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Back to a group day with the guys n gals from KRC. The plan was a long moorland trek taking in Hill of Stake 522m (Marilyn/Sub 2000), the highest point in Renfrewshire followed by Misty Law. I read a few walking reports and almost all describe it as a boggy mud fest, they were not wrong.
Typical moorland near start but at least some trees
Storm Brian was meant to have passed through yesterday but sitting at the car park you would not have guessed it as the wind buffeted the car along with the accompanying rain. According to the mountain forecast website it was to be windy but dry, nope.
Narrowly avoided a roe deer running under the car on the way here. I was 1st to arrive and sat in the car thinking they wont be coming, wait 10 minutes and home again but nutters they are and arrive they did.
I left the camera in car, could not afford another rain destroyed one so all snaps are from my phone.
Wet track its a bleak place
Some of the group had been on a map and compass training recently, they would get to practice all their new found learning today.
Approaching bothy
The walk follows the mine track from Muirshiel car park for just over 2 miles in heavy rain and strong winds. Imagine working out here, no electricity, hard graft indeed. We had an early short tea break in the bothy/hut as that would be the last shelter of the day.
Hard graft
After refreshments the climb started properly across the rough moorland, no more paths. I don’t think that I have had a day where I walked in a water plain for so long. Every footstep was into sphagnum moss totally immersed and holding plenty of water. The moor was saturated, a real sponge and there were quite a few hidden hazards. At one point my right leg went in so deep to a hidden mudhole that only my other leg hitting the ground stopped me, my poles kept me upright. I still could not feel hard ground below my foot!! Not a place to be on your own today.
Burn in spate
Small burns that are normally an easy step across were now raging rivers, not quite, but very awkward to cross at times.
Hill of Stake trig
We crossed the moor to the old fence line, the boundary between Ayrshire and Renfrewshire and followed that up to Hill of Stake trig point. 2hours 20min to this point.
Up there I think?
We kept going via East Girt hill until we reached a newly constructed barbed wire fence, totally blocking the faint track, excellent thinking by the constructor, not, so it was a difficult climb over this for some.
Misty Law
Until we reached the top of Misty Law (510m) we were shrouded in mist so there had been no views at all, sometimes difficult to see the front walker if you were at the rear, along with the constant driving rain and high winds, not great. Why do we do this? Castle Semple and Lochwinnoch in sight, the waters looking blue, probably not had rain there.
Where is that rock?
As we began our descent the weather eased slightly, giving us some longer views but as we crossed this moor, views were put to one side, the terrain worsened, no paths at all, not even sheep trails, hard walking.
We only had one more burn to cross and it was in full flow so an awkward step onto a submerged boulder and then jump. All of the group made it without falling in but it was close for some. A bit of excitement to end the day.
Mountain goats final climb
One more climb then the trees surrounding the car park were spotted the end in sight. We now could see Glasgow in the distance.
Finish in sight
If I had been on my own in these conditions I would have turned back. As it was we were all very wet but the humour was excellent and the company as always made the day.
I will have to return to see the views but I will be picking the next day carefully, an excellent viewing day only and drier underfoot (in my dreams).
Time: 5hrs 36m
Distance: 8.28mls (13.33km)
Ascent: 1447ft (441m)
