Lochalsh Dirty Thirty, A highy recommended event

[The Rodmiester]

This event had been recommended to me by my Daughter who had completed it twice before. It's not a race but there are some serious runners in evidence, there was a total of approximately 220 competitors, some runners, some walkers some doing a bit of both in both categories. The organisation is spot on with each compeditor receiving a plastic card to get stamped at the five checkpoints at the registration, and after completion receive a medal and certificate. I nearly forgot, free busses are laid on from the Glenshiel Campsite and when you arrive at the Glenelg Community Centre there is hot and cold drinks and bacon rolls to purchase. Checkout Lochaber Dirty thirty website for all details.

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Milling around at the start

Race instructions being given

Heading out towards the Glenelg Ferry on a tarmac road

Looking back already well strung out

At this stage there was always someone to have a chat to

The leading three walkers at this stage, early days, lots of changes

Glenelg Ferry to Skye

Along the foreshore near Camus nan Gall good walking conditions on the ground and above. Heading towards the first check point at Ardintoul. After that came a climb and into the woods for an extremely boggy section. Glad i had boots on

Approaching Eilein Aoinidh (The section through the woods between checkpoint one and two was really muddy) Picking off one or two runners here and there

At a high point looking over Dornie with Loch Long in the distance

Eilean Donan from the South side, and soon to come to Checkpoint 2 at Letterfearn

The Five Sisters coming into view, now on the last and longest section of tarmac road

Ratagan Youth Hostel, on the tarmac road. Heading towards checkpoint 3 at Glenshiel campsite where you can climb over a stile to make use of their toilets, something you do very carefully with twinges of cramp setting in.

A happy group just over half way distance after Checkpoint 3 The Glenshiel campsite

Looking back from where we had come, a fair wee climb to the highest part of the course

The view from just beyond the Loch Iain Mhic Aonghais

No longer a dwelling at Bealachasan

Ian in foreground looking West where we were heading towards Checkpoint 4 in Moyle Wood

Bothy at Suardalan (before reaching the bothy after you cross the bridge at 889173 walk up the track a further 200m and find a new track on your right heading to the bothy) not show on OS map

The peace is disturbed by a coast guard helicopter hovvering over Dun Teve, an exercise?

Passing Druim losal on the left

Sign of the track at Balvraid where Checkpoint 5 is, photograph taken when passing Dun Grugaig

Ian and Rory a couple of walking partners during many meeting up throughout the day with the old guy in the middle. Both lads were a great credit to their school Plockton High School and parents, both were doing it for charity, ooops forgot to give my monies at the end of day. A brilliant dayout with probably the worst section for me being the tarmac road between Ratagan and the Glenshiel Campsite when i had signs of cramp setting in on both legs, not used to lengthy spells on the roads. If I met any of you who are reading this Trip Report during the walk/run, Hi again it was lovely meeting you, just PM me or write a comment, hope you got home safely, I did, didn't fancy putting up the tent in the rain so just headed home.

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Rod, looks like really nice event
Good effort on the route
You are a great sample and inspiration for the young there
Something to add to my goals list...

[crustypunkuk]

Well done on the time- 8 and a bit hours was good going! I managed just under ten and a half with a wee stop at the campsite for a fly wee seat and to change my socks after coming through the forest. I really enjoyed it, but that last stage from Balvraid back to Glenelg on Tarmac was a real killer for my feet. I was on course for under ten hours until that point where I felt as though I was walking in treacle for that last 6 miles! Still, there's always next year to better my time!
I'd certainly echo what you said about it being well organised and well thought out. There was a great cameraderie amongst entrants and it was fantastic to enjoy the support and encouragement of locals throughout the day.
A pity the organisers can't get the midges to take a holiday for the event though!

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rod, looks like really nice event
Good effort on the route
You are a great sample and inspiration for the young there
Something to add to my goals list...

Hi Petr, I really wanted to do this event last year but had other things on unfortunately. I'm not used to walking as fast as that on the tarmac and I was abit concerned I was going to cramp up just before the campsite, apart from that not even a blister and not too stiff the next day. Met some fine people en route all very friendly and supportive. Go on give it a go sometime

[The Rodmiester]

Well done on the time- 8 and a bit hours was good going! I managed just under ten and a half with a wee stop at the campsite for a fly wee seat and to change my socks after coming through the forest. I really enjoyed it, but that last stage from Balvraid back to Glenelg on Tarmac was a real killer for my feet. I was on course for under ten hours until that point where I felt as though I was walking in treacle for that last 6 miles! Still, there's always next year to better my time!
I'd certainly echo what you said about it being well organised and well thought out. There was a great cameraderie amongst entrants and it was fantastic to enjoy the support and encouragement of locals throughout the day.
A pity the organisers can't get the midges to take a holiday for the event though!

Hi crustypunkuk, glad you enjoyed it, I did. Ten and a halfs a good time, you walked like I did, but nobody who records in the six hour range, walks, they run all the sections they can. Like you I found the road section between before Ratagan and campsite the hardest, did not like climbing the stile at the toilet block either The additional watering station and the last table at the end I grabbed a couple of sugery sweets, no I didn't take a dram, did you? I don't know if I could have walked much faster to be honest apart from a lost two minutes going up the hill before the war memorial and returning thinking I'd gone the wrong way and went past war memorial. The WH plan of the course shows the route that way. I never found the midges to be a problem, must have been too fast for them Glad to hear your giving it a go next year a fine target to go for, me I might just go back and see what a ten and hour walk feels like

[crustypunkuk]

I reckon the reason you never got bothered by the midges is that every single one of the little buggers in Lochalsh was following me round the route!!!
only one blister resulted from the walk, so pretty happy with that. I was up East Lomond today with the dogs to ease out the muscles and wasn't too troubled by stiffness, so i'm pretty happy with the lack of residual soreness i was fully expecting to have.
I saw the whisky at that last table, and i was tempted to ease my suffering, but i wouldn't sully my refined palate with a blend like that- only the good stuff for me!!!

[martin.h]

Hi Rod, crikey you must be fit, you do some mileage.
We wouldn't mind having a go at this sort of event but long road sections play havoc with my back and legs for some reason. but may look at something without roads, thanks for giving me an idea

[pollyh33]

Oh I enjoyed that Rod.

You looked far too fresh and definitely not dirty enough at the end!!!

Dare I ask about navigation? Are there markers along the way or are you self reliant on getting round the course without getting lost?

[neilmci]

Good report. Summed up the event well.

I also completed the thirty somewhat behind you though and significantly more dirty after an incident in the woods!

It was a good day although the climb up the hill after 18 miles was my downfall. legs turned to lead.

Polly - The course is sign posted with markers but during the event they do put up additional signs and tapes to keep people on the right track. Not sure how obvious the route would be without these.

Also the cheeky drams at various points helped take my mind of the blisters that i knew were developing.

This was my first event of this type and i really enjoyed the friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

I would recommend it to runners and walkers for a good day out.

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Rod, crikey you must be fit, you do some mileage.
We wouldn't mind having a go at this sort of event but long road sections play havoc with my back and legs for some reason. but may look at something without roads, thanks for giving me an idea

Hi Martin, I see you have been busy are you up target Likewise the road sections, I had to ease off a bit as cramp was showing signs of setting in but apart from that no problems. My biggest concern before the race was would my feet hold up, answer, Yes. Its a great route well signposted through some wonderful countryside and guess what NO TICKS

[The Rodmiester]

Oh I enjoyed that Rod.

You looked far too fresh and definitely not dirty enough at the end!!!

Dare I ask about navigation? Are there markers along the way or are you self reliant on getting round the course without getting lost?

Hi polly, you would be a balloon if you got lost, but in saying that I did go off course when I was actually on course at the very end No the course is self evident in most places, section two in the trees at the muddy section there are red and white markers and also after passing the Loch at the top of the climb there is a section but once again marker poles are placed. Think you would love it

[The Rodmiester]

Good report. Summed up the event well.

I also completed the thirty somewhat behind you though and significantly more dirty after an incident in the woods!

It was a good day although the climb up the hill after 18 miles was my downfall. legs turned to lead.

Polly - The course is sign posted with markers but during the event they do put up additional signs and tapes to keep people on the right track. Not sure how obvious the route would be without these.

Also the cheeky drams at various points helped take my mind of the blisters that i knew were developing.

This was my first event of this type and i really enjoyed the friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

I would recommend it to runners and walkers for a good day out.

Hi neilmci, it was a hard day, it would have been so easy to have a fall, I'm very glad I took my poles. Great comradery amongst the competitors and overall a well organised event

[mountain thyme]

Well done Rod. Is it fairly flat ? Do you think boots were recommended. I struggled with the West Highland Way walking with salamon boots and had to change to trainers

[The Rodmiester]

[quote="mountain thyme"]Well done Rod. Is it fairly flat ? Do you think boots were recommended. I struggled with the West Highland Way walking with salamon boots and had to change to trainers [/quote

Most were in trainers but the depth of the mud in the woods meant your feet were going to get wet and probably a change of socks might have helped, but I stayed dry and had no problems with my feet. I would have preferred trainers on the road sections though, hard going in boots. I was surprised how much ascent over 1900m

[IainJTalbot]

Heya Rod, finally found you! Great pictures mate and it was great craic walking with you, Defo doing it again next year and it really is worth the hike all you others. Chuffed with the 8 hours 9 mins and great views all round. May see y'all again some year.