Canicross Scotland is a new website specifically about canicross running and canicross hiking experiences in the stunning Scottish countryside. The full site hasn’t yet been launched – just a little taster for the time being. But it promises to be packed full of stunning photos of magical moments canicrossing in and around mountains, glens, forest trails, islands, rugged coastlines, forests and lochs. Part of what makes a canicross experience so magical is the weather and lighting conditions – a normally spectacular run becomes really something out of this world when there’s a golden sunrise or sunset, rays of golden sunshine breaking through dramatic storm clouds, a covering of sparkling white snow or clear blue skies. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to experience these magical moments yourself you’ll be able to enjoy them through the eye of the camera!
The site will contain canicross hiking and running route ideas and reviews, tips and ideas for keeping hounds safe and happy during long days in the hills, must-have kit, the best campsites, general canicross info and also canicross specific photography tips and tutorials – how to capture your own once-in-a-lifetime canicross moments on camera.
In 2012 we’re planning to include hill running in our Canicross Adventures. We started doing a bit locally last year, and this year have dipped a toe in the waters of human Hill Racing. We’ve begun to form a bit of an idea of what will and won’t with headstrong scent hounds in tow.
The big thrill of Hill Racing is not so much the climb, but hurtling back down the mountain at speed. Realistically, I don’t think that’s ever going to happen with our crazy little Beagles. It would just be too dangerous – for them and us!
Obviously running up a mountain is a tremendous challenge and there’s a huge adrenaline rush when you get to the top and see stunning panoramic views stretching out for miles around. Talk about on top of the world! It seems such a shame to just walk back down again. We therefore think the best routes might be those where there’s a long ridge to run along – ideally above the clouds!
What could be better! Although this particular route is a little too rough and rocky for Beagle powered runners I think!
We set off to scope out a potential running route on Friday. The forecasts were looking very good – some sunshine, very little wind and frozen solid underfoot even at sea level so no mud!
Desitnation : Beinn Dubh – Glen Striddle Horseshoe, Luss. Distance : 7 miles Total Ascent : 2400 feet, grassy but sometimes wet underfoot. Ridge : Broad and grassy, approximately 3 miles long – stunning views!
The weather was perfect. As we drove into the car park at Luss the early morning clouds started to break and large patches of blue sky appeared. We were rewarded with some great views of Loch Lomond as soon as we started the ascent:
You can just about make out our starting point on the far right – the pier at Luss
There are a number of false summits and for much of the ascent it appeared that there was only a very light dusting of snow near the top:
The sun was warm and we soon started to strip off layers of clothing.
By the time we reached the snow line temperatures had dropped dramatically and all those “redundant” layers of gear had gone back on!
Ben Lomond in the background
Biggles’ big gob in the foreground
From this point the patches of snow rapidly joined up and just a few hundred metres further on we were trudging through a true winter landscape. The transformation happened so quickly it was though we had passed through some magical portal, just like in the Narnia books.
Making light work of the climb, thanks to my two Beagle sherpas
Eventually we reached the summit where the views were “other worldly”. It really did feel as if we’d been transported into a magical winter kingdom. And not a soul in sight. There were tracks in the snow but fresh snow had fallen on top of them so it looked as if we had the mountain to ourselves.
Posing on the summit of Beinn Dubh
Someone had made a snowman just beyond the summit. He received a lot of attention from our Beagles but fortunately neither of them decorated him with little yellow patches.
We stopped for a few minutes for snacks before turning our backs on “Mr Frosty” and continuing along the broad, grassy (well, currently snowy) ridge.
The ridge continues for about 3 miles and provides a safe, easy run with the most stunning views. There are a couple of very short sections where the ridge narrows and the ground slides away quite steeply on one side. But it’s really not dangerous provided you take care. There is of course no water or shade so not the ideal route for a summer run! To be honest, I’d happily run this route in the snow. The only difficulty being how to kit yourself out to cope with overheating whilst running up the mountain and the bitter cold on the ridge!
The Arochar Alps in the distance
Boy was it cold up there! We had Beanie and Biggles’ winter coats with us but we didn’t need to put them on. I can’t imagine them ever being cold on a run but I do think it’s important to carry them in cold weather just in case!
Looking forward along the ridge…
..and looking back towards the summit of Ben Dubh
All too soon we reached the end of the ridge. This is the only point that gets difficult for us – our Beagles tend to get very excited on downhill sections and on this particular route they’re encouraged by the smell of sheep wafting up the hillside! There are a couple of fences (without styles) to climb over at the bottom of the hill and a field of sheep to cross. Then a 3k section of very quiet country road back to Luss.
The dreaded downhill section
All in all, a great little canicross hill run when the weather is just right!
Last year we planned a lot of our hill walking and trail running trips in advance which meant we visited some of the best places in the worst weather. This year we’ve decided to try and avoid commitments and head for the hills whenever the sun makes an appearance. So far, winter has been miserable. The crisp, white frost and blue skies of the past two years has been replaced by gales, rain and gray skies. We resigned ourselves to staying close to home and working hard on our fitness in preparation for 2012′s adventures in the hills. As luck would have it, when the sun finally came out we’d been training so hard that all we were fit for was a good rest. So much for the new Bohemian lifestyle!
We still managed to get a good dose of sunshine close to home though.
Having completely fried all my muscles with speed sessions and power-lifting over the past fortnight I’m on a strict diet of easy runs this week. Beanie and Biggles are very happy about this as it means plenty of nice 90 minute runs on the beach for them. Today we trundled along in a civilised manner until their dad appeared with the camera part way along our course. Things got a bit exciting then….especially when dad lured the pups through ice cold water dragging their hapless mum behind them!
That water was FREEZING – there was no way Beanie was going in!
Blue skies, blue sea, warm sunshine and the snowy white peaks of Arran peaking out above the haze. What more can you ask for?
Such well behaved pups!
I’m a firm believer that most things in life are good for you in small doses. And that goes for canicross too. A little bit of pulling in harness is very good for the dogs – it is strength training after all. But just as you and I need to keep strength and speedwork in moderation – and build it on top of a strong fitness base, so too do the pups. As such, the dogs are on flexi leads for most of our long runs (today was an exception because my arms were killing me after a hard gym session!). This is the next best thing to running free as it gives them plenty of scope to vary their speed and run the way they choose. We’ve been trying to take this a step further this winter and have been working on ways to get them off-lead on a regular basis. We’ve come up with lots of off-lead games for the beach which are working well and keeping them close to us, but we also take them to a safe enclosure where they can let rip.
And of course, the sunshine has prompted plenty of play sessions in the garden.
Hopefully our winter training will get us in great shape for the spring and summer. We’ve got lots of trips planned (although no dates set!), the main one being a week long extravaganza of trail running, hill running, hill walking and hiking on the Isle of Skye.
