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Truth or Daer

Truth or Daer


Postby rob munbett » Mon May 30, 2016 10:28 am

Fionas included on this walk: Ballencleuch Law

Donalds included on this walk: Ballencleuch Law, Comb Law, Scaw'd Law, Wedder Law

Date walked: 29/05/2016

Time taken: 5 hours

Distance: 17.7 km

Ascent: 700m

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The truth was that I didn't know how far I'd get on this walk - my legs were a bit tired and heavy after having been out on the hills during the week and then doing 3 back to back 10k runs on the days preceding - so, in the end, I was short of the full circuit but happy, nonetheless, with my day out. I drove down early to park at the Daer reservoir near Kirkhope Cleuch. The dense fog had just lifted when I set off up the wet ATV track beside the wall at the forest's edge.
P1030194.JPG
Comb Law from the start
The only problem with this ascent was a nasty barbed wire fence - and I'm talking large barbs! The views from the top of Comb Law over to the Lowthers was mighty fine and I could see the route ahead to Ballencleuch Law, taking note especially of the many peat hags en route.
Lowther Pan from Comb Law.JPG
The Lowthers from Comb Law
P1030198.JPG
Ballencleuch Law from the descent of Comb Law
These peat hags were the only issue in the pleasant stroll over Hartstane Rig - they did cause a few detours but at least I saw quite a few mountain hares.
P1030203.JPG
Lovely peat hags on Ballencleuch Law
The walk up to the summit of this hill was very easy on what I would call a grassy road!
P1030204.JPG
The summit of Ballencleuch Law
After a bite to eat and some tea, Scaw'd Law was next on the agenda and, again, it was just a case of following the ATV tracks to the top.
P1030208.JPG
Descending Ballencleuch Law looking over to Scaw'd Law
There was quite a descent before the climb to Wedder Law but this was made 'easier' by following a gravel and stone road down and up - the down being pleasant fine red gravel, the up being unpleasant grey sharp stones.
P1030211.JPG
Descending to the road up Wedder Law
On this top, my legs were beginning to feel it, so I decided to head off over Shiel Dod over a 'grouse shooting' road which dropped down to the track at the bottom of Thick Cleuch.
Gana & Earncraig Pan.JPG
Gana Hill and Earncraig Hill from Shiel Dod
I have to say that the five and a half km walk back to the car from here looked OK on the map but was a bit of a pain in reality - the track was very rough and stony and meandered down the glen with so many twists and loops that I didn't seem to be making much progress and by this time the heat was beginning to stoke up. We've all been there! It was a relief to finally reach the car and get the boots off.

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User avatar
rob munbett
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 202
Munros:257   Corbetts:133
Fionas:70   Donalds:53
Sub 2000:97   Hewitts:30
Wainwrights:40   
Joined: Jan 23, 2013

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