Ochils Journey Run
Sunday 25th November 2007
Nigel Rose
Ten
runners took part in the journey run in the eastern Ochils
on Sunday.
We were a bit taken aback to see snow by the roadside
as we drove past Yetts o' Muckhart but knowing who was organising
the run this should not have been a surprise. The run started
over the fine example of a thin-arch dam at the end of Castlehill
Reservoir then climbed up to an equally fine example of a hill
fort at the top of the first hill where we encountered some
trekkers. As we were later scrambling
over a barbed wire fence at the foot of the hill, a lone runner
appeared on the hillside above us, running at right angles to
our route. It later turned out to be Shane who met us on the
next hill, pretending that he always meant to
go that way anyway.
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We
continued on high moorland past the forest on White Creich
Hill and on to Sim's Hill. Ozzy reckoned that we were collecting
lesser hill tops so he went on to the summit of John's Hill
while the rest of us swung south east over Lamb hill and down
to the road. Shortly after we climbed up the next hill, away
from the road, we stopped for lunch by a very convenient pile
of square-carved stones. The only thing missing was the lace
tablecloth! After lunch we continued by a good grassy track
to the top of Mellock Hill. It was a superb viewpoint for all
the hills and lochs around. Beyond that, we traversed several
lesser tops as we headed south towards the dramatic ravine
of the South Queich burn. The tricky part was to find a safe
way fown without falling over the crags into the burn. |
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I
have to confess that, sadistically, I hadn't told
anyone about the next bit. The burn was too wide to jump
over so most people opted for a chilly wade through deep
glacial water. There then followed a brutally steep
130 meter climb up out the other side of the ravine
to the top of Thornton Hill. It was also covered
in patches of snow. As we rested at the top, Alan made a joke
which was too disgusting to repeat to my gentle readers.
It was easily voted the worst joke of the day. We continued by the
edge of the forest to the top of Lendrick Hill then found the
firebreak which heads back down towards the road. There was a good path
down the firebreak but it was very steep and covered with snow which made
the descent a little exciting. After that, we returned by quiet paths and
byways to the end of the run beside the reservoir.
A good day was had by all. |
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