Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich, 11th July 2021

 For a long time, I've had a hankering for running a Munro. I've always managed to stick excuses in the way; not got the right kit, what if I have a fall, what if it's freezing? I've been running in my local hills for a few years now and this year I've been extending this quite a bit and getting longer runs in. This has definitely improved my endurance and I can pretty much feel when I'm at my limit with those local runs.

I had a free Sunday and I figured it was definitely time to try this out. The forecast was decent, the kit was all in my possession and I had a couple of hills next on my list which was a fairly short day out.

I was up at 0520 and away for 0600, and had a good clear run up to stunning Glen Garry, listening to the Missing Crypto-Queen podcast all the way. The forecast was clearly a bit off, the morning started with some very heavy rain showers. I drove down the single track road and something crossed in front of me - at first I thought it was a squirrel, but it was far too big and with a long nose - I think it was a Pine Marten.

I arrived at the already-busy car park at 0915 and sat in the car watching the rain coming down in buckets. Plan B was going to be packing the bigger rucksack and putting on my walking waterproofs, but I waited for a bit, had a sandwich and then just decided to run it. I packed my waterproof trousers into my race pack and decided to just go for it. I was fully expecting a soaking all day.

At 0940, I started the watch and ran along the road to the starting point. It looks like most folk do this the other way, but I fancied descending on that nice stalker's path and not through mud and it was a good shout which made my day much easier later on.

I pushed on up the path, running where I could, conscious of not running down all my energy on steep uphill sections. I crossed the Allt a' Mheill and realised the sound of the rain had stopped drumming on my hood.

I took off my jacket and could see the views starting to appear above me.

Gleouraich and Spideal Mialach, coming out the mist

I was pretty sweaty already - warm and humid and this was going to be way it was all through the run.

Sweaty boy

I followed a bit of a path until it petered out just as I approached the steep 300m climb onto the first summit.

Stopped for a break

One thing I noticed is that was concentrating so much on foot placement that I didn't really look around much other than for navigation purposes, so I stopped for a wee bit to take in some views at 750m and to message the boys.

Eventually, I made it to the first top of Spidean at 977m, then had to head SE a wee bit to get to the proper summit, which I reached at 1126

Summit Selfie

Summit of Spidean Mialach

This is where the fun begins. Lots of running along the ridge, deep drops to my right down the northern corries, masked by white mist. Hard descents, lessons learned and "will my knees hold up?"

I made it down to the Fiar Bhealach and couldn't really see what was ahead, but pressed on anyway, the light pack and trainers making me feel very strong and very fast. This could be very addictive!

The climb back up was ok too, my body happy with the change of pace - up and down a couple of times, then the final climb came into view.

Gleouraich

Some boulder fields made me worry about my ankles and a minor slippage gave me bit of a fright, but I was fine and then before I knew it - I was on the summit. It was 1235.

Timer selfie on the summit of Gleouraich

I stopped, had a snickers and a handful of Haribo for energy. I knew the next bit could be tough, but I relished it.

The descent was comfortable, I realised that I was dropping height very quickly and the temperature was increasing.

Looking down to a very dry Loch Cuaich

I stopped to take in the view and I could feel my left thigh stiffening up, so I knew not to do that again! The view down the loch holds walks to come and the inevitable shadow of Ladhar Bheinn, sitting like Mount Doom in the distance.

Ladhar Bheinn in the distance

I carried on, dropping height on the zigzag path and then hit some rhododendrons and it was boiling! Within a couple of minutes however, I was back at the car. That was at 1315, 3h 35m after I started my run.

I gulped down a can of ginger beer, then grabbed my swimming stuff and found a pool in the river under the bridge where I took my clean clothes and had a very refreshing wash. 

Then it was time for the long drive back to Glasgow.

Here's the Relive

Relive 'Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich as a run!'

Distance: 10.34km

Hiking Time: 3hrs 35mins

Hiking Ascent: 1157m

Munros Completed: 182