Mayar & Driesh

Since returning from Sweden, I have continued to build up my running using a combination of the treadmill some outdoor tarmac work. Overall, it has gone well and I have been running fairly confidently on different inclines up to eight or nine miles. I have ensured two rest days between runs as my right achilles does have a little residual pain and stiffness following each run. I am hoping that this will ease in time, but I am resigned to the possibility that I could have to endure some tendonitis for quite a while to come.

Time then to venture further afield and to try to strengthen not just my achilles but my legs and joints in general after such a long break. That requires trail and some challenging, maybe even technical, ascent and descent.

The forecast for Friday was good in the morning. Mostly sun, no low cloud cover and light wind. The east of the country was better so time once again to head for the Angus glens and a classic, popular mountain route that I have not done for some time.

The route I chose was an ideal distance (nine miles) with over 800 metres of ascent, the classic loop from Glen Doll that takes in the Munro summits of Mayar and Driesh. This is a very popular walking route but never too busy, especially if one is to head onto the trail on a weekday and reasonably early in the day.

I gathered my kit the night before and headed north about 0800 hours. It is a pleasant drive, up to Kirriemuir then the long but very scenic section up the length of Glen Clova to the Glen Doll carpark at the road end.

I got ready at the car and was pleased to see that there were only a handful of cars there already and a few walkers setting off. I set off myself, setting a conservative pace up the forest track towards Jock’s Road.

The track undulates at the start then once the White Water is crossed, it starts uphill in earnest.

The gradient becomes such that power walking is the best option and I set a good pace as the track took me up further into the forest. The sun was out and it was pleasantly warm. I had opted for long sleeves and had a layer and waterproof in my pack. Short sleeves would have been fine lower down but as I suspected, the wind chill later on made me glad of the long sleeves.

The track moves into the trees and continues for about half a mile, climbing up on nice single track.

Even when you have been here before and know what is coming, the sudden exit from the trees into the open with the first panoramic view of Corrie Fee never fails to impress. Today, the natural amphitheatre was illuminated with morning sun and the waterfall at the back of the corrie was in full flow.

It is a spot that compels you to stop, take it in and snap a few photos for the record. I did all of those things then forced myself on, running now on the narrow undulating track that winds across the floor of the corrie to the steep wall at the back.

In no time, the serious climbing starts and although the path is well maintained with rocks and boulders, it is no easy climb. With my current fitness, I found my breathing and heart rate spiking all too soon and I had to rein it back to regulate both as I continued to climb.

The waterfall roars away to the right as the path winds its way up the steep face but I remembered to turn at regular intervals to admire the fine view back down into the corrie and the glen beyond.

Soon, the steepest section tops out, and the legs and lungs got a break before the next and final climb which vears off to the left and heads in a straight line for the summit of Mayar. There is of course a bit of a false summit but eventually the track levels and becomes rockier and more rugged before the very underwhelming summit cairn eventually appears. It had taken me just under an hour to the summit which I think was OK, all things considered,

I paused at the summit to take in some water and calories and to admire the extensive 360 degree view. Despite the sun, it was very hazy but still miles and miles of hills and scenery in every direction.

Time to move on though so I set off down the more technical descent off the top of Mayar. This eventually levels a little and some good running was possible provided a good line was taken and every effort was made to avoid tripping on the abundant rocks. I haven’t done this for a while so my technical trail legs are rusty!

The running continues, Driesh always visible to the front. The junction with the Kilbo Path is then reached and it is then easy to follow the old fenceline.

There is a small rise to the left but I veared off right, contouring around the hill to descend into the bealach which precedes the steepish climb up towards Driesh.

This climb always looks steeper and harder than it actually it and I made it up in no time, passing a couple of walkers at the top before running along the level section before the final incline to the summit. Driesh is one of those dome-topped Munros that is fairly featureless with the exception of the stone summit shelter which surrounds the trig point. Certainly a more impressive affair than Mayar and some welcome shelter from the distinctly chilly wind. It had taken me less than 25 minutes to reach here from the summit of Mayar so I was fairly happy with that.

I consumed the last of my running calories. The climbing for the day was done, and I had plenty of energy for the return leg. The run down off Driesh is easy in terms of gradient, provided sufficient care is taken and it was only minutes before I was negotiating the steep and technical drop back down to the bealach.

The route then turns right, down the narrow and very rocky track that cuts down the side of the Shank of Drumfollow.

I was very conscious to pick my line with care, to control my speed and to pick up my feet. A trip and fall on this path would be very sore at best, quite nasty at worst and with a fairly steep drop off to the right to contend with too. However, my knees, ankles and achilles were all up to the task as this long descent provided a real test of their strength and resilience.

The technical challenge nevers really abates and the descent seemed to continue for a long time but I was enjoying it hugely. I haven’t run on this kind of terrain for at least five months and it was great to be back and to be running much better than I had anticipated.

The track reaches the trees and rocks are temporarily replaced with tree roots and darkness as the challenging descent continues until the gravel track is finally reached. From that point it is just over a mile of downhill blast back to the car park. There was nothing for it but to open the throttle and allow my stride to stretch out.

Near the top of the descent, I had noted the elapsed time and knowing the distance remaining, I had set myself the entirely unnecessary challenge of concluding in under two hours. I had a couple of minutes to spare as I reined it in to a halt back at the carpark.

It would be no exaggeration to say that everything about this outing was great. I haven’t been anywhere near serious hills or mountains for nearly six months and to make my comeback on a day like today was great. My achilles is far from 100% but it survived today and I am sure will be strengthened as a consequence. Overall, I can feel my fitness returning although the steeper climbing still exposed the work I still need to do.

I am going to be patient, maintain rest days between runs and to increase my run distances very gradually. It would be great to go longer and to do back-to-back days as that would open up fastpacking opportunities again, but I think I am still at least a month or more away from that.

I am watching the weather with interest as I am very much hoping to take a running trip at the end of this month, into the start of October. Midge season should be over by then and I would like to go up to the northwest. However, it is often pissing with rain at this time of year so too early to tell. I might even look at the Lake District if that looks better. Failing all of that, there is always plenty I can do closer to home on the better weather days that the next few weeks have to offer.