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Well the horseshoe certainly gives value for tick list, 9 added in 21km! I had already walked Bodesbeck Law a couple of months previously and had considered leaving it out but I was feeling good and it didn't add much. Pulled into the parking area, about 15 seconds behind another car. I had actually been within this time frame behind the car upon joining the A703 to Peebles (from Howgate) and I can't say that happens too often - in terms of where we were both going! Couple of guys, one who commented that we must be mad, having driven through the sun shining on Peebles (and forecast for the day), to come to the misty Ettrick valley. 'Mad' summed it up nicely! Out of the forest then followed the fence up to Bodesbeck. My last visit was clear blue skies, this time just fog. Descending down, it became a little boggy and this continued over to Fauldside Hill. Other than that though, underfoot was very good indeed - at least in Donald terms.
Looking back up to Bodesbeck, cloudbase around 550m
Made my way up to Capel Fell, crossed the fence to the summit and can inform you that the top fence wire thankfully did not spring up and cause pain in a sensitive area
I had resigned myself to not seeing much today, the forecast did describe similiar, to be honest the reason I chose this area as I've been in about it a lot these last few months. However descending Capel Fell, the clag lifted and I could see straight over to Croft Head and I was really chuffed as it was a great view and perfect timing. Joined the SUW and made my way to the sheepfold before the ascent.
Croft Head
Craigmichen Scar
Zig zag path up Croft Head
Croft Head summit view
Steep slopes of West Knowe
Can you see the face?
The clag held off all the way until West Knowe. Had a good lunch back on the SUW before I began my West Knowe ascent though. Made my way over to the fence and again just followed this all the way over to Ettrick Pen
Loch Fell trig, clag still present
Wind fell summit, only hags I saw all day - terrain was really good up on the fairly level walk until the summit strangely enough
Over to Ettrick Pen, clag now lifting and would remain this way until the finish
Ettrick Pen cairn, looking over to Saddle Yoke and co
Over Phawhope Bothy, a kestrel on top of the tree (didn't spot this until after the walk)
Kestrel looking for dinner
Potburn
Pot Burn from the house at Potburn
No need for this any longer
Seeing this disused phone line over to Potburn gave me a bit of a sombre feeling. It's such a lovely little area and its a shame to think nobody lives there anymore.
Back to the start and still only my car, and the guys from earlier. Saw them at one point descending near Craigmichen Scar, just before I began my ascent of West Knowe. I hope you had as good a day as I did, if you're on WH.
A fairly tough walk to 'blue balloon' all these hills, my highest ascent to distance ratio yet (other than smaller Pentland walks etc) but feel all good now. Croft Head is really something, my favourite hill of any I've done in the Borders or D&G by quite a way. It has lots of character and being opposite Craigmichen Scar certainly helps. The Ettrick valley in general is a really lovely tranquil place - if you've ever considered the horseshoe you must add on Croft Head as due to it I'll give it a 5 out of 5 day
. Had a really tough walk last week in boring surroundings and terrible underfoot conditions (I've never felt so drained on an ascent/distance that I've done numerous times). Today was incomparable, such a turnaround and a great walk.