Foel Goch

Peaks: Foel Goch/Nameless Peak
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
Having watched the sun setting at 10pm last night, I thought it would be nice to see it rise. This, for me, is the key to a good midsummer camp: uninterrupted views to the east and west. To combine that with a bit of shelter from the wind, and proximal running water, is unusual - which is why this site has been on my mind for some time. It was a very peaceful night, with light breezes gently rustling the tent and only the distant trickle of a stream. I was woken by a very early skylark, a delightful way to rise, so had a cup of coffee in my sleeping bag before running to the nearby summit of Foel Goch to watch the sun rise, dark red, above Llyn Cowlyd and Pen Llithrig y Wrach: memorable, and still well before 5am. Amazing clarity of light for distant views over the Irish Sea and Lancashire coast. I jogged down and sat on a natural rock chair to watch the early sun illuminate the east face of Tryfan as a raven cronked, as if greeting the first rays. After packing up, I ran straight down Bwlch Tryfan and Ogwen back to the car, where I had some porridge before doing a couple of climbs.

Glyderau scramble and wildcamp

Peaks: Tryfan
Routes: Y Gully (M:sol), Noodle Groove (D:sol)
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
A magical overnight trip in perfect conditions, started late on a Sunday afternoon with all of Ogwen to myself. After a father's day lunch, I didn't set off until almost 5pm, heading straight up towards the upper end of the West Face of Tryfan with temperatures in the high 20s and not a cloud in the sky. I am gradually ticking off the routes on the West Face, none of which will ever be popular, but by judicious combinations the scrambling is almost as continuous as it is on the vastly more popular East. I'm not sure I'd ever bother coming here with a partner, but on a solo day its relaxed and exploratory vibe is perfect. I had full overnight kit, tent and stove, so needed to select my route carefully: I went for Y Gully, a very obvious line visible from most of Ogwen. The long and gentle stream bed/shallow gully leads directly into this line, which is characterised by three large chockstones. These look innocuous from below, but are slightly problematic, and the route is far better and more enjoyable than I'd expected. Good scrambling up clean rock leads to a runnel leading left over the second chockstone, then excellent and surprisingly steep rock, festooned with jugs, on the left of the third obstacle leads to a clean rib. I picked my way satisfyingly up the rest of the face to the North Tower, taking a line parallel to Notch Arete (another fine mountaineering route, done with John B a few years ago). By weaving around, this is rock the whole way up. Wonderful views from a deserted Tryfan summit: the clarity of light was, if anything, even better than from Arenig Fawr yesterday. I jogged down the South Ridge to Bwlch Tryfan, then along the contouring line which I'd used to good effect on the Rab Mountain Marathon, to reach my chosen campsite by Llyn Caseg Fraith. I have had this filed away for years as an ideal camping location, and it was nice to finally sample it: a superb spot and a truly magical campsite in this weather. Virtually no wind, cloudless skies, and as near to the midsummer solstice as to make no difference. The only real issue is that it is a rather boggy area, but I pitched on a raised platform - completely dry - then had a pleasant evening meal before doing some bouldering on the obvious juggy crag below the lake on the Ogwen side, complete with a perfect 'Diff' groove up the centre (which I christened Noodle Groove - because that's what I'd just eaten). A wonderful few hours passed, as the light changed constantly and the sun dropped between Tryfan and Bristly Ridge, just as I had hoped it would. Nobody was around, just the odd skylark and raven for company. After the sun dropped, the sky turned purple and, eventually, I turned in to read the 'review'.

Arenig walk

Peaks: Arenig Fawr
Area: Arenig, Eryri
The first time for many years that Kate and I have been hillwalking as a couple. As such, it felt like the bittersweet beginning of a new era (although perhaps the children will finally come round to it one day!). After this morning's Parkrun, the day developed into a glorious midsummer afternoon. We headed up the track via Llyn Arenig Fawr, the bothy and the ridge, with a perfect cooling breeze to keep it comfortable. Superb clarity of light, with views to Cader Idris and Plynlimon, as well as Central Snowdonia, from the summit. After a relaxed lunch on the top, we headed down the fence line to the quarry but skirted the steep gully after both Kate's soles came off her boots (an indication of the length of the hillwalking gap!). I ran back to collect the car.

Chester Parkrun

"Race": Chester Parkrun (5k)
Time/Position: 17.58 (2nd from 247 [1st V45])
The ultimate contrast with Ennerdale this time last week. The hottest day of the year and a flat, fast 5k. I haven't done any speedwork for several months, so expected to struggle, and did. The heat didn't help much, but at least the suffering is short lived and it is, after all, only a 'timed run'! My last Parkrun here was in torrential rain on April Fool's day, and the elements were against us again today but in a very different way: the heat was already building - well into the mid 20s - as we set off as usual at 9am. Elliot from Buckley took the lead, and I tried to stay with him as long as I could. He finished a few seconds ahead, and I struggled a bit over the cross-country section on the second lap. A valuable speed session, however, and a Parkrun PB (by 3 seconds) for me: although still over a minute slower than my 5k PB!

Ennerdale Horseshoe

Race: Ennerdale Horseshoe fell race (37k/8000ft/AL)
Time/Position: 6.13 (27th from 50)
Peaks: Great Borne (616m), Red Pike (755m), Green Gable (801m), Kirk Fell (802m), Pillar (892m), Scoat Fell (802m), Haycock (797m), Caw Fell (690m), Iron Crag (640m), Crag Fell (523m)
Almost a carbon copy of last year's Wasdale Horseshoe, in that we arrived in calm conditions on Friday afternoon, awaiting an accurately forecast unseasonal depression that arrived in good time for the notoriously arduous race. As a result, the event just became a survival mode plod, one of many I have participated in over many years (I don't really feel an urgent need to add more to the list!). This always makes for a memorable and enjoyable experience, and it was particularly so this year as all four of us did the majority of the horseshoe together and crossed the finish line at the same time. Waves lapped the shores of Ennerdale as we set off in high winds and driving rain. The initial climb up Herdus steepens continually and is very sharp at the top: from here, easier ground leads to the rockier summit of Great Borne, by now completely exposed to the full force of the wind. This remained an arduous headwind most of the way up Red Pike. I knew the rest of this ridge to an extent, but always lack the in-depth knowledge I have in Snowdonia. Indeed, I lost my nerve when following the racing line below High Stile on the Ennerdale side in thick mist, driving rain and a headwind, and myself and Jez climbed back onto the ridge through tricky scree: we did skirt the summits successfully though, avoiding both High Stile and High Crag to emerge on the scree run leading down to Scarth Gap along paths that were now torrents of running water. Despite missing the summits, and getting a good skirting line round the confusing and lumpy terrain of Haystacks, we still lost time over this section. From Scarth Gap, contouring leads to a steep climb up a fence line to emerge at Innominate Tarn - bleak rather than scenic in this weather - then down across a deep river crossing to the Blackbeck Tarn checkpoint. I was last here during the Rab in 2014, shirt off in glorious September sunshine! The next leg, to Green Gable, struck me as being the trickiest navigation on the route, so it was quite pleasing to get it more or less bang on. We caught up with Andy and Hayley (they had taken a better line over High Stile) then contoured round below some crags to pick up Moses Trod and hit the col below Green Gable without losing or gaining any height (I now had map and compass out the whole time). The weather remained appalling, but I had a bite to eat and began to feel more optimistic about our prospects as we descended from Green Gable and went our separate ways again. Jez and I dropped down to Windy Gap and traversed Great Gable to the north before taking a very direct (probably too direct) line right up the front of Kirk Fell. This was too far north up very steep mobile scree and small crags but still brought us out at the plateau and double summit of Kirk Fell - rather confusing in the mist (and possibly only the second time I've ever been up Kirk Fell) although the rain was at last beginning to get slightly lighter. The wind was at its worst, however, almost identical to the Wasdale race last year as we descended the very steep and rocky north-west ridge to Black Sail Pass. Wet rock and high winds made this tricky and demanded care. The climb up Pillar from here is very long, but was quite enjoyable, and not too windy until we approached the summit. We had gathered a few more runners around us, depending and Andy and I for the navigation for one last tricky section south-west from Pillar to Wind Gap then, staying cautious over the summit of Scoat Fell to finally pick up the wall leading to Haycock. Finally, it was possible to relax a bit although the run-in is very long, over Haycock, Caw Fell and Iron Crag: still misty, although the rain was beginning to ease and the terrain is kind underfoot, grassy, and this is the real difference with Wasdale, which obviously climaxes on Scafell Pike. So, although Ennerdale is longer, indeed the longest traditional fell race in the UK, it is probably true to say that it is a tad easier than Wasdale. The forest below the final low summit, Crag Fell, has now been cleared so the ascent route was a tad confusing initially: we took the obvious small path and dibbed the final checkpoint before the final, indirect descent back to the Scout Hut. The weather, ironically enough, began to clear (although we were much lower by now) and we finally got a view of Ennerdale! A series of waterfalls led to a section through conifers, then a meeting with Jos Naylor, before the final run to the finish line, which we crossed together. Lots of drop-outs and non-starters: another memorable outing.

Pontesford climbing

Crag: Pontesford Rocks (Shropshire)
Routes: Oak Tree Wall Direct (HVD:led), Finale Groove (VS 4a,4b:sec), The Notch (S:sec), Wall End Climb (VD:led), West Crack (M:solo), Right-Hand Route (VD:led), Awaken (VS 5a:sec), Wall End Slab Direct p.2 (S:led)
With rain scheduled to sweep in from the west, a change to the usual routine was in order: so we headed east, to Shropshire, well away from normal stamping grounds but only an hour's drive for me. I know the Shropshire hills quite well for running, having done most of the classic fell races, but the majority of these are centred on Church Stretton. Pontesford sits above an even more tranquil valley, and is a truly delightful location. The climbing is not the best, perhaps, but the routes are pleasant enough and the aspect is worth the trip on its own. After a lot of recent rain, the valley below Earl's Hill was verdant and the skies were blue and the air crisp, with great clarity for the distant views to the Wrekin, Caer Caradoc and the Stiperstones. I set off up Oak Tree Wall for an aperitif, taking the main sweep of slabby rock (igneous - a rather smooth version of Welsh granite, running to flat holds and generally easy-angled). A tricky start over an overlap led to big flat holds then a rising traverse left to avoid the big ledge and keep the route continuous. We then adopted an interchangeable approach to routes further right. Vic led the first pitch of Finale Groove, which is a one move wonder from an inset slab over an edge to gain a bigger, easy slab. We were both initially baffled by the upper groove, so finished up The Notch, a slight thrutch with an unusual use of the posterior facilitating progress. Back at the bottom of the same slab, I led up Wall End Climb before Vic finished up Finale Groove, coming in from the right this time. A satisfying technical move with careful footwork gains the groove before an easier direct finish. I nipped up West Crack (which we'd descended the scrambling version of) before leading Right-Hand Route. Despite its simplicity, this was the best route on the crag in my view: a good long pitch straight up the cleanest and most attractive part of the face. Never remotely difficult, but a fine consistent route at the grade and very enjoyable. We finished with another one-move wonder further right: a 5a rockover to gain the Wall End Slab again. I finished up the obvious ridge, to complete the three variations possible from the big stance. It started to spit with rain as we descended: unconventional venue choice vindicated.

Monadhliath jog

Peaks: Meall na h-Uinneig (745m)
Area: Monadhliath, Central Highlands
A short jog into the hills above our cottage in Laggan before our journey home. We had all enjoyed numerous walks directly from the cottage door as it was a working Highland farm, and I'd tried to locate an obscure crag (Creagan Solleir) on Thursday. I left at 6am in muted morning light: light blue sky above, and numerous curlews bubbling. Snipe, ring ouzel and peregrine (nesting on Solleir) completed the scene. A short track led to the spur which leads NE to the 'summit' of Meall na h-Uinneig, really just a highpoint on a long broad ridge leading down from the higher Monadhliath peaks.

Kingussie climbing

Crag: Kingussie, Badenoch, Central Highlands
Routes: Little Wall Direct (VD:sol), Finale (VD:sol), Classic Crack (D:sol)
On the way back from a family trip to Loch Garten, I had an hour spare in Kingussie for complex logistical reasons, so jogged up to the crag I'd visited on Tuesday. I did some bouldering and took in a few routes I'd missed last time. The main task was to find the side wall of the lower tier, which contains a classic easy romp up an obvious slabby crack. I eventually found it, nicely positioned above the valley, and scampered up the route: very simple, but delightful, and reminiscent of Ordinary Route on Idwal Slabs. I jogged back to meet K and E, and we enjoyed a pleasant walk round Kingussie's own miniature stream valley, and a walk through the woods, before fish and chips completed another excellent week in the Highlands.

Monadhliath run

Peaks: A'Chailleach (930m), Carn Sgulain (920m)
Area: Monadhliath, Central Highlands
An underrated range of hills that grabbed my attention from the top of Creag Dubh on Monday. Apart from the three Munros, the range is virtually deserted: in fact, it must be the wildest (or least trodden) stretch of land in the UK as it goes on for 30km or more towards Loch Ness. It is featureless beyond these hills above Newtonmore, but they have some unexpected little corners and are well worth exploring. It all made for a great little pre-breakfast run. I parked at the top of Glen Banchor, where we had all enjoyed the climax of the Wildcat trail yesterday. This valley is very beautiful: verdant and tranquil, and a considerable contrast with the wild atmosphere of the Monadhliath mountains immediately west. A good track meant that the running was easy and progress was quick up the obvious valley of the Allt a'Chaorainn. The first peak of A'Chailleach is a notable objective from Newtonmore, and a surprisingly shapely hill at close quarters too. I crossed the river and headed for the very lonely stalker's bothy high on the hillside of An Leitir before continuing to the broad upper ridge. All this was very runnable, still unusually dry underfoot. Unsurprisingly, I had the peak to myself - around 55 minutes from the car - and it seemed I had found a bit of a weather window in the sense that the high Cairngorms were clagged in, as were the other nearby Munros like Creag Meagaidh. But the Monadhliath were essentially clear, with cloud peeling away from Carn Dearg and others. There is a powerful sense of remoteness to this range, which I really liked. I always say I have no interest in Munro-bagging, because too many of them are uninteresting puddings, but I don't think it's fair to put the Monadhliath in this category. I ran north on superb springy turf, really fast, dropping into the hidden valley of the Allt Cull na Chailleach. This is surprisingly steep and tight, and a climb out of the far side leads to the genuinely dull Munro of Carn Sgulain, which really is one of the 'puddings' and almost devoid of distinguishing features. It does, however, allow for views over the real wilderness of the northern Monadhliath, very rarely visited. I dropped back to the valley, several pretty waterfalls and a real sense of discovery, picking my way satisfyingly through the crags to regain the main Chaorainn valley right at the top. A golden eagle spiralled on the thermals above Am Bodach. Fast running led back to the car, and the ten minute drive back to the cottage in time for breakfast and a day at Loch Garten.

Cairngorm traverse

Peaks: Cairn Gorm (1245m), Ben Macdui (1309m), Braeriach (1296m)
Area: Cairngorms, Scotland
Three of the UK's biggest peaks before 11am with the entire range to myself: a memorable outing. The Cairngorms 4000s is a fairly demanding loop with a frightful height loss into the Lairig Ghru, even when a running approach is taken. My time was as limited as ever but I started from the top car park of Coire Cas at 6am and ploughed directly up the side of the hideous funicular railway to save time and energy. Arguably the ugliest mountain in the UK, ruined by ski machinery and the like, Cairn Gorm does at least have excellent views over the range when you finally emerge at its unspoiled summit dome. Two snow buntings cheered the scene considerably, as did the big views across to distant Braeriach. It was well before 7am, and bitterly cold in a strong northerly wind. This gradually dissipated during the morning, however, and the cloudbase remained high with some milky sunshine at times. From Cairn Gorm, characteristic Cairngorm running through boulder fields led to a col before the subsidiary peak of Stob Coire an t-Sneachda (above the famous winter climbing corrie of the same name). I had a sandwich below Carn Lochain, having missed breakfast, before embarking on the wonderful running across the main Cairngorm plateau. This is as high up and as Arctic as Britain gets, and to be completely alone and moving quickly through this landscape is rather special. Surprisingly, I have only been to the Cairngorms once before - when working in Abernethy in November 1991 when, among a range of smaller outings, I had a salutary experience on Bynack More in a semi white-out, long before the days of accurate mountain forecasts, or indeed the internet. A steep learning curve which I remember well. The running was remarkably comfortable. Indeed, for a hill runner, the ascent of Ben Macdui from Coire Cas is ideal: much of the plateau is runnable on a good path. After lonely Lochan Buidhe, the plateau's lowpoint, the going becomes more bouldery - and the huge summit of Macdui is a notorious wilderness of rock with some of the harshest weather in the UK - but, generally speaking, it is good running terrain and I reached the top of Ben Macdui, Britain's second highest peak, in 1.47 from Coire Cas. From here, the deep gulf of the Lairig Ghru is bleakly obvious. You can't see the bottom, but you know you have to get there before starting the climb back out to the opposite ridge. I had to make some calculations at this point. I wanted to be back in our Laggan cottage for lunch, with several family walks scheduled for this afternoon. The solution was, therefore, to cut diagonally across to Braeriach by dropping down the Allt a Choire Mhor, an obvious stream valley that was pathless and wild but, judging by my map, negotiable. This was indeed the case, although it was predictably steep and completely trackless. It gave a wonderful and exhilerating descent cutting right through the heart of the most dramatic part of the range, with superb views across to Carn Toul and Braeriach. The valley narrowed and steepened at various points, demanding a few detours, but I soon gained the base of the Lairig Ghru, the first time I have ever visited what must be the most famous of all Scottish mountain passes (roadless ones anyway). I drank from the stream, slightly dehydrated, before beginning the monster ascent up Braeraich, a sprawling beast of a mountain which makes up in volume what it lacks in shapeliness. My initial target was a shallow cwm on the right, which I headed towards after crossing the narrow base of the Lairig. Unusually dry underfoot after this dry Spring, which eased progress although it remained steep until I gained the cwm, a wonderfully wild place with some old aircraft debris scattered around and lots of mountain hares. I moved up to the backwall, where I found (to my surprise) a small path zigzagging up from the Lairig Ghru. This helped a lot, and I soon gained the broad ridge curving round to the summit ridge of Braeraich which, again, I had to myself: I had still seen nobody all day, although it was still only around 10.30am. Views down An Gharbh Coire, the West Buttress, and across to the Angel's Peak, Cairn Toul and Ben Macdui were superb, although the sun still hadn't burnt the layer of high cloud away. After a quick snack, I girded my loins for the immense descent - probably the crux of the day, as there is no simple way back to Coire Cas from Braeraich, even though it is not that far away. That said, the run down Sron na Lairige was magnificent, and the sun came out half way down, as did the people - the first I'd seen all day. A long, rocky and runnable descent led to a constriction in the Lairig Ghru and a stream crossing to gain a sharp climb and the path through the tight gorge below Chalamain. This was tiring: it is a long way back from Braeraich, and I was dehydrating slightly. Once out of the gorge, I drank from the stream and had a bite to eat: the sunshine was now out and it was becoming a superb day with all cloud gone and magnificent views over dwarf pines and the Cairngorm landscape to the forests of Rothiemurchus and Meall a'Buachaille (another hill I had done in a white-out in 1991). The fun wasn't over, because the path goes to the bottom car park, not Coire Cas, and I opted for an exhausting and very unwise trudge through appalling trackless heather and untrodden valleys to return by way of an unfeasible directissima! Still, I was back before midday which seemed pretty good for such a demanding route. The day developed into a stunning cloudless afternoon, which we spent wisely and productively as a family: doing the longer loop around the Creag Meagaidh reserve, then the longer wall up to the higher Pattack Falls.

Kingussie climbing

Crag: Kingussie, Badenoch, Central Highlands
Routes: The Slab (D:sol), The Edge (VD:sol), The Groove (HS 4b:sh), Quartz Wall (VS 4c:sh), Little Crack (D:sol), Little Wall (D:sol), Capped Corner (S:sol/sh), Mango Rib (VD:sh)
The archetypal beginner's crag, and as such ideal for a brief solo pre-breakfast outing before the rain arrived. I jogged up from the top of the town, through some woods to the obvious clean and slabby main face. The rock is mica schist, rather polished but running to flat holds with the odd quartz pocket. The Slab gave a very obvious warm-up, a simple romp up the eponymous feature, while the Edge takes a nice line up the edge of the slab further left: steep and juggy to start. I also descended both these routes. I shunted the Groove, which is perhaps the strongest line on the crag with an awkward crux early on. Pleasant bridging higher up. Quartz Wall just about stays independent as an eliminate line between the groove and the edge. It gives nice delicate climbing. Further right, a small and very polished wall had obviously been used by groups for years: some easy polished lines like Little Crack and Little Wall. I finished off with Capped Corner, putting a shunt on for the short crux moves right over a bulge towards the top: and a dirtier climb up the rib. It started to rain as I descended, hungry, back to the cottage for breakfast.

Creag Dubh

Peaks: Creag Dubh (756m)
Area: Badenoch, Central Highlands
My birthday, and therefore the only day of the year I can feasibly 'force' the offspring to join me in the hills. Creag Dubh is the real signature peak of this part of the Spey Valley, and as we were staying in Laggan it seemed essential and the obvious choice for a family outing on the morning of my birthday (a short route doesn't try their patience too much). It was supposedly the battle cry of the local McPherson clan, and is a sharp and rugged little mountain with a famous roadside crag above delightful Lochan Ulvie: the Scottish 'Tremadog' perhaps. We set off by skirting the crag, then up a very tenuous path through a large boulder field. Amazingly difficult route-finding for such an obvious peak, possibly because it fails to achieve Corbett status, although surely people are not that shallow. More likely, the steep and rough terrain puts people off, as a tiny path then heads up the edge of a plantation steeply before disappearing completely among dwarf birches. We continued up, as I picked a route through to gain steeper bracken and then, finally, the main ridge with a properly defined path. The children and Kate didn't complain too much, although the ridge then contained multiple false summits. Despite this, some very mild scrambling interspersed with very pleasant ridge walking made the top section ideal for our purposes today. Although it was cloudy, Creag Dubh benefits from its isolated position and has unusually varied views: wild over the Monadhliath range to the west, which really captured my attention, and tranquil and green over Speyside to the east. After descending, the weather cleared nicely for a picnic on the green shores of Loch Insh, looking out to the high Cairngorms.

Creag Meagaidh traverse

Peaks: Meall an t'Snaim (969m), Sron Coire a'Chriochairean (991m), Stob Poite Coire Ardair (1053m), Creag Meagaidh (1130m), Puist Coire Ardair (1070m), Sron a'Choire (1001m) 
Area: Creag Meagaidh, Central Highlands
The path into the spectacular Coire Ardair is so well-defined and runnable that I inadvertently missed the route up Carn Liath, the first peak on the large horseshoe encompassing this valley. It was so manicured and perfect, through wonderful native woodland in places, that I was enjoying myself and carried on for a couple of miles before finally having to strike directly up the steep hillside to the north-east. I emerged at Meall an t'Snaim, which is more or less at the same level of Carn Liath, just a continuation of the very broad ridge that then, happily, narrows: meaning I hadn't missed any of the good bits. Even better, the weather was improving by the minute. It had been a clagged-in morning with a touch of drizzle for our family walks in the valley but now, as forecast, it was improving dramatically. As usual, this was perforce a short outing, grabbed mid-afternoon at the start of our 7th consecutive Highland holiday, but prospects were superb as I crested the ridge and followed it across the better defined little summit of Chriochairean. Big views opening out to the north, rather disorientating initially as Creag Meagaidh occupies such a central position in the Highlands - and I'd never really visited the immediate area before. Still, the Mamores, Knoydart and Ben Nevis were all obvious. Great running along the edge of Coire Ardair goes via a couple of subsidiary summits to the Munro of Stob Poite Coire Ardair. A steep descent leads down to the pronounced col of The Window, visible and obvious from the Spean Bridge road way below. A wild prospect further west over Lochan Uaine and steep running over a few large snow patches eventually leads to the detached summit of Creag Meagaidh itself. The complex topography here - with five ridges radiating out from a plateau - would likely be a nightmare in mist, but there were no such problems today, just huge views and big skies in every direction as the sun made its presence felt. A superb and exhilarating descent, initially over feathery, almost carpeted ground on the plateau - extraordinarily comfortable underfoot - led over Puist Coire Ardair to loop round the opposite side of Coire Ardair. Keeping to the lip of the cwm gave the best views of the day, looking over the huge 'Posts' of Coire Ardair to the lake below. From Sron a'Choire, the final nose overlooking Loch Laggan, a very steep descent led down arduous tussocky heather to the valley bottom. This was tough: I could see the tourist trail below but never seemed to get any closer to it. Back comfortably in time to cook dinner: an excellent horseshoe round one of Scotland's finest massifs. A pleasant family walk round Pattack falls in warm evening sunshine followed.

Schiehallion run

Peak: Schiehallion (1083m)
Area: Perthshire, Scotland
A famous mountain, conical and eye-catching, although I had never done it before as it is some way removed from our usual stamping ground further west. However, this time it was en route to our Laggan cottage and seemed ideally suited to a running approach. It was indeed, and I set off at lunchtime as the family went to get sandwiches in Tummel Bridge. The standard route must be a rather boring walk, gently up via a whaleback ridge on zigzags, lots of erosion and newly constructed sections. But it works perfectly as a run, and I got to the top in 49 minutes. Some rain was in the air after a hot week: humid and cloudy, but with just a little light mist playing around the summit. The first half is all very runnable, and quick progress remains possible as the ridge gets a bit more defined (and much rockier) towards the summit of bare rock. Pelted down to join the family after less than 100 minutes of running.

Berwyn run and bivouac

Peaks: Cadair Bronwen, Cadair Berwyn
Area: Berwyn, Eryri
A kit-testing trip, bivvying on the summit of Cadair Berwyn. As a younger man, I slept in the old orange polythene bivvy bags numerous times: condensation was the inevitable result and I still retain powerful memories of the associated discomfort. Over a quarter of a century on, technology has evolved a bit and I wanted to try out my new rather more sophisticated bag in as remote a location as was feasible in an after-work trip. Cadair Berwyn fitted that particular bill nicely, and it was a glorious early evening as I set off from Llandrillo with lightweight 'mountain marathon' style sac. Along the initially steep track to gain the excellent runnable track going past the stone circle of Moel Ty Uchaf. I left my sac at Bwlch Maen Gwynedd then ran up Cadair Bronwen for fabulous views over to the Clwydians and beyond. I then descended Nant Cwm Llawenog to get water. It is unusually dry everywhere across the region at present: very little running water across the entire Berwyn range. Advantages: dry feet, a real novelty. Disadvantages: not ideal on a summit bivouac, long detours for water required! I jogged to the summit of Cadair Berwyn, setting up the bivvy site just below the trig point in the lee of a light but persistent westerly. The evening past pleasantly. I jogged over for views of Llyn Lluncaws, had a nice meal of salmon, noodles and bulgar wheat and then, partly for training purposes, descended a long way (2k and 250m) down Cwm Tywyll for water. Views were extensive in all directions: across to the Rhinogydd and Irish Sea, up as far as Tal y Fan and Moel Hiraddug to the north, and down to the Wrekin, Caer Caradog and Corndon to the south. The sun set over central Eryri through thin ribbons of black cloud. Sadly, the new bag did not prevent the old condensation problem: I slept fitfully and woke in the small hours, rather damp and uncomfortable, reminding me of the polythene bag bivouacs of my youth. As it was a working day, I needed some more sleep than that so headed back to Llandrillo in the dark which turned into a perfect night-time navigation exercise! A couple of hours extra sleep in the back of the car, then a working day via some superb early morning bouldering at Trevor Rocks above Llangollen, followed by a run along the escarpment in wonderful conditions before 8am.

Ras y Gader

Race: Ras y Gader/Cader Idris fell race (10.5m/3000ft/AM)
Time/Position: 1.42.47 (24th from 270)
Back at the Cader race for the first time since 2009: a long gap. Too long, in fact, for me to remember the important racing line down the grassy rake from the summit rocks. I missed it, which was rather annoying, although once again I descended better than I climbed (which is not saying very much). The race always has a real sense of occasion starting and finishing in Dolgellau, that most distinctive and attractive of north Wales towns, and it celebrated its 25th anniversary this year (the 4th time I have done it). It is not an easy race to pace, as a long but steep road climb from the town makes the start pretty quick, before a long cross-country style path around the side of Llyn Gwernan. The next few fields are often very boggy, but were much drier today, and the mist was beginning to lift from the Cyfrwy arete and even Pen y Gadair itself after a wet morning. Finally, the car park and start of the normal ascent route is gained. This goes steeply up 'steps' for a good few hundred metres until it levels off to contour the lower hillside below hidden Llyn y Gadair. It steepens again at the zig zags, and I missed a couple of short cuts. Steve and I were together and equally matched, not for the first time this season! At the broad bwlch, the angle eases again and a runnable section leads up to steep scree before another runnable section (I cut the corner across awkward scree) leads to the final, much rockier climb. Mist was playing round the summit, quite atmospheric, and temperatures were a good 10c colder than in Dolgellau. I touched the cairn in 1.02 from Eldon Square (32nd to the top). The descent is notoriously tricky at first, down some rocky steps to the gentler section. I pelted down here, only realising after a couple of minutes that I was alone, and all the runners I had been with were instead hundreds of metres ahead on the grassy racing line! Very annoying. After this, I took all the direct short-cuts straight down the steepest line cutting out the zigzags. I like this terrain and took a few places. The contouring section back to the car park is good if you have the legs, and I felt OK. The key challenge in this race then becomes the small matter of adapting to the level XC section round the lake. Not easy after the flat-out descent, but a bit of endurance kicked in and I took five or six more places before the manic final dash down two miles of steep tarmac: around 39.50 from the summit to Eldon Square. An ideal family outing, we all enjoyed the day, and it was nice to do this classic race again after such a long gap.

Trench Wall climbing

Crag: Trench Wall, Penmaen Head
Routes: Thin on Top (f6a:led), Trench Warfare (f6a+:sec), Billy Liar (f6a+:led*), Billy Liar (f6a+:sec), Spanish Plume (f6a:led)
Possibly the least pleasant ambience of any Welsh crag: right next to the A55, above a large rubbish-filled ditch, facing due north with zero chance of any sunshine. However, the climbing is quite good: long pitches on smooth but fairly solid limestone. The eponymous trench is literally that - a big ditch which makes the routes much longer than they look from the road, 22m or so. I kicked off with Thin on Top, an f6a which breaks out of the obvious shallow groove taken by Trench Warfare to finish left up the off-vertical upper wall. This is a pleasing pitch, and it was good to get on some harder and more technical rock for a change. It is reasonably sustained but also has some good rests and was exactly what I needed. The smoothness of the limestone on this face is a tad disconcerting at first acquaintance, and the route steepens towards the top, although the holds remain pretty friendly throughout. The groove to the right was similar in standard we felt, despite the grade. Some questionable rock and a scruffy section towards the top but another decent climb. Billy Liar takes slabbier ground to the right, and looks fairly innocuous. This is an illusion as it gives quite technical moves, one sharp rockover in particular, up to a steep finish. This baffled me on first acquaintance, approaching it direct and from both sides, to no avail: ended up dogging the end of the route which was rather annoying. After clipping the lower off, we both tried it again. This time it went perfectly cleanly: a balancy move up the small groove at the top gained the obvious hold before a steep but fairly juggy finish. My lack of upper body stamina told for Spanish Plume, a scrappier and much shorter route at the far left of the crag, which goes up via a borehole to climb a wall on flat holds. It was time to call it a day, as I'd already used my calves too much in advance of tomorrow's Ras y Gader.

Wepre Parkrun

"Race": Wepre Parkrun (5k)
Time/Position: 19.31 (3rd from 195)
This special occasion marked a year since the start of the Wepre Parkrun, and an appeal had been made for a big turnout from Buckley. I did it for the first time since the pre-Christmas event and noticed that Dave from Chester had taken the V45 record I set that day, so thought I should at least try to get it back. With some irony, I finished 14 seconds inside Dave's age group record but was beaten by none other than Dave himself! He finished 9 seconds ahead of me, so still has the age group record for the course. The young winner was well out in front, so it was good to have the competition and made for an unexpectedly intense speed session. It is supposedly one of the toughest Parkruns in the UK, with two sharp climbs on both laps and lots of twists and turns.

Dinas Mot climbing

Crag: Dinas Mot (Western Wing), Llanberis
Routes: Black Spring (HVS 4a,5a,5a,4a:led p.1+4), Slow Ledge Climb (VS 4b,4b:led p.2)
Like snatching an ice climb when the conditions come good, this felt like a rare prize. After three weeks of drought, this superb route combination seemed likely to be as dry as it will ever get. Conditions are exceptional at present and this was a memorable 600ft trip up the giant Western Wing of Dinas Mot: twice the height of the much more popular Nose. Despite the drought, the first pitch of Black Spring was still wet at the top, as was the start of the second (first proper) pitch. Vic led both 5a pitches, with the first an absorbing affair taking the initial 90ft black slab. After a short wet section, a thin crack runs to sharp holds and is straightforward until it steepens. A traverse left on superb pocketed rock leads to a steeper finish taken on more pockets via some excellent technical climbing. The belay is in a small cave/niche above the slab and below an overhang which means you are cut off from your partner, isolated and suspended in the tiny niche. The next pitch looks hard to start, with a sharp move over the lip. Even after three dry weeks, the two crucial pockets were wet, but the move is much easier than it looks, and a good use of the pockets with hands and a high step up with the feet gains another steep slab. This gives more superb technical climbing: indeed, the crux comes soon after with an initially puzzling move requiring precise footwork. The slab above continues excellent: little pockets and moves that are not obvious but always reasonable in execution. After 100ft of brilliant climbing, a few moves left gain an easier quartzy crack which leads up to the broken terrace. It is this unfortunate, disruptive feature that stops the routes being absolute three star classic. However, it all adds to the adventurous feel of the Western Wing and there isn't actually much heather bashing if you get the line right. I led up easier rock on pitch four, picking my way satisfyingly up through a series of steep but very juggy flakes and grooves to a huge flake belay. All completely dry, which I suspect is not usually the case. From here, Vic led up a crack to the obvious traverse line which turned out to be Slow Ledge, not the fifth pitch of Black Spring. Route finding is much less obvious above the terrace, but this wasn't a problem as I have wanted to do Slow Ledge for years and never got round to it. It gives a memorable, although simple, route (it is a tad overgraded, probably HS). Exciting for seconder and leader, this pitch embarks on a long and exposed hand traverse above the Slow Ledge feature ('a person sitting on it would gradually slide off' as Menlove Edwards said). A cramped move round an edge gains better holds before another traverse leads to a final awkward crux move just below the belay. All Vic's gear came out as I traversed, focusing the mind nicely. Wonderful position, poised above the Western Wing with the Pass below (indeed, this final groove is quite obvious from the road and looks exposed even from there). The final pitch was equally good and made a satisfying lead. Up to a groove, which is excited left to another, bottomless, groove. This is exposed but simple, allowing the position to be savoured to the full. Very enjoyable climbing on large but flat holds leads up this groove and gradually eases as the top of the crag nears. I ran out at least 50 metres of rope before the final belay. A wonderful combination: 600ft and six pitches of excellent and memorable climbing. A long but quite enjoyable descent via the edge of the Eastern Wing led to our much delayed lunch. Spots of drizzle heralded the end of the drought as we ate: very satisfying to have bagged this outing in the nick of time.

Preseli Beast fell race

Race: Preseli Beast (37.7km/4652ft/AL)
Time/Position: 3.52.23 (18th from 136)
The longest race ever included in the Welsh fell running championship. At this time of year that statistic wouldn't normally be a problem, as I would have marathon training in my legs. Not this year, however: indeed, the Anniversary Waltz, half the distance, was my longest run in the lead-in. So, I had a sense of genuine foreboding going into the race, reliant entirely on 'muscle memory' from 20 marathons and 30+ long fell races in the past. Having said all that, the event sounded brilliant, and I've only raced once in the wonderful landscape of the Preseli Hills in northern Pembrokeshire (2011's Ras Beca, also a Welsh Champs race). More to the point, I will miss the other 'long' in the championship, so had little choice here as I would like to give the champs a bash again this year. A small group of us rendezvoused at Maenclochog this morning after Vic and I broke the journey yesterday at Bird Rock. We had camped in a wonderful tranquil site two miles outside the village, down narrow lanes and overlooking the small Cleddau valley. I was woken by birdsong and sunshine after a peaceful night's sleep. The race started amidst a great atmosphere, it seemed like the whole village had turned out to support it. Tracks and lanes to Rosebush in glorious sunshine led through varied terrain of farmland, woods and small hills until a longer climb through Penmaenog forest eased us into the meat of the proceedings. We moved onto the high moorland of Preseli and climbed to the summit of Cerrig Lladron for far-reaching views over the whole region and, distantly, the sea above Newport (the half way point!). There followed a very long descent towards Cwm Gwaun and a dog leg through beautiful sun-dappled native woodland with bluebells and oaks. Across the little river, then another sharp climb through Sychbant woods to Mynydd Caregog. Above this, the terrain changes completely to moorland again with brilliant running towards the coast. Tremendous views in front, from this elevated position above Newport, still glorious sunshine. A steep descent with the sea directly below led to steep, twisting lanes down to Newport itself, and more crowd support. This was around half way, and I was somewhat surprised to feel reasonably good after my very slow start. That said, after running through the village the steep lanes back into the Preseli hills were hard work, and this continued as one of the day's key climbs (up to the mythical summit of Carningli) begins immediately. Beautiful terrain: rocky outcrops dotted around the highpoint, an ancient landscape. It had clouded over now, and after a bite to eat I had perked up again: in fact I felt really good for the very long and gradual descent down to Gwaun. I even started to pick up a few places and myself, Andy and Hayley ran together for a while over the smaller hills of Banc Du and Waun Mawr. At the road crossing at Tafarn y Bwlch, the Beast joins the Beast Bach: so there were hundreds more runners on the route all of a sudden. This made life tricky, but also helped a bit with the pacing. A steep and demanding climb over Foel Feddau then led to a high traverse path over to Preseli's highpoint (only 536m!) at Foel Cwmberwyn. From the summit, Maenclochog was visible but it looked a long way away! It was just a matter of keeping the legs turning over for the very long but very runnable descent along the eastern fringe of Penmaenog woods back circuitously to a memorable finish at Maenclochog. Great event, and the time-honoured undertrained tactics (to go incredibly slowly, walk every climb, and eat continually!) worked.