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After almost 4 weeks weather forecast watching a window of opportunity appeared and it was my queue to hit the road.
Having watched it rain for the best part of 4 weeks I knew wherever I headed it was bound to be wet underfoot, I decided to downsize and tackle a Corbett
I still have a few in the Borders to visit and the Hart Fell route sounded perfect. The forecast deteriorated and rain was forecast by midday, so I decided on yet another early start
One major spanner in the plan was the Forth Road Bridge, the recent discovery of a structural problem with the bridge is causing major congestion for anyone crossing the Forth. I left home at 6.10am and it took me 40mins to get out of Inverkeithing and across the bridge, I can cycle across the bridge and be back at home in that time
Commuters have my sympathy
I arrived at the parking area and started walking slightly later than I had anticipated at 8.30am, it wasn't overly warm but once I started walking it wasn't long before I was huffing and puffing
Parking area
I was planning to follow the WH route so started off by walking back along the road, before going through a gate and wading through a large muddy patch, kind of what I was expecting after the recent weather
Once off the road it wasn't long before the ascent started and what an ascent, apart from being steep it was on very damp grass, looking on the bright side I was glad I was going up rather than coming down
Looking back early on
A bit higher
Nice water feature
Looking across to a later hill, note the tufty grass
The WH route description warns of an obstacle, an electric fence to climb over. I spotted an old gate further up the hillside so rather clamber over a fence, I headed uphill
The rickety gate, opted to climb over rather than open it
Looking down the electric fence
The path or should I say lack of path meant I was navigating visually and using my phone, the WH advice is to follow the fence if the conditions aren't very good. The fence takes you to the summit of Hart Fell, albeit if you follow it, not in a direct way. Once the higher ground is reached I was able to make much better progress and the views were amazing
On the ascent I could hear plenty of aeroplanes in the area so I was scanning looking in all directions and then spotted a Hercules (C130) below me. I know from my days in the Air Force that when C130's are flying low level, there are usually 3 planes spaced out by a couple of minutes. This time there were only 2, Defence cuts
1st photo, bit blurry sorry
2nd shot
2nd plane just appearing
2nd shot
3rd shot
4th shot
Final shot
Views really improving and first patch of snow
Surprise corrie, what a view
Once you reach the high plateau area the views are awesome and you can see exactly where you are heading, assuming you are not in the clag and it looks quite a long walk
Nice snow line
One of the drawbacks about reaching the plateau area is the views to the west are spoilt by three substantial wind farms, I would like to say they blend in nicely but I think we all know they are a proper eyesore
Blending in nicely
Multiplying
Quad track to follow
There is a bit a descent, before the push to the summit, stay to the right of the wall/fence
The way ahead
Summit selfie, sorry about the background
Fence posts in a nice line
The walk from the summit of Hart Fell was a matter of following the fence (keeping it on the left), after a while leave the fence and descend down from Saddle Craigs to Whirly Gill. There isn't a path, so it was a matter of picking the best way over peat hags, by this time my feet were a bit damp. About half way up Whirly Gill I could feel a few spots of rain, which as I got higher turned into sleet/snow and it was time for the jacket to make an appearance
Loch Skeen looking superb
First patch of snow to cross
The camera was reluctantly put in the rucksack and only came out for a few more shots. Another surprise was the terrain between Under Saddle Yoke and Saddle Yoke so the camera had to come out. The bealach between the two summits was like anything you see in the Highlands
Bealach
Bealach again, views not too good now
After descending down to the bealach there is a small ascent up to Saddle Yoke before the long descent begins, the path is a bit random so it was a matter of trying to pick the best way down. I was taking the descent very gingerly, as descending on wet grass is a recipe for ending up on ones backside
I had a couple of near misses but my poles managed to help me prevent a wet bottom
After 4.30mins I arrived back at the car and the rain was pouring down so it was a quick change and plan the journey home. As the walk had taken less time than I was expecting I decided to return the way I came
It was great to be out again and the Hart Fell horseshoe was a really enjoyable walk and I will definitely return either in better weather or a nice covering of snow.
The news about the Forth Road Bridge being closed until at least New Year may affect any future trips south, hopefully they can sort the problem sooner and safely
Next - hope to get out at least once before the end of the year
