Culter Fell and Kings Beck

[jgregor]

We arrived at Culter Allers Farm, a couple of miles south of the village of Coulter, at around half nine on a blustery, overcast Sunday morning. We were relieved to find space in the small parking area near the end of the public road, in fact we were first there. Unusual by that time of the morning I thought, and wondered if others had taken a look at the cloud hugging the higher peaks and thought better of walking up them.

Setting off, we spotted several pheasants in the adjoining grass field on the short walk to the end of the public road. Here, signs make clear who and what may pass, and in what circumstances.

Entering Area 51

We crossed the cattle grid and continued along the Coulter Reservoir road, with the Culter Water to our right, and the farm beyond that.

A short distance further on, we turned left at a plantation of trees, and begun our ascent, following the Walk Highland route.

Looking up - can't see the summit yet though

This leg of the hike was fairly steep. Rest was taken at a few of the stone grouse butts by the side of the path.

Looking back to the NW - cloud shadows on Knowe Dod

Further up, the ground levels off for a bit.

Looking up some more - still can't see the top though

It's overcast over us. Looks nice in the other direction though.

After another brief climb we reached a cairn. Not quite the top yet, but these views would turn out to be the best of the day, due to the cloud we were about to climb into.

Looking west-ish from the small cairn

Looking SW from the cairn

Setting off again on the last stretch to the top, we disappear into the cloud.

Boggy and foggy

We reached the trig point marking the summit. On a good day you're supposed to be able to see north into the Highlands, and south as far as Cumbria. Today, our "extensive views" turned out to be about 20m of grass in every direction.

Then aim from here was to return to the start, but by a different route. The plan was to head north until past the head of the steep valley of the Kings Beck burn, then turn west and skirt the rim of the valley, following it back down to the farm. Heading off from the summit I was in some doubt we'd be able to find the path in the fog. However, after a few minutes we dipped below the cloud and could see the lie of the land again.

The head of the valley to the left, with Biggar in the middle distance

We diverged from the path with the intention of having a look down the steep head of the valley before continuing on.

Looking down

Once we'd had a look down, I was persuaded by the younger members of the party that descending this way would be a more interesting way down than the route I had planned. I could see from the map that, assuming we could negotiate the initial steep section, we could follow the stream all the way back to the road.

The descent into the valley was a steep scramble down a scree slope. My preferred method was to cling onto the heather at the edge for dear life. Others took a bolder approach.

I'm pretty sure this is no longer a grade 3 hike

Past the worst of it and looking back up

The way down carved out by the King Beck

Almost at the bottom again, we passed the small wood we had started our climb at the other side of.

Regaining the road, we headed along it back past the farm.

And back to the car park, which was by now full.