Inspired by the new Deeside Runners Challenge (peaks over 500m with min 100m drop
http://drc2010.blogspot.com/ ) decided to try and bag my first point. Parked at Tullich and headed up the path round the edge of Cambus, for Crannach Hill. Turned off the path just out of the trees to climb onto the ridge and rapidly realised I might be in for more than I had bargained. Snow was deep and crusty but just not quite weight bearing - incredibly tough going. I must have covered about 500m in 20' I reckon, but eventually made the ridge and thankfully some crustier snow. Views were fantastic across to Lochnagar etc. It was better going along the ridge to the top and I managed to sort of run most of it. Felt like a real mountain expedition even if I did only cover 4km with 400m climb in 1 hour! Decided to return by descending direct to the track, which was ok, but the track had only had a couple of skiers on it and was heavy going too. So even the return was tough work.
Could feel my right leg quite sore by the end - groin / hamstring insert - which had been niggling before I started. Not so good, but the run was worth it.