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Duncolm and the Slacks: need good footwear on a rainy day

Duncolm and the Slacks: need good footwear on a rainy day


Postby Walker1975 » Sat Aug 10, 2024 12:04 am

Route description: Duncolm and the Slacks, Old Kilpatrick

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: Duncolm

Date walked: 04/08/2024

Time taken: 4 hours

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This is what you will probably find when/after it rains:
The climb to the loch is steep but it is manageable. I believe most people stop at the loch and then go back through the same route.
But if you want to continue to the Duncolm, be aware that the grassy paths can be very boggy, as in you stepping on the grass and finding your foot submerged by water. People have found a way around those parts though, so keep an eye to find smaller trails through the tall grass that start before the bogs and take you behind them.
The climb to the top of the Duncolm domes is what I found very challenging as there are no proper steps but holes dug into the grassy hills (what I would call a "goat trail"). Those holes can be also a bit far apart and very muddy when the weather condition is not good. This is where you really need footwear with a good grip and possibly walking poles (it was so steep I was walking on four at some point).
Even more than the climb, the descent from the top of the domes is where you should go slow and plan carefully where to step, because it is again by using those holes to go down too.
If you suffer of weak knees like me you may still feel the effect from that descent a few days down the line. But the first dome is not really a climb and the second dome can be skipped (see Stage 5) - I did the second one and the view was ok. Better view is of course from the highest and third dome.
There is a second path going from the summit of this last hill, it may go down and around to join the path between the domes. But I did not take it as I was already wary on the difficulties of the path I have just come from, and I did not want to get stuck mid-hill in a path that people may not use much.
Good luck with your walk and stay safe :)
Walker1975
 
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Re: Duncolm and the Slacks: need good footwear on a rainy da

Postby MRG1 » Mon Aug 12, 2024 7:36 pm

Yeah, the Kilpatricks can be very boggy at the best of times :lol:

Those climbs up onto those three hills can be very awkward when those steps are wet.

Good views from the top as you say, especially from the tallest of the three.
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