The Donald Graham circuit, Culter Fell

[U059361]

Parked in lay by at the road end, really only space for two cars. I used the website route map on my phone all the way around the walk, the reception for me was good once I had climbed out of the valley at the start and I tracked my progress easily.
Coulter Fell from reservoir road by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
It is a big climb up onto Culter Fell from the reservoir road, past grouse butts, but the path is clear and from the top of the butts you can see the route up Fell Shin.
View from top of Grouse Butts by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Path to Fell Shin by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
From that top the Culter Fell trig point is visible (on a good day like this ). Mostly good walking to the top, just being careful. Long views from the top.
Tinto from top of Coulter Fell by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Gathersnow looks a long way away, but it soon gets walked down as the slope is steep and I was almost running in parts with good footing. It does get boggy approaching Moss Law and I had to pick my way through to the top avoiding the worst bits.
Looking back up to Coulter Fell from Moss Law by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The final drop down into Holm Nick isn't too bad, just wet. A track takes you up the side of Gathersnow with better walking higher up. Didn't take long to reach the top. Had my lunch there. Great views over to Broad Law, Talla and Hart Fell etc.
Top of Gathersnow Hill by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Just followed the fence down and over to Hillshaw Head. There is a faint path in bits, no problems walking it. The cairn marked on map is not up to much, I've seen better.
Cairn at Hillshaw Head by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The view over to Hudderstone shows a muddy track all the way and it is. Not good for walking at all, as it is used by tracked vehicles, which are oblivious to boggy areas. I stuck to the edge of the track where possible, but there are frequent detours necessary to avoid the worst of the wet bits.
The type of stuff to be avoided on route to Hudderstone by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
It was a relief to get to the fence and the final climb to the top of Hudderstone.
View over to Tinto from Hudderstone by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The drop down to the reservoir road return is much better.
Coulter Law from Birthwood by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
I was gled to get back to the car. It had been a hot day and I didn't take enough water with me. As its a ridge walk there were no suitable refill points.Cooled my feet and head down back at the car and had a big drink too before returning to Edinburgh.

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one, interesting to see what the route looks like when it isn't all white
I did the route in the opposite direction & was one of the hardest days I have had in the hills, soft knee deep snow = real hard going