Wetter than an otters pocket

[Bbbadger]

Taking advantage of being on a 2 day Groupon break in the area, we had selected the four peaks in the Awful Hand as a bit practice before tackling Ben Nevis at the end of the month. The weather had been marvellous in the days leading up to the outing but as luck would have it 24 hours of rain was forecast and we just had to make the best of it.
Parked the car well up the forest track and set off through the forest. The visibility was down to about 20 yards and picking out landmarks was difficult. Heading to Tarfessock first the ground was boggy underfoot to say the least and any path found seemed to disappear after a few yards. Getting on the ridge the compass was used constantly to navigate our way to the the summit and we were relieved to arrive without too much trouble. A quick pic or two and on to Shalloch on Minnoch in about 1/2 an hour. We found the cairn end peak but did not bother to try and find the lower trig point in the poor visability. Retracing our steps proved a bit hard and we almost started descending into the Maidens Bed!!! A timely correction had us back to Tarfessock where Mrs Badger who was like myself soaked through found that the rain had been running down her poles and soaked her gloves and fleece. As she was starting to feel the wind chill effect with no warm layers to put on the decision was made to call it a day and get back to the car.
The descent proved to be even more difficult in the bogs and tussocks and we were glad to get back to the car and get some dry clothes on.
I can say without fear of contradiction that this was the wettest outing I have ever been on but it has given us a taste for the Galloway Hills and we will return.