F' 'n' B' of a walk
Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 3:49 pmFoggy and Boggy, sums this up although when I parked the car in the car park the sun had broken through the fog. I put my best winter boots on, so glad as I had no idea what was in store for me.
The path quickly starts avoiding wet patches with railway sleepers but it would have to be covered in them to make it a reasonable walk. Several people turned back pointing to big swampy areas ahead. I took to the ruined dyke to get past these parts. Not very comfortable walking but better than wet feet. Didn't really have much time to enjoy the view as my eyes had to be glued to the route in front of me. Several gates and route markers to get to the bridge. A short respite across a field before plunging back into mad and boggy bits, so weaving though the area avoiding the worst parts while using the sleepers as much as possible. A few of these were under water. Climbing towards the hills brought a little relief but not much. At the bealach the gate and signpost marked the decision point. East or West ?
I chose west as I hadn't been up there and I thought the view would be better. As I climbed up the slope alongside the dyke I could see the fog coming back across the path so that really got me hurrying up. Got to the top while it was still clear, great views all around. Really bright in the sunshine, but the fog spread right across the reservoir before I got back to the gate. So going back down I walked straight into the fog, 50m view all round now and 10 degrees cooler at least. That got me walking as fast as the conditions would allow. Some people still coming up, don't think they'll see much. Gloves and hat on to keep warm now. the swamp at the trees looked worse this way, but just kept to the dyke route. So glad to get back to the car park. I appreciated the walk for the view and exercise but I don't think I'll return. An f' 'n' b' of a walk.
The path quickly starts avoiding wet patches with railway sleepers but it would have to be covered in them to make it a reasonable walk. Several people turned back pointing to big swampy areas ahead. I took to the ruined dyke to get past these parts. Not very comfortable walking but better than wet feet. Didn't really have much time to enjoy the view as my eyes had to be glued to the route in front of me. Several gates and route markers to get to the bridge. A short respite across a field before plunging back into mad and boggy bits, so weaving though the area avoiding the worst parts while using the sleepers as much as possible. A few of these were under water. Climbing towards the hills brought a little relief but not much. At the bealach the gate and signpost marked the decision point. East or West ?
I chose west as I hadn't been up there and I thought the view would be better. As I climbed up the slope alongside the dyke I could see the fog coming back across the path so that really got me hurrying up. Got to the top while it was still clear, great views all around. Really bright in the sunshine, but the fog spread right across the reservoir before I got back to the gate. So going back down I walked straight into the fog, 50m view all round now and 10 degrees cooler at least. That got me walking as fast as the conditions would allow. Some people still coming up, don't think they'll see much. Gloves and hat on to keep warm now. the swamp at the trees looked worse this way, but just kept to the dyke route. So glad to get back to the car park. I appreciated the walk for the view and exercise but I don't think I'll return. An f' 'n' b' of a walk.
