Arrochar Alps

[bill]

When I ran the race couple of years back (in comfortably under 4hrs), I came down from Narnain via the normal ascent route i.e. the route shown on the race map. I don't like the path much because there's plenty of places where you could do yourself a serious injury but there's comfort in knowing that it'll get you down.

There's a bit of route choice as to when you come off Vorlich and again going up Ben Vane. I prefer to drift left and aim for the top section of the SE ridge, which is a foolproof route to the summit, especially in thick clag. You might think it easy to find the top of a steep sided hill in thick mist but when the race was a SHR counter in 2009, some runners found themselves heading to Beinn Dubh.

Won't be racing this year (poorly ankle) but hoping to be out on the course somewhere with a camera.

[Stagger]

Just looking at the entry list and see there is a running club called "Cosmic hillbashers". What a brilliant name for a fell running club!

I was just looking at the entry list and Mrs Stagger who withdrew over a week ago by emailing the organiser is still on the list.
Come on folks, there is only 200 now allowed, lets have it up to date please.

[Alf]

Found a map of the route which is slightly different from the one on the website.

As this guy does the race in under 4 hours and has the record for climbing all the monros (14 times each) I think he might know the best way.

http://www.stevenfallon.co.uk/arrochar.html

Go to the link then at bottom of page there are 'alternative routes' click on this then you can then access a OS map.

Dan

I have Steve Fallon's 'Classic Hill Runs and Races in Scotland' book and it has that same route in it (in the alternative routes section you refer to).
All I do is read about them these days :thunbdown:

[Wharfedale Old Gal]

I was just looking at the entry list and Mrs Stagger who withdrew over a week ago by emailing the organiser is still on the list.
Come on folks, there is only 200 now allowed, lets have it up to date please.

Got this email so may explain...
I've had a number of e-mails regarding non-starters and substitutes for Arrochar this coming Saturday. Due to ongoing internet access problems, I haven't been able to process these yet. I expect to get up to date by tomorrow evening.
I currently expect everyone on the waiting list to get a run and expect to confirm the exact position to everyone on the waiting list by Wednesday morning.
Apologies for the uncertainty over the last few days. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Regards,
Rob.

[dantodman]

is it? That looks more to do with Map orientation as SF's is a 3d map... either way both climb up a good 2500ft in a few k so I doubt route choice is huge.. more a decent set of legs and lungs..

Hi Iain,

I think you have been looking at the walk map not the race map.


Dan

[IainR]

The walk map goes from lomondside... if you go from the summit of Vorlich to Vane via the dam I can't see how route choice be huge as its straight up straight down... I've done Vane from there before and we just ploughed up.

[LM]

Got this email so may explain...
I've had a number of e-mails regarding non-starters and substitutes for Arrochar this coming Saturday. Due to ongoing internet access problems, I haven't been able to process these yet. I expect to get up to date by tomorrow evening.
I currently expect everyone on the waiting list to get a run and expect to confirm the exact position to everyone on the waiting list by Wednesday morning.
Apologies for the uncertainty over the last few days. I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.
Regards,
Rob.

Thanks Old Gal, just didn't want anyone missing out.

[dantodman]

Hi Iain,

When we reccied the route we did the same and just ploughed up as well following a south west bearing, but we ended up a little too far left and on some crags. From the look of Steve Fallons map he goes far to the right of where we went then approaches the summit from the north not via the path which goes up the south east ridge (which we joined). Ive got both maps just in case, guess we will have to see what the weather is like as from the above post from Bill might be worth heading for the ridge if the clag is down. Should see you saturday cant wait now. We are staying at the Village Inn friday night so can chat and compare maps/bearings/routes if you (or anyone else around)

Dan

[IainR]

I'm not racing it.. one I wanted to do and planned to do but I've a foot issue with no security in my fore foot so this race is a huge no can do.. anything traily/fell I'm now fine with.. have a good one.

[boghobbit]

When I ran the race couple of years back (in comfortably under 4hrs), I came down from Narnain via the normal ascent route i.e. the route shown on the race map. I don't like the path much because there's plenty of places where you could do yourself a serious injury but there's comfort in knowing that it'll get you down.

There's a bit of route choice as to when you come off Vorlich and again going up Ben Vane. I prefer to drift left and aim for the top section of the SE ridge, which is a foolproof route to the summit, especially in thick clag. You might think it easy to find the top of a steep sided hill in thick mist but when the race was a SHR counter in 2009, some runners found themselves heading to Beinn Dubh.

Won't be racing this year (poorly ankle) but hoping to be out on the course somewhere with a camera.

Question

If you come off Narnain into the valley to the North and follow the stream back to the forest (instead of the main path down the spur) what is the running like in the valley and is there a path in the forest to get back to the forest road?

thanks