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Another Borders raid on my way home from down south, before the day started I had 4 hills left to tackle and as the weather forecast improved as the day got nearer I decided to tackle a pair, even though they are about 15 miles apart.
Storm Jorge was another doom and gloom forecast but the only signs I saw of it was torrential rain in Cheshire and Lancashire, as I headed north the weather was much better.
I carried out my usual research and like most hills in the SW there aren't many walk reports. Personally I prefer reports with lots of photo's as they can be useful for fellow walkers in the future.
My plan was to tackle the furthest away hill first Mochrum Fell and the one report I was basing my route on was "McMoles" and the one photo that was really useful was the one leaving the proper track - which I will highlight later.
With the Satnav once again doing a great job in getting me to the start I was on my way shortly after 11am.
Mochrum Fell, Distance - 2.5km, Ascent - 120m, Time - 45mins
Mochrum Fell route
A couple of parking spaces
The way ahead
Looking back
Looking back from a bit further on
The way ahead
The way ahead is straight across and this was the photo I remembered seeing from McMoles WR
The way uphill and ahead
Looking back down where all the tracks meet
Still heading up
The path (of sorts) continues, I opted to turn right and head uphill
Looking back
Looks OK at the moment
Got to get up there somehow
Good firebreak uphill
Looking back down and the views are opening up
Getting a bit more challenging now
Weather looking a bit threatening
Here we go again, familiar Dumfries & Galloway territory
Looking back down
Can see the trig, just need to work out how to get there
Made it
Looking north
Not sure what direction now
Another trig shot
Video taken on the summit of Mochrum Fell
Opted to go down a slightly different way, the advantage of looking downhill
Maybe it wasn't such a good decision
Easier now
Once back on the track and almost at the car a brief hailstorm arrived, couldn't be bothered getting my jacket out. kept my boots on for the half hour drive to the start point for Killyleoch.
Moving onto to Killyleoch, I noticed all previous routes were from the west and the obvious problem that was stressed was the parking problem. So I decided to look for a different route and opted to tackle Killyleoch from the south, probably slightly further distance wise but a good track for the majority of the walk makes life a bit easier.
Killyleoch Hill, Distance - 5.5km, Ascent - 220m, Time - 1hr 10mins
Killyleoch Hill
Parking at the very wide track entrance
Shows how wide the entrance is
The way ahead, excellent track
Newtonairds Home Farm
Evidence of the recent rain
Hmmm, better go back to the car then, or...…..
After going through the gate, this is what awaits, takes you to the next locked gate
Typical forestry track, the summit is up on the left behind the trees
Another gate, looking back. I counted 5 gates, 3 of which were locked
Not as many puddles now
The way ahead
Loweberry, in need of a roof to start off with
Not far before I leave the comfort of the track
Here we go, this is easy
Still easy, the small pine trees that have probably seeded themselves are the problem
Plenty of space for me & my rucksack
Opted to pick my way uphill over all this debris
Still had to take care as damp wood and damp rubber boots are not an ideal combination
Reached this track which meant I was about half way through the forest
A bit of recent work and timber ready to be uplifted
Came across this wee nameless loch that I wasn't expecting
Taken from the north side of the wee loch
Not looking promising now
Just need to duck underneath
Opted to walk on more of the debris left by forestry operations
A bit of daylight now and once I reached the wall I turned left slightly uphill, which meets another wall
The way up
The summit, one problem is I have to climb over the wall, which was very slippy
Looking back along the wall. There is a barbed wire fence on the otherside of the wall junction
Summit of Killyleoch Hill, not the biggest cairn
Looking along the wall to the NE
Video taken on the summit of Killyleoch Hill
I did contemplate going into the forest to confirm that the cairn was actually the highest spot, but the forest is so dense and not particularly inviting, so that thought was binned.
I followed the wall downhill a bit further to see if the going would be any better
This was my preferred descent route
Not ideal but better than battling with trees
Reached the track, searched for a better route back down to the main track
Opted to trample downhill on more debris
Another loch (Loweberry Loch) I wasn't expecting as I didn't come this far NE
Reached the main track and that was Killyleoch Hill.
Really enjoyed the day and have marks on my hands and legs from battling with the smaller pine trees. One question you are probably thinking - which hill was the better of the two, my personal opinion is Mochrum, great all round views.
Whilst driving along the A712 (NW of Dumfries) I was thinking is this the bendiest road in the UK?, The section I drove on hardly had a straight bit and overtaking would be nigh on impossible.
