Hart Fell Happiness - with added goats

[thepigguy]

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Corbetts: Hart Fell (4/222)
Donalds: Swatte Fell, Hart Fell, Under Saddle Yoke (20/89)
Donald Tops: Nether Coomb Craig, Falcon Craig, Saddle Yoke (6/52)

This was an absolutely glorious outing on what must be one of the best hillwalks in the south of Scotland.

We started at about 11am from the usual parking spot (two other cars there) and followed the Walkhighlands clockwise route.

Looking over to Bodesbeck Law near the start of the climb

Height is quickly gained

The gradient eases on the way over to Black Craig

The initial climb was quite a shock to the system and there was a fair bit of puffing and wheezing before the ground levelled out and the views opened up near Black Craig.

First hint of some glorious views to come

Under Saddle Yoke and Saddle Yoke

Looking up Blackhope

Looking over to Nether Coomb Craig

More great scenery

From then is was decent going and the biggest headache was finding the summits that precede Hart Fell. Nether Coomb Craig seems to be more a district than an actual summit, Swatte Fell's highest point could be a post sticking out of a stone wall or some rocks a couple of hundred yards further on, but most likely to be the junction of the fences (It certainly looked that way).

Nether Coomb Craig summit - I'm pretty sure

Swatte Fell summit? I'm not convinced

Anyway, we visited all likely candidates and if those are the biggest problems on a sunny Thursday, life is good - and it most certainly was as we nipped over the fence to bag Falcon Craig and made our way down to Hass o' the Red Roads and then steadily up to Hart Fell for a lunch break, 2 hours and 45 minutes into the walk.

Picking up the pace over to Falcon Craig

Definitely the top of Falcon Craig

Looking back at Falcon Craig from Hass o' the Red Roads

Up towards Hart Fell

Luncheon is served

From there we dropped down Hartfell Rig to the boggy col, which wasn't too bad after the spell of dry weather, and cut across to start off up Under Saddle Yoke, the third and final Donald Hill of the day.

Fruid Reservoir

On the way down Hartfell Rig

Time to climb again. A moderate pull up Under Saddle Yoke

My stepson Patrick, with the best part of 30 year advantage on me, was a good 15 minutes ahead of me by the time I emerged sweatily at the top and was happily settled, taking in the glorious views over White Coomb and across the valley to Andrewhinney Hill. We sat there for some time, it was no day to be hurrying.

Reaching the top of Under Saddle Yoke. One of the best Donald summits?

Patrick looking very comfortable on Under Saddle Yoke

White Coomb

The quick down and up to Saddle Yoke made it a sixth summit of the day and then there was the long, occasionally very steep descent (watch those knees and ankles) and more Southern Upland beauty, made all the more enjoyable by the surprise appearance of a group of feral goats. A great way to end a superb walk.

On the way to Saddle Yoke

The way down

Surprise goats

Looking back at Saddle Yoke

Looking up Blackhope at the end of the walk