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A Smidge of Hope


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Not that usual a situation lately, the best weather was forecast for the S. So I decided to go over a few Donalds for a change - and because I really didn't feel like waking up super early, I decided to go for a place that shouldn't be crowded: the Ettrick hills. And indeed, I only saw one other person in the turning circle where I parked, and he'd be the only person I'd see the entire walk.

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Heading up the track, I was moving quickly. But after the track gave way to a path, I guess I didn't choose the right one at the beginning, as I more or less went into the corrie, where I realised the path I was on had no intention of going towards Ettrick Pen. So I headed up the grassy slope, and close to the summit, I reached a clearer path. That's what happens when I try to go an official route in reverse...

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Beyond Ettrick Pen, the good path continued around Hopetoun Craig (where I left it for a minute to reach the actual summit) and to Wind Fell. On the other side of the peaty summit area, I guess I just wanted to avoid following the path to Loch Fell, so I took a branch to the right a bit too early. It ended up heading towards the woods, so realising my mistake, I skipped over to the path on the left, which took me to the saddle.

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The promised boggy / peaty area was there, but with how dry it had been, crossing it was no issue. A short and simple climb later, I was on Capel Fell: indeed another hill where the summit wasn't visible. But views to Crofthead Hill were nice - as was the look at the ice hockey results; the game wasn't over yet, but if it ended on the current score, I wouldn't complain.

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Further on, I followed the stone dyke and the path next to it: over two more Donald Tops (Smidhope Hill and White Shank, the latter also requiring a diversion from the path). On Smidhope Hill, I checked the scores again; the game had finished, and no more goals had been scored. So the smid(ge of )hope there was for advancing from group stage still lived on. Feeling encouraged, I turned right on Fauldside Hill, then left a few moments later, entering a boggier but - perhaps more importantly - quite overgrown saddle under Bodesbeck Law.

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The ascent of Bodesbeck Law was... well, it shouldn't have been difficult. But I'd kept quite a fast pace from the beginning, so I felt the slope, and the fact the path on it wasn't that clear. Eventually, though, I reached the dyke junction, crossed it, and continued to the summit. From there over Nowtrig Head and Mid Rig, the path was quite clear once again.

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Finally, I reached Bell Craig, the last hill of the walk. I have to say, the hill itself felt sort of anticlimactic. But it was a Donald, with a cairn to prove it. So I turned right, following the fence to Black Knowe Head. This part was pathless, and once the clear path appeared just beyond the fence, I considered jumping over. But in the end, I stayed on my side until the track I'd take down was reached. Down the track, between the sheep, and then a bit up the road - I even jogged some of this last section as I found out the Peebles Tesco shut at 9, not 10 as I'd thought. But irrespective of Tesco and even ice hockey, it was a lovely walk in a peaceful area, quite the change of scenery from where I usually go. Perhaps I should make an effort to visit the Donalds more often, not just once in a blue moon as I currently do.
by aaquater
Sat Jul 15, 2023 4:18 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: A Smidge of Hope
Replies: 0
Views: 67

Sundays Are Special


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I'd had the idea for this walk for some time, and checked out the bus times. There were two buses I could take on the way there, an hour apart, and the same for going back - which could give me 5, 6, or 7 hours to complete the walk. So when a convenient day came, I went for it. Not realising until I arrived in Aberdeen that the day was a Sunday, meaning buses were more scarce; only the later bus there and the earlier bus back were in service, so I had to be done in 5 hours. After the (for me) nerve-racking task of asking the bus driver to let me out at Milton of Tullich, I set off into the woods, knowing I had to get a move on.

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But the path was a nice one. First through the forest and around the loch, then into the moorland. Complete with a 'Welcome to the Moor' sign, if I hadn't realised. Distance was being conquered quickly and effortlessly.

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Paths could only take me so far, though, so after arriving at a T junction, I continued straight ahead as though it was the crossroads. Longish grass, but a simple ascent otherwise.

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A little under 2 hours since getting off the bus, the summit of Morven was reached. There were ample views to be enjoyed - though as I was pressed for time, I didn't hang around for too long before moving on.

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And I have to say, the NW side of Morven left something to be desired. The peat hags made the going more time- and energy-consuming than I would've liked. The grassy S slopes win by a wide margin.

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Regardless, once I started ascending Mullachdubh - if that word applies here - I couldn't resist and headed for the summit, topped by a likeable cairn.

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From there, I expected the section leading to Mona Gowan to be a simple affair of gentle, grassy slopes. The col itself was rather more dramatic, though, adding the element of scree into play. Not to my appreciation, mind you, as I stuck to the grass instead.

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Mona Gowan. Few hills in this area are particularly distinguishable, as they all tend to be rather gentle and grassy / heathery. Mona Gowan's Jubilee Cairn (though not in this picture) is an eye-catching feature, though. I had about 2 hours to catch the bus in Ballater, so I headed S along the fence, then hopped onto the track once I reached it.

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The track, and then the minor road, made for a lovely walk through some pleasant and peaceful-looking areas. Especially with the weather being as nice as it was. Checking the time did the opposite, though; I knew I couldn't waste any time. But in the end, I reached Ballater (and the huge pile of... beets? Kohlrabi? On its edge) on time. And carried away a reminder that when looking at bus timetables, 'Day' is as important to take notice of as 'Time'.
by aaquater
Thu May 25, 2023 12:04 am
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Sundays Are Special
Replies: 0
Views: 39

As Colinas


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Task of the day: Introducing Scottish hillwalking to S. A walk that wouldn't be too long, too challenging, too far away, but decidedly a Munro - the last two J's conditions more than S's. Taking the forecast into account too, I went for Meall Chuaich. The Monadhliath Geal Charn was the other real contender, but the path leading up Meall Chuaich was described as better and clearer. Starting up down south, the cities were worryingly immersed in clag, but the sky showed itself just in time.

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The track running alongside the aqueduct couldn't have been clearer, either. We spent a good amount of time just following the aqueduct, but we were in no hurry. (No serious hurry, I should say; a grocery delivery sitting outside was at stake.) Under the sun, it was quite warm outside - though it did get chillier when a cloud came over and the wind rose. Over the aqueduct and around the locked hut; scenery notwithstanding, this part didn't really feel like hillwalking.

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A little past the hut, though, we came across a few rather talkative grouse. Not only did they have something to say about every step we took (and honestly, some of the sounds they made gave me the impression they'd enjoyed one too many cigarettes...), they were also adamant about leading the way, instead of fleeing like I'd come to expect. They didn't follow us over Allt Coire Chuaich, though - which is where the actual hillwalk began. Fully - that is, with bogs and steep ground. S was not amused.

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What needs to be said is that S didn't have proper walking boots. And the path up Meall Chuaich was worse off than I'd expected, especially on the steeper part. S was trying to deal with the terrain - and kept up with it until we'd clearly bypassed the altitude of Creag Ruadh beyond the loch - but had to throw in the towel in the end, saying J and I could run up to the summit and back, and she'd wait for us somewhere out of the wind.

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Not entirely at ease with the idea, J and I walked the last bit on our own. Annoyingly enough, there was only one more boggy section above the point where S stayed; from then on, the path was drier and better. THE path, I need to stress, as we made a wrong turn somewhere and strayed to the N on a path that fizzled out eventually, so the last bit until the summit was pathless, over grass and boulders. We took a few pictures and turned back down, taking the proper path this time - though I made a short detour over Stac Meall Chuaich. After picking up S, we then made our way back down to the track and the car. (Interestingly enough, the hillside seemed friendlier going down, which is a rare case - or it was just easier to pick the better route looking down.) All in all, perhaps not the ideal introduction. But perhaps, without sugarcoating and rose-tinted glasses, all the more genuine...
by aaquater
Wed May 24, 2023 10:49 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: As Colinas
Replies: 0
Views: 74

The Kylerhea Quartet

New_Route.gpx Whenever people talk about 'the Kylerhea hills,' they always seem to mean the trio: Beinn na Caillich, Sgurr na Coinnich, and Ben Aslak. But when I looked at the map, I saw four baggable hills. Fair enough, Beinn na Seamraig might be a bit awkward to reach from Kylerhea itself, but it...
by aaquater
Sat May 06, 2023 6:10 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: The Kylerhea Quartet
Replies: 0
Views: 397

Re: No Tigers Spotted (but Turbines Aplenty)

A fairly long route, joining two hills that I just didn't consider as "combine-able". Great stuff! What kind of ptarmigan are those in the Moy wind farm picture? Their plumage is unlike any I have seen before!? :eh: I didn't start off thinking they would be, either. But when I noticed thi...
by aaquater
Sat May 06, 2023 5:13 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: No Tigers Spotted (but Turbines Aplenty)
Replies: 3
Views: 756

No Tigers Spotted (but Turbines Aplenty)

New_Route.gpx I can't be the only one to see the name Carn nan Tri-tighearnan and think 'Cairn of Three Tigers,' right?? :-? The idea began as a circular of Carn na h-Easgainn and Meall Mor, but was promptly updated when I studied the track layout, spotting tracks that could be used to join it with...
by aaquater
Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:46 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: No Tigers Spotted (but Turbines Aplenty)
Replies: 3
Views: 756

Final Exams Left Me Blind


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So, my last exam had been the day before. I just couldn't wait to go SOMEWHERE. The forecast wasn't that good, but with the cloud base said to be at 600 m, perhaps higher in the E, I thought I'd risk it and go. So I hopped on a bus... meaning to go to St Fillans and up Mor Bheinn... except that bus didn't go further than Comrie. So I did some quick brainstorming and figured out a way to bag Mor Bheinn from Comrie. The unexpected change also meant I got to visit some quite lovely woodland with waterfalls around on the way to the hills themselves.

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There was a track leading up Ben Halton, following Allt an Tamhaisg - although after the sharp left turn, it was meant to finish in the middle of nowhere, so I left it at an opportune place and continued pathless. The slope was simple and views of the River Earn valley were opening up, but the clouds seemed close.

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Far too close, to be exact. Ben Halton itself was clag-free, but Mor Bheinn not so much. This would remain the case when, after a short drop from Ben Halton, I began climbing up the baggable one.

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Fortunately, Mor Bheinn had a trig, allowing me to find the summit, because the visibility was... yeah. The cloud base was higher than 600 m, perhaps even 625. Unfortunately, when the hill itself was 640 m, that didn't mean much. The trig was thus the only picture I took up on the summit. Anything else, I might've stayed at home and took a picture of the wall for all the difference that would've made.

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Dropping down, I simply decided to follow a burn flowing westwards. The going was slow, but it would've been even without the clag, as the heather-covered slope was quite steep. What did change after I descended below the clouds, though, was that I could see the firebreak and track I was aiming for.

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Once I found the track, the rest of the walk was simple; I just followed it all the way to St Fillans and waited for a bus that actually did go all the way there. So all in all, I'd say starting the walk from Comrie wasn't a bad thing at all. I got to explore a place I wouldn't have otherwise, and starting from St Fillans wouldn't have done anything about the clag. Messing up with the buses isn't something to try and make a habit out of, though.
by aaquater
Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:26 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Final Exams Left Me Blind
Replies: 0
Views: 39

Venue's Popularity in Question


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Admittedly, the title's not fair. Neither to the hill - where the car park was almost full when we arrived, and we met loads of people on the way - nor to the people, who all gave me legitimate reasons. It still stands, though, that we were meant to go as a group of 6 at one point, and it ended up being just me and A.

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We followed the official route, which had waymarkers everywhere, and well-maintained tracks and paths. The latter is a win in almost all circumstances, except in a situation like this, where there are so many junctions, and with the trees above, it's not that easy to check which direction you're meant to be going. So the waymarkers were really invaluable.

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After some time, we emerged on a singular, clear hill path, taking us up Gleann Riabhach. The trees had given way, too, though there were newly planted ones on both sides. Slowly, we were gaining altitude, and after a sharper right turn, could see where the ascent would get more serious.

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The ascent required some simple scrambling, though I was still rather careful, as the rocks appeared to be quite slippery. A while later, there was a boggy section to cross - or rather, bypass and stick to the side of the steeper slope - and we were at the junction with the Ledard route, in the bealach. The path continued steeply up, with some scrambling and boggy sections as well, more intertwined this time, not the separate entities they were lower down.

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Eventually, the SE top and the trig was reached, with splendid views down over the Achray and Venachar lochs. Surprisingly, given how many people we met on the path, we found the top vacant. For, like, 2 minutes, before other people caught up :D We took a break, had some lunch, and made our way down - or, to be exact, to the main, NW summit.

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At first, I wasn't that sure I found the correct path branching off towards the summit; it began earlier than I expected and stuck pretty close to the main one initially. But it was the correct path, which brought us to the main summit, offering - obviously - superior views in the N and W directions. Taking the minor path down - perhaps rockier, but I'd say drier than the main one - we joined the main path and retraced our steps to the car. (The steep section just above the bealach seemed a lot shorter / easier going down, which was strange, as the opposite is the case most of the time.) At the very end, we chose the other branch of the path leading to the car park itself, just to complete the loop. Overall, a fairly simple walk with nice, rewarding views and luxurious parking facilities. It's easy to see why Ben Venue is popular...
by aaquater
Sun Apr 16, 2023 5:41 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Venue's Popularity in Question
Replies: 0
Views: 110

Re: Of Map Accuracy and Natural Phlebotomy

Was up Dun Leacainn on Sunday in the mist and rain. Took a soggy route up over the left overs from tree felling and came down the way you went up. Given me a thought for Beinn Ghlas though, as parking on the main road for that one doesn't look ideal. A perhaps longer route round the back looks a go...
by aaquater
Thu Mar 16, 2023 9:05 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Of Map Accuracy and Natural Phlebotomy
Replies: 3
Views: 835

Of Map Accuracy and Natural Phlebotomy

New_Route.gpx I couldn't waste such a nice weekend, now, could I? Having been surprised by snow the week before, I wanted to stay at relatively low altitudes - though there was no shortage of options when checking the map for Subs I hadn't been to. I opted for a couple near Furnace, which hadn't be...
by aaquater
Sun Mar 12, 2023 7:08 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Of Map Accuracy and Natural Phlebotomy
Replies: 3
Views: 835

s'No Issue, Per Se


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When I woke up that day, I didn't have a hillwalk in mind. Two hours later, I was sitting in the car. I'm never this spontaneous, but thought the weather was okay, and I had the time (after the stressful two weeks I'd had), so I just wanted to switch off for a while. The choice fell on the Hill of Persie. Not a long drive away, and the walk itself wasn't that big, either, so I was pulling up on the layby on the A93 just before noon. What I hadn't counted on was the present Otto the Storm had left on the ground.

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It wasn't more than 5 cm of fresh snow, so I could still sort-of see what laid underneath, but I chose to tread carefully. The terrain wasn't challenging, the tussocks nor the heather higher up, but I was still progressing rather slowly.

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Having seen mentions about a ravine, I chose to walk up a bit further away from the dyke. Not far enough though, as it turned out, and I came to a halt on the clifftop. Spying more reasonable ground on the left, I crossed over there, then ascended Hill of Persie properly.

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As far as I could see, Hill of Persie had no cairn or trig on the summit. Rather, the summit was marked by a bend in the fence. After taking a panoramic photo, I continued on the ridge towards the twin hill, Knock of Balmyle.

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Climbing down to the dyke between the two hills, I made use of a convenient gap between the stone and the fence below, then continued towards the Knock of Balmyle trig. In the 20 minutes since Hill of Persie, the cloud level had descended considerably, and it was drizzling a little, so I was keen to move on.

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Meeting the fence again, I decided to continue on the forest side, since I was heading for Loch Mharaich. As it turned out, I didn't have to worry about the fence, as there was a gate where the path I wanted to take to the loch led. As it also turned out, with the snow on top, the path was hidden... Fortunately, the loch itself was obvious enough, so I took out the map, working out that I had to go around its N end to meet the track I was aiming for.

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At the end, at least, I must have been following the correct path, as I was in a break of sorts, with impenetrable forestry on my right. And eventually, the break did deposit me on the track. So I walked back on it... and got told off for being there by a guy cutting down trees. In my defence, I hadn't seen any signs about it. In his defence, there were signs in places where people would've been expected to come from. The fact I had to walk back along the A93 means this is not the ideal route for Hill of Persie, I was just trying (not entirely successfully) to be innovative. Too late to change anything about it now - but at least, if at all possible, active forestry works should really be avoided.
by aaquater
Sat Feb 25, 2023 6:33 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: s'No Issue, Per Se
Replies: 0
Views: 111

No More Hill Unification, for Pete's Sake!


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With the snow seeming scarce below 600 m, I started considering hills above 500 m for the walk that weekend, and came up with Lord Arthur's Hill - which should've been a simple circuit on good tracks. Leaving the car by the Dubston Farm (at the end of a road not shown on my GPS, so I'd allegedly had a tractor experience), I set off on the track. To be fair, the track was clear and had the potential to be good. At the moment, though, it was a bit too muddy, so I had to be careful where to step.

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As is often the case in such scenarios, the track improved a lot once the ascent began, and was really pleasant to walk. It was quite windy, so I didn't stay on the summit of Lord Arthur's Hill for long, but the views were nice - be it back towards the car, N towards the rest of the Correen Hills, or SW towards Morven.

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Carrying on, after taking the right turn twice, I entered some gently undulating terrain leading me to Edinbanchory Hill. The track led directly through one swamp, where evasive action was necessary, but was lovely otherwise, the surrounding views undoubtedly contributing too.

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After turning right for Brux Hill, it was pretty much the same. A clear track on gentle slopes - though the 'wet in one or two places' was definitely an underestimate, at least at that time. Enjoying the simple walking, I only thought about placing one foot in front of the other. And as shown on the map, Brux Hill went on, and on, and on...

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Except, did it really? What I'd imagined was a clear drop off of Brux Hill and a similar ascent up Badingair Hill. That, really, wouldn't have been the case, which I would've known had I looked at the map properly. While I felt some gentle uphills and downhills, I was convinced they were still parts of the Brux Hill plateau. Thinking on it now, these trees were already on Badingair.

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Another thing, I knew I had to turn right before the forest. I just thought, for some reason, that it had to be RIGHT before the forest, further confirming by belief that the hill in front of me was Badingair Hill - when, in fact, I was standing on it at the moment, and the one in front was the Mire of Midgates.

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So I met the Tullynessle-Rhynie track and expected to continue on. Of course, no track led that way. But I heather-bashed my way up Mire of Midgates, seeing a cairn on the other summit. 'Badingair Hill shouldn't have a double summit,' I thought but continued there anyway, making it to the cairn through a convenient gate. There, the forest was VERY close. So I took out the map, checked where the forest really ended, saw the fence - and the name Peter's Prop next to where I was standing, and where I had no intention of being. Knowing quite the number of Peters, I have to wonder if any of them sensed the frustration I felt at that time...

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But having figured out where exactly I was, it was clear where I had to go. Back through the gate, I heather-bashed some more until the correct track was reached - again, and this time for good. On the track (which also had its boggy moments in the flatter sections), it was a pleasant descent down to Esset Burn, a venture several metres upstream to find a place I could jump across (the stones at the crossing were underwater), and a return along the same track taken a few hours earlier. A nice, simple circuit, though perhaps one for drier weather, and people who can read maps correctly...
by aaquater
Sat Feb 25, 2023 2:29 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: No More Hill Unification, for Pete's Sake!
Replies: 0
Views: 117

Heating Up


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I was picking up a heater in Leven, so since Largo Law was nearby and not that close to anything else baggable, I just had to stop there on the way. Following the official description, I parked next to the cemetery and set off on the track - though it was so muddy that at one point, I just went through the field instead; much more solid underfoot.

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The section past the farm was muddy too, though by balancing on the grassy verge (next to a rather talkative horse), I only really dealt with the mud by the gate and stile. And then once the uphill part started. Especially at the beginning, the path was quite eroded and slippery, as it was finding a way between the gorse bushes. You know how some plants can be used for erosion control on hillsides? Well, gorse does the opposite. Unless 100% of the slope is covered in it, I guess, then you really won't see a soul on it.

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Higher up the climb was more pleasant - a) the slope was a bit milder, but mainly b) there was no more gorse. A few minutes later, I was on the S top, and after a down-fence-up move, on the main summit.

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The views were nice, especially towards the Largo Bay. On the way down, I tried keeping to a branch of the path further E, where it had looked - and did turn out to be - a bit less eroded. Another stretch of muddy track, and I was cleaning my shoes and getting ready to pick up the heater. A/N a month later: it works well! :D
by aaquater
Wed Feb 22, 2023 10:28 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Heating Up
Replies: 0
Views: 124

Re: Two Swamps, Two Fionas

According to the date on this, it was 6 days before I did the same route. A serious contrast in terms of snow cover when I passed through 6 days later! :shock: Well, much better to have it this way than to have a lot of snow suddenly melt, I think! :D But yeah, that week's snow took me by surprise ...
by aaquater
Wed Feb 15, 2023 8:31 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Two Swamps, Two Fionas
Replies: 2
Views: 706

Two Swamps, Two Fionas

New_Route.gpx Zero Shreks, though. Unless I was meant to play that role. With the forecast promising sub-zero conditions, at least up on the hills, I did indeed bring a number of layers, and admittedly didn't smell that great at the end of the walk... Anyway. Importantly, it was freezing. The snow ...
by aaquater
Sun Feb 12, 2023 3:37 pm
 
Forum: Walk reports - Scotland
Topic: Two Swamps, Two Fionas
Replies: 2
Views: 706
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