Page 1 of 1

Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 11:17 pm
by Jaxter
Saturday 29th February 2020 – Steele’s Knowe
8.67km
348m ascent
1 hour 40 minutes

With Saturday night spoken for – Mike’s ceilidh – we were going to be in Perth anyway, so decided to climb some hills on the way. The weather wasn’t really playing ball, but it looked as though there might be time for a wee hill before the awful weather returned. We had a bit of a lazy start and an easy drive down Glen Eagles before pulling up at the bottom of the Green Knowe windfarm track.

Boots on fast, we were heading off up the windfarm track just before 12. It was easy underfoot, the sun was shining and although there was a tiny amount of snow falling it was coming from behind us (the fact that we’d be walking back into it later on was a fact we had conveniently chosen to forget!)
ImageHeading up the track

ImageHappy Malky

We gained height easily despite being quite steep – a fact we didn’t really notice until the way back down.
ImageThe way ahead

ImageSlow down!

ImageLooking back down to the Ochills

Once at the top of the glen the track bent left. Here the climb was largely over, but we were into snow and ice on the track which slowed down our pace and made for some interesting slips :roll:
ImageIce and turbines

It was very cold up top but it was a beautiful day for now 8)
ImageWinter wonderland

ImageDSC07515

There were some interesting ice and snow covered cattle grids before we reached the end of the track.
ImageTurbine!

Here we left the track and we made for the direction of the trig point. Here we saw a couple of other people coming back. They seemed to be decked out in arctic gear but perhaps they’d come from somewhere further afield!
ImageOff piste towards the summit

The snow was quite deep here and I was very glad of my gaiters. At the summit it was pretty windy but the views were good so far 8)
ImageThe impressive Glen Turret

ImageSnow flurries coming through

ImageThe Ochils

From here it was definitely time to get going as we couldn’t be bothered with adding any more layers :lol:
ImageSun hitting the snow

ImageBack at the track

There was a lot more up on the return than we’d remembered but before long we were on the final descent – it was here we noticed how steep it was :lol:
ImageOur track

ImageHelpful signposts

Back at the car it was time for a quick sandwich and a decision… :shock:



Steeles Knowe.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lendrick Hill
2.89km
260m ascent
45 minutes

Did we have time for one hill or two? Would the weather hold long enough for either or both? A quick check at the map gave me an idea – if we smashed straight up Lendrick Hill (the less interesting of the two hills) then we ought to easily have time for the last hill too, with plenty of time to get to the hotel for a shower before the ceilidh. What could possibly go wrong?

We drove around the corner, stopping for a photo of the dam….
ImageGlen Devon dam

..before finding the small car park marked at the base of Lendrick Hill. We hopped out the car, followed the track for the zig, before leaving the zag and heading directly uphill alongside the fenceline. It was a bit damp underfoot to start with but soon became pretty decent.
ImageSun hitting the Ochils

ImageFollowing the fence

It was steep but we climbed quickly and before long I was starting to think we might be nearly there. I knew Malky would tell me we had miles and miles to go so didn’t say anything :lol:

As it turned out, we really were nearly there. A conveniently placed gate meant that we didn’t have to climb the deer fence, and a short stomp through some snow and tussocks and we were on the summit.
ImageTowards the Lomonds

The trig point was slightly off the summit but still worth a wander over – the views out to Loch Leven and the Lomonds were pretty good 8)
ImageTrig Point ahoy

ImageMellock Hill and Innerdouny Hill

ImageLendrick Hill summit

We headed back down and we back at the car far quicker than we expected – looked like we had time for Innerdouny Hill 8)
ImageBack down



Lendrick Hill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Innerdouny Hill
6.72km
316m ascent
2 hours

A few miles further up the road we were at the car park area – this one was pretty full of snow but we carefully pulled off and hoped that we didn’t get stuck – obviously Malky’s car with the winter tyres was in Inverness :lol:
ImageHeading up the track

Although the map suggested we would be sheltered by the forestry, unfortunately it was very new forestry which wasn’t quite high enough :roll:
ImageA bit exposed

There was a lot more snow around here and as we took the right hand fork of the track it got deeper
ImageSnowy track

And then it started properly snowing :roll:
ImageBrrrr

We dropped down before crossing a burn and beginning to climb back up again. We were looking for a fence or wall which might provide a shortcut to the summit. We actually missed it and had to wander back a short distance. It looked a goer – what could possibly go wrong? :crazy:
ImageLeading the way

It went well for a short while…until we came across a pile of fallen trees. Malky led the way – it was tough going; the trees were slippery, covered in snow and piled up pretty good.
ImageOh dear....

ImageNightmare

It got worse :shock:
ImageOh for love of....

We were battered and bruised and we were pretty sure we weren’t getting through. I was definitely not going back the way we’d come though :lol: We tried to go sideways towards a firebreak and I spied a way through. Malky was all for giving up but I decided we had come this far and I wasn’t giving up this close to the summit :shock:

The firebreak helped a little until it was also filled up with fallen trees. I managed to thread a way through a slightly less dense pile of fallen stuff and finally….we were out :shock:
ImageSummit!!!

The snow was deep up here and full of tussocks. We kept falling down holes as we bashed our way towards the summit.
Image

ImageMalky clearing the way

ImageRage!

But we had made it – a huge relief, although we were both trying not to think about how we were getting out of there :lol:
ImageInnerdouny Hill

ImageNorth Berwick Law

ImageThe Ochils

First and only photo of Malky smiling :lol: :lol:
Image

Now on the summit we could get a bit of a lie of the land – a huge section of fallen trees showed why we’d had such difficulty getting through. I had an idea – I spotted a fire break that would make our return a lot easier, and the trees weren’t fallen in that direction – let’s face it, it couldn’t be worse than what we’d already come through could it? :shock:
ImageLooking back to the summit

The forest wasn’t bad at all – no fallen trees meant that we could easily get through to the fire break and actually kept going through the forest as it was more direct. We sent Mike a message – “Lost in a forest, gonna be late” before battering on.
ImageLost in a forest....

The next fire break and fence led us through some dodgy terrain before depositing us back on the track we’d been on almost 2 hours earlier :lol: Never have we been happier to see a snow-covered track :lol:

It was an easy walk back to the car – by now it was chucking it down with snow and we were walking into it, so it was definitely time for snow-glasses on and getting out heads down. Back at the car we made decided to drive over the hill as the roads looked ok. This got decidedly more dodgy as the snow became heavier but Colonel Mustard did us proud and we arrived safely in Perth very hungry and cold and extremely keen for a shower :lol:

We actually were only 10 minutes late to the ceilidh as well, and had a great night catching up with pals 8)


Innerdouny Hill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday 1st March 2020 – Moncreiffe Hill
3.46km
155m ascent
45 minutes

The next morning we weren’t keen for getting up too early but we were on the go eventually and decided to have a wander up Moncreiffe Hill before the weather got too awful. It was a short drive across Perth to the car park and we set off – it was spotting with rain but nothing too bad just yet :roll:
ImageHeading up Moncreiffe Hill

It was a good path and this was not going to be a long walk!
ImageThe summit ahead

ImageLooking down to the M90 bridge

ImageSummit views

ImageSummit of Moncreiffe Hill

There were plenty of interesting looking forest trails but it seemed the rain was coming in so decided to get going – an easy walk back down to the car before the worst of the weather hit 8)


Moncrieffe Hill.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knock of Crieff
2.77km
136m ascent
35 minutes

It looked like we would get another short break in the weather shortly and also were desperate for some food so decided to drive home via Crieff. This gave me the opportunity to go up the Knock of Crieff – I’d been up to the viewpoint with pals years ago but never made the summit :roll:

We headed around the back first in the hope that it would have cleared before we got to the viewpoint
ImageHeading up the track

We met a group of people on Segways which seemed like cheating :lol: A short walk further we broke off the track and headed off up a path through felled forestry which led to the summit
ImageSummit views....

ImageTowards Glen Turret

Although it wasn’t yet awful, the weather was definitely not great so we got moving, along the ridge through a muddy path which led us to the viewpoint.
ImageOnwards

The views weren’t that brilliant this time around :lol:
ImageViewpoint

ImageViewpoint - 2010!

From here we dropped back to the car and we were so hungry that we went for a delicious lunch in Crieff. We had thought to go up Torlum after lunch but instead of improving for a few hours as forecast, it deteriorated to the point where we decided to get going before Perthshire flooded again :shock:


Knock of Crieff.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Tue Mar 03, 2020 11:41 pm
by nigheandonn
I thought from the date that I must just have missed you on Moncrieffe Hill, but you were a day after me - I was there on Saturday morning in the sunshine. It feels like we're all following each other around these little hills at the moment!

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 1:12 pm
by PeteR
I do love a nice forest ramble........and these sub 2000s certainly give ample opportunity for such adventures. There's been plenty of occasions where I've set off through the trees and thought all would be fine.......only to happen across fallen or falling trees barring my way. I've never thought it would be sensible to turn back and find a better route though, just ploughing on through until the obstacles are behind me. I wonder why no one ever wants to come a walk with me ....... :-?

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 2:13 pm
by Fife Flyer
Nice one Jackie (And Malky).
I am glad I am not the only one who has to battle with trees, your Innerdouny expedition reminded me of when George & I were tackling Law Kneis, snow covered fallen trees raised off the ground is pretty scary.
If you like that sort of 'fun' the Dumfries & Galloway subs generally involve some sort of encounter with the odd tree or two.
Knock of Crieff looks like it has a bit of 'pruning' since I was there 3 years ago.

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 4:23 pm
by Graeme D
A grand tour of the high Perthshire Sierra Nevada, including the jewel in the crown, Knock of Crieff! :lol:

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 5:48 pm
by BlackPanther
A different kind of adventure: beating around the forest :lol: :lol:
We had our share of forest trashing. Once I got off the beaten track in Culbin Forest picking mushrooms, Kevin of course followed me, we nearly got lost, ended up hopping over bog looking for any kind of path... Eventually we found the car park in total darkness. At least we picked enough chanterelles for supper.

On the positive side, you managed to take a nice selfie with both of you smiling. I tried on Saturday with no success...
2020-02-29 mackintosh hill 187.JPG
Me: Hooray, winter hillwalking!
Him: Oh no, not again... She's off the leash!

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Wed Mar 04, 2020 7:50 pm
by Mal Grey
I was feeling quite proud that I got to the summit of my first Scottish hill for 2 years that day despite the conditions all week, but you guys had to go and do multiple. :clap: :D

I'm surprised you couldn't work "good Crief" into the title, but I guess that wasn't the main event. Feel free to use another time :lol:

Keep 'em coming.

Re: Lost in a forest - help!

PostPosted: Fri Mar 06, 2020 2:36 pm
by Jaxter
nigheandonn wrote:I thought from the date that I must just have missed you on Moncrieffe Hill, but you were a day after me - I was there on Saturday morning in the sunshine. It feels like we're all following each other around these little hills at the moment!

Maybe one of these days we'll actually meet :lol: I'm sure Moncrieffe was more impressive in the sunshine :shock: :roll:


PeteR wrote:I do love a nice forest ramble........and these sub 2000s certainly give ample opportunity for such adventures. There's been plenty of occasions where I've set off through the trees and thought all would be fine.......only to happen across fallen or falling trees barring my way. I've never thought it would be sensible to turn back and find a better route though, just ploughing on through until the obstacles are behind me. I wonder why no one ever wants to come a walk with me ....... :-?

I'll have to admit that stubborn-ness set in, I wasn't going to be stopped by a gigantic pile of fallen tree :roll: Why do it the easy way eh :lol: :lol:


Fife Flyer wrote:Nice one Jackie (And Malky).
I am glad I am not the only one who has to battle with trees, your Innerdouny expedition reminded me of when George & I were tackling Law Kneis, snow covered fallen trees raised off the ground is pretty scary.
If you like that sort of 'fun' the Dumfries & Galloway subs generally involve some sort of encounter with the odd tree or two.
Knock of Crieff looks like it has a bit of 'pruning' since I was there 3 years ago.

I've been warned about the Galloway hills...which is probably why I've never been up any :lol: :lol: :lol: We read your Innerdouny hill report while wiping the blood off our scars and it made us feel better that it wasn't just us who had had issues :lol:



Graeme D wrote:A grand tour of the high Perthshire Sierra Nevada, including the jewel in the crown, Knock of Crieff! :lol:

Kind of just wanted an excuse to go for lunch :lol: :lol:


BlackPanther wrote:A different kind of adventure: beating around the forest :lol: :lol:
We had our share of forest trashing. Once I got off the beaten track in Culbin Forest picking mushrooms, Kevin of course followed me, we nearly got lost, ended up hopping over bog looking for any kind of path... Eventually we found the car park in total darkness. At least we picked enough chanterelles for supper.

On the positive side, you managed to take a nice selfie with both of you smiling. I tried on Saturday with no success...
2020-02-29 mackintosh hill 187.JPG

Haha brilliant - at least you got dinner out of it :lol: All we had to show for it was a pile of cuts and bruises (and Malky's all important Marilyn tick :roll: )


Mal Grey wrote:I was feeling quite proud that I got to the summit of my first Scottish hill for 2 years that day despite the conditions all week, but you guys had to go and do multiple. :clap: :D

I'm surprised you couldn't work "good Crief" into the title, but I guess that wasn't the main event. Feel free to use another time :lol:

Keep 'em coming.

I can't believe I missed that one either :shock: Malky says he's stealing it for his report :lol: :lol: