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After my
Fintry Hills Fiasco the day before I was determined to get Stronend under my belt and as a form of punishment I had decided to head for the summit of Carleatheran first.
I had walked 13km yesterday and then went to work at 6pm, finishing at 2. I woke late eventually leaving the house and heading for Todholes car park at nearly 11. The Fintry Hills looked cloudy as I drove along side Carron Valley Reservoir.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
The car park was as busy as ever.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
I was quickly out the car and ready, crossing the road and heading towards the wind farm. The skies hadn't improved.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
My plan was to follow the road as far as possible and then take a bearing and head for the trig at Carleatheran.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
They've added quite a bit more to wind farm site, so there are a few more direction choices as I climb. Take the left road here.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Keeping Cringate Law to the right and Backside Burn to the left.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Looking up the path of the Backside Burn towards the east face of Stronend and the crags, I see the cloud is falling.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Two of the locals look on suspiciously.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
As the road starts to bend you catch a view of some of the newer turbines on Ling Hill.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Some people are not a fans of these structures, personally I like the fact that as a country we can produce about 50% of our energy needs from renewable sources. I have memories of Windy Millar standing in front of his windmill, I get that feeling as I stand here.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Looking up at the wandering new section of snow lined road leading towards Carleatheran.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A fleeting glimpse of Earlsburn Reservoir nestled under the cloud.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
It always surprises me when I get close up and personal to these technological wonders, rising out of the ground like giant prehistoric animals as they growl and bellow in the wind.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
I follow the road towards a gleaming red gate marking the entrance to a new section of the farm. As I pass through I spot a small plank to the left, fixed at either end, crossing over a stream with a metal cage in the middle. A form a trap, rats maybe.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Looking back as I follow the road.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A line of strange wooden structures disappear into the cloud.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Grouse butts I believe.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A fence line grows out of the cloud. Letting me know approximately where I am.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
I take a bearing and strike off from the road towards the summit, avoiding a deep snow filled hollow the large cairn and trig soon appear.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A few quick Jelly Babies and some liquid refreshment, I take another bearing towards a landrover track marked on the map and head off into the gloom, I surprise a few grouse as I slog over the rough tufted ground. Keeping a good bearing is almost impossible at times, eventually I've walked far enough I must have drifted from my course, I take a more direct bearing and success I find the track I'm after.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A follow the track onwards to the 2nd half of my planned route, the cloud is still thick and low as I look down the Craig to my right.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
I head downwards from the side of Lees Hill crossing the basin between Carleatheran and Stronend and start to climb past the rock face and the Spout of Ballochleam. Quite an impressive site as a look across.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
My intention was to make directly for the summit from here, but a large steep very wet section ment I had to make quite a large detour before I again take a bearing for the summit. Plenty of thick heather coated with snow, hidden streams and holes makes the going slow, but eventually after nearly an hour I find the trig and cairn at the top of Stronend.
20180218_150522 by
IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Now for the final section back to the car. My initial plan had been to copy my return from yesterday and continue along the line of the ridge, but the cloud was thick and my time was getting short before work again at night.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
So I started to follow the drop of the hill heading for Balmenoch Burn, hopefully out of the cloud.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Eventually finding the burn.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
...and the waterfall.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Even looking along the hill to the lower slopes there is a covering of cloud.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Passing by the sheepfold and then Loch Walton, the cloud looks even lower on the slopes.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
A last look back at the trees on the island in the Loch, before I walk back to the car on a short section of the road.
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IainHamiltonPhotography, on Flickr
Back at the car for just after 4:30, 5 hours and I had eventually bagged Stronend. Just enough time for me to get home, washed and changed for work.
Still Living "Just For Today"