scramble up the tor which I had to myself (although there were a few people about on this Bank Holiday Monday). I retraced my steps back to the Etchachan outflow to collect my stuff and then ambled down the rocky path into tight Coire Etchachan, where the tiny Hutchison bothy came into view on a patch of greenery. Behind, the crag which houses some classic rock climbs. I took ownership of one of the two 'beds' in the bothy although it really is tiny. I managed a quick bath in the stream that comes down from Derry Cairngorm and passed a pleasant solo bothy evening with my austere dining options (no stove).

Glen Ey peaks

Peaks: Beinn Iutharn Mhor, Carn Bhac

Area: Mounth, Scotland

A complex weather forecast meant that a lot of thought had to go into my plans for today. I drove over the top road from Pitlochry and slept near the Spittal of Glenshee, but even the Cairngorms looked a bit questionable this morning with black threatening clouds. I was a bit tired too, so eventually settled on these peaks just to the south of the Cairngorms proper, because they offer a relaxed cycling approach and the weather looked distinctly better a little to the south. It proved an excellent choice and, after driving to Inverey some sunshine was already peeking through as I set off on the gravel bike for Glen Ey. This was an absolute delight and a perfect way to stretch the legs after yesterday's exertions. The track up the glen is mostly gentle and leads south above the Ey Burn into the wonderfully open Glen Ey. There was something wonderful about the way the valley curves gently south-east then south-west revealing new scenery. The spur of Creag an Lochain dominates the view but then a hidden upper valley with views up to Iutharn Mhor is revealed, the Ey Burn incredibly placid and gently flowing in the flat valley bottom with a base of soft green moss and breeding oystercatchers. After over 9k of lovely riding, I reached the ruin of Altanour and left my bike to work out the route and the landscape. It looked like I could climb directly up the east ridge of Beinn Iutharn Mhor and to my surprise that turned out to be the case, a narrow path was mostly navigable and led to the steep ridge/nose. This was hard work initially but led to a windy plateau, after which a long haul led out to the curving ridge of the dominant peak, which is more shapely and impressive than the rest of the Mounth. Beinn a'Ghlo impressed to the south and a giant snowfield lent definition to the northern cwm. I recognised other peaks, like Glas Tulaichean, from previous visits although the Cairngorms proper remained gloomy under dark clouds. After a snack I retraced steps above the snowpatch and then descended very steep scree towards Carn Bhac. I must have gone too low here, as it soon became tough going through tussocks and bog, completely pathless until I eventually gained the main route to Carn Bhac. This is a rather dull peak, just the highpoint of a long lateral ridge with lots of white rock on the summit. I didn't hang around and jogged the long but easy and very enjoyable descent down the ridge above Alltan Odhar. The sun came out towards the bottom and it finally became much warmer. By the time I regained the bike it was, for a short while, almost hot - and as the sun lit the valley and multiple chattering streams it was beautiful. I rested a while on soft grass above the Ey Burn at Altanour just taking it all in before getting on my bike for a tremendously enjoyable ride back to Inverey, gently descending the whole way. After bathing in the Dee I parked up at the layby outside Braemar that I'd used exactly two years ago: stunning views across the valley to Derry Cairngorm and Beinn a'Bhuird.

Glen Lyon quadruple

Peaks: Carn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Carn Mairg, Meall na Aighean

Area: Glen Lyon, Perthshire

There are still plenty of corners of Scotland that I've never been to, and Glen Lyon is one, despite its accessibility. It is beautiful, perhaps more reminiscent of Nant Gwynant or parts of the Lakes than the Highlands: small farms, woodland and pastoral, quite gentle scenery. On one side rises Ben Lawers (which I did from the Loch Tay side a few years ago), but on the other is this perfect circular ridge which rises to four Munros. After the parkrun, I had some sandwiches in the pretty Sma' Glen during the drive north to Aberfeldy, then wound my way round to Invervar in the middle of Glen Lyon. It was late morning at the start of the Bank Holiday weekend, and I couldn't park, so had to find another place which ended up being 2k further east. This made a long outing even longer, and it was quite a long initial haul from the village along the Invervar burn to take a broad ridge up Carn Gorm. The weather was threatening, a bit dark and gloomy, and the most notable feature was the sharp subpeak of An Sgorr rising above the Allt na Lairige. A final sharp rise led to a cold Carn Gorm with great views over Glen Lyon to Ben Lawers. The ridge then turns north and east and felt like the Carneddau. It is broad but quite well defined, with big (though very grey and compromised) views down to Loch Rannoch and over to Schiehallion, always such a notable feature of the landscape. Meall Garbh wasn't an overly impressive summit, but it was all quite pleasant. A very windy subpeak gave even better. views north and it remained cold all the way across to the rockier and more interesting peak of Carn Mairg, clearly the dominant mountain of the group. Really quite cold (as Kate baked in 30c at home!) and I finally found a water source below the very steep initial descent. I had a break and snack here, which was good as I was beginning to wilt a little (and perhaps even mildly regret the morning parkrun). A broad col and luckily not too much reascent to gain a big snowpatch and then the final Munro of Meall na Aighean, which is set back a bit from the main ridgeline. A wonderful descent freshened me up and was hugely enjoyable down a vague southwest ridge high above the Coire a'Chearcaill. Beautiful views to Lawers and Glen Lyon, which was pretty as a picture from these slopes with dramatic shades of grey in the sky. I couldn't complain too much, however, as all four peaks were below the cloudbase and it was a great (dry!) circuit. But at 22k and almost 1500m of elevation, it was a big 4 hour+ outing after a 19 minute parkrun in the morning. Still, four Munros and a V55 age group course record in the same day still seems worth recording. I replaced the calories with fish and chips in Aberfeldy then tried to work out the best plan of action given the 'mixed' weather forecast.

Crieff parkrun

'Race': Lady Mary's Walk parkrun (Crieff)

Time/Position: 19.41 (3rd from 141)

This delightful parkrun has only been going a few weeks, so the V55 course record I set wasn't very impressive. That said, the first few runners were either sent the wrong way, or didn't listen to the instructions (!) which meant we covered a bit more ground than we needed to on the route, which makes two return laps along the sun-dappled banks of the River Earn. It was really pleasant, but we turned too early without a marshall so had to make up the course length, and this even included a stop and brief conversation with the race organiser! Perhaps not the wisest decision with a four Munro circuit planned in the afternoon, but on the other hand it's nice I can still do that a few days before my 56th birthday!

Ben Chonzie

Peaks: Ben Chonzie

Area: Perthshire, Scotland

This area seems to my outsiders eyes to be a classic transition zone, the edge of the Highlands. It wasn't much more than a five hour drive to Crieff, which I last visited 15 years ago when the OMM took place in the more obscure corners of this range. Myself and Huw had a great weekend then, and a top 20 finish if memory serves (2nd vet team) but our route choices avoided the summit of Chonzie. Today, this was just an easy aperitif for my second Highlands trip of the year, anticipating being forced 'east' due to fronts hitting the north-west (and a heatwave elsewhere in the UK). I drove up Glen Turret to the loch, where I parked before setting off on the gravel bike along its banks. This track needs a mountain bike really, so it was hard work in places, not helped by glowering skies and drizzle. I left the bike above Lochan Uaine, which is fringed by steeper slopes giving this cwm more of a Highland character. It is an easy plod west to a breach in the headwall, wet and slimy in places. It is all very easy, and led to a misty col before the route kinks southwest and leads quite smoothly to the summit. A little drizzle and no views, so I trotted down intent on saving as much energy as possible. Above the col, the mist cleared a bit and I did get some views to Glen Almond and points west, which was definitely where the action took place on that 2011 OMM (in fact the overnight camp was in Glen Almond). The ride back along the track was a little easier and the weather did begin the clear a little. After gourmet pasta at the van, I strolled around birdwatching which - incredibly - yielded a white-tailed eagle. No point moving on at this stage, so I spent the night at Loch Turret, sleeping for nearly 10 peaceful hours!

Craig Nant Dulas

Crag: Craig Nant Dulas

Routes: Mr Drab (f5b:led), Ten not Twelve (f5c:sec), The Free Speech Union (f5c:led), What's On (f6a:sec), Master of Disguise (f5b:led)

Not exactly Provence, but a newly bolted microcrag nestled in the valley opposite Craig y Forwyn. It is a very nice sheltered situation, and did give a couple of pleasant little routes. I led the obvious main corner at a mild and very short VS. Peter then led the route to its right which had one tricky pull over a bulge. I then enjoyed the 5c up a right facing corner, although that might reflect the fact that I haven't done much climbing in recent years, rather than any inherent qualities! Moderately steep moves on some lovely holds, quite sharp by local limestone standards. It then continues for a little while up the wall, and you just have to imagine it going on for a bit longer. The 6a to its right was also good with some steep but positive wall climbing, and these two seemed the best routes on the crag at first glance. The slanting leftwards corner left of 'Mr Drab' may have been an f4 as it was no more than S.

Berwyn loop

Peaks: Cadair Berwyn, Cadair Bronwen

Area: Berwyn

Although this was just the standard ten mile loop of the Berwyn ridge, something I have done many times from Llandrillo, today we did it anticlockwise which I think I only remember doing when this route was a one-off race many years ago. It was cloudy and cool as we set off and took the lane up to the farmhouse then through the woods to eventually contour the hills well above Clochnant. Eventually the stream has to be crossed and then comes the steep and boggy climb over the subpeak to emerge right at the trig on Cadair Berwyn (north top). This is a long haul over awkward terrain, although it was a bit less boggy than usual today. As is often the case these days, I slowed where it got steep and couldn't match the pace of Jez. At a blustery summit, we then enjoyed the usual superb run along the ridge, hugging the eastern cwms, and then carried on to the top of Bronwen. From here, a superb descent (again a slightly different variant on the usual route) all the way down to the steep track back to Llandrillo. About 1.55 for the round, which is pretty similar to the average clockwise running of this route.

Erddig parkrun

'Race': Erddig parkrun

Time/Position: 19.46 (6th from 286)

On my two previous runnings of this lovely course, I seem to remember a lot of mud. Conditions were perfect today, which meant I got within a few seconds of my course pb despite going off a bit too fast. The muscle memory is to blame, and I was a lot quicker on the out-and-back section than previously, then maintained a decent pace through the Erddig grounds to the lovely gently descending running through the woods at the far end. At least a minute slower than the V55 course record, although I was pleased enough with the performance given current training.

Border League relays

Race: Border League relays (Prestatyn 1m+)

Time/Position: 5.38 (1st Vet team)

With the cancellation of the sixth fixture, this became the '25-'26 season finale. It has been a good one, and this was a nice way to end, with the presentations at the Nova Centre later. We got together a Vet team for the course, just over a mile along the prom in a light easterly with a glorious sunset developing. Dave B led off with a very quick first leg, I went third after Richard but could only manage a pedestrian performance, despite feeling fairly good. The field was smaller than at Birkenhead two years ago and we won the Veteran's race fairly comfortably. This was nice as it added to my 100% record this season, coming first V55 in all five races. If I count the relays as league fixtures, I think this was my 100th Border League appearance. Finally, this was my 4th ever age category season win in the league (alongside one V45 win '15-'16 and two V50 wins in '21-'22 and '23-'24).

Coniston fell race

Race: Coniston fell race (12.8k/1100m)

Peaks: Wetherlam, Swirl Hows, Old Man of Coniston

Time/Position: 1.51 (117 from 241)

With my constantly slowing pace, particularly in the hills, I wonder if one way forward is to do some races that I haven't done before - meaning I have nothing to compare it with. Not bad as a principle, but then of course you look at the finishing position! I barely scraped into the top half today, which isn't great and really does illustrate how slow I've become in the hills. Despite, or because of this, I quite enjoyed the race which is a classic Lakes fell race. I was last on Coniston in the late 1980s! And I'm not sure I've ever been to the top of Wetherlam or Swirl Hows, although I did do a mountain marathon in these parts 15 years ago (or so). Conditions were pretty good - cool with low cloud over the tops, but nothing too troubling. After a sharp track climb, a steep hill leads to a level section before a very gradual drag up Wetherlam. I was up in 47 minutes or so, after which the bulk of the hard work is done. I fell over early in the descent to Swirl Hause, partly because I was running in trail shoes to protect my heel. Then came the steep contouring up the 'Prison Band' and into the clag on Swirl Hows. Good running then leads over the tops, with loads of route choice and many locals taking racing lines. I did contour Birk Fell to get to the top of the Old Man - my first time up here since the 1980s. I could see Dow Crag emerge from the mist, that's a place I have visited more recently for its famous rock climbs. The descent saw local runners immediately take counterintuitive but direct lines down the grass to the right of the normal path. This was steep and awkward, but mostly grassy. I just tried to read the landscape and pick up, and we soon emerged from the clag which made it easier. At one point I hit the tourist path near some quarries and definitely lost time lower down by taking an indirect variant through a plantation: I would have been better off on the tourist path as at least I could have used my road speed. I was down in 21 minutes or so from summit to village, by which time it was warm and sunny.

Pen y Fron climbing

Crag: Pen y Fron

Routes: Yellow Peril (f5c:sec), The Urchin (f6a:led), Leete Entertainment (f6a+:sec), The Needle (f6b:sec), Pale and Interesting (f6b+:sec)

This local bolted venue is growing on me a bit, which might have something to do with the traffic it is getting. This was just a brief workout with Peter and Vic in perfect sunny weather, and we kicked off with the easy Yellow Peril which has a long reach at the start but is otherwise simple. This theme continued for the open groove of The Urchin, which I led. This is overgraded but gives pleasant climbing on positive edges to a slightly steeper finish. The final three were more technical, although also overgraded. I think I had seconded Peter up the 6a+ before, but then came the good route of The Needle, which has some fairly sustained climbing on small holds. The route to its left is also good, and goes through an area of white rock to some technical climbing to finish, The fact that I handled all these relatively comfortably (with rope above of course) suggests that all three are a tad overgraded. Still, a nice workout.

Lancet Edge to Geal-Charn

Peaks: Sgor Iutharn, Geal-Charn, Diollaid a'Chairn, Carn Dearg

Area: Ben Alder, Scotland

This area has loomed large in my imagination for decades and it didn't disappoint: varied, absorbing mountaineering throughout. As I cycled in from Dalwhinnie, however, one thing did surprise me and took the edge of some of the remote isolation this area is famed for - this was the high-end Ben Alder Lodge 10k down Loch Ericht. This turreted monstrosity, along with almost everything else here, is owned by a Swiss billionaire and rented out to the well-heeled. Amazingly, there is even a luxury bothy near the site of the recently demolished Culra. Whatever, it was still wonderful and the weather improved beautifully throughout the day, and after 40 minutes or so of riding (it is a private track to the Lodge) I left the bike above Loch Pattack and enjoyed the feeling of being somewhere I have wanted to visit for years. It really does have a feeling of genuine remoteness, deep silence and tremendous views over the peaks to come. A very good, level path leads up the valley of the Allt a'Chaoile-reidhe, with Ben Alder to the left. But the most obvious and eye-catching objective is the Lancet Edge, to which I was now heading. This was really fantastic - alone in a giant landscape. Culra is supposedly being rebuilt so I headed up to what I assumed was the site of this, finding at the last minute that it was this bizarre luxury bothy in the middle of nowhere. I continued up with the Lancet edge getting gradually closer, eventually (after a stream crossing) heading up trackless hillside, very steeply, to gain it. A few little outcrops and steep grass lead to the first section of scrambling, and then the ridge really coalesces into a narrow rocky arete. This was fabulous, a wonderful line in a tremendously isolated location with stunning views down to Loch Sgoir. The actual scrambling doesn't last long, and it emerges near the cairn. Ahead, Gael Charn seemed almost entirely snow-covered and this is where I headed. It is a giant plateau, today a huge snowfield under vast skies. The cairn is right at the far end, and I trotted across the snow towards it, mostly comfortable but occasionally soft. Big views over wild terrain down to Glencoe and the Southern Highlands, and across to Beinn a'Chlachair, Creag Meagaidh and many other closer hills I'd done more recently. I then had to get off the plateau towards Carn Dearg, which isn't all that easy as there is only one route off. I ploughed across the snow to gain the descent down a little neck, but it was snow-covered and convex. Given the remoteness, my lack of axe and the fact I couldn't see the bottom, I exercised some mountain judgement and looked for an alternative! This meant contouring back to the col below Sgor Iutharn and then putting kahtoolas on to descent milder snow slopes to gain a very atmospheric traverse below the eastern /northern edge of the escarpment. I kept kahtoolas on throughout until I crossed two streams and gained the normal route over to Carn Dearg. This was simple, a beeline over a forepeak to steepish slopes to Carn Dearg. I was tiring a bit though, and massively dehydrated (having not taken a drink at the meltwater, as I wanted to find the descent first). It was obvious Carn Dearg would be a dry mountain, and it was. I followed the broad ridge direct to Loch Pattack and only found water towards the bottom, where I then had a nice lunch in the sunshine, in a very isolated location. Then it was down to the Loch Pattack track past bubbling breeding curlew (my favourite sound of all, even more special in the total silence of this location). A diver called too, as did several sandpiper. I got back to the bike and saw the only other person I'd seen all day, a cross-Scotland mountain biker. Then it was the simple matter of cycling 12k back along Loch Ericht back to Dalwhinnie (22k on foot, 25k on bike). After a break, I drove all the way down to Moffat.

Loch Lochy Munros

Peaks: Sron a'Choire Gharbh, Meall na Teanga

Area: Loch Lochy, Scotland

The weather really did change overnight this time, and tendrils of mist draped Loch Cluanie when I peered out of the van after waking. These hills were therefore the perfect choice for a changeable day, as they are pretty straightforward and the nav looked simple. The rain was light but after finally deciding on my strategy for the day, I drove across to Invergarry and had breakfast and tea outside the village hall - a great venue with lots of nice seating and a heated toilet! The weather was forecast to improve, which it began to do, and by the time I parked up at Killfinnan (near Laggan Locks on the Caledonian Canal) it was dry. The route takes a gravel track through forestry above the loch, which I know well from various trips along the Spean Bridge road. I got on my bike for most of this, a great help, and then took the obvious side path through the forest. This is all aimed at getting to the very obvious col, the Cam Bealach. Steep initially, it then takes a pleasant line through the deep valley of the Allt Glas Doire (an old coffin road apparently). The bealach is the key to the day, as both hills can be easily accessed from it. Until this point, the weather had been dry and the cloudbase above the peaks. It did look a bit threatening, however, and it seemed unlikely I would avoid getting wet. I went up Sron a'Choire first, leaving my sac at the bealach and ploughing up zig-zags to another shallow col below Sean Meall, and then the summit up left. Exceptional views and an ever-changing cloudscape, with spectacular effects as the sun burst through banks of cloud. It was nice to look down to Loch Lochy and tiny cars driving up the A82. Closer, Ben Tee impressed: a traverse of these hills would be good. After a chat to a chap on the summit (rare for me to see anyone), I trotted back down to the col and picked up my sac for the longer haul up Meall na Teanga, despite its lower altitude. The path weaved steeply up to Coire Leacachan and then curved west to a steep snowfield and then a climb south to the cairn, right at the end of the summit ridge. Great views to nearby peaks and a fierce looking Ben Nevis across the Great Glen, full winter conditions up there and lots of shower clouds tracking around. I put my shell on as it was pretty cold in the wind, and on the descent one of those shower clouds hit.  By the time I got back to the bealach it was dry again, and I dropped down to a stream for a pleasant lunch, now in sunshine again. I trotted back down, past a dead deer, and it started raining as I regained the forest. It got quite heavy on the final bike section back to the van. Again, it soon stopped and I brewed a cup of tea while my kit dried out before heading for provisions in Spean Bridge and camping at a familiar halt: Creag Meagaidh.

Loch Cluanie Munros

Peaks: Carn Ghluasaid, Creag a'Chaorainn, Sgurr nan Conbhairean, Sail Chaorainn, Drochaid an' Tuill Easaich

Area: Kintail, Scotland

A quick weather check after yesterday's round revealed an annoying change: a mild front was coming in from the west. I had designs on the remote peaks between Glen Shiel and Affric, but the forecast made me change my mind and go for this less ambitious option. I actually parked, and spent the night, at the Lundie car park that represents the start of this round. It was a great route choice actually, and in fact the weather didn't really change until the evening. The round began with a perfectly constructed stalkers path, and I was able to make quick progress up this despite yesterday's exertions. Carn Ghluasaid is hidden behind a forepeak but the weaving path meant I was up in an hour from the van. There had been a weather change, high cloud, but it was well above the tops and completely dry. The next peak, Conbhairean, looked superb from this angle across a deep and impressive cwm still holding a fair amount of snow. I trotted over to a broad and rocky col and then ploughed up, the day still fairly young. At this point some sunshine peeked through and blue sky appeared overhead. It may have lacked the clarity of yesterday but it was very nice, and I really enjoyed the trot out to Sail Chaorainn. This was along a broad ridge and the summit is only a metre higher than the sister peak further north. The weather cleared further for the return back to Sgurr nan Conbhairean (which is easily the most impressive of this range) and I cut the corner to a snowfield and then a narrowing ridge down to a col. From here I trotted up to a little top, Drochaid, with superb views down to the wild valley of Gleann na Ciche, which leads down to Affric. Indeed I could see across to the big mountains of Affric like Mam Sodhail that I did on a long day two years ago. The descent takes a broad ridge above the deep cwm containing the Gorm Lochan. This was pretty civilised until a steep final section during which I was dehydrating badly having taken my usual lightweight approach. It took ages to get to a stream by which time I wasn't far from the road! After a drink I ignored the old military road in favour of the actual modern road, and trotted down this back to the van for an early finish. This had several advantages: the best of the weather (it did soon cloud over) and more time to replenish my body battery. This I did in the usual way: lots of eating, a river bath in a gorge lower down Glen Shiel, and birdwatching at Loch Cluanie: red-throated diver, goosander, sand martin, sandpiper. 

Brothers of Kintail

Peaks: Am Bathach, Ciste Dhubh, Sgurr an Fhuarail, Aonach Meadhoin, Sgurr a'Bealach Dheirg, Saileag

Area: Kintail, Scotland

Although the 'Brothers' of Kintail are inferior to the more famous neighbouring Five Sisters (which I ran on a pre-breakfast trip in 2012), this was still a grand day out in the hills - made better by the inclusion of Am Bathach and Ciste Dhubh as 'aperitifs'. After waking up with ice on the inside of the window, I drove from Forest Lodge to Fort William for breakfast then continued to Glen Shiel, and into a thick bank of fog! This was annoying after the crystal clarity further south, but I trusted the forecast and (after first dropping my bike off below the Bealach an Lapain) headed up into the mist on Am Bathach. This is a delightful Corbett and an obvious objective from Cluanie Inn - a long ridge and fine peak. A steep start led to the ridge which was a delight, and I soon detected a clearance. Sure enough, at the summit, the mist started to peel away revealing glimpses of the peaks to come and blue skies above. By the time I left the summit and got down to the very broad, boggy Bealach a'Choinich the mist was clearing in earnest and the magic began. Tendrils were left in some valleys but everything soon became crystal washed in searing clarity. First came Ciste Dhubh, up very steep boggy slopes initially, but then giving way to a superb ridge. This was as good as it gets, perfect views across to A'Chralaig and down towards Glen Affric. A contouring path below a little pinnacle led to a narrower finishing ridge to one of Scotland's smaller summits, just a plinth with fantastic views on all sides. After a quick snack I descended comfortably back to the big bealach for a long drink from a stream and lunch. I spied a way across to gain the 'Brothers' although it was obviously going to be a steep, hard climb. I went up a stream valley and this worked quite well, although the ground then became very steep indeed. This led tiringly across to a snowfield and semblance of a vague path. Eventually, and suddenly, I emerged onto the sundrenched summit of Sgurr an Fhuarail, just a top but a wonderful vantage point looking out across the entire North Kintail ridge. This was perhaps the view of the trip, and after a snack I moved across a snowy section to a dip and then climb to the second Munro of the day, Aonach Meadhoin, a large dome and a lesser viewpoint. The ridge continues, absorbing stuff with a few narrow sections, the odd bit of scrambling, up to Sgurr a'Bealach Dheirg. Here, the summit is along a narrow and rocky ridge, a fantastic spot. A huge snowfield lent definition to a great view over to the Saddle. The South Glen Shiel ridge also gave happy memories. The rest of the ridge went easily, although I was tiring a bit, as Saileag is a bit of an afterthought, but still Munro number four of the day. I jogged down to the marked Bealach an Lapain and the horrible descent down this. I had been up here before on my Five Sisters day and it is unpleasantly steep throughout, even worse in descent. I retrieved my bike from the car park and cycled all the way back up Glen Shiel to the van, a nice warm down after a 1900m elevation day.

Stob a'Choire Odhair

Peaks: Stob a'Choire Odhair

Area: Blackmount, Scotland

A period of high pressure but some juggling was required to get this short window for my spring Highlands trip. Eventually I headed up after a 9am lecture, arriving much later than my usual routine and parking near Forest Lodge, Bridge of Orchy. I didn't start until 4.30pm, in absolutely perfect conditions: crisp and wonderfully clear and sunny. I had been here a couple of times before, once rained off as a youth in 1990 or so. And once more recently, running up Stob Ghabar while Kate and the kids had breakfast in Tyndrum. I missed this, Stob Ghabhar's less illustrious neighbour, at the time for reasons of family diplomacy, so it made an ideal short objective today. Actually, it's not all that short, as there is a longish track alongside the Shira first. At Clashgour Hut, the main hill route starts, north up the valley of the Toaig. This is quite civilised and you can move pretty quickly on it. As the walls of the two peaks close in, I took the steep direct route up Odhair. This gains height quickly and eventually a broad plateau is reached with a rocky slog over to the true summit - exactly an hour from the Clashgour Hut. With the sun dropping, I was on the tops later than I usually am and therefore the quality of light was really special. Stob Ghabhar dominates across the col, but the rest of the Blackmount and the big expanse of Rannoch Moor is equally good - it must give the best view of the latter, every ripple of the landscape visible in this light. I made a little loop by trotting down the ridge to the col and then descending the whole of the Toaig back to the hut, Forest Lodge and the van. I took a chilly river bath in the Shira as the sun set then had ravioli before a quiet night in the van with drumming snipe and owls calling.

PitP parkrun

'Race': Park in the past parkrun 

Time/Position: 19.59 (6th from 143)

Another perfunctory jog around the local parkrun, still well down on the times I was running on this course last year. Nice spring weather for the jog across the fields and the laps were a little drier than they have been recently. My worst ever finishing position at this parkrun, although I was even slower than this a month or two ago.

Spring 5

Race: Chester Spring 5

Time/Position: 30.14 (51st from 358 [2nd V55])

One of the long-established local races that I've never won my category on (although I did win the V50 prize three years ago due to its scrupulously fair age-based prize structure). Sadly I didn't win tonight either! Although this was a disappointing performance, a minute slower than my V55 PB set at Holyhead last summer, and almost two minutes down on my course PB, it was actually a perfect illustration of where I am form-wise at present. It was nice to see some old faces and age-group rivals at the start, and I knew I had some stiff competition in the category. In the event, though, I was nearly a minute behind the winner and couldn't hold the pace of Jez or Tom either. I did start pretty fast with a 5.24 first mile - this is too much for me to handle these days and I inevitably paid for it later on. This is now a common pattern: I run the pace I think I should be able to maintain but then start to suffer after 5k. The exact opposite of what I used to pride myself on: solid consistent pacing. An unfortunate effect of the ageing process and perhaps a reason for some kind of semi-retirement from this sort of racing after 1000 or so lifetime races.

Warrington parkrun

'Race': Warrington parkrun

Time/Position: 18.49 (4th from 561)

Despite my Warrington associations I had never done the parkrun before so thought it would make a good shakedown/tester in advance of next week's Spring 5. I haven't done much speedwork or even much running over the past few weeks so anything under 19 minutes seemed a decent target. As such, I was pleased with this over a nice course around narrow tarmac paths from Victoria park just east of the town centre. After a short grassy climb and field we reached the Manchester Ship Canal and the Trans Pennine Trail. I slowed a bit after a quick start but managed to keep the pace ticking over back to Victoria Park: a good half minute slower than the V55 course record though. An Ikea breakfast and shop followed, nice combination.

Braich Ty Ddu mountaineering

Routes: Pinnacle Ridge (VD:led p.2), Ring Ouzel/Unknown (VD:sec p.1,2), Porcupine Ridge (D/3:led p.2+4)

Crags: Craig Braich Ty Ddu, Nant Francon

What started out as a short day ended up being a fairly long one. It was Easter Monday and Ogwen was rammed, I had no interest in anything difficult, and Peter had never done Pinnacle Ridge before so we headed there direct from the A5 after parking lower down Nant Ffrancon. It is actually very easy to approach the route from below, albeit steep: I have done it before, but it was with Tim many, many years ago. The first pitch is very nice, and I enjoyed seconded it although could hardly feel my hands with a cold wind blowing and no sun yet. I led up easy vegetated ground to the ridge line, which then ends far too quickly over the pinnacles. The day was still young, so I suggested continuing up the hard-to-find and rather esoteric Porcupine Ridge which forms the skyline high up on this broken set of crags. I was really tired for the slog up a very steep heather gully, still jet lagged I think, and unused to carrying kit having not climbed for a while. Instead of heading upwards, Peter decided to have a go at the obvious pinnacle, around 100ft high lower down on the left. It is possible this is the line of Ring Ouzel (VD) but it is a very obscure area so possibly not. It gave a rather loose pitch of about VD up broken walls and a vague arete line trending right. After a grassy gap, he led another cleaner pitch up a nice slab to an easy-angled arete trending right to a little overlap which gave a nice move to a clean slab. Interesting and very obscure stuff which certainly felt like a first ascent! We then moved over to the spines of rock which we felt marked the start of Porcupine Ridge. As a youth I do remember finding some scrambling after doing Pinnacle Ridge but I think I would have remembered this as it was something of a revelation! Way better than I'd expected. The ribs of rock lead up to a vegetated section where Peter belayed. I then led up easy ground to a narrow chimney where I belayed. The ridge then becomes really well defined on superb rock, completely unpolished. Peter led up the curving ridge, great hard scrambling, to belay below a giant pinnacle. I led a great easy pitch up big shelves and holds to a platform, then traversed the pinnacle to the right, before making the next narrow flake harder than necessary by traversing it on small footholds left. A perfect belay in a narrow breche, before Peter led the crux left-trending, fairly exposed crack up to a vague arete and good scrambling up to a final ridge. Interesting and absorbing scrambling, closer to an easy rock climb in tone, on the borders of Grade 3/Diff: I certainly wouldn't have been comfortable doing it without a rope. An easy stroll led to the direct descent to Ogwen Cottage in stunning crystal clear weather, perfect visibility over Ogwen to Tryfan. Back down Nant Francon to the car after a very enjoyable and unexpected mountaineering day.

Cerro La Asuncion/Quebrada trail

Peaks: Cerro La Asuncion (3335m)

Area: Cordillera de Talamanca, Costa Rica 

Despite the altitude, this is just a short scramble from the top of the famous Cerro de la Muerte (peak of death) road. The road is now metalled and civilised, and we had intended to arrive much earlier to take advantage of the clear morning weather. However, we were delayed by three hours by a roadblock which prevented us leaving the Savegre valley (due to a lorry that had driven into a ditch, we think). So we enacted 'plan b', heading back down to the bottom of the valley and doing the Quebrada trail from the upscale Savegre hotel. This climbed steeply up a track, where I had a close encounter with a coyote, and led to a stunning viewpoint over the cloudforests of the lower valley. From here, a side path marks the start of the Quebrada ('ravine') route through more pristine forest down to a tight lower valley before contouring the hillside back to the track. After this very rewarding unexpected delay, the road reopened and we managed the very steep drive back out and up to the top of the pass. From here, I scampered up Asuncion in a matter of minutes and was still in time for views, although the cloud was building in characteristic fashion. The altitude did make it a tad harder than it would normally have been, and it was steep in places. Great views across to Chirippo and some of the way down the Pacific side. This is where we then headed, via a giant descent to another roadblock in roasting San Isidro (but that is another story!). At Hacienda Baru, the temperature had climbed to a draining 38C, quite a challenge after a 5C morning watching more quetzals in San Gerardo de Dota!

Rio Savegre

The valley of the Rio Savegre is close to paradise on earth, a cliche admittedly, but one that seemed apt as we began the steep descent after driving from Alajuela at the start of our Costa Rica soujourn. In Panama eight years ago, I failed to find a resplendent quetzal, one of those birds I have always wanted to see. This morning, however, we located one just above the wooden hut we were staying in: a truly memorable experience after hearing it calling in the pristine cloud forest. That habitat characterises the entire valley. After the quetzal, I embarked on a downhill jog to the end of the valley, seeing another male quetzal en route. At the bottom, a track goes alongside the river and leads to a loop around dense cloud forest. A little side path leads to a stunning waterfall surrounded by dense vegetation. After this, I eventually rejoined the tarmac road which then climbs, steeply and tiringly (1000ft elevation on this route), back to our hut at Casa Monge.

Hoylake BL

Race: Hoylake 7.5k (Border League race 5)

Time/Position: 27.51 (63rd from 363 [1st V55])

A somewhat predictable outing on the same course as that used two years ago. This all 'went to form' in the sense that I was well down the field again, but retained my 100% category winning record for the season. Two years ago I went out too hard on this course and faded at the end, so I dialled it back this time and enjoyed the easterly leg out towards the gravel path that leads to Leasowe lighthouse. This meant I had some energy left for the return and worked well with a couple of other runners to maintain my (lowly!) position. I have a 121 point lead now in the category, so my 4th ever season win is now guaranteed regardless of the final race - which seems in doubt anyway.

Yr Aran from Craflwyn

Peaks: Yr Aran

Area: Yr Wyddfa, Eryri

There was ice on the inside of the van window when I woke, so although I slept for almost 10 hours I kept briefly waking with a cold nose, as you do in these circumstances. I parked up at Craflwyn as the sun rose, absolutely beautiful with views of Hebog framed by early spring blossom. Good laid out paths lead upwards in civilised fashion until the inevitable happens and you have to plough up the trackless hillside. I knew this would happen but was curious about this side of Yr Aran, very obscure and untravelled. It was pretty horrible, and it was hard work fighting through heather and bog to get to a shallow cwm between Craig Wen and Yr Aran. I made my way to the obvious col, at which you join a narrow path. This leads very pleasantly up the nicely defined west ridge to the summit, which I had to myself at 8.30am. One of the best views of Yr Wyddfa, and after a rest I jogged down the steep nose towards the Watkin Path which I reached via the very steep mining incline I remember taking last time I was here. Through the woods to Nant Gwynant, and then along the perfect path that leads along the far side of Llyn Dinas: stunning in the morning light, another wonderful early spring day, always my favourite time of year.

Tryfan West Face

Peaks: Tryfan

Area: Glyderau

Lectures finished in the early afternoon and the forecast was glorious, so I headed off for a van nanobreak parking up in Ogwen just before 3pm. This gave sufficient time to plough up to the perfectly sunlit west face, Tryfan's 'Yin' side, which gives a range of interesting and relaxed scrambles with a mountaineering flavour. I have done most, if not all, of them over the years so headed up to Y Gully, probably the furthest from the road! But the very steep slog up isn't too bad if you take the right approach and pack light. Last time I did this combo I was heading to a wild camp near Caseg Fraith but today I carried almost nothing. The sun lit the face to perfection as I took the left edge of the gully up sharp holds to avoid the first big chockstone: this is slabby and enjoyable, and leads back into the gully. At the next blockage, I messed around in the damp gully before moving left on big holds then finishing up slabs in the gully itself. From here you can pick your way up the rocky upper section to join the North Ridge near the tower. After a break on top enjoying slightly hazy views and warm early spring sunshine, I trotted down to Bochlwyd and then a quick bath in Llyn Ogwen before eating my pasta salad in Mymbyr before a peaceful but very cold van night in Sygun.

PitP parkrun

'Race': Park in the Past parkrun

Time/Position: 20.13 (2nd from 89)

Another very muddy and slow edition of my local parkrun, a full two minutes down on my course pb recorded last summer. I wore a pair of old road shoes this morning so was slipping around a lot - I knew this would happen but my achilles precludes the wearing of fell shoes so I had no choice! Lovely weather, so the jog across the wet fields to the start was delightful. I felt better than I have recently, despite the slow conditions, and this continued next day when I did a time trial to the trig on Waun y Llyn from my front door, taking the most direct route across the wet fields and Fagl lane again. Exactly 27 minutes to the trig, after which I descended the very steep Porch Lane to Caergwrle and home via Rhyddyn Hill.

Newborough Forest parkrun

'Race': Newborough Forest parkrun

Time/Position: 19.19 (4th from 157)

This must be one of the most beautiful and satisfying parkruns in Britain, because it starts from the stunning Traeth Llanddwyn. Then, although it mostly stays within the forest, it takes a single lap on firetracks and sand. The start was tough, gently uphill with views of the island through the trees, to a steep, rooty dune (hard work) and then a long gentle climb to a highpoint. From here, it is a 2k blast through the trees. It was a beautiful morning, crystal clear with the novelty of frozen beach sand initially, and fantastic views across to the Nantlle ridge and Yr Eifl. M enjoyed it too, and it didn't take us long to get back to Henllys for breakfast and a swim.

Tour de Mynydd Mawr

Peaks: Foel Rudd, Mynydd Mawr, Craig Cwmbychan

Area: Nantlle, Eryri

Some highly obscure corners of the national park here, particularly on a deliberately long and winding descent past the very steep crag of Castell Cidwm. I set off from the Snowdon Ranger car park, nice to relive October's Eryri marathon, then jogged along to the end of Llyn Cwellyn before embarking on the long climb through the forest. I suspect I last did this with little dog Judy in the 1990s - I remember her having an unhealthy obsession with the crags of Craig y Bera! There are multiple footpaths heading upwards and I tried to take the logical line but still found myself crawling through overgrown woodland at one point. Eventually I reached the open hill below the steep climb up Foel Rudd, enlivened by a brief but superb sunburst over Rhyd Ddu to Yr Aran, with Y Garn (Nantlle) emerging from the mist on the right. The route heads up very steeply to Rudd, and then the familiar ridge to the main summit. This is excellent, and also taken by the Fron Four race which I've done a couple of times. Great views down to Craig y Bere on the left (I have done Sentries Ridge and Angel Pavement here, both memorable). It was quite windy and cold, with a little snow on the summit, so I didn't hang around but jogged down the spur north-east to great views directly down to Llyn Cwellyn. This spur (Craig Cwmbychan) is very obvious from the road, as is the shallow gully above Cwm Planwydd that I then took down to Castell Cidwm. This is extremely steep, with a tiny path some help, and plummets down to a small waterfall of the Afon Goch below the famously steep crag of Cidwm (I have never climbed here, too hard for me). An unbridged river blocks progress round the west side of Cwellyn so instead I had to jog along the muddy lake banks (track) all the way back to the far end of the lake.

Birkenhead BL

Race: Birkenhead Park Variant (Border League race 4)

Time/Position: 29.09 (79th from 391 [1st V55])

Although I didn't feel great today, unable to hold any kind of pace after a decent first lap, I did at least maintain my 100% category winning record in this season's border league. I set off with clubmates who I should have been able to work with, but could only hold the pace for one lap. It wasn't the usual Birkenhead Park course, but was instead a slightly shorter version with three laps using different paths to the normal fixture. My heel problems are still compromising training and that is really starting to tell now: as I'm only running 20 miles or so each week it is becoming difficult to maintain any kind of edge. The second lap was tough, and I consciously slowed for it before trying to up the pace again towards the end. Another very lowly finish, nowhere near counting for the team, but I now have a substantial 102 point gap on second place in the V55 category.

Mow Cop TT

Not a race, but I include it as I treated the famous 'Killer Mile' up to Mow Cop as a bit of a time trial, something I have been wanting to do for a while. It is a long-established race too, going back to the early 80s, but we just incorporated it into a day trip instead. I had cycled it before, on the Cheshire Cat sportive way back in 2011 - you got a medal if you stayed upright on the bike, and I did! By comparison, running is probably slightly easier: whether on bike or foot it is a classic test, reminiscent of a Flemish monument climb (550ft height gain in less than a mile). We parked in Scholar Green and I ran along the lanes towards Station Road and the level crossing where the Killer starts, the Mow Cop castle starkly obvious high above. From here, the road kicks up brutally but remains runnable until it rounds a corner then gets a little steeper again. The final section is dead straight, right up the hillside with houses on both sides, and it gets ridiculously steep at the top - supposedly 25%. It emerges on the High Street directly under the castle. I managed it in a fairly pedestrian 9.49, which was good enough for first 55-65 year old on the Strava segment, to my surprise. I jogged to the castle, then continued a five mile loop down Woodcock Lane past Doreen and Tom's house with immense views over Cheshire, all of which bought back lots of memories for me. Through Mount Pleasant and the Bank, wonderful gently descending running throughout, and back down to Scholar Green in 40 minutes.

Prestatyn parkrun

'Race': Prestatyn parkrun

Time/Position: 19.04 (3rd from 207)

Conditions were surprisingly good this morning, with fairly light westerlies not having too much impact on the outward leg. My time was good enough for another V55 course record, my 7th since turning 55, although I may already have lost one of the others! More importantly, I felt better than I have done recently, and I wasn't too far off my best times for the course. The short section through the dunes does have a negative impact on times, as does the amount of sand on the course, but the return easterly leg went well, churning over a decent pace and not losing too much time after the turn. 

Oswestry XC

Race: Oswestry 5m+ (NWXC League race 5)

Time/Position: 36.45 (42nd from 103 [1st V55])

It has been a very unusual cross country season, from the opening round meltdown at Llanerch Hall (which saw me torn between retiring and walking) through to the final three races in which I won my category. After almost failing to finish the first fixture, I didn't even do the second race at Colwyn Bay, thereby only really starting the season in Bala, early December. All of this meant that I was tied with Irfon from Cybi Striders going into this, the final race, over the familiar Oswestry course. For better or worse, this meant that we were competing head-to-head in the last race, mildly exciting with the usual friendly competition. It has always been a tough course, although as I remember it used to be even harder, using more of the field closer to the school. After loads of recent rain, the course was very boggy in the usual places. I went past Irfon on the second small lap and then managed to open a bit of a gap down to the bottom field which has a horrible climb back out (which I have always hated, even when I could run properly up hills). After this, two thigh-deep bogs lead to the drier section back towards the school. It is hard to bridge gaps in cross country, particularly on a course like this, but I still found myself passed by three of the student team runners right at the end! I maintained the same plodding pace of the last three fixtures, but scored fourth for Buckley and did enough to win my category this season. Only the second time I have ever won my category in a cross country season, and the first time was the V50 prize immediately post-Covid. Buckley finished 2nd in Division 1, which equals our best ever finish in the league, not bad considering how few runners we had at the last two fixtures. A nice prize giving at the Marches School, with tea, rolls and cake.

Ceiriog valley loop

A delightful ten mile outing through the obscure hills to the north of Dyffryn Ceiriog. I have done the Ceiriog Canter (up Vivod) from Glyn Ceiriog before, but this morning I took the extremely steep lane of Ty'n y Cestyll to emerge on the Nantyr road. This is a very nice lane between the Berwyn ridge on the right, and the Ceiriog valley below, and it leads to a sharp turn to an obvious bridleway marked Whitestones on the OS map. This is steep in places, effectively a pass between Bryn Du and Tomen y Gwyddel, very rough underfoot and sadly used by off-road motorbikes, several of which roared past as I ran. It leads all the way down to Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, where I had a 30 second glimpse of an unfamiliar orange orb in the sky. After 600m of elevation over the tops, I then really enjoyed the long valley run back to Glyn Ceiriog via Tregeiriog and Pandy.

Flint Castle parkrun

'Race': Flint Castle parkrun

Time/Position: 19.06 (4th from 349)

Another new event, only in its 5th or 6th week, but a very pleasant course along the coastal path heading west from the castle. I had run a lot of this before: despite the proximity of industry, it is very tranquil with views over the Dee estuary across to the Wirral side. There were some big puddles on the route, and a little sand, but generally conditions were good - cloudy, cool and calm. I had a steady outing, struggling to get any kind of speed up, but I was first age graded and took another V55 category course record, not overly impressive given how new the event is! I currently hold parkrun age group course records at: PitP, Rhos on Sea, Greenfield, Ruthin and Flint. Not really in the spirit of the friendly 'timed run', but it does give something to aim for!

Thurstaston BL

Race: Thurstaston 5m (Border League race 3)

Time/Position: 30.25 (90th from 399 [1st V55])

The second part of this weekend's double header, made particularly trying after a busy and tiring Saturday night. It was the reverse of the route we did from Thurstaston two years ago, meaning it started with the long climb from the country park up Station Road to the main Heswall road. Given my condition, I knew I had to take this steady and did so, with the usual hyper-competitive Borders field streaking up the road ahead of me. My legs felt reasonable but it was a more general fatigue that afflicted me this morning. The main road towards Heswall is gently inclining and I stuck with Andy and Rob, similarly paced as we were yesterday. We did pick up a few places, and this continued on the fell race style steep descent down Oldfield Drive, which is badly potholed, the Dee estuary stretching out in front and a little sunshine playing around. There just remained the little matter of the finish along the endless Wirral Way. This is dead straight and mentally tough - it is also the finish to the summer Wirral multi-terrain race, so I have done it eyeballs out in the past. One of my worst ever finishing positions in the league, but not too bad in the circumstances and it did maintain my 100% age category winning record this season - I have an 82 point lead on second place, with Buckley second team overall. If I have counted correctly, this was my 97th border league race.

Shrewsbury XC

Race: Leaton Forest 5m (North Wales XC league, race 4)

Time/Position: 33.45 (42nd from 101 [1st V55])

A double race weekend, always a demanding undertaking but made more so this weekend for a variety of reasons (my age being one!). As luck would have it, this was a relatively civilised (new) course by cross country standards, despite its location right next to the River Severn. It was flat with a few muddy sections, but not as draining as it might have been - I rather enjoyed it. Tomorrow's border league fixture had to be my priority so the idea here was to run at 80% effort and keep a steady pace ticking over. My age group rival Irfon took off at quite a pace on the first short lap so I ended off starting faster than I'd intended to, but eventually the pace steadied and the two short laps gave way to two longer ones, all along the banks of the Severn. As with numerous other recent events, my pace was steady but not remotely fast, and I was still ready for the finish when it came. First V55 in this, and the last fixture at Bala, making me really regret my tribulations at the first fixture in St Asaph, which will obviously adversely affect my overall standing in the age category. As a team, we are now in second, which is pretty good as we only had six male runners here.

PitP parkrun

'Race': Park in the Past parkrun

Time/Position: 20.59 (4th from 103)

Ruining all my stats for my local parkrun here with a muddy outing in old fell shoes. Hardly in the spirit of the 'timed run' event, but slightly annoying nonetheless, especially given the enormous magnitude of this personal worst! I was almost three minutes slower than my 18.14 course PB, which is pretty staggering despite the mud. That said, I really enjoyed the jog from home across the fields (surprisingly dry, much easier than in summer) and I still like the course a lot. It felt a bit like a cross-country race today, and I was quite tired for the jog home back across the fields, which makes it into a pleasant 10k outing.

Helsby half

Race: Four Villages Half Marathon (Helsby)

Time/Position: 1.25.00 (141 from 1686)

This may well be the last half marathon I ever run. It was very nearly seven minutes down on my course PB, and slightly slower even than my plodding Jubilee Bridge time from June. I ran my first half just before my 13th birthday in 1983 and have long since lost count of how many I've done, but suspect it must be around 50 if not more. But although I didn't really suffer too badly here, I also knew I couldn't increase the pace. Part of that was due to a lack of specific training, and that was itself partly due to my continuing heel (and ankle) injuries. It's a shame that I haven't recorded a decent V55 half time to match my times at other distances, but there we go. I started with Gerard, and we paced each other pretty well in good conditions - wet and quite cold with no wind to speak of. I first did this race 20 years ago and think I've done it six times in total: the route has changed a bit over the years but the basic route around Dunham and Manley remains the same, and it is one of the last remaining old style (non-commercial/club-run) local half marathons. As soon as we hit the hills at nine miles, Gerard pulled ahead and I just put my head down and ground it out, knowing I would lose time and places. This race famously finishes with two miles of largely downhill running, but even this didn't go to plan and I struggled to pick up the pace. A little over three years ago I ran 1.18.04 as a 52 year old at the Vyrnwy half, so I'm not sure age is entirely to blame for the rapidity of this decline.

The Horse

Race: The Horse fell race

Time/Position: 1.11 (1st team from 58)

This really enjoyable night-time event round the Cilcain Skyline is now a regular fixture, despite being only three years old. It's the first time I've done it in a 'clockwise year' and also the first time our team has finished first, rather than second as previously (by time that is, there is also a slightly opaque handicap system!). I ran with Jez and Tom this year, both quicker than me on the hills so was in the unenviable position of anticipating a beasting, at least on the way up. It is an easier and better circuit clockwise, however, so while I did lose a fair bit of time to them on the very familiar climb up Famau on the Collie route, I was then able to make it up a little on the flat. It was wet and muddy underfoot after several inches of recent snowmelt, but not quite as bad as I'd expected (three years ago it was run in memorable snowy conditions). We took the contouring path on the way off Famau, avoiding OD and most of the flickering headtorches from rival teams, and this went very well and quickly down to the col despite the mud. The rest of the ridge to Moel is y Coed was tough, me falling behind on every climb, but then comes the grassy direct descent towards the Nannerch bridleway and I had enough energy to push the pace a bit here, which was fortunate. A pint in the very crowded White Horse to finish.

Pen Llithrig

Peaks: Pen Llithrig y Wrach

Area: Carneddau, Eryri

A memorable outing, breaking trail through deep, unconsolidated snow under a blue sky. It was a route forced on us by our late arrival after the parkrun, meaning we couldn't find anywhere to park to do something ridgy and sporty in Ogwen, so had to start in Capel, which was a shame although not remotely surprising. I didn't want to go up Gallt yr Ogof, as we did the lengthy slog up this just before Christmas. Siabod didn't inspire, so Peter and I headed off to Pen Llithrig which was a perfect gleaming white pyramid from Capel. We had this to ourselves but this had the (anticipated and inevitable) effect of meaning we had to break trail from half way up after following two sets of footprints initially. These disappeared where the hill steepens, rendering the rest like a remote Himalayan ascent! The snow was deep and untravelled: I have done this kind of thing before, and it is notoriously exhausting. We moved towards one of the vague ribs on this side, hoping for shallower cover, and this was interesting for a bit. We also had some windblown solid neve at times, which was glorious relief from the sometimes thigh or waist-deep trudging. But we worked well as a team and eventually gained the summit after a unprecedentedly slow ascent! Stunning views from one of the park's best viewpoints. The unusual volume of snow made everything really exceptional, very fortunate after the spectacular festive outings: the last three outings have all given some of the best Welsh mountain views I have had in 40 years, an incredible sequence really. Llewellyn looked stunning, as did Tryfan, plastered in snow. We ate lunch in the sunshine, although the wind was keen. The descent was far easier, although with little real glissading, meaning we had time for a recovery pint in the Albion.

Y Promenad parkrun

'Race': Y Promenad parkrun (Rhos on Sea)

Time/Position: 18.44 (4th from 428)

A pink sunrise with tendrils of mist across the bay as we arrived in Rhos on Sea. This parkrun is only a couple of months old, but I opted for it ahead of the XC championships today for a few reasons, the most important being the winter conditions in Eryri, which I wanted to combine it with. Peter agreed, and we set off as part of a huge field (some other events were cancelled due to ice, it was -1 even in Rhos on Sea!). I couldn't get going, despite brand new shoes, and really felt the cold air in my lungs. The route heads towards Old Colwyn, rather like Twin Piers, then returns via a rather unfortunate extra loop which rather spoils the flow. It also gets very crowded with runners on various stages, just as well it is a timed run, not a race! I felt a little better towards the end, but all in all this was a disappointing performance, at least half a minute slower than I had intended to run. It was enough for another age group course record, but as the event is in its infancy I doubt it will last long. Peter and I then drove up to Ogwen looking for parking places.

Sliema-Valletta

A mini-break in Malta, and an attempt at a tempo 10 miler in advance of the Four Villages half. As such, it went reasonably well although I did struggle with a fairly early start from our hotel in Sliema. The weather was more or less perfect, sunny and warm but not humid. I hugged the coastline along the bays to Gzira and Manoel Island. From here, another little inlet beyond Ta'Xbiex and then it was up surprisingly steep streets to Valletta, which occupies a high fortress position on its own peninsula. I ran straight through the pedestrianised centre, then east to the Grand Harbour, where I took some pictures of the sun rising above the Sleeping Soldier monument. Wonderful views across to the Three Cities and over Valletta itself, looking like a cross between Tunis and Palermo, as you might expect. This was urban running at its best and I wove my way through narrow streets to regain the hill down to Ta'Xbiex and back to Sliema in around 70 minutes for 10 miles, as planned.