It's that time of year again, the brief window of opportunity where the evenings are light and school is on a reduced timetable between the start of study leave for the SQA exams and the start of the new session timetable in mid May. Some people call it spring but this particular walk was to feel anything but spring-like!

The "luxury" of added non-teaching time is of course intended to be used for various development tasks and the likes, but it's always good to try to squeeze a wee hill outing into the mix as well if the timetable allows. With my only Wednesday afternoon class now being away on study leave and me not having any other commitments after school this particular Wednesday, I sounded Kev out and he was more than up for making the most of the opportunity. We toyed with heading to Arrochar to hit some Grahams but in the end I think neither of us could be arsed with driving that far. We happily settled on the Sub2K of Stronend in the Gargunnock Hills which we had been speaking about for years as a target for an evening such as this.

We met up shortly after 3 o'clock just west of Ballochleam on the unnamed minor road between Kippen and Balfron and set off following the route that features prominently in several WH reports. The forecast had suggested a similar pattern to the previous day, i.e. a bright, sunny start with rain and showers moving in during the afternoon but then an improving picture again as we headed into the late afternoon and evening. There was no sign of any improvement as we set off from the rough parking area next to Bailie Bow's Bridge towards the start of the track towards the farm.

We both travelled light, Kev carrying only his new lightweight, folding running poles and me with a small pack with waterproof overtrousers and a spare jacket in it. The overtrousers were soon being pressed into service and as we passed the farm at Ballochleam and started to climb the track towards the Spout of Ballochleam, it was clear that any thoughts of a fine spring evening were to remain merely that - thoughts!

A classic this was not, a shame really as the walk has a bit more character than the walk to neighbouring Carleatheran, on which I was treated to a rather fine autumnal evening a few years back. But it was still good to be out and to catch up with Kev. Along the way we started to formulate some plans for our annual November bothy trip, perhaps inspired to do so by the rather November-like weather conditions!

We spent precious little time hanging about at the sprawling summit shelter cairn and trig point before retracing our steps. Our hands were frozen almost to the point of uselessness by the time we got back to the road and the highlight of the walk - a lamb rescue. The frightened lamb obliged by trying to bulldoze its way through the wire fence only to get stuck long enough for me to hold it still while Kev heaved it bodily back over into the field for a reunion with mum.


Start of the track, the Spout of Ballochleam central in the distance to the left of Stronend


Stronend and Ballochleam (and the farmer bending over in his field!)


Carleatheran


Stronend


The Spout of Ballochleam


Stronend across the Spout


Carleatheran from above the Spout


Carleatheran and windfarm


Kev trying to find a spot of shelter at the summit


Carleatheran through a gap in the shelter cairn


Carleatheran and dam on the descent back to the track


These lambs didn't require mountain rescue!