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Had looked at the weather the day before and was looking like rain all day on the Tuesday, had resigned myself to another day in the house watching re-runs of Tipping Point
Got up about 6.15am and can usually tell, even before looking out the window, what the weather's doing, and it seemed pretty calm and dry, so a wee bit later on I got my stuff together and set off about 8, getting to the parking spot at the bottom of Dumgoyne around 8.30am. After the Ben Lomond climb a couple of weeks ago I'd got new waterproof overtrousers, gloves, balaclava, jacket, and rucksack, so was a good chance to try them all out, as well as some Shea Butter stuff to hopefully stop my arse cheeks chafing
Weather was still really nice setting out, and I wished I'd been an hour earlier to catch sunrise up on the hill.
5Y1A1229 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
When I walk myself I find I often rush it and end up knackered, as if I'm in a hurry to finish the walk and get home, but this time I purposely took my time and thought about enjoying every step of the walk. Last time I'd climbed Dumgoyne I pretty much went straight up the front face, but found it pretty ropey, especially up near the top, and was wiped out by the time I reached the summit, only staying up there for a minute before hurrying down again, again down the front face. This time I took the path over to the left, then cut across the face, and also stopped a few times on the way up. It was so much better/easier, managed it really well and enjoyed it a lot more too. Got to the trig point about an hour after setting off, and chilled out up there taking a few photos and enjoying the views, as well as having a quick bite to eat before the rain came on.
5Y1A1237 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/70003086@N00/23202951841/in/dateposted-public/I couldn't decide whether to head onto Earl's Seat or not, never having done it before, so I got my map and walk details out that I'd printed out, only to find I'd brought the wrong ones
I managed to get online on my mobile and checked what way I should be heading, but I'm useless with any navigation, so wasn't really sure where I was supposed to go. I took the most obvious looking path down the east (I think!) side of Dumgoyne, which was steep but no problem, and headed along the path. Was a great wee random bit of rainbow hanging over the loch and I ended up stopping quite a lot in the next half hour or so, to take photos.
5Y1A1248 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
It was pretty easy from here, but an awesome walk. I kept left along the hills, heading over the other summits along the way, and reaching Earl's Seat in the sleet/rain a while later. First time I've ever really walked around among tops of hills, the only few I've climbed have been up and down, and really loved the walk, what an awesome part of the world to be in! Even with the rain, I was much better equipped and stayed cosy all the time, and also forced myself to take pretty regular stops for snacks/drinks.
IMG_20151124_111703 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
On the way back, I took the more direct looking path among the heather but was really boggy, the walk over the hills at the front was much nicer, and if I do it again I'd just come back that way too I'm pretty sure.
Was switching between really blue sky, then slashing down every so often, but was a fine mix really, kept me cool, and got a wee bit chilly when heading back over towards Dumgoyne, mainly coz the wind was in my face, and was a bit biting, but nothing too bad.
5Y1A1309 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
5Y1A1298 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
5Y1A1311 by
dogsandmoons, on Flickr
Having been taking photos for around 6 months or so now, this is really one of my favourites, great aspect of the hill from that side, and lighting etc was amazing.
A wee bit tired coming down past Dumgoyne on the way back, and met another walked heading up for a quick chat. Back to the car just after 1pm, so wasn't quick, but I did stop to photo/snack a fair few times, and felt like a perfect length of walk for me at the moment, was nicely fatigued after but getting fitter all the time. I still really like the Crow Road campsies, Lairs especially, but I think this will be my new favourite. Something so much more stark about Dumgoyne, and the walk over to Earl's Seat is really the icing on the cake!
