Hart Fell & co

[rockhopper]

Corbett/Donald/New Donald: Hart Fell
Donalds/New Donalds: Under Saddle Yoke, Cape Law, Swatte Fell
New Donalds: Saddle Yoke, Din Law

Date: Sunday 15 December 2013
Time taken: 5hrs 35mins (including stops 45mins)
Distance: 17.7km approx
Ascent: 1,130m approx
Attendees: me

Around the Moffat area, although remaining windy, the forecast was for a dry morning with the rain not due to return until early afternoon. Main aim for this trip was the Hart Fell horseshoe. Weather and time permitting could firstly add on Cape Law/Din Law and secondly Whitehope Heights. Managed the former but decided against the latter due to the clag.



Parked in the wee parking space beside Blackshope cottage. Decided to go anti clockwise due to the possible additions to the route. Set off around 0800hrs, up the track past some cattle and on to the open hillside. Left the path a wee bit too early and had to follow the barbed wire fence back to another gate. Then up to the ridge which would take me to Saddle Yoke.

Looking into Black Hope


Up towards Saddle Yoke


Saddle Yoke cairn


Short walk to get up to Under Saddle Yoke. Strong wind so best not to get too close to the edge on this bit.

Sun trying to make an appearance


Up and along Under Saddle Yoke and decision time. The clag had cleared and I could see Cape law in the distance so decided to head for it.

Cape Law in the distance


Looking over Raven Craig towards White Coomb


A little marshy in places but plenty of fences to follow



Over Cape Law then a little drop with Din Law in the distance - Gameshope Loch off to the right



Fruid Reservoir from Din Law


From here headed initially south in a line towards Hartfell Rig to lose as little height as possible. Once over the stream, headed in more of a SW direction to get to the ridge west of Hartfell Rig.

North side of Hartfell Rig


Once up on the ridge the clag was back down with little visibility – fences again coming in very handy



Decided against the detour to Whitehope Heights (via Whitehope Knowe) – little point as I reckoned I wouldn’t see anything in the clag.

Arrived at the top of Hart Fell where the fences meet.



Waited a wee bit but no change in visibility so headed off SE then S towards Swatte Fell.



Had to take a wee detour along the fence to find the wee summit cairn



Then back to following the fence



Some steep drops to the east on the way back and a clearing view of Black Hope



Over to Saddle Yoke


The last section down by Hang Gill was steep and slippery in places. Got back to the car around 1330hrs and said hello to the guy in the cottage. Another car was parked behind me. Got changed and drove off – ten minutes later the heavy rain started so I’d managed to time it just right for once.

[dooterbang]

Timing is everything - nice to see you getting it right for a change!

Nice route, and some decent views too!

This is an area for those wild and short winter days.

Enjoyed your last triple corbett report, yet another good route for the shoprter days.

Cheers

[PeteR]

Very enjoyable read. I'm a fan of the hills in this area. Was getting a battering on Coserine and the Rhinns of Kells the same day as you did this circuit (I was a late starter).

I did almost this same route as you (excluding Din Law) three weekends ago now. Never got round to posting a report though. Saw my first fog bow between Swatte Fell and Hart Fell I also discovered there's an electric fence after under saddle yolke (or before given the route you took). Got quite a shock when I grabbed it

[Johnny Corbett]

Nice photos. Did Hart Fell before i started bagging Donalds and never done the horseshoe due to the wind. Had considered this area on this day but opted to stay low with the winds that day.

[pigeon]

Nice one RH,weather has been crap recently so well done on getting out

[Collaciotach]

Queer names on these hills , must be a Southern thang

Nice one

[weaselmaster]

Nice pics, RH
Tempted to head down this way at the weekend - seems to be the least bad weather
Thought about going up hart fell then over to white coomb, rejoining the saddle yoke descent route
Did you notice if there was much in the way of suitable wild-camp areas near the start point?

[rockhopper]

cheers all

I also discovered there's an electric fence after under saddle yoke (or before given the route you took). Got quite a shock when I grabbed it

yes - there was one on the way up saddle yoke and another on the other side but luckily they didn't seem to be on when I was going over them

Did you notice if there was much in the way of suitable wild-camp areas near the start point?

afraid I wasn't really looking but passed through some cattle at the start and at the end so you'd probably want to be further into the walk if you're looking at camping although that either means higher up or going more into Black Hope - there was quite a bit of flooding en route and there aren't many spaces to stop on the roadside but I think there were one or two forestry car parks

[weaselmaster]

Did you notice if there was much in the way of suitable wild-camp areas near the start point?

afraid I wasn't really looking but passed through some cattle at the start and at the end so you'd probably want to be further into the walk if you're looking at camping although that either means higher up or going more into Black Hope - there was quite a bit of flooding en route and there aren't many spaces to stop on the roadside but I think there were one or two forestry car parks

Cheers - don't want to be trampled by coos during the night
Looks possible up by the parking area at the grey mare's tail from the map, might head there