Who needs Munro's
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:10 pmA cracking day in near perfect weather, as usual my plan went slighty wonky.
Car was parked in Dollar at the top car park where there is room for 16 cars, overlooking Castle Campbell.
Set off at 9am & headed NE on the good path which is sign posted for Glendevon with the intention of heading west through what on my OS map looks like a gap in the heavily wooded area. However the trees to the north aren't even christmas tree height yet.
This part of the walk was by far the hardest as it involved climbing over 2 fences & climbing up very spongy, soft undergrowth, it was as hard as walking on soft snow. After a struggle I eventually picked up the "real" path which heads between Whitewisp & Innerdownie - what a relief. I was surprised how much snow there was, as it turned out the snow was useful because one could see plenty of boot prints to indicate the path.
I have to say that the views from Innerdownie were outstanding, equalling any munro & probably better than most.
I could have taken literally 100's of photo's from Innerdownie, but the breeze was picking up so it was onto the next stage. The walk from Innerdownie to Whitewisp is easy & the views make the walk a joy, there was plenty of snow along most of the path.
One of the problems (for me anyway) is when the visibility is so good, I am always tempted to take 'the more direct route'. I could see Kings Seat & from Tarmangie the direct route looked like it would involve quite a bit of descent then ascent, so I opted to stick to the path & follow all the boot prints in the snow. However the route was anything but direct, as Kings Seat is alomst due south of Tarmangie & the long winded path involves climbing Kings Seat from the west. Maybe one day in the future I will explore the direct option
A thoroughly enjoyable day, one more Donald left to tackle in the Ochils, but I will definitely return, especially as they are so close
Car was parked in Dollar at the top car park where there is room for 16 cars, overlooking Castle Campbell.
Set off at 9am & headed NE on the good path which is sign posted for Glendevon with the intention of heading west through what on my OS map looks like a gap in the heavily wooded area. However the trees to the north aren't even christmas tree height yet.
This part of the walk was by far the hardest as it involved climbing over 2 fences & climbing up very spongy, soft undergrowth, it was as hard as walking on soft snow. After a struggle I eventually picked up the "real" path which heads between Whitewisp & Innerdownie - what a relief. I was surprised how much snow there was, as it turned out the snow was useful because one could see plenty of boot prints to indicate the path.
I have to say that the views from Innerdownie were outstanding, equalling any munro & probably better than most.
- My start point
- Path to Glendevon with the real forest in the background
- My unconventional route of ascent, not to be recommended
- The correct path, with Innerdownie in the distance
- Does anyone think these things enhance the views from a summit?
- Unfortunately the photo's don't do the views justice
- Views in every direction from Innerdownie
- Glenquey Reservoir
- Glendevon
I could have taken literally 100's of photo's from Innerdownie, but the breeze was picking up so it was onto the next stage. The walk from Innerdownie to Whitewisp is easy & the views make the walk a joy, there was plenty of snow along most of the path.
- Whitewisp Hill summit
- The path to Tarmangie, which you can see in the distance, very easy going
- Kings Seat from Tarmangie
- Tarmangie summit, with Innerdownie in the background, arty or what!
- The path follows the fence to my next port of call, Kings Seat
One of the problems (for me anyway) is when the visibility is so good, I am always tempted to take 'the more direct route'. I could see Kings Seat & from Tarmangie the direct route looked like it would involve quite a bit of descent then ascent, so I opted to stick to the path & follow all the boot prints in the snow. However the route was anything but direct, as Kings Seat is alomst due south of Tarmangie & the long winded path involves climbing Kings Seat from the west. Maybe one day in the future I will explore the direct option
- A few views to the south
- Castle Campbell from on high
- The path I took initially, taken whilst descending Kings Seat
A thoroughly enjoyable day, one more Donald left to tackle in the Ochils, but I will definitely return, especially as they are so close
.
