Conic Hill in the murk

[colinwatson]

I took advantage of todays respite in the wet and windy weather to get a day out on a local hill. Although I've climbed Conic Hill on many occasions before, it fitted the bill as I could get there quickly. As I knew that all of the fences would have gates on them, I was able to take my dog with me - I don't fancy ever having to manhandle her over a fence!

Left the car at the car park above Drymen, allowing us to be on our way about quarter to nine. There were signs up advising that the Balmaha end of the hill would be closed in January and February 2016 to allow for tree felling operations. As it was a dreich Thursday, we almost had the hill to ourselves, apart from one runner and just a handful of fellow walkers.

There were a few spots of rain as we set out along the West Highland Way track, but compared to recent days, the conditions were quite benign, with some early morning mist low down.

Early mist at Duncryne

The walk along the track went by quickly as the hill got closer.

Approaching Conic Hill

We dropped down to Burn of Mar, which was remarkably low considering all of the recent rain. The recently bulldozed track at the burn deterred from the view as we climbed the east ridge before breaking off the path to the summit with the view of the islands of Loch Lomond following the highland boundary fault.

The highland boundary fault

After something to eat, we dropped back to the West Highland Way and retraced our steps back to Drymen as the mist, and eventually rain set in.