Frozen at the Stake

[weaselmaster]

I really would have thought you crazy if you'd said to me at this time last year that we'd be having our first summit camp of the year on Hill of Stake. Just imagine - 3 days of beautiful weather with perfect snow, yes, we'd have been out, but somewhere more um....exotic. But here we are, one hill that's left within our Covid reach, Hill of Stake. For years this was a bogey hill for us, having experienced various kinds of hell there in December 13. Then we went up for a walk during the first Lockdown back in the early summer, and it was much better, although still a boggy mess to get to. I'd looked out at the sunshine and snow on New Year's Day as we went for a wander through the Kelburn Estate in Largs and reckoned that we should at least make an attempt to get out and camp given the weather.

2021-01-02_1052 Raw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

So we headed to Lochwinnoch (less than 3 miles out of Inverclyde) on Saturday morning and left the car there, heading for the farm track that goes all the way up to Misty Law. Plenty of golfers out for a first game of the year at Lochwinnoch golf club. Steep road up to Highlinthill Farm and onto the farm track. Where this had been very wet and boggy, it was now frozen solid, the lagoon sized puddles covered with thick ice, making them easier to walk over than to skirt around. A few other folk out today, very little wind and some beautiful sunny snowy vistas.

Misty Law
2AF6EE87-507E-49C1-B5C3-6D7D95E7ED92_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

Stake
14EC8D7D-30EB-437F-AE27-DB9CEA231E13_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

We made it up the slopes of Misty Law with no real idea of where we'd camp - somewhere between here and Hill of Stake as far as I was concerned. There were a few places where the bog was still unfrozen beneath the grass, following he fence line between summits, but not much of a problem. We got to the top of Hill of Stake just after 3pm, meeting a few folk on their way up from Muirshiell. The snow was around 6 inches deep across the summit - we found a fairly level place to pitch and set about flattening the snow - could have done with our shovel, but boots sufficed. After we got the tent pitched, Allison decided it would be a good idea to build a windbreak around the northern end of the tent, as we knew we were going to be in for a cold night. This proved to be an amusing diversion - I found that by walking in a straight line, heel to toe and repeating this 8-10 inches across I could lift nice blocks of windslab, ideal for building. We whiled away half an hour as we watched the sun set over Arran, outlining the low clouds on the horizon with a border of fire.

0645DDE2-BEBA-4991-8334-89E4D9C81A82_1_100_o by Al, on Flickr

364AFB45-2ED0-4FCE-B787-1B93316E6EE6_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

6F1B51F0-AE79-40BC-BDC1-3ADE5EE8EC76_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

B6811D83-38D2-4CE7-8ACE-8BEC338C3DEC_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

9445F901-9926-47E0-8C83-8AB7D31B3C88_1_100_o by Al, on Flickr

It was beautiful to look out on, although I'd have preferred to be sitting somewhere in the Fishrfields watching the same sunset, if truth be told. As Heaven's Eye sank below the horizon, the air turned colder. Over behind us, the hills to the north of Glasgow were outlined against a deep blue, with a layer of delicate pink above. Tie for some warming food (Huel Mexican Chili) and a warming cup of coffee then some reading before turning in for the night - at the moment it's David Keenan's second novel "For the good times" which is excellent, brutal but very funny. Anyway, it was a long night, but we were wrapped warmly enough for that not to matter. Stars were fine, although the amount of light pollution from the Glasgow side was immense - normally we don't camp anywhere near civilisation. The moon, past its fullness but still bright, cast her silvery light over the snow. Didn't get up til after 9, as we didn't really have anywhere else it be.

A76081E9-6389-4915-A370-7A944122D5AB_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

F6B8B671-9535-476A-9015-DFB662F4357A_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr


2929B7A8-DEFE-442C-AA1E-C0B862C6210C_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

A bit of breakfast, pack up the tent and we were off, heading down to Muirshiell, following in the footsteps of various folk that had been up the day before. We found quite a clear path, and met quite a number heading up today too, then it got really busy as we reached the track at the bottom of the hillside. The roads through Muirshiell were icy - we stopped to assist a guy trying to get his car out of one of the car parks, then set off back down the main road to Lochwinnoch, which is something of an ordeal with the amount of traffic going past.

EC10C9A8-B954-45ED-93EE-CFE3D4AB356B_1_201_a by Al, on Flickr

D30EC797-6C41-4ED5-9948-3C895E037E32_1_100_o by Al, on Flickr

[Sunset tripper]

Hardcore! Well done guys - great pics

[PeteR]

Stake and nearby Blaeloch have been my staple during 2020, although never had such clear views on Stake in any of my visits as you've just enjoyed. I think the various routes available from Lochwinnoch as well as the Largs approach are far more enjoyable that the more traditional Brisbane Glen bog trot.

[Jaxter]

Good grief...you went back?!

That being said, some amazing shots

[weaselmaster]

Stake and nearby Blaeloch have been my staple during 2020, although never had such clear views on Stake in any of my visits as you've just enjoyed. I think the various routes available from Lochwinnoch as well as the Largs approach are far more enjoyable that the more traditional Brisbane Glen bog trot.

I think all the bogs are currently frozen solid, which is a great help🙂

[weaselmaster]

Good grief...you went back?!

That being said, some amazing shots

Jaxter, I have a feeling that we might be going back quite often over the weeks ahead. It’s pretty much our only hope, though we did enjoy a walk over the Blood Moss behind Wemyss Bay today. Hill of Stake as the high point of our winter walking... Who’d have thunk it 🤣

[weaselmaster]

😊

[iangpark]

Lovely stuff! Never envisioned a return to Hill of Stake for you both so soon - not a common wildcamp venue but christ it looks chilly! We were up Irish Law quite late on that day - I think we'll be half a pixel somewhere in that 3rd photo. Couldn't believe how packed the car parks were but can hardly be surprised given the local (and intensely infuriating) sensational conditions of this week and last!

[Graeme D]

Masochism is alive and kicking in 2021!