David Ross (he of the best big hugs in Scotland...the world??) had organised an Ultra Dafties night run from Drymen to Balmaha and back (via Conic Hill of course!), with a wee pit stop half-way in the Oak Tree Inn (log fire, hot soup, friends and beer!)...what could be nicer?!There should've been a cast of around 20, plus many many dogs...as the date drew closer, and the weather more minging, people dropped out one by one (including David himself due to injury), and by 7pm there was a short-list of 7 hardy souls and 2 dogs jiggling around the car park in Drymen trying to keep warm (whilst waiting on Ally, who appeared to have taken the scenic route!). Cori dog had been relegated due to the conditions (sheep, steep hills, ice underfoot and being harnessed to me doesn't make for a happy combo!)
David had come to see us off, and count heads for soup (he was staying in the Oak Tree with Lorraine, along with the Munro's and would be there to see us at our half-way point!), and with hugs all round, we set off up the WHW path, where we quickly bumped into John Munro, who had run over from Balmaha to meet us. John warned us of ice, and fallen trees...oh, there are fallen trees he chuckled, as he bid us fairwell, opting for the road route back to the Oak Tree!
We very quickly came across the first trees, which, with headtorches made for entertaining path finding. Brian was chief trail blazer, quickly finding the best routes and guiding us through. The early pace was pretty brisk...and having eaten before I came out, had a busy and over-indulgent week, and carrying enough emergency kit to save me from starvation, hypothermia and ice slicks, I felt I was going to have to work hard to keep up for the duration!
It's always strange in the dark trying to work out where you are, but a great feeling to be exploring and adventuring, with the scary sheep eyes peeking out of the darkness at you!
The path got increasingly icy the closer to Conic we got, and David, Noanie, Gannet and I got into a wee convoy calling out warnings of 'Step' and 'Ice' with almost every breath. As we got near the summit, the sleet and snow started, and we were slipping back every few metres...but the ice never deep enough to justify getting the kahtoolas out! Pretty much everyone slipped, stumbled on fell on the steep descent, and we split into 2 groups, heads down, and off piste, with the grassy tussocks a safer option than the slick path!
So we made it to the Oak Tree, its welcoming glow shining across the Balmaha car park. We were later than planned, but the staff welcomed us in, let us strip our wet gear and hang it by the fire, and quickly brought us drinks and their delicious homemade tomato soup. Islay and Sam were not so lucky....the no dog policy meaning they had to stay outside...Islay was less than impressed!
Before too long, it was time to head back out into the darkness, having agreed the sensible option was to take to the road back to Drymen. The front group set off at a blistering pace (sub 7 min miles I later found out), and there was no danger I was keeping up with that! RG, Islay and I took our position as back markers and trotted along, chatting away. Big thanks to RG for waiting on me when I needed a wee walk when the soup and cider were sloshing too much in my belly! My knee was also starting to ache at this point - it's been a bit tetchy since Glen Ogle...bit of tight calf issue, ITB, and the impact of having had heels on all day I think!
We survived our great Friday night adventure, making it about a 12 mile round trip!
The drive home was foggy, sleety and icy...so sufficient amounts of driving like a granny required! Surprisingly found it REALLY hard to get to sleep - my knee was throbbing, so a rub of biofreeze and some paracetamol required to finally knock me out. Today I've felt burst! Managed a wee 3 mile run to keep ticking off the Marcothon requirements...and then had a wee disco nap.....ahhh it's a hard life being old......
Great read Amanda, it was pretty mental out there. Hope the niggles iron out soon and don't hold you back.
ReplyDeleteGood thing I didn't come, I would really have held you guys back. Well done missus x
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