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Little Conval

Little Conval


Postby Justdrums » Sun Jul 26, 2020 4:36 pm

Sub 2000' hills included on this walk: Little Conval

Date walked: 16/07/2020

Time taken: 3 hours

Distance: 9 km

Ascent: 356m

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First post lockdown walk up a hill. L and E even came along.

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The path along the side of the road was much better than I thought it would be. Little traffic and a lovely sunny day. there was a short section about 50m where you actually had to walk on the road itself. After you start up the track with the trees on your right hand side, eventually you come to a gate and you enter a field where the track is not so apparent. We just kept on walking up the field, this time keep the trees on our left hand side. As the trees thinned the track reappeared and then through another gate. Here's the view a little further on looking back down the track.
No-1.jpg

After that it was pretty straight forward following the track. L's hayfever starting bugging him unfortunately but he kept going. Every now and then when the wind died down hordes of flies appeared and E ket getting a bit agitated but thankfully she managed to keep the phobia in check. As we got closer to the col, Ben Rinnes came in to view and we reminisced about our previous attempt at the three of us going for a hillwalk. Both L and E said it was a much better day since it had been cold and in early spring so no flies and no hayfever but there was rain so the incident of the missing rain jacket and the walk abandonment was once again brought up. Astonishingly I managed to get a picture of both them.
No-2.jpg
First sighting of Ben Rinnes

No-3.jpg

At the col, the track started zig-zagging up the hill, there was the opportunity to cut out these and go straight but L and E were having none of that. They wanted the easy life.
No-4.jpg

And after a humpf across the heather over the walls of the iron age fort we made it to the top.
Did manage another photo of E and L but E said it was not good enough hence only L in the topping out photo.
No-6.jpg
.
Stunning views across Moray.
No-5.jpg

No-6.jpg

The top was covered in these berries below. No idea what they are but they were very vibrant.
No-7.jpg

Had a look around the top but hard to discern the fort walls. There were various ponds which may I guess have been water sources.
Justdrums
Walker
 
Posts: 89
Munros:67   Corbetts:15
Fionas:17   Donalds:50+17
Sub 2000:23   
Islands:18
Joined: Feb 14, 2018

Re: Little Conval

Postby iangpark » Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:46 pm

Those wee berries are Cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus)! Apparently we call them 'averin' or 'evron' in Scotland but I've never heard anyone say so. I've only seen them ripe twice - once on Dun Rig at Peebles and once on Meikle Says Law in the Lammermuirs.
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iangpark
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 318
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Wainwrights:16   Islands:11
Joined: Dec 29, 2015
Location: Kelty

Re: Little Conval

Postby Justdrums » Sat Aug 08, 2020 5:47 pm

Thanks @iangpark for identifying this. Very much appreciated. It's an interesting berry.
Justdrums
Walker
 
Posts: 89
Munros:67   Corbetts:15
Fionas:17   Donalds:50+17
Sub 2000:23   
Islands:18
Joined: Feb 14, 2018

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