walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Culter Fell & Gathersnow from Glenkirk

Culter Fell & Gathersnow from Glenkirk


Postby desmondo1 » Wed Sep 19, 2018 11:51 am

Fionas included on this walk: Culter Fell, Gathersnow Hill

Donalds included on this walk: Culter Fell, Gathersnow Hill

Date walked: 16/09/2018

Time taken: 5.09 hours

Distance: 13.71 km

Ascent: 735m

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).


Culter Fell circuit.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts


A cracking walk despite the high winds and occasional showers. A longish drive took us into the fringe of the borders with its beautiful rolling hills.
start.jpg

The start at Glenkirk farm
After Broughton it was a long drive down a single track to the walk start beside a remote but well maintained farm at Glenkirk.
Immediately we were heading up a steep slope of Congrie Hill. This got us all blowing immediately.
sun.jpg

Culter Fell ridge ahead
Thankfully the gradient eased slightly before climbing onto the ridge of Culter Fell.
final cf.jpg

Follow the fence to summit
Another steep ascent following the faint track to the left of the fence and we were at the summit of Culter Fell our highest point at 748m.
trig GH.jpg

Culter trig looking to Hillshaw Head
The wind kept trying to knock us off our feet but we took in the views from the trig which were still excellent despite the grey skies.
GS.jpg

Moss Law then Gathersnow Hill ahead
The descent headed towards the valley via Moss Law where we could get some shelter for lunch. Suitably refreshed it was time to tackle Gathersnow Hill, an appropriate name in winter I am sure.
C Res.jpg

Culter reservoir
We had dropped around 250m so had a similar ascent to the flat plateau at the top marked only by a single iron rod, no doubt a boundary marker at some point but this was the top at 688m.
Coombe.jpg

Coomb cairn
Off for another ascent and descent to Coomb Hill at 640m a New Donald, our final climb of the day.
descent.jpg

Descent with Culter Fell behind
The wind was still fierce so we changed our planned route and made a steep descent down into the valley at the old sheep pens.
Finally a pleasant low level walk along the valley, a burn at times accompanying us, hemmed in by the hills on either side.
The bracken mainly orange now and almost wind free back through the many sheep to the cars.
We covered the ascent of many a Munro today, these hills should not be under estimated, rolling they might be but there is plenty of height to gain but also superb views.
Wildlife: Red Grouse
desmondo1
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 207
Munros:107   Corbetts:100
Fionas:95   Donalds:89+38
Sub 2000:161   Hewitts:1
Islands:16
Joined: Nov 6, 2012

Re: Culter Fell & Gathersnow from Glenkirk

Postby iangpark » Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:59 pm

Glad to see this up Des - planning a full round sometime early next month. That range is looking particularly colourful at this time of year. After today's wind I doubt I can recreate the calming walk you all seemed to have!
User avatar
iangpark
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 318
Munros:81   Corbetts:17
Fionas:24   Donalds:89+52
Sub 2000:80   Hewitts:13
Wainwrights:16   Islands:11
Joined: Dec 29, 2015
Location: Kelty

Re: Culter Fell & Gathersnow from Glenkirk

Postby desmondo1 » Mon Sep 24, 2018 9:11 pm

Thanks Ian, it was not all that calm at all. One of the guys did a wee film of us at the top doing a rare wee footshuffle as we tried to keep our balance in the wind.
I hope you get a good day for your full circuit, these are lovely hills with some proper ups and downs.
desmondo1
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 207
Munros:107   Corbetts:100
Fionas:95   Donalds:89+38
Sub 2000:161   Hewitts:1
Islands:16
Joined: Nov 6, 2012

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: prog99, susanj, Tony Jones and 83 guests