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Mayar and Driesh

Mayar and Driesh


Postby apearman » Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:59 pm

Munros included on this walk: Driesh, Mayar

Date walked: 21/08/2011

Time taken: 6.25 hours

Distance: 16 km

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We started walking from the Glen Doll car park at just after 11 o'clock in warm sunshine, along the track into Glendoll Forest leading to Corrie Fee National Nature Reserve. A pleasant early part of the walk with the soothing sounds of the rivers and streams and the dappled sunlight through the trees.

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White Water

At the edge of the forest we are treated to a beautiful open view of Corrie Fee and looking across we can see the waterfall that tumbles down the hillside near to path we need to take. A raised path weaves its way across the floor of the bowl shaped corrie and on either side is marshy ground with lumps and bumps left over from glacial times, now topped with flowering heather.

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Corrie Fee

On the far side of the corrie we take the steep path up onto the moorland plateau and look back to drink in the view across the corrie again before continuing the more gentle climb to the top of Mayar.

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Looking back on Corrie Fee

There are clouds about but they don't interrupt the sunshine too much as we reach the cairn. A pause for photographs and we can clearly see the way across to Driesh, the next but one goal, lunch being the next one!

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The way to Driesh from Mayar

We descend a little way to get out of the cool breeze and settle down for lunch. There are a few other walkers around, but only a few and well spaced. A couple walk past ascending Mayar, having come from Driesh, and the woman has a teddy bear looking out of her rucksack; "he goes everywhere" she says as we admire him.

We continue on along the wide ridge and start the sharp climb up the side of Little Driesh. The path skirts the summit but we decide to detour and go over it; Little Driesh is named on the map so we consider it only right that it is not excluded. Just after the summit we come across a group six ptarmigan, and a few sheep.

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Alan and Susan (father and daughter) relaxing on Driesh

The remaining climb to Driesh is much gentler and we gain the broad plateau and reach the shelter and trig point. The clouds are building to the north but we take time for a snack. As we walk back across the summit plateau the wind gets up and it tries to rain. We consider waterproofs and gloves but it only lasts for a few minutes and brightens again as we drop down past Little Driesh and head towards the path that runs along the side of the Shank of Drumfollow.

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Into Corrie Kilbo

The path is very rocky so progress is relatively slow and a challenge for tired legs but there are good views down Corrie Kilbo towards the forest, and the sun is out again. We gain the woods and make our way along the path back to the car park.

A fabulous walk through beautiful varied scenery in good weather with excellent company - what more can one want?
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apearman
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Re: Mayar and Driesh

Postby pollyh33 » Fri Aug 26, 2011 11:33 pm

Lovely report with some fantastic photos :D

Still to get over to these two hills. Really looking forward to them now, thanks! :D
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Re: Mayar and Driesh

Postby ChrisW » Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:48 am

Great stuff apearman, did these two a while back and really enjoyed them, Corrie Fee is beautiful and once above it all the hard work is done :D
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