Training Log Archive: Big Jon

Rest day. Body (and mind) not up to much. Unfortunately cafes in Plav not up to much either - coffee or beer, no food and lots of smokers…
Still, lunch by lake was very pleasant.

NB time questionable
Babino Polje to Plav
Set off on last day determined to try to keep with S - for st least a little while. Managed it on gentle climb up dirt road past a couple of wee settlements then track steepened and I was off the back. Nice forest up to wee lake in the trees then Hridsko Jezero appeared -a glorious lake in a stunning setting. Not first there but not too busy, had a lovely swim across and back then dried in the sun. Up to pas above lake and waited while S did another peak or two. Down track - nice after a bit of grim dirt road with loads of locals driving up to visit the lake. Long descent initially in forest then some farmland. Starting to get roasting hot! Crossed a lovely stream then hit the dirt road and a long tedious slog round the hill then a drop into Plav. Cars, noise, lots of people! But also supermarket and snacks :-)
Pretty wiped out after. Need some time to digest the trip but some stunning highlights in it. Worth doing sooner rather than later ‘cos lots of development happening all along the route.

Tè Liqeni to Babino Polje. Feeling a lot better this morning - well, compared to yesterday:-) so headed off after a delicious breakfast at Tè Liqeni hotel.
Managed the first climb, to Liqeni I Kuçishtēs - a lovely lake in a superb rocky Corrie setting with trees and scrub around. After this trail dropped a fair bit (worrying!) then started climbing to a second (almost disappeared lake) in a similarly spectacular setting. From here the climb ramped up and I started to struggle a bit, slower and slower with regular stops to rest and some water/Pionir bears (sweeties) stops. Eventually reached the pass - I have seldom felt so wiped out. Had some electrolyte drink (thanks to my guardian angel -S) and, after a fair rest started off down the other side. Gradually got going OK and was striding out on the gentle descents. A bit slower on the long gradual climb to Ravno Brdo but nothing like the steep climb! Stopped for our lunch here then S headed off to bag an extra peak. I slowly pootled down the descent track to our ore-arranged meeting point then had a lovely sit down watching the view and the walkers heading past. An hour or so later S appeared and we started off again. Miraculously I felt great and was trotting large sections of the track. Lovely descent to the valley then a bit of a trudge along the forest road to Babinjo Polje - but we managed to overtake most of the walkers so got a nice double room :-))
Glad to make it - especially after yesterdays escapades. Tomorrow is less climb and has a swimmable lake near the high point :-)

Sickness bug hit me overnight. Trying to sort options.

Feeling quite a bit better by early evening but still very weak. Will sleep on it then decide in the morning. Managed to eat some late lunch and a dinner… and it’s stayed in place so far :-)

Milishevc to Drelaj- another longer day 1.5days)
Another fairly brutal start, along a dirt road to local village then straight up another hill. Over pass then a lovely winding track through scrub pine (utterly impenetrable off-track). Small climb and a wee lake - unfortunately it was surrounded by grassland and looked like a cattle watering point rather than an alpine pool! So no time wasted admiring the view:-)
Then a fairly brutal descent - about 1000m steeply down through scrub pine initially then spruce forest. Highlight was spotted a bra hanging off an overhanging branch - probably snagged off a rucksack:-)
Contoured along the valley side for a while (to avoid some extra descent/ascent) and rewarded by a veritable fruit salad - strawberries, raspberries and even some brambles :-)
Reached the main (M9 !)road and after a short distance along it turned up a side valley towards Reke e Allages. Tarmac but enlivened by a wee side tour a fantastic waterfall/gorge with utterly huge overhanging cliffs. Then a stop at a posh roadside hotel fir a cold drink and an icecream - yum!
Carried on to our turn-off and then the real climb started, just as I faded physically. A completely grim 500m ascent grind-fest that lasted for ever and eventually we exitted the forest and stoped fir lunch. From here it was a mere 8km downhill to Drelaj and our accommodation. Which is absolutely fab - lovely beds and a super hot shower, just the ticket.

C • Great travel story 4

Doberol to Milshevic
After 10 hours sleep and a slap-up breakfast we set off - straight into a 300m climb to a col, a brutal warm-up!
We diverted to climb Tromeda- marking the triple border joins of Kosovo, Albania and Montenegro. Superb views all round.
From here a lovely ridge, undulating with a decent path. I stopped at the Doberol pass while S headed off to bag another peak - only to be thwarted by some rather serious scrambling/climbing on an unknown hill.
From here there was more delightful ridge tracks and then a sketchy descent to the village of Roshkodol Then a fairly grim dirt road to our accommodation for the night - about 3km sooner than expected :-)
Another roasting hot day but feeling a lot better than Monday.

Ceremi to Doberol
Straight into a long uphill on a forest road. Made the mistake of trying to catch S (and stay ahead of some others) and subsequently paid the price after 5 or 6km. Luckily S had the idea of pooping up a wee peak from a pass (that had a nice cafe) so I had a restful hour while she bagging it. The entertainment here was the son (grandson ?) of the cafe owner who presented me with some flowers then headed off to find some more… a wee while later there was a wailing - he had slipped off a duck-board across a mud wallow and landed face first into the sticky grey mud… I gallantly held his rather muddy hand and took him back to granny who was very matter-of-fact and wiped his face off at the outdoor sink. He later appeared in nice new clean clothes = living dangerously :-)
Once S returned we carried on but I was still struggling and felt myself going slower and slower. I suspect I hadn’t properly refuelled from the previous day.
Eventually we climbed the last ascent and Dolberol appeared before us - a scattering of cabins, hut and houses. A summer shepherding settlement that now entertains 50-60 visitors a night in a few hostel type huts.

Time to be confirmed but 9-48 start ti finish.
A long hot day! I had decided this was the best spot to do 2 days in 1. Not so sure now! Big climb out of Thethi on the sun/ heat (already at 0740). Feeling legs on climb so took very steady. 1000+m climb to col - great views from here of our new valley - another wide river of white stone in the valley floor. Short stop at a wee spring after first part of descent, trotting down many parts (when not too steep or rocky/loose). Got to the valley floor and the track followed the flood plain - the sun was absolutely baking by now and the heat intense. Left “river” for a tarmac road for 4km - out of the frying pan into the fire. Focussing on just keeping moving here. Eventually left road and had a lunch break under some trees. Then onto the second climb (1300+m) through some lovely forest to a view point with utterly stunning views about 500m above valley floor - but not really in a state to appreciate this!
Then through some utterly magical beech forest - tall trees, rocks all round, expected Lord of the Ring characters to appear!
Finally into main climb and dragged up the last climb to the col. had a minor food bonk near top but mostly OK. Thunder was now echoing round us with dark clouds billowing up behind the peaks around us. Descent to near day1 spring - some pretty gruesome limestone pavement demanded full focus! Finally a wee climb up to a grassy pass back into Albania and a lovely descent through meadows and beech woodland with a wee summer settlement of shielings then more glorious beech woodland. Managing to trot lots of this descent despite the ground being wet from thunderstorms (we managed to miss all the rain) and a bit slick in places.
Approach to the hut was lovely - forest till about 100m from it, no road, no hotels, no vehicles!
A long tough day but survived intact.
Lots of food and a beer then early to bed!

Day 2 Vusanje to Thethi (Albania).
Shocking nights lack of sleep - our hosts pre-wedding party ran on till god knows when and chattering/vacuuming started at 5-30…
On the road by 0730 - in the morning relative cool :-)
Stopped at an impressive river source - water welling up from the ground in a beautiful blu-ish coloured pool. But too cold for me to have a dip. As it was my feet were numb for the next 30 mins at least! Headed up the valley on a 4WD track, luckily shaded by the massive cliffs to the east, at least for a while. Crossed into Albania at a dried up lake, but didn’t stop long - the clegs were dreadful!
Some big climbs from here initially in forest then open, past some Albanian bunkers near the summit. Lunch at the last high point then a crazy hot, crazy loose and crazy steep track down the valley. Long way in a south facing amphitheatre of huge cliffs all reflecting sun onto us (did I mention it was hot?). Glad to see a wee cafe serving cold beer under the shade of some trees and an awning.
From her a long plod down the valley to Thethi - and a mini-market where icecream and crisps were very welcome.
Thethi is a bit touristy - masses of hotels, guest houses and lots of new building. Our guest house is really nice so a good bonus booking through the local guys!
Feeling pretty wrecked, more so than yesterday. A bit worried about tomorrow - potentially an extra 7-8km and another 1000m climb…

Plav to Vusanje - day 1 of the Peaks of the Balkans Trail. Steady start from Lake Views Hotel with a supermarket (the last for 8 days) stop for some snacks :-)
Had a bit of a bonk after just over an hour - probs water/food (yesterday not best for either). Struggled up a long drag then a crazy steep bit to top of ridge at Bajrak. Had some food & water here and gradually felt a bit better.
High point of day was Vrh Bora at 2106m (love the Slavic words with no vowels!).
From here a gradual descent along ridge then down side into forest. A wee stop at a lovely spring then lunch soon after.
Found a wee “cafe” at a summer steading with a mum and 3 kids working there and had a very pleasant beer. Trudge down through woodland to Vusanje and a very welcome guest house.
Extremely hot - must be well over 30C so limited later activity to a short visit to a local waterfall - small stream disappearing into a hugely deeply incised gorge. Really impressive!
Nothing too sore after day but everything a bit achey. Tomorrow may tell if OK for round!

Travel to Montenegro, flight was fine but bus trip was a bit long (4hours) on a torturous route to cover not very far at all (roughly three sides of a square). Hot!

Into town mid morning, back home then to airport to Gatwick. Start of Balkan adventure…

Busy and too hot out!

Lap of the woods - somewhat warm! feeling OK breathing-wise. Legs a bit achey from yesterday.

DW east then short route to riverbank. along and back by Dess Burn and DW. Feeling surprisingly OK but hot and incredibly humid = sweat-fest!

Tested negative this morning (twice). But still feeling a bit chesty and a lot on today so another rest day.

Tickly throat and a feeling a bit lethargic.

C+ in a test early this morning after getting home :-(

Control collecting near Rigor Torpet hut. Tougher than hoped for terrain but lovely contour shapes and humongous boulders.
Found a wee elk antler- only to be trumped by a youngster finding a much bigger and better one half an hour later :-)

Control collecting - had to get out to test out the skog. Variable! Some lovely runnable mature spruce, other parts felled/regrowth were pretty grim. Marshes def wetter than last week :-)
Ground shapes had Lakes/upland Scotland vibes, but crags have to be big to be considered for mapping.

Driving to near G-berg fur week 2 of ScotJOS camp

Tried to do a wee bit more today...

Day 3 Eskilstuna. Oof that was tough - not sure if it was tougher terrain, harder lines to run on legs or just my tired legs, but it was a bit of a struggle from the start.
7th on day and 6th overall, so not a total disaster, but beaten by C Mc...
Superb forest again - masses of contours, rock and marsh, a Swedish dream :-)

Jog to start then hid in shade :-)

Day 2 Eskilstuna- again feeling shockingly slow/weak at start. Took very poor ultra-defensive route to No 1 and it probably cost me 2-3 mins on straight line. After that was much more positive and good lines on most legs. Still feeling unbelievably weak.
8th - but importantly got a minute (of 2) back from C Mc :-))

Very slow jog to start and a little extra. Still feeling pretty weak in the legs.

Day 1 Eskilstuna
Short day, fairly average terrain. A couple of hesitations, no real time losses 6th place
Feeling really sluggish in forest and esp up hills

Bit of jogging at training to keep warm in the rain.

Control collecting after Last-blast. Feeling pretty washed-out, probably lacking food.

Wee test of one course - lovely terrain but felt grim running - too long off!

Control collecting - longer loop plus some sculling around looking in dodgy area for marker!

Collecting control from afternoon session. Lovely forest again.

got to hut at 0400 after delayed flight, baggage delays and long time ousting vehicle hire... Nice sunrise :-))
Didn't feel like anything later in day once we reached Ärla club hut.

Wee trot round some paths from IFK Goteborg club hut (checking its location so I can find it easily tomorrow!)
Steady drizzle so not too tempted by the bad-plats at the lake, but maybe tomorrow... or even early Tuesday morning?