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Started this walk on a foul February morning, driving sleet and visilbility close to 0.
The walk necessitated the use of 2 cars due to it's linear nature which meant a pint or three at the end was not an option well earned though it would have been.
The climb from the Straiton road up the northern shoulder of Shalloch on Minnoch is best described as a slog with no path to speak of and deep heather mixed with boggy pools. Height is gained quickly and conditions underfoot improve once over 500m as is normal for the hills in this part of the world.
Unfortunately given conditions there were no views to speak of although the cloud cleared at the top and we could see down to Loch Doon and Dalmellington. This walk would be lovely on a nice day with views across to Kintyre, Ireland and all of Southwestern Scotland.
You follow the ridge form here across Tarfessock, then onwards past a small lochan to ascend the northern shoulder of Kirriereoch hill - avoiding the rocky parts that were covered in snow and ice. Visibility at this point was close to zero, and my brother informed me this was the first time he has tried to navigate with map & compass in these conditions
From then onwards to the Merrick the days second Corbett, by the little spear - a rocky arete which was not wise

considering no ice axe or crampons and the verglass on the rocks beneath our feet
Once at the top of the Merrick simply follow the legions of footprints left in the snow back over Benyellary down the tourist path to the car.
Here is a link to an excellent site for walking in the Galloway Hills for those who wish to explore this uninhabited corner of Scotland further.
http://www.walkscotland.plus.com/intro/indexpages/gallo_index2.htm All in all a good walk made harder by the conditions and one to save for a clear day