Marilyn Bagging

May Hill (296m), Ruardean Hill (290m) and Wentwood (309m) 15th July 2010

2010-09-04T17:48:00.003+01:00

Looking to the summit of May Hill

May Hill (296m)

This hill is located in west Gloucestershire, between Gloucester and Ross-on-Wye. I started the ascent from May Hill village, leaving the car at 1.40 pm. Most of the walk was accomplished by following the Gloucestershire Way, a well signposted and broad track. Lower down the hill was well wooded, whereas on entering the higher part of the hill, owned by the National Trust, the terrain became more meadow like. May Hill is recognisable from many hills on account of the clump of trees at the summit, and it was towards this that I headed for. A trig lay by the clump of trees, although I felt the summit lay inside the clump. It took 35 minutes to get to the top and there was an extensive view: the Cotswolds, the River Severn, the Malverns, the Sugar Loaf, and the Black Mountains were all in view. Although I was in the sunshine, it looked dark and stormy to the west. I knew a front was on the way, so I didn’t linger, but instead hurried back to the car. The whole walk took 55 minutes.

A hazy view of the Black Mountains

Ruardean Hill (290m)

This hill lies near the Forest of Dean but the village of the same name lies at the summit, meaning that this hill is a bit like a rural version of Crowborough. I parked in the village by the recreation ground and walked the few yards to the green which is the summit. From the recreation ground there was a view of the Forest of Dean and from a nearby field I saw the Black Mountains. However, apart a quick “ascent” this hill had nothing to commend it.

The summit of Ruardean Hill

Wentwood (309m)

This hills lies in the forest of Coed Gwent in Monmouthshire and offers a short and easy walk to the summit. I parked in the Cadira Beeches car park and started walking at 4.10 pm. I followed a broad, straight forestry track, across a minor road and near the trig took a path to the summit. There was no view as the top is in the forest, so I retraced my steps to the car, arriving at 4.50 pm. Despite the lack of a view I found this quite a pleasant walk.

The summit of Wentwood

Cnoc Mor (269m)

2010-09-04T17:48:00.001+01:00

Cnoc Mor

Chris and I decided to climb this little hill near Strathpeffer on our way back to England. There is a car park in the forest at the bottom of the hill, on the outskirts of the town and we started walking from here at 10.30 am. Initially we followed a well made track and we could see a path climbing up the side of the hill but in order to get to this path we had to cross some felled forestry, which had obliterated the path. Once we reached the path it climbed steeply up the hill and then took a traversing line. It seemed to snake all around the hill before heading for the trig point. At the top there were views between the trees of the Black Isle, the Strath Conon hills and a cloud capped Ben Wyvis. We didn’t stay long at the top before descending by the side of a fence. This was a more direct line down the hill and connected with the path we had ascended on. We followed this path and the track back to the car, reaching it at 11.30 am. There was a house near the car park with some amazing life size wood carvings in the garden, of people and animals, and we were both impressed with these. After getting to the car we had the long drive to England.

Chris approaching the trig point

One of the wood carvings

Meall a’Chrasgaidh (934m), Sgurr nan Clach Geala (1093m) and Sgurr nan Each (923m) 6th June 2010

2010-09-04T17:47:00.001+01:00

The walk in

Meall a’Chrasgaidh (934m)

These three Munros are in the Fannaichs, although only one is a Marilyn, but Chris and I decided they would be a good objective for a cloudy and humid day. The car was parked at a large parking area on the Gairloch road, near Loch a’Bhraoin. We started walking at 10.15 am and soon bumped into Rob Woodall, who had just climbed these hills and the nearby Corbett Tops and was on his way back. We took the track that headed towards Loch a’Bhraoin and then took the path that branched off this and headed for the pass between Sgurr Breac and Sgurr nan Clach Geala, alongside the Allt Breabaig. Shortly after fording this river we left the path and started the climb up Meall a’Chrasgaidh. It was steep and hard work, we were soon in the cloud and rain was in the air. We reached the summit at 12.50 pm and sat by the cairn in the mist eating our lunch.

Chris at the trig on Sgurr nan Clach Geala

Heading for Sgurr nan Each

Sgurr nan Clach Geala (1093m) and Sgurr nan Each (923m)

After lunch we descended on a path, in the mist, and made a detour to Carn na Criche. Below this Munrp Top the mist cleared for a while but by the time we got to the top it had closed in again. After Carn na Criche we paid close detail to navigation, as the col was confusing in the prevailing conditions and it would have been easy to go wrong. We found a path that climb Sgurr nan Clach Geala, on a ridge that quite narrow. It fell in cliffs and crags on one side and would have been a delight in clear weather. The mist had turned drizzly and the wind had increased with the altitude and it wasn’t very pleasant. We reached the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala at 2.50 pm, marked by a cairn and a broken trig point. We carried on along the path up to Sgurr nan Each, the top of which we reached at 4 pm. By this stage we were anxious to be off the hill as we had had enough, but worse was to follow. On the descent to the col between Sgurr nan Each and Sgurr nan Clach Geala it started to rain heavily and despite our waterproofs we became soaked. The ground was wet underfoot and all the burns were in spate, and it really wasn’t much fun. We found a minor path and this brought us to the main path by the side of the Allt Breabaig. We crossed the river at the same point as before and noted that it was higher than it had been in the morning. It was a long trudge to the car, which we reached at 6.50 pm, but we felt we had thoroughly deserved our beer.

The long trudge to the car…

The Allt Breabaig

Beinn Enaiglair (889m) and Meall Doire Faid (730m) 5th June 2010

2010-09-04T17:45:00.001+01:00

Meall Doire Faid from the slopes of Beinn Enaiglair

Beinn Enaiglair (889m)

Chris let me borrow his car today, as he was off to the Summer Isles for day, and I decided to climb Beinn Enaiglair and Meall Doire Faid with Tony. I parked the car in the car park at Braemore Junction, 12 miles south of Ullapool and we started walking at 9.55 am. It was a warm and sunny morning, although there was plenty of cloud about. A path, marked by wooden posts, climbed the hillside and views opened up quickly to the Fannaichs, the hills of the Fisherfield Forest and a mist covered An Teallach. Home Loch was a lovely sight, with a boathouse and a single Scots Pine, backed by An Teallach and the Fannaichs. The path reached a track and we had a sight of our two hills. A path branched off this track and we followed this to the bealach between Beinn Enaiglair and Meall Doire Faid. On the way we passed a beautiful waterfall plunging into a refreshing looking pool, which temped me to jump in even though I can’t swim. We left the path at the bealach and climbed the slopes of Beinn Enaiglair. The crags and scree meant that we couldn’t take a direct line but we easily found a line that avoided all difficulties. I reached the summit at 12.15 pm and Tony arrived 5 minutes later. As we arrived at the summit, mist came rolling in from the sea and obscured the view towards An Teallach. However, we did have views to the hills of Coigach and Assynt, Beinn Dearg, Ben Wyvis, Am Faocagach, the Fannaichs and the Fisherfield Forest.

Beinn Dearg from Beinn Enaiglair

An Teallach from the slopes of Beinn Enaiglair

Meall Doire Faid (730m)

We had lunch on the top of Beinn Enaiglair and then we descended back to the bealach. However, we didn’t take a particularly good line in descent and we ended up amongst the crags and scree. We had a rest at the bealach, before tackling Meall Doire Faid. This was much more rugged than the map indicated and we had to weave between cliffs and crags. It took a bit of route finding but we found a way through and reached the summit at 2.10 pm. The weather had cleared and An Teallach, Ben Mor Coigach and Stac Pollaidh looked fantastic in the sunshine. However, Ben Mor Fannaich was in the cloud and it looked rather stormy in that direction. After a bite to eat, we descended back to the bealach. We took a better and easier line in descent and got to the path at the bealach with no problems. We followed the path back towards the car and enjoyed amazing views to the Fannaichs, An Teallach and the Fisherfield Forest in the hot, afternoon sunshine. It seemed too soon when we reached the car at 4.15 pm. The walk had taken 6 hours and 20 minutes and we both felt it had been a fantastic day.

An Teallach from the summit of Meall Doire Faid

Beinn Enaiglair from Meall Doire Faid

Ben Mor Coigach and Stac Pollaidh from Meall Doire Faid

Beinn Dearg (1084m), Cona Mheall (980m) and Meall nan Ceapraichan (977m)

2010-08-30T19:09:00.001+01:00

Meall nan Ceaprachain and Beinn Dearg

Beinn Dearg (1084m)

Beinn Dearg is the highest hill in the Inverlael Forest, just south of Ullapool and together with the nearby Munros of Cona Mheall and Meall nan Ceapraichan makes for a long but satisfying day in remote country. The car was left at the car park in Inverlael and Chris and I started walking at 9.20 am. The weather was warm and cloudy, although after lunch the sun came out. The walk in followed a track up Glen Squaib, initialling through forest, and then through open country. By then the track had become a path and ran all the way to the bealach between the 3 Munros. It was a long way to this bealach and the walk seemed to take a long time, although as we neared the bealach there were dramatic views of the cliffs and crags of Meall nan Ceapraichan and Beinn Dearg. We reached the bealach at 12.45 pm and had a well deserved lunch break, before tackling the steep and rocky ascent of Beinn Dearg. A wall ran up the ridge and a path followed the wall, although it was hard work on account of the rocky and bouldery terrain. We reached the summit at 1.40 pm and we were greeted with a wonderful view. This took in An Teallach, the Fisherfield Forest, the hills of Coigach and Assynt, Seana Bhraigh, Ben Klibreck, Ben Wyvis and the remote hills of the Alladale Forest.

Chris climbing Beinn Dearg

Cona Mheall from Beinn Dearg

Cona Mheall (980m)

We descended the ridge back to the bealach and traversed around towards Cona Mheall. A path took us towards our second Munro of the day, and although the ground was bouldery in places, it wasn’t difficult. We reached the summit at 3.05 pm and stayed for 15 minutes. The views to Beinn Dearg and Am Faochagach were especially fine.

Beinn Dearg from Cona Mheall

Chris climbing Cona Mheall, with the Fannaichs behind

Meall nan Ceapraichan from Cona Mheall

Meall nan Ceapraichan (977m)

We descended back to the bealach and only had a short and easy ascent to the top of Meall nan Ceapraichan. This was a bit of a slog, however, as I was feeling tired by this time. We got to the top at 4.15 pm and stayed for 10 minutes. Dark clouds were amassing over An Teallach, the Fisherfield Forest and the Coigach hills. The rain hit us on the descent and was heavy for a while, although it became more showery and the sun came out in between showers. Chris set a cracking pace on the descent and I had trouble keeping up. I did admire the upper reaches of Glen Squaib, as it seemed it seemed a rugged and desolate place that was the haunt of the Golden Plover. Chris’ pace meant that I descended quicker than I would have done on my own and we reached the car at 7.05 pm, a total time of 9 hours and 45 minutes. We celebrated the end of a fine day with some soup and a small bottle of beer.

Dark and clouds and haze from the summit of Meall nan Ceapraichan

A dramatic view of Meall nan Ceapraichan and Beinn Dearg

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Ben Tee (903m) 3rd June 2010

2010-08-01T18:34:00.001+01:00

Ben Tee, as seen on the approach

Chris our I started the ascent from Kilfinnan at 11.30 am,on a hot, sunny morning. A path climbed the steep hillside and we found it a brutally steep start to the day. Views soon opened up across Loch Lochy to the Glen Roy hills but we can to climb about 200m above Kilfinnan before we got our first view of Ben Tee. It looked a long way off and it was. The angle of the slope eased off and the ascent continued on the path, making for fast progress. However, it became apparent that the path wasn’t going where we wanted to go, so we left it and took a more direct line for Ben Tee. The going was a bit tussocky but it wasn’t too bad but the ground levelled off for a while and we gained little height. Just before the climbing started again we stopped for a bite to eat, with views up to Ben Tee and across to the Loch Lochy Munros.

Loch Oich and Loch Ness from the summit of Ben Tee

Looking west towards Knoydart from Ben Tee

Creag Meagaidh from Ben Tee

The Glen Affric hills from Ben Tee

The final ascent didn’t seem to take very long after our little break and we reached the summit at 2.40 pm. The view was fantastic, from Skye to the Cairngorms. Other prominent hills were Creag Meagaidh, the Monadh Liath, the Glenfinnan hills, the Loch Quoich hills, the Glen Affric hills, Ben Wyvis, the Easains, the Grey Corries, and some unidentified hills in the both southern and northern highlands. We stayed for 20 minutes but I wanted to stay longer and it was a real wrench to tear myself away from such a fantastic view. There was a clear path at the top of the hill, which we followed down but this soon disappeared, and we ended up descending too far to our right. We traversed around more towards our ascent line and aimed for the lower path, which we could see in the distance. It was a steep final descent on this path to the car, which we reached at 4.40 pm. This was 5 hours 10 minutes after setting out and we both felt it had been an excellent day.

Link to Picasa Album

Criffel (569m) 2nd June 2010

2010-07-21T16:27:00.001+01:00

Criffel

The car was parked in the walkers’ car park at Ardwall, at the bottom of the hill, and Chris and I started the ascent at 12.40 pm. It was a sunny and breezy day, and the mist that hung over Criffel was clearing. It was a pleasant ascent on the track through the forest at the bottom of the hill. The track was well made and clear and there was a small work party improving it. It became boggy but was clear all the way to the top. The summit was marked by a large cairn and a trig point, and we reached these at 1.50 pm. We had a late lunch here and admired the view. This was partially obscured by mist but we could see the Lowthers and the Lake District hills across the fog covered Solway Firth. We began the descent at 2.15 pm and retraced our ascent route back to the car. We reached the car park at 3 pm, a total of 2 hours 20 minutes for the whole walk.

The summit of Criffel

Link to Picasa Album

Mynydd y Cwm (304m), Mynydd Rhyd Ddu (389m), and Mwdwl-eithin (532m) 22nd May 2010

2010-05-29T12:55:00.001+01:00

The summit area of Mynydd y Cwm

Mynydd y Cwm (304m)

The car was parked at a large lay-by in the village of Rhuallt and I started walking at 9.35 am. It was a hot sunny day and I was thankful that most of this walk was in the forest. The walk initially took me along the road to Cwm and Dyserth before entering the forest. A track climbed the hill, although at SJ070766 I took a path, along which there were lovely bluebells. The forest was alive with bird song and it was a pleasant ascent. A mountain bike trail brought me to another track and by the side of a small cliff a path climbed to the summit. The actual highest point was unmarked but nearby was a large cairn and a memorial cross. There was no view, so I descended straightaway and reached the car at 10.50 am. This was a roundtrip of 1 hour 15 minutes.

The trig on Mynydd Rhyd Ddu

Mynydd Rhyd Ddu (389m)

I parked the car just outside Melin y Wig, on the road to Bettws Gwerfil Goch and started walking at 11.50 am. I walked along the narrow road to Brynhalen farm and made my way up from there. It was an uninspiring hill but the hazy view was nice, taking in the Clwydian Hills and the Denbigh Moors. I arrived at the summit trig at 12.30 pm, took a few photos and descended by my route of ascent. I arrived back at the car at 1.10 pm, a walk time of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Mwdwl-eithin

Mwdwl-eithin (532m)

I parked the car in a lay-by in the village of Glasfryn, on the A5. I took the track to Ty’n y Waen but before I reached the house I came across a lamb that was stuck in a fence. I managed to free it but it was very weak so I went to the nearby farmhouse to tell the farmer but there was no answer. I walked back to the A5 and knocked on the nearest house but the guy wasn’t interested. He just said the farmer went round his flock every day and would see it. I walked back to the lamb and carried to nearer the track and under the shade of some trees so that it wasn’t under the hot sun. I thought it would die though.

I resumed my walk feeling sad for the lamb. The track petered out and an intermittent path took me towards Mwdwl-eithin. It still seemed a long way off but the moor was quite wild and it felt off the beaten track. I came to a wall and on the other side was a clearer path. I soon left this and took to the pathless moor in order to maintain height. It was hard going in the deep heather and the boggy ground but the hill got steadily nearer. Near the summit a barbed wire fence blocked the way but someone had made a makeshift stile. The summit was marked by a trig and a large cairn and I sat there for 25 minutes admiring the hazy view to the Denbigh Moors, the Clwydian Hills, Carnedd y Filiast and Moel Siabod. I descended via a different route, following a path over a gate. I headed for some trees that lay near the clear path I had followed on the ascent. Once I was on the lower farmland a track led to Glasfryn, although it was a different track to the one I had followed on the ascent. I reached the car at 5.30 pm, a roundtrip of 3 hours. I was hot and thirsty and the air conditioning in the car on the journey home was very welcome.

The trig on Mwdwl-eithin

Link to Picasa Album

Fell Hill (417m), Bogrie Hill (432m) and Wauk Hill (357m) 8th May 2010

2010-05-20T17:30:00.001+01:00

Fell Hill (417m)

Fell Hill

The car was parked by the side of the road near the start of the track to Fell Farm, which is the gateway to this hill. Mark and I started walking along this track at 1 pm on a lovely sunny day. There was a bit of a chilly wind but when the sun shone it felt warm and spring-like. Skylarks sang and hovered over the grassland, whilst lapwings and cuckoos called. It felt as though spring had arrived. It was an easy and pleasant walk along the track, with views behind us to Bogrie Hill and Castramon Hill. We reached he ruined farm, where we heard the cuckoo, and climbed the slopes to the top of the hill. This was marked by a trig and a large cairn/monument and although it was windy it was a fantastic place to be. The view was amazing and took in the Galloway Hills, the Cairnsmore of Carsphairn group of hills, the Lowther Hills, Criffel and across the Solway Firth to the mountains of the northern Lake District. We had lunch just below the summit and admired the beautiful and extensive vista. I could hardly bring myself to leave but we had two other hills to climb, so we retraced our steps down the hill to the farm and along the track back to the car. This we reached at 3.25 pm, a round trip of nearly 2 and a half hours.

Cairnsmore of Carsphairn (797m) from Fell Hill

Bogrie Hill (432m)

Bogrie Hill from Fell Hill

I parked the car below Bogrie Hill on a large grass verge, at NX786846. The climbing started as soon as we left the car at 3.45 pm, but it was only a 200m climb. The ground was not difficult underfoot and so it was an easy ascent. The top was marked by a trig and the view, whilst beautiful and extensive, was not as fine as that from Fell Hill. The Lowthers were much closer here, whilst the Galloway and Cairnsmore hills were further away. We could also see Criffel, the Lakeland hills, the Northern Pennines and the Isle of Man. After a short stay to admire the view we descended the short distance to the car, arriving at 5.05 pm. The walk took us a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Bishop Forest Hill (392m) from Bogrie Hill

Wauk Hill (357m)

Cairnkinna Hill (554m) from Wauk Hill

It took a while to find a parking spot for this hill but eventually I decided to park the car at the first spot we had seen, which was a lay-by on the A702, at NX823905. Mark and I started walking at 5.45 pm, initially through the fields at the bottom of the hill. A rickety stile led to the open hillside and the route lay alongside the wall that ran up the hillside. A trig marked the summit and we sat nearby admiring the view. The Lowthers and Cairnkinna Hill looked particularly beautiful in the evening light. After a bite to eat we descended by the side of the wall and then took a more direct route across the fields to the A702. A short walk along the side of the road brought us to the car at 7.35 pm, a total of 1 hour 50 minutes for eh walk. Ten minutes later we were on our way home.

The Lowther Hills from Wauk Hill

Link to Picasa Album

High Raise (762m) 25th April 2010

2010-05-19T17:58:00.001+01:00

The trig on High Raise

Mark and I started walking from the United Utilities car park at Steel End at 11.40 am. It was wet, with persistent rain that was heavy at times. A footpath took us up the valley of the Wyth Burn, with a mist shrouded Steel Fell to our left and Nab Crags and Castle Crags to our right. The path passed by some attractive waterfalls that were the highlight of the damp walk-in and the path disappeared in the flat, marshy upper part of the valley. We had lunch by a slope that gave some shelter from the wind but conditions did not encourage us to savour our food. After lunch we climbed up on to Greenup Edge, with views to a misty Ullscarf and down the valley we had just walked up. The rain was more intermittent by this stage, although conditions were hardly pleasant, and we reached the top of High Raise at 3.45 pm. This was marked by a trig and a stone shelter and we sat here and had a quick bite to eat. There was no view and we had hardly set any world records in our ascent. The conditions and the lateness of the hour sapped our resolve to continue over Calf Crag and Steel Fell and we descended by our route of ascent. This was more pleasant than the ascent as the rain stopped from time to time and the mist had lifted to a higher level. The valley of the Wyth Burn is wild and unfrequented by Lakeland standards and I felt regretful that the weather had spoilt a good walk. It was with some relief that we reached the car at 6.25 pm, 6.75 hours after setting out. I vowed to myself to return one day on a better day.

Ullscarf

The valley of the Wyth Burn

Link to Picasa Album

Blackstone Edge (472m), Freeholds Top (454m) and Ilkley Moor (402m) 21st March 2010

2010-04-30T20:07:00.001+01:00

Blackstone Edge (472m)

The trig on Blackstone Edge

I parked in a large lay-by by the Blackstone Edge Reservoir on the A58. Not that I could see the reservoir as the moors were shrouded in thick mist. I started walking at 9.50 am by walking along the A58 for a short distance before taking a track that followed alongside an enclosed beck. The track turned into a boggy path that ascended the waterlogged moor before reaching the old packhorse road. This was well made and rocky in place and was altogether easier going. At the Aiggin Stone I followed the Pennine Way up to the top, the landscape consisting of typical south Pennine gritstone. I could hear skylarks and lapwings but couldn’t see them on account of the fog. The trig appeared out of the gloom, sitting atop a gritstone edge, and it was a simple little scramble to reach it. Blue sky started to appear and the mist began to thin and then I saw a nearby block of gritstone that was higher than the trig. It looked hard to climb, too hard for me on my own without a rope and I had to descend without reaching the actual summit. I retraced my steps to the Aiggin Stone and then descended on the so-called “Roman Road”, except that it is a medieval road. This was very well made but it was taking me in the wrong direction so I took a path that led back towards the A58 and the Whitehouse pub. From there I followed a path alongside the road and reached the car at 11.30 am, 1 hour 40 minutes after setting out.

The “Roman Road” near Blackstone Edge

Heading for the summit of Freeholds Top

Freeholds Top (454m)

I then drove to the top of the Todmorden-Bacup road, the A681, on the border of Lancashire and Yorkshire. I parked at a large lay-by and started walking at 12.20 pm, alongside the road. I soon reached the Rossendale Way and followed this along a track, that became a path and then disappeared in the wet, boggy moor. It was a case of following the fence line towards the top, although the incline was slight and I felt I was hardly climbing. Despite this views opened up to Todmorden, Stoodley Pike, Hoof Stones Height, Pendle Hill, Hail Storm Hill and the northern part of the Peak. A clear path emerged from the bog and this climbed towards the summit, although I had to climb over a gate to reach the trig. The ascent took 1 hour 5 minutes and I spent a pleasant half an hour on the top eating my lunch. The descent rout followed my route of ascent at first, before I dropped down to a track called Limer’s Gate. I followed this to the Rossendale Way a short distance from the road. Walking back along the A681 I bumped into Eric, a fellow bagger, who was on his way up. The Marilyn bagging world is indeed a small one. After a chat I walked to the car, reaching it at 3.10 pm.

Stoodley Pike from Freeholds Top

Ilkley, with Round Hill behind

Ilkley Moor (402m)

I parked the car in a car park near the Darwin Millennium Garden in Ilkley, at the foot of Ilkley Moor. It had clouded over by the time I started walking at 4.40pm along a broad track. There was a confusing number of paths and it was difficult to know which one to follow. As I climbed views opened up to Ilkley, Round Hill the hills of the Yorkshire Dales near Skipton. I eventually found that the path I was on was taking me away from the summit and so I set off on a direct line for the trig point. It was hard work walking in the deep heather, even though the moor was quite flat, but there was a feeling of wildness about the moor. I had a view over towards a city that I assumed to be Leeds, and over to the Lancashire moors and I reached the trig at 5.45 pm. It was raining by this time and I didn’t stay long as darkness was looming. A path took me on a more direct descent and when this turned in the wrong direction I continued the same line “off piste”. This took me to the road below the moor and so to the car park. The whole walk took a total of 1 hour 40 minutes.

The summit of Ilkley Moor

Link to Picasa Album

Great Whernside (704m) and Buckden Pike (702m) 13th March 2010

2010-03-17T15:58:00.003Z

Buckden Pike from Great Whernside

Great Whernside

I parked the car in the National Park car park in Kettlewell, costing £3.20, and started walking at 9.55 am. I took the road past the hostel and then the track and path to Hag Dyke, with views to Birks Fell behind me and the snowy bulk of Great Whernside in front. The path was boggy and there many snow patches, the snow cover becoming continuous when the slope steepened at about 600m. The weather was sunny and it was a delight to be climbing the hill in the snow. There were many footprints in the snow, creating a pathway up the slope to the summit. This was crowned by a trig point and a large cairn, and I reached this point after an hour and a half’s walking, at 11.25 am. The view was great, to Birks Fell streaked with snow, a snow covered and towering Buckden Pike, Pen-y-ghent, Fountains Fell, a snowy Little Whernside and in the distance the North York Moors and the Teeside urban conurbation. The summit was a large plateau that seemed like a snowy arctic tundra and I made my way along the its edge to near Nidd Head. From here I descended the steep slope of snow and had to be careful I didn’t slip. When the angle of the slope relented, below 600m, the snow became much more patchy, and gave way to tussocky grass. I was soon crossing the road that climbs between Great Whernside and Buckden Pike.

Great Whernside

Buckden Pike

From the road a path headed for Buckden Pike, until higher up the snow took over again and I followed a fence up the hillside. The wind was stronger here and it felt cold for the first time, delaying my lunch until I had found some shelter. Finally I got some meagre shelter behind a stone wall on Tor Mere Top and had a quick lunch. The south ridge seemed to go on and on before reaching the summit but there were great views of Little and Great Whernside and it was a case of following the footprints up the ridge. I got to the summit at 2.45 pm and stayed for 10 minutes admiring the view before descending back down the south ridge. It was a long descent and some dark clouds threatened rain that never materialised, but eventually I reached the track known as Top Mere Road. As I descended the view along the length of Wharfedale to Cracoe Fell got better and better, and Great Whernside remained a constant companion. I didn’t see Kettlewell until I was just above the village and then the road descended steeply into the village centre. I got to the car at 5.15 pm, a total of 7 hours and 20 minutes, and although I felt tired I felt it had been an excellent day.

Buckden Pike from the south ridge

Wharfedale and Cracoe Fell

Link to Picasa Album

Hope Mountain (330m), Penycloddiau (440m), Moel Arthur (456m), and Moel y Gaer (303m) 20th February 2010

2010-03-17T15:58:00.001Z

Moel Arthur and Moel Plas-yw from Moel y Gaer

Hope Mountain

It was a cold, frosty and sunny morning as I started walking at 10.15 am from Caergwrle. There was plenty of snow about as I took the lane that led to Horeb and views quickly opened up over Cheshire. I took a short cut on a right of way across a field, then met the road higher up the hillside. The trig on the top of Hope Mountain was visible not far above and was reached by taking the track the led to the communications towers and then taking to the open hillside. The view was amazing in the crystal clear air, over Cheshire, the Clwydian Range and the Denbigh Moors. The descent route was identical to the route of ascent and the car was reached at 11.30 am, a round trip of 1 hour 15 minutes.

The trig on Hope Mountain

Penycloddiau and Moel Arthur

My intention had been to park at the top of the road between these two hills but the road was snowy and icy and when the road steepened the car wouldn’t go any further. I had no choice but to turn round and head back down the road and I parked at a little picnic area about a mile from Nannerch. I started walking at 12.25 pm and it took me 45 minutes to walk up the road to the car park where I had intending starting from. The views to the snow covered Clwydians was wonderful and the views got better as I climbed the path up Penycloddiau. This path offered outstanding views across the Vale of Clwyd to the Denbigh Moors and the mountains of Snowdonia, whilst behind me rose Moel Arthur and Moel Famau. I got to the top of Penycloddiau after an hour and a half and stood there eating lunch and enjoying the fantastic view. This toom in all that I had seen earlier, plus the Wirral peninsula, Liverpool, the Sefton Coast, the Fylde Coast, the Forest of Bowland, and the Cheshire Plain. After finishing lunch I retraced my steps along the path to the car park and then proceeded along the path that climbed Moel Arthur. It was a delight to be in these hills in the snow and the sunshine and I felt lucky to have such clear views. I reached the top of Moel Arthur at 3.20 pm, the view from which was dominated by Moel Famau. After a 10 minute stay I walked back down to the car park and then along the road to the car. This I reached at 4.35 pm, a total of 4 hours and 10 minutes.

Moel Arthur and Moel Famau from Penycloddiau

Moel Famau from Moel Arthur

Moel y Gaer

I just had time to climb Moel y Gaer before the sun went down so I drove to the village to Rhosesmor and parked on the main street. A side round wound around the hill and led to the open hillside, which was covered in gorse. A gap appeared in the gorse and it was an easy and short ascent. There were quite a few people around walking their dogs as I trudged around looking for the summit with the GPS. The actual summit is unmarked and I found that the best views were to be had from the top of the covered reservoir. The views were beautiful, over the Wirral to Liverpool and Cheshire, to Hope Mountain and Cyrn-y-Brain and most of all to the snow covered Clwydians with the sun setting behind them in a blaze of red. It was a magical view and I couldn’t take my eyes off it until the sun had set. Moel y Gar is a little hill and it was a short walk back to the car but the memory of the view from the top will stay with me for a long time.

Moel Arthur and Moel Plas-yw

Moel Llys-y-coed, Moel Arthur and Moel Plas-yw

Link to Picasa Album

Moelfre (589m) and Foel Offrwm (405m) 6th February 2010

2010-03-17T15:56:00.003Z

Moelfre, as seen on the approach

Moelfre

The car was parked on a residential side street in Dyffryn Ardudwy and I started walking at 11.30 am. It was a cold and sunny morning as I walked up the road opposite the station road. This led up through housing estates into the countryside, but it wasn’t until I was beyond the village that Moelfre came into view for the first time. At SH603249 I left the road and took a right of way that headed towards the area marked Waun Hir on the map, and then a right of way that went passed the ruin of Tal y ffynonau. The height gain was slight but it was enough to see the Deweys of Mynydd Egryn and Llawlech, the hills of the Lleyn Peninsula, the Nantlle ridge and the Moelwyns. I joined a track at SH611244 and followed this to SH614242, by a stone wall. The wall climbed the hillside and I followed by the side of it, climbing over 2 stiles just short of the summit. The summit was marked by a large cairn and I reached it at 1.20 pm, 1 hour and 50 minutes after setting out. The sun was hot and even on the top there was little wind, and so I sat at the bottom of the cairn and enjoyed lunch in the sunshine. The view was fantastic, to Lleyn, the Nantlle ridge, the Moel Hebog group, the Moelwyns, and the rugged Rhinogs. After lunch I retraced my steps to the track and followed this to a metalled road. It was a simple road walk back to the car, which I reached just before 3.15 pm, a round trip of 3 hours 45 minutes.

The Rhinogs from the summit of Moelfre

Foel Offrwm

I left the car in a free car park on the road between Dolgellau and Llanfachreth, below Foel Offrwm. I started walking at 4 pm by following a forestry track and then climbing the open hillside when this left the forest. The views to Foel Cynwch and Rhobell Fawr were particularly attractive and the views opened up quickly as I climbed. It was a steep climb but it took me only 25 minutes to get to the summit. The view in the low sun was wonderful and I wanted to stay there for ages just looking at it. I could see Rhobell Fawr, Y Garn, the Manods, the Arans, the Dovey hills, the dominating bulk of Cadair Idris and the Mawddach Estuary with the setting sun behind. Unfortunately I could stay for only 15 minutes admiring this beautiful scene, so I left at 4.45 pm and got back to the car at 5 pm. The drive home was scary as there was a blanket of thick fog nearly all the way but this couldn’t detract from a great day.

Rhobell Fawr from Foel Offrwm

Link to Picasa Album

Calf Top 609m and Barbon Low Fell 437m, 30th January 2010

2010-03-17T15:56:00.001Z

Calf Top from Castle Knott

Calf Top

I parked the car near the church in Barbon village and started walking at 10.30 am. It was a beautiful sunny day, with hardly a cloud in the sky but a bitter wind. It was a cold, crisp day but where there was shelter from the wind if felt warm in the sun. I was disappointed at the lack of snow cover, although the hillsides were flecked with snow and the ground was frozen solid. This made it easier to cross what was normally boggy ground. I followed the right of way by the side of the church and my intention had been to follow this to Eskholme Farm. However, I made the mistake of following the tarmac road into Barbon Park, where there were a number of shooting parties. I easily found a path that ascended the open hillside and as I climbed the views to the Lake District opened up quite nicely. I reached the top of the Dewey of Castle Knott at 11.40 am and the view was amazing: across to the snow covered Lake District mountains, the Forest of Bowland, Morcambe Bay, Blackpool Tower, Great Coum and Calf Top. Despite being a cold day I was thirsty but I had left my water bottles at home and all the ground water was frozen. The path descended to a col and than ascended towards Calf Top, eventually following a fence and ruined stone wall to the summit. I reached the top at 12.25 pm and sheltered from the bitterly cold wind behind the wall and ate lunch. The view was fantastic: aside from what I had seen from Castle Knott I also saw the Howgill Fells, Whernside, Aye Gill Pike, Baugh Fell and Knoutberry Hill. I stayed until 1.15 pm, unable to leave the fantastic view but decided that I had to make a move.

The Howgill Fells from Calf Top

Barbon Low Fell

I followed the path back to Castle Knott and beyond down the ridge. I then descended steep slopes to Barbondale, crossed the beck by a footbridge and walked along the minor road for a short distance. I then took the track to Bullpot Farm and near where a gate and a wall crossed the track I left the track and climbed the hillside. It was hard work but the beautiful views of Great Coum and Calf Top were compensation. The trig came into view but the summit was in an undulating area with many ups and downs but I reached it at 3.20 pm. I stayed for 10 minutes to admire the crystal clear view and descended towards an area called Johnny Barns Moss. I found an intermittent path and a flowing beck, allowing me to slake my raging thirst. I reached the road not far from Barbon and reached the car at 4.20 pm, almost 6 hours after leaving it.

Barbon Low Fell

Link to Picasa Album

Mynydd Nodol 539m 2nd January 2010

2010-01-09T17:22:00.001Z

Mynydd Nodol from the Llyn Celyn dam

For the first Marilyn of 2010 I decided to have a rare trip to Wales. At home there’d been no snow but almost as soon as I crossed the border snow was quite widespread and at the Llyn Celyn dam, where I parked, there was snow everywhere. It was sunny, but with a bitterly cold wind, as I started walking at 10.05 am. Initially this was along the snow covered road along the top of the dam. Mynydd Nodol rose ahead, to my right were Llyn Celyn and Arenig Fach (689m), whilst behind were Foel Goch (611m) and the lower slopes of Carnedd y Filiast (669m). At the end of the road I went through the snow covered car park and along the shore of the reservoir. The snow was fairly deep, even at this lowly height, although higher up it became knee and even thigh deep. After climbing over a style it was question of finding a way up that avoided as many walls and fences as possible. Many of the stone walls had gaps in them so this was quite easy. The snow was deep, soft powder snow and it was hard work climbing upwards. However, I figured that this is a hill that would be hard work at any time, as heather was sticking up above the snow even though this was regularly knee deep. I enjoyed the views over the snowy landscape to the mountains mentioned above and this more than compensated for the hard work.

The summit of Mynydd Nodol

The summit came into view but it took a while to get there due to the deep snow. The wind had increased by this time and it was whipping the snow around and into my face. I reached the summit at 11.40, 1 hour 35 minutes after setting out and the views over the arctic landscape were fantastic. I could see the Arans, Arenig Fach and Carnedd y Filiast, all with their heads in the clouds, and Foel Goch, which was clear. The main feature of the view, however, was Arenig Fawr (854m), it’s black snow plastered cliffs rising above Llyn Arenig Fawr, and looking imposing and impressive. I took a photos and trudged around the summit area to make sure I’d stood on the top and descended, as it was cold. I did think that the large cairn wasn’t quite on the highest point but there isn’t much in it. I descended via a steeper and direct route, and although the snow was deep, it was easier descending. I reached the car at 12.40 pm, 2 hours 35 minutes after setting out.

Arenig Fawr

I had lunch in the car and I decided to head down to Dolgellau to climb Foel Offrwm. However, when I went to start the car the battery was flat. I walked about a mile down the road and knock on somebody’s door, as I had no mobile signal. A very nice man invited me in, let me use the phone, and made me a cup of tea. After talking to the RAC I walked back to the car, tried to start the car and it started first time! I drove into Bala and phoned the RAC again to cancel the call out. By this time it was too late to climb anything else so I started the drive home at 3 pm. There was a heavy shower of wet snow that turned the road slushy, and as a result, the steep road between Ruthin and Mold was reduced to a crawl. When I got through that I thought the rest of the drive would be straightforward but by Loggerheads Country Park near Mold traffic came to a standstill for an hour. The reason for the holdup was a mystery but after that it was a clear drive. However, the drive home took 3 hours instead of the expected hour and a half. It had been a long day for one hill!

Arenig Fach and Llyn Celyn

Link to Picasa Album

Great Shunner Fell (716m), Lovely Seat (675m) and Dodd Fell Hill (668m) 12th December 2009

2009-12-31T17:36:00.001Z

Lovely Seat

Great Shunner Fell (716m)

I parked the car at the Buttertubs Pass, at a parking area by the cattle grid near the summit. It was foggy and I could see only a few feet in front, so I had to concentrate on my navigation from the start. I started walking at 10.40 am along a wet and boggy track, before meeting an area of peat hags on Hood Rig. Beyond the peat hags a path followed the the fence that climbed over Little Shunner Fell to Great Shunner Fell. Apart from some boggy areas the path was easy to follow and this made navigation easy. The fog didn’t lift at all on the ascent even though I could see blue sky overhead from time to time. The path connected to the Pennine Way and from here it was a short distance to the stone shelter on the summit. The ascent had taken an hour but the fog hid any view, so after some hot soup I started the descent back to the Buttertubs Pass. When I got below Little Shunner Fell the fog lifted, revealing Lovely Seat towering above. I reached the car exactly 2 hours after leaving it.

Great Shunner Fell from Lovely Seat

Lovely Seat (675m)

After eating lunch in the car I set off for Lovely Seat. A fence climbed up the hillside and although the going was wet and boggy lower down once the slope steepened a path emerged that followed the fence line. As I climbed higher there were good views of Great Shunner Fell, Dodd Fell Hill and Pen-y-ghent, although mist enveloped me before I reached the summit. I arrived at the at the top at 2.30 pm but I had no view despite being able to see the sun and patches of blue sky. I stayed a little while in case the mist lifted but when it showed no sign of doing so I descended back to the car. I got to the car at 1.55 pm, a total time of 50 minutes.

The trig on Dodd Fell Hill

Dodd Fell Hill (668m)

I drove through Hawes and on to the road to Kettlewell before taking a narrow dead end road called Cam High Road. I parked on the grass verge by the Pennine Way and set off at 2.45 pm. There was about an hour before sunset but this road lies at over 500m so I only had a short ascent to the summit. I walked along the Pennine Way at first before taking to the open hillside just after crossing a gate. The fog had completely lifted and there was bright sunshine. It was a beautiful winter’s afternoon, with lovely views to Buckden Pike, Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and along the dale formed by Snaizeholme Beck. On the open hill there were sheep tracks to help but the going was mostly wet and boggy. I reached the trig on the summit at 3.15 pm and stayed for 10 minutes to enjoy the view to the main hills of the Yorkshire Dales in the pleasant sunshine. I descended on a more direct line to the Pennine Way and followed this to the car, reaching it at 3.50 pm.

Buckden Pike in the late afternoon sunshine

Link to Picasa Album

Peel Fell 602m 23rd November 2009

2009-12-19T15:11:00.001Z

Heading for Peel Fell

Peel Fell is in England by 50 metres and it was Chris’ last English Marilyn. It was grey and damp, with rain from time to time, as Chris parked the car by the side of the road just outside Kielder and near the track that runs up to Deadwater Fell. We started at 10 am, walking up this track and through the forestry. The wind increased as we climbed and when we got out of the forest was quite strong. The rain became heavy and continuous, the mist came down and it wasn’t very nice. We were sick of rain and getting wet. We followed the track up to the Dewey of Deadwater Fell, with it’s trig and summit communications masts.The other side of Deadwater Fell a wet and boggy path, known as the Kielder Stane Walk, headed for Mid Fell. It was so wet underfoot that it was difficult to know which was worse, the bogs or the tussocks at the side of the path. On top of Mid Fell there was a large cairn with a cross on top, known as the Riever’s Cross. We continued to follow the path over the same sort of boggy terrain to Peel Fell, reaching the summit at 12.30 pm. We had a beer to celebrate Chris’ English completion and a quick bite to eat and after a 10 minute stay we descended back along the path. When we got to the track we took the branch that descended the other side of Deadwater Fell, without visiting the summit again. We made the mistake at one point of descending a mountain bike track, but this was hard work, so we ignored the other MTB tracks and kept to the track. We reached the car at 3 pm in heavy rain and 10 minutes later we were on our way home.

Chris at the summit of Peel Fell

Link to Picasa Album

Creag na Criche 456m and Knock of Crieff 279m 22nd November 2009

2009-12-19T14:46:00.001Z

Creag na Criche

There were 4 of us, Chris, Jon, Alison and I, who set off from the small car park by the ford in Little Glen Shee at 11.15 am. It had been sunny but by the time we started walking it was clouding over, although the rain didn’t arrive until we were on the hill. We followed a track that climbed around the hill until we came to a gate. After climbing the gate we took to the open hill, and although there were faint paths in places it was tough going at times. We had trouble identifying the top as there were so many lumps and bumps but after heading for the wrong bump we found the right one. We reached the cairn at 12.15 pm and by this time it was raining heavily, it was windy, and it wasn’t very pleasant. We started the descent at 12.20 pm and took a different line to the track. Once on the track we followed it back to our starting point, reaching the car park at 1 pm.

Creag na Criche

Chris drove Alison and I at the bottom of the Knock of Crieff as he had no desire to climb it again. Alison rushed on ahead and I climbed the hill in a more leisurely fashion. The path climbed through the forest to a viewpoint, although this isn’t the summit. The view took in the Lomond and Ochil Hills, and a misty Ben Chonzie and Beinn Each. The path continued through an area of felled trees and entered the conifer plantation near the summit. There is a ciarn marking the summit, which I reached after 25 minutes walking. Alison was there and we descended together, reaching the road after a 25 minute descent.

A cloud covered Ben Chonzie

Link to Picasa Album

Ben Ledi (879m) 21st November 2009

2009-12-19T14:19:00.001Z

The swollen Garbh Uisge

The weather forecast was dire, storm force winds, heavy rain and flooding but that didn’t stop Chris and I from heading for the Coireachrombie car park just north of the Pass of Leny on the A84. It had been a sunny morning but by the time we started walking at 10.05 am it was clouding over. There was a clear path all the way to the top so navigation would be easy if the weather got bad. Early on there were vies to Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument at Stirling, and the Ochils. Above us the craggy east face of Ben Ledi rose into the clouds that were fast descending but we just followed the path into the mist. Lower down we were sheltered from the wind but once we were on the south east ridge the full force of the wind hit us. It was far from storm force though and the rain wasn’t too bad, the worst being the boggy nature of the path. We reached the trig on the summit at 12.10 pm, 2 hours and 5 minutes after setting off. It was windy, cold and raining on the top and we only stayed for 5 minutes. Shortly after starting the descent the rain came down heavily and the descent was grim and unpleasant. At least we were sheltered from the wind once we got off the the south east ridge and we reached the car at 1.55 pm, a total of 3 hours 50 minutes. We had lunch in the car and whiled away the weekend by looking around the shops in Stirling.

Chris at the trig on Ben Ledi

Link to Picasa Album

The Menteith Hills: Beinn Dearg 427m and Craig of Monievreckie 400m 20th November 2009

2009-12-19T13:19:00.001Z

Beinn Dearg in the rain

Beinn Dearg 427m

There is room to park a car at the entrance to the track at NN617047 but there was a car already there when we arrived so Chris parked the car in the lay-by opposite.We started walking at 10.40 am up the steep track which led to Ben Gullipen. It had been sunny on the drive to the hill but the sun had disappeared and we had frequent heavy showers for the rest of the day. As we climbed towards the communications tower on Ben Gullipen there were views of the Ochils, Stirling Castle, the Gargunnock and Fintry Hills, Uamh Bheag, Ben Ledi and Ben Venue but it was hard to enjoy due to the heavy showers and strong wind. From Ben Gullipen a rough wet path descended to the col below Beinn Dearg. I lost the track here and didn’t see that Chris had gone left. I made the mistake of climbing over a stile and I ended up climbing some small vegetated crags and wading through deep heather. It was hard work and to make it worse I climbed a small subsidiary top when I didn’t need to. I reached the summit at midday, 5 minutes after Chris, although his ascent had been easier than mine. From the top there were views of Earl’s Seat, Meikle Bin in the Campsies and Duncolm in the Kilpatricks, as well as the hills we had seen earlier. We started the descent at 12.10 pm by following the wet path by which Chris had ascended the hill. This became a quad bike track and after crossing a stile the path disappeared. We traversed some rough, waterlogged ground before reaching the track, which was followed to the car. The whole round trip took us two and a half hours.

Chris descending Beinn Dearg towards Ben Gullipen

Craig of Monievreckie (400m)

Chris drove us round to the Braeval Forestry Commission car park and we had lunch in the car. We started the walk at 2 pm by walking up a forestry track and following the red route. At NN538013 a clear path left the track and climbed through the forest. After a walker’s gate the open hillside was reached and to our surprise the path just kept going. It went over the 393m foretop and all the way to the summit, which was reached after an hour and ten minutes. Looking out over central Scotland the extent of the flooding could be appreciated, and more rain was to come. The view took in the Campsies, Gargunnock and Fintry Hills, the Kilpatricks, Ben Ledi, Ben Venue and Ben Lomond. We descended after a five minute stay at the top, contoured round the 393m foretop and endured more heavy rain. We got back on to the path just before the gate and then retraced our outward route to the car. The whole walk was a 2 hour round trip and we celebrated with a small beer before setting off.

Chris nearing the summit of Craig of Monievreckie

Descending Craig of Monievreckie

Link to Picasa Album

Turner Cleuch Law 551m 19th November 2009

2009-12-17T20:42:00.001Z

Chris climbing to the summit

The drive north was wet, really wet. The Lake District was flooded, people had died but what did Chris and I do? We climbed a Marilyn! Driving through the Southern Uplands was incredible, flooded valleys, swollen rivers, and even a car that had come off the road. We took the road over the Yarrow Water to get to Turner Cleuch Law, the river was incredibly high but we carried on, determined to climb our hill. The car was parked by the side of the road, at NT282290 and we followed a track that climbed the hillside by the side of the forest. Conditions were highly unpleasant and climbing upwards in the lashing rain we seriously doubted our sanity. We reached the unmarked summit after 25 minutes walking, a thankfully short time. It was windy and the rain felt like needles in the face. After a few photos we turned tail and fled down the way we had come, the round trip taking 45 minutes. However, our adventure had only begun …

We had to head back towards the Yarrow Water and an hour and a half after passing over the river, it had burst it’s banks and was flowing in the road. It looked iffy but Chris went for it in his 4WD and we made it. At one point he was driving in the river as it was impossible to separate the two and the river was flowing in the same direction as the road. The water on the road became shallow and then we came to the junction with the A708 Moffat to Selkirk road. For about 100 yards to the left and right of the junction the road was under deep water and it looked touch and go whether we would make it. Luckily our route was straight on and straight uphill. After that we had no more problems but another hour and we wouldn’t have made it through the Yarrow Water.

Chris on the summit

Link to Picasa Album

Hods Hill (569m) and Cairn Hill (451m) 7th November 2009

2009-11-15T11:18:00.001Z

Looking up to Hods Hill

Hods Hill (569m)

The car was parked at a lay-by area on the road to the Daer Reservoir, near where the road turns sharp right, at NS972097. It was cloudy, with spits and spots of rain in the air, the hills were mist bound and there was a chilly wind, as Mark and I set off at 12.10 pm. We followed the Southern Upland Way, which climbed gently at first before becoming steeper higher up. Nowhere was it steep, however, but as we gained height there was a feeling of space looking over to the main Lowther Hills and the headwaters of Clydesdale. Although lower down the going was a bit rough, higher up there was a clear path by the side of a wall and fence. Here the weather cleared up a bit, the sun came out for a while and it was quite pleasant. There were views over the Daer Reservoir and across to the Lowthers but the higher hills remained in cloud. We had a view of our hill clear of mist but by the time we were that high the cloud had closed in again. The summit is just off the Southern Upland way, over a gate, and is unmarked. We had a quick lunch here, in the cloud and wind, before retracing our steps down the hill. We came out of the mist and decided to take the former line of the Southern Upland Way rather than the current route via which we had ascended. Our descent route went straight down the hill by a wall, towards the dam of the Daer Reservoir, where it met a track. This track led to the road and so to the car, which we reached after 2 hours 35 minutes of walking.

Looking across to the Lowthers

Descending Hods Hill

Cairn Hill (451m)

We drove round to the other side of the Lowthers and parked at a parking area on the road to Coshogle Farm, at the track to the Kirkbride Churchyard. We started walking up this track at 3.25 pm, passed the remains of the church and its cemetery, and into the trees of Kirkbridehill Plantation. A well travelled firebreak led through the trees, although some of the branches were overgrown and needed a bit of effort to push through. At the edge of the plantation there was a gate and over this lay the open hillside. The ground wasn’t too rough or steep and it was an easy climbed in the gathering dusk. The slope steepened just before the top, where there was, not surprisingly, a cairn. There was a good view of the Lowthers, particularly of Green Hill, East Mount Lowther and Steygail, but they were mostly in cloud. We didn’t stay long on the summit as it was getting dark and we followed the same route down. We reached the car at 4.50 pm and started the long drive home soon after.

The summit of Cairn Hill

The Lowther Hills from Cairn Hill

Link to Picasa Album

Blake Fell (573m) 17th October 2009

2009-11-14T15:41:00.003Z

Carling Knott (544m) and Holme Wood

It was a beautiful sunny autumn day, which explained why it was difficult to find a parking space. The usual parking area for this walk, at Maggie’s Bridge, was full, so Mark parked the car in the National Trust car park at Lanthwaite Wood. This was further away but not significantly. The weather was amazing for mid October: no wind, a warm sun but with a hint of chill in the air. Initially we walked along the road, which wasn’t too pleasant, to Maggie’s Bridge, and then took a track that led to Loweswater. There was a beautiful view across the lake to Low Fell and the russet and brown hillside was reflected in the mirror-like waters of the lake. Carling Knott, a subsidiary top of Blake Fell rose above Holme Wood, and we took a path that climbed the hillside through the wood. The first part of the wood was an attractive mossy beech wood, before changing to a more boring conifer plantation. Once out of the trees we traversed towards Holme Beck and then climbed up to Carling Knott, the extra height giving great views to Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike and Skiddaw. From Carling Knott the view was amazing towards the Lakeland Peaks in one direction and across the Solway Firth to Criffel and Cairnsmore of Fleet in south west Scotland.

Red Pike, High Stile and Pillar

Grasmoor, Wandope and Whiteless Pike

It was a short, straightforward walk to Blake Fell, which we reached after about 2 hours of walking. The view to the coastal fringe was quite boring but the view in the other direction was amazing: Grasmoor dominated, and we could also see Mellbreak, Grisedale Pike, the High Stile ridge, the Pillar group, Great Borne, Robinson, Dale Head, and nearby Murton Fell rising steeply above Cogra Moss. We had lunch on the top of Blake Fell in the sunshine and we were surprised to see a couple of butterflies flutter by. There were also quite a lot of people around and many were fell runners practising for a race the following day.

Murton Fell from Blake Fell

From Blake Fell we descended to the boggy col at Fothergill Head before ascending to Gavel Fell. We didn’t stay long on Gavel Fell as it was 3.40 pm and we still had a long way to go. To get to Hen Comb we had to avoid the boggy ground of Whiteoak Moss, so we traversed around underneath Floutern Cop and kept as high as possible. Once clear of Whiteoak Moss we ascended Hen Comb via a series of clear paths, reaching the summit at 4.40 pm. The view wasn’t as good as that from Blake Fell, although we did enjoy the view to Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike in one direction and to Low Fell in another. After a 20 minute break we descended, quite steeply at first, on a long ridge to Little Dodd. We then took a path towards Mosedale Beck but it petered out before reaching the beck, forcing us to make a short bracken bash. The view up Mosedale to Red Pike was lovely in the late afternoon sunshine. We crossed the beck and came to a broad track on the other side, which went underneath the steep slopes of Mellbreak and came to the road at the Kirkstile Inn. We couldn’t resist a drink in this historic pub, which rounded off the day nicely, before the short walk underneath the stars to the car.

Blake Fell from the ascent of Gavel Fell

Low Fell from Hen Comb

Link to Picasa Album

Andrewhinney Hill (677m) and Calkin Rig (451m) 3rd October 2009

2009-10-07T19:19:00.001+01:00

Calkin Rig

Andrewhinney Hill (677m)

I parked the car at the NTS car park near the Grey Mare’s Tail, and started walking at 11.15 am. It was very windy, even at the car park, and higher up I was fighting to stay upright and had to force my body in the direction I wanted to go. Frequent heavy showers came rolling in and it was quite unpleasant. At times I had to turn my back away from the rain, as it stung and felt like needles in the face. There were great views to White Coomb and the Grey Mare’s Tail but I couldn’t really appreciate any views with the wind and rain, although it was drier for part of the descent. Andrewhinney Hill is a steep hill from this direction, one of the steepest I have walked up, and it was hard on the legs. I reached the summit cairn after an hour of battling against the wind and I was relieved to get there. There were views of the Ettrick Hills and of Hart Fell, as well as of White Coomb but I didn’t stay long due to the wind. It was so strong my hat was blown off my head and my rucksack had 3 and a half litres of water in it and it was blown along the ground when I put it down. I retraced my steps to the car, reaching it at 1.20 pm.

White Coomb and the Grey Mare’s Tail

Calkin Rig (451m)

I had lunch in the car and drove via Moffat, Lockerbie and Langholm to the starting point for the ascent of Calkin Rig, near Bentpath. I parked the car at the edge of the wide entrance of the track to Old Hopsrig farm, at NY318888. I started walking at 3.20 pm along the track and at NY305885 and I took a track that climbed the hillside. Calkin Rig could be seen from here, as could Crumpton Hill and Bombie Hill, and they looked lovely in the sunshine with their golden hillsides of bracken. The track ended at NY304884 and I then followed some atv tracks up Shaw Hill which went up Calkin Rig. There were gorgeous views of the Ettrick and Eskdale hills and the extensive forestry sheltered me from the wind. At NY291875 there was a gate, over which lay the summit of Calkin Rig. I reached the unmarked top, located at a large firebreak, at 4.40 pm and admired a number of rainbows as a shower came over. I started the descent at 4.50 pm by following the NNE ridge, and enjoyed the beautiful views to the Ettrick and Eskdale hills and the hills above Langholm, despite the heavy shower that blew in. I got to the track, where I saw and heard a solitary buzzard, and followed this back to my starting point. I got to the car at 5.50 pm, a total of 2 and a half hours.

The Eskdale hills from the slopes of Calkin Rig

Link to Picasa Album

Technorati Tags: Scotland,Southern Uplands,Ettrick Hills

Lamachan Hill (717m) 19th September 2009

2009-10-02T17:12:00.001+01:00

A misty Lamachan Hill

The car was parked at the end of the road in Glen Trool, and Mark and I set off at 10.05 am. It was a pleasant sunny morning but we wondered how long the good weather would last, as the forecast wasn’t good. We stopped at the Bruce’s Stone and enjoyed the views over Glen Trool and the hills of Mulldonoch and Buchan Hill. The bracken on the hillsides was starting to turn brown, as were the trees in the Buchan and Glenhead Oakwoods. The oak trees were festooned in moss and the woodland had a wild quality which to me made it a special place. We crossed a bridge over the Glenhead Burn and walked along the river on the Southern Upland Way, before taking a forestry track that climbed up towards Lamachan Hill. After a while the forestry came to an end on our right hand side and we could see the lower slopes of Lamachan Hill. However, it was windy, cloudy and rain was in the air. We left the track at NX435790 and climbed up by the Shiel Burn, which fell in some attractive waterfalls. We followed a ridge which petered out in a sort of bowl, the slopes of which led on to the summit plateau. Before we reached the exposed plateau we took lunch in the shelter of the upper slops of the hill.

The Shiel Burn

It had stopped raining but before we set off after lunch it started again, and became heavy. On reaching the plateau the wind increased and with the heavy rain and mist it was an unpleasant place to be. We navigated by both compass and GPS and they complemented each other well, allowing us to reach the summit of Lamachan Hill at about 2 pm. There was no view and we stayed for about 10 minutes before moving on.

The summit of Curleywee

The onward route to Curleywee was complicated and it took some careful navigation by Mark to get us on the right route. At the pass between Lamachan Hill and the 603m spot height, known as Nick of the Corners Gate, the mist temporarily cleared and gave us a view of Curleywee. However, in the misty conditions our senses misjudged the scale of the landscape: we thought that Point 603m was Curleywee and we were mystified by a much higher hill rising behind. After a while we realised that the higher hill was Curleywee but this illustrated how mist can confuse the senses and distort perceptions. The mist closed in again but while we were climbing Curleywee it parted, giving us views to Lamachan Hill and Cairnsmore of Fleet, before closing in yet again. We reached the cairned summit of Curleywee, 674m, at 3.35 pm and stayed for 25 minutes because while we were there the mist lifted and disappeared. The sun came out and the views were fantastic, especially to the Merrick, Mullwharchar, Craignaw, Ailsa Craig and the Rhinns of Kells.

The Merrick from Curleywee

The descent was slow going on account of the rough, tussocky grass , interspersed with rocks which is typical of Galloway. The views to the Merrick, Mullwharchar, Craignaw and the Rhinns of Kells were delightful in the sunshine. Eventually we reached the track along which the Southern Upland Way runs, near Loch Dee and after a rest we walked along this track back to the car. This walk was lovely in the sunshine and was notable for two things: the runic stone we came across, which is a recent artwork installation, and the beautiful Buchan and Glenhead Oakwoods in the evening sunshine. We reached the car at 6.50 pm and started for home 10 minutes later.

Technorati Tags: Scotland,Southern Uplands,Dumfries and Galloway,Galloway

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Ellson Fell (537m) and Blackwood Hill (449m) 5th September 2009

2009-09-27T18:41:00.001+01:00

Ellson Fell

Ellson Fell (537m)

The car was parked at the forest car park at Billhope Hass, on the road to Hermitage Castle. Mark and I started walking at 12.10 pm by walking up the road for a short distance and then taking to the open hillside. We were looking for footpath marked on the map as heading for the pass of Sunhope Hass but there was no evidence of it near the road. It was raining, and would rain on and off all day, and it was windy so conditions weren’t great. We strayed too far up the lower slopes of Tudhope Hill so had to descend, and we suddenly found the path. There were misty views of Tudhope Hill, Ellson Fell and Roan Fell, as we walked up towards Sunhope Hass. As we ascended Carewoodrig Hope there were views of Carlin Tooth in front of us, Little Tudhope Hill and Tudhope Hill to our right and Geordie’s Hill and Tamond Heights behind us. At the pass we had lunch and enjoyed views to Lightning Hill and Wether Law. For a time the rain stopped, the sun came out and it was quite pleasant for a while.

Wisp Hill

After lunch we followed the fence up the steep slopes to Carlin Tooth, which was more like a molar than a fang with its rounded summit. From Carlin Tooth there was a delightful ridge walk to Ellson Fell, with views to Ellson Fell, Wisp Hill, Pikethaw Hill, Arkleton Hill, Roan Fell and Tudhope Hill. We reached the unmarked summit at about 3 pm but we didn’t stay long as it was cold, windy and rainy. On descent we followed the broad undulating ridge to the 475m spot height and then followed a broad ridge down that took us to the lower part of Carewoodrig Hope. There was a track in the valley that we followed to the road, where we had a bit of a walk back to the car. This was reached at about 4 pm.

Comb Hill and Bye Hill

Blackwood Hill (449m)

Mark parked the car in a hamlet called Steele Road and we started walking at 4.50 pm along a disused railway line. There were views to Blackwood Hill, Larriston Fells and Pell Fell, on the English border. The disused railway was boggy at first but it became drier and firmer underfoot once we entered the forestry. At NY539949 we came to a forestry track, which we climbed, taking the right hand option at the junction. Near the end of the track a firebreak, marked by a black and white reflective bollard, climbed steeply up the hillside. A little way up the firebreak was another black and white bollard, a manhole cover, and a cairn made from a variety of rocks cemented together and with a memorial plaque on the side. The firebreak was covered in little red mushrooms and a bagger’s path climbed the slope. Eventually the trees came to an end and we met the full force of the wind. The views were hazy but we could see Roan Fell, Cauldcleuch Head, Greatmoor Hill, Hermitage Castle, and the 416m top of Blackwood Hill. An electric fence ran along the summit ridge and we walked by the side of this to the cairn marking the summit. We stay long, before tracing our steps down the firebreak and back along the forestry track. We followed the railway line for a while but instead of walking along the boggy part we took a forestry track that descended to the road at NY532938, where there is room to park a car or two. We walked along the road, which was preferable to the railway line, and arrived at the car at 7.40 pm.

The electric fence leading towards the summit

Cauldcleuch Head and Greatmoor Hill

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Technorati Tags: Scotland,Roxburgh Hills,Southern Uplands

Bardon Hill (278m), 28th August 2009

2009-09-26T17:35:00.001+01:00

Bardon Hill

I parked at the car park for the Billa Barra nature reserve, near Coalville and started walking along Stanton Lane at 6.35 pm. Once I reached the A511 I turned left, towards Coalville, and walked alongside the road until I came to a path signposted for Bardon Hill. There was a short climb to Rise Rocks Farm, where I first saw Bardon Hill, and I also saw a Sparrowhawk. From the farm the path descended and became boggy for a short stretch, crossing fields and some scrubland. It then went through some woodland, before crossing Bardon Hall Road and a quarry road, and then climbing the upper, wooded slopes of Bardon Hill. The woodland was very pleasant, apart from the constant traffic noise, and there were a lot of small crags and rocky outcrops. Although it was hardly the Himalayas, it was far more rugged than I expected. The summit was marked by a trig point, standing atop a rock outcrop, and I reached this at 7.20 pm. The view was extensive, and included the cities of Leicester and Nottingham, as well as a lot of distant and hard to identify hills on the horizon. According to Jonathan de Ferranti’s website Viewfinder Panoramas it is possible to see the Cotswolds, the Malverns, the Shropshire hills, and more. The overriding feature of the view though was the huge quarry which had destroyed much of the hill, and this stood in sharp contrast to the charming woodland on the other side of the hill. There was a sign which described the geology of the area and it explained how the hill was a site of Pre-Cambrian volcanism. I had no idea that there were igneous rocks in the East Midlands and I have since found out that it is a far more interesting area, geologically speaking, than I had imagined. The quarry impressed with its size but didn’t encourage me to linger, so I soon started the descent. I followed my route of ascent back and reached the car at 8 pm.

The Bardon Hill quarry

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Technorati Tags: East Midlands,Leicestershire,Charnwood Forest

Walton Hill (315m), 23rd August 2009

2009-09-26T17:03:00.001+01:00

Walton Hill

On my way back home from the south coast I decided to climb Walton Hill, so I parked in a lay-by between Clent and the road over St. Kenelm’s Pass. Initially I took a short detour by climbing up to the shoulder of the unnamed 309m hill opposite Walton Hill, where there was a view indicator and good views over the Malvern and South Shropshire Hills, and the Cotswolds. After descending back to the road, I walked along it to Walton Hill Lane. There was a car park here, which is the quickest jumping off point for Walton Hill. A path went directly to the trig on the summit and gave views over the urban conurbation. The summit area was more wooded than the unnamed hill to the north west, so wasn’t as good a viewpoint. I retraced by steps to the car, which I reached 50 minutes after setting out. On turning on the radio I found that England had suddenly and dramatically won the Ashes.

The Malvern Hills

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Technorati Tags: West Midlands,Clent Hills

The Ettrick Hills: Ettrick Pen (692m), Croft Head (637m) and Capel Fell (678m) 8th August 2009

2009-09-26T15:28:00.000+01:00

Bodesbeck Law (665m) from Ettrick Pen

Ettrick Pen (692m)

After a drive of nearly 3 and a half hours to the dead-end road in the valley of Ettrick Water, I started walking at 11.50 am. It was a sunny morning, although windy, and there was plenty of cloud about. Initially I followed the Southern Upland Way as it led up the valley on a broad track, passing the abandoned farmhouse of Potburn and then the bothy of Over Phawhope. There were attractive views of Capel Fell, Wind Fell and White Shank rising above the sea of forestry that choked the valley. Just beyond the bothy there was a track which was signposted to Ettrick Pen, which I followed, and this gave views to Capel Fell, White Shank and Bodesbeck Law, while Hopetoun Craig poked its head above the trees to my right. The track soon ran out and I had to climb the boggy open slopes, which were full of Bog Asphodel. It was steeper than expected but I gained height quickly and had views to Hart Fell and White Coomb. I reached the large summit cairn marking the top of Ettrick Pen at 12.45 pm, only 55 minutes after leaving the car. I sat eating lunch whilst admiring the great view to the Roxburgh Hills, Cheviots, Eildon Hills, and the Lowthers. The mountains of the Lake District poked through the haze and nearby hills of Hart Fell and White Coomb seemed to tower above the other Ettrick Hills.

White Coomb (821m) from Ettrick Pen

Ettrick Pen

Croft Head (637m)

I recommenced my journey at 1.20 pm by following some ATV tracks in the grass over Hopetoun Craig (632m) and Wind Fell (665m). I enjoyed the views all around, particularly over the Eskdalemuir Forest and to Capel Fell and Croft Head. The latter looked steep and a bit forbidding but I could see that a track zig-zagged up the slopes and my hope was that this would ease the ascent. I descended to Ettrick Head and the Southern Upland Way, and followed this above a small but impressive gorge cut by the Selcoth Burn. The path descended to the pass between West Knowe and Croft Head and there was a sign here showing how the Southern Upland Way had been diverted from the top of Croft Head and instead followed a lower level route. The sign stated that the path up Croft Head was closed due to forestry operations further on along the route but I ignored it as I wasn’t going as far as the forest and the sign was a few years old. I was grateful for the track up Croft Head as it made the steep ascent easier, although it was still hard work. There was an interesting view to Carmichen Scar on Capel Fell and to the gorge of the Selcoth Burn, a ruggedness not usually associated with the Southern Uplands. I reached the unmarked summit at 3.05 pm and enjoyed the views to Scaw’d Law and the Lowther Hills. I could see dark clouds approaching and the weather was obviously deteriorating.

Croft Head

Swatte Fell, Hart Fell and Under Saddle Yoke from Croft Head

Capel Fell (678m)

After 5 minutes on top of Croft Head I descended back to the Southern Upland Way and followed this back to the pass between Capel Fell and Wind Fell. A fence climbed the slopes to the summit of Capel Fell and I followed this, coming across traces of a faint path. The weather was definitely on the turn but I still enjoyed views of Ettrick Pen, Wind Fell and Loch Fell. I reached the summit at 4.15 pm, just as the clouds descended over the hill so I saw very little from the top. It started to rain, so I descended back to the Southern Upland Way, although by the time I got to the track the rain had stopped. I followed the Southern Upland Way back to the road, which I reached at 5.35 pm. This was a total of 5 hours and 45 minutes for the 11.4 mile round trip.

Loch Fell (688m) from the Southern Upland Way

Ettrick Pen

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Technorati Tags: Scotland,Southern Uplands,Ettrick Hills

From Åndalsnes to Home 23rd & 24th July 2009

2009-09-26T14:55:00.001+01:00

I had a bit of a boring day in Åndalsnes. My train to Oslo wasn’t until 4.10 pm but there wasn’t enough time to climb any hills by public transport. I went shopping and spent to much money on books, something that isn’t difficult as books are expensive in Norway. I walked up to the first lookout on the path to Nesaksla, where I could admire the view to the town and over Romsdalsfjorden. I was looking forward to getting home but didn’t want to leave Norway.

Eventually it was time to get the train, and I marvelled again at the Troll Wall and admired the courage of those who have climbed it. The train got into Oslo shortly before 10 pm and I walked to Storgata, where I was staying.

The next morning I walked to the bus station and got the bus to Torp airport. The flight to Liverpool was on time and at Liverpool airport I had the luxury of being able to get a taxi home, where I arrived at 3 pm.

So ended another trip to my favourite country in the world.

Technorati Tags: Norway,Møre og Romsdal,Rauma

Torvløysa (1086m, prominence 536m) 22nd July 2009

2009-09-21T20:14:00.005+01:00

A misty view of Trollstolen, Blåstolen and Kvitfjellet

Skåla (667m) on Rødvenhalvøya

I caught the 9.50 am Molde bus for the last time on this trip, and got the driver to drop me off at Nysetervegen in Sandnes. I started walking up the road, which led to the huts at Nysetra, and I stuck my thumb out when a car came along. In a few minutes a bloke stopped and drove me to the top of the road. He owned one of the huts and he dropped me off at the end of the road, where it was being extended and new huts were being built. He then led me across the churned up mud created by the road building and pointed out a path, unmarked on the map, which he said led to the top of Torvløysa.

The eastern cliffs

It was a cloudy morning with fog hanging over the valleys and fjords. At 400m it was completely foggy and it was rather ghostly and ethereal walking through the birch trees and bilberry on the clear and boggy path. The mist would clear from time to time, revealing Torvløysa rising above me, Romsdalsfjorden with Blåstolen, and Skåla (1128m) and Skarven (835m), either side of Langfjorden. The got above the last of the trees and at about 800m the slope steepened and I had to climb through an awkward boulderfield. Much of the mist had cleared and there were beautiful views to Skåla, Molde, Otrøya, Rødvenhalvøya, and the mountains along Romsdalsfjorden. There were traces of a path through the boulderfield but it still needed careful negotiation. I got up to the summit ridge, called Midtryggen on the map, and there were great views of the cliffs of the east facing corries. I reached the top after 2 hours. Although the actual summit was unmarked, there was a summit book and a hut which slept 4-5 people on the summit area. I stayed for 40 minutes and ate lunch and waited for the mist to clear. Eventually it cleared sufficiently to give fleeting glimpses of Skarven (1048m), Kvassetinden, and of the Romsdal giants.

The Romsdal giants peaking through the mist

The islands of Sekken and Otrøya

After lunch, I descended the way I came. Most of the mist had cleared and the sun was shining, making for a pleasant descent. The views were really beautiful, particularly out to the sea and across to Molde, Otrøya, Skåla and Rødvenhalvøya. Skåla (1128m) looked a fine hill, as did Kvitfjellet (833m) and Skåla (667m) on Rødvenhalvøya. Below the boulderfield the terrain became flatter and wetter and I lost the path for a while, before regaining it. I got to Nysetra after a 2 hour descent and walked down the road, enjoying the warm sunshine, to the main road and the bus stop. Just above Rv 64 I had an unexpected nosebleed but managed to get the 5 pm bus, ending my last walk of the trip.

Looking towards Molde

Skåla (1128m)

Link to Picasa Album

Kvitfjellet (833m, prominence 815m) 21st July 2009

2009-09-20T16:37:00.005+01:00

The final slopes before the summit

Yet again I got the 9.50 am bus and got off at Lerheim. I walked to Eid and then took the road towards Norvik, a walk that wasn't unpleasant despite the still falling rain. The normal ascent of Kvitfjellet starts from Dalset, from where a path climbs to the summit. This is described in Kai A. Olsen and Bjørnar S. Pedersen's book Turbok II for Molde og Omegn, but I thought Dalset was too far to walk to. Arnt Flatmo, in his website http://www.westcoastpeaks.com/ describes the route I took and describes it as cumbersome. I call it a total nightmare.

The summit of Kvitfjellet

Just over halfway between Eid and Norvik a forestry track left the road and climbed into the forest, ending at a locked barrier. The terrain was open here and I followed another track towards my mist covered hill, and then up the lower slopes of the mountain. There were, of course, more tracks than the map indicated, but I managed to find the track I was after. This stopped at about 250m and I had to enter the trackless forest. This was awful, consisting of steep, wet forest with fallen trees, boulders, crags and waist high bracken. I was soon wet through again and only my determination made me carry on. After struggling up through the forest for an hour I got above the treeline and the going became easier. I still had to watch out for hidden boulders amongst the thick bilberry but this was easier. The final slopes before the top consisted of an unstable boulderfield but that didn't stop me reaching the large summit cairn at 1.30 pm. There was no view and it was raining, encouraging me to eat a quick lunch and not to linger.

Descending towards the road

After lunch I descended but couldn't face the going back through the forest. Instead I kept to more open slopes but if I thought this was better I was wrong. The ground was full of thick bilberry, which hid boulders and the holes between the boulders. I kept falling over and I was in danger of seriously hurting myself: once I managed to roll out of the way before my face hit a rock, I got a large bruise on my leg from one particularly heavy fall, and another fall made me think I was about to break my leg. Eventually I entered the forest and the boulders and holes became hidden by tall bracken but I safely reached the track, enabling me to retrace my route of the morning. Once I got to the road between Eid and Norvik I tried to hitch a lift and a Dutch guy drove me to the bus stop at Lerheim. I was grateful for the bus shelter, as the rain fell heavily, and when I got back to the hostel I relished my hot shower and a dry set of clothes.

Link to Picasa Album

Veten (503m, prominence 400m) 20th July 2009

2009-09-20T15:32:00.005+01:00

A rain-soaked Rødvenfjorden

Once again I got the 9.50 am bus to Molde, and got off at Lerheim. It was a horrible morning with heavy rain, which continued all day. From Lerheim I walked down the road towards Eidsbygda, and despite the rain I thought Rødvenfjorden was pretty and charming. Forested slopes rose into the mist and I knew I would see nothing from today's summit. I turned off onto the road to Oravatnet but before I reached the lake I turned onto a track. This track led around Hamrevågen before heading towards Gyldenås, soon after which the track turned into a faint path. This all seemed well and good and conformed to the path marked on the map as leading to the top. However, the path disappeared. I entered the forest anyway and started climbing the steep slopes, coming on to paths here and there. I ended up climbing the steep, trackless forested slopes, clambering over vegetated crags, thick bracken, fallen trees as well as the mass of living trees. This was done in heavy rain, the vegetation was soaking wet and soon so was I, despite wearing waterproofs. I climbed up a steep vegetated cleft between two sets of crags, crawling up on my knees because I kept slipping on the wet vegetation, and with bracken up my nose. It was terrible. I saw a deer but the thrill of this didn't make up for the unpleasantness I was suffering.

The cleft I scrambled up

The summit of Veten

After what seemed like an age the terrain levelled off I came upon a path on a ridge. In one direction this led to what I took to be the summit, marked by a metal rod in the ground, and in the other to the communications tower which is prominently seen from the hostel. The whole of the top of the hill was shrouded in mist and I saw nothing. By the tower was a hut and I sat on the veranda and ate a quick lunch out of the rain. After lunch I followed the path in the opposite direction and when I got below the clouds I saw Setnesfjellet across Romsdalsfjorden. Its head was in the clouds but I saw a tremendous waterfall thundering down its flanks. I realised that I was descending the opposite side of the hill. The path led to Klungnes after only an hour of descent, and I walked along the road to the bus stop at Torvik. The bus was late and I was cold, wet and miserable but a beer in Åndalsnes, a shower and some dry clothes cheered me up.

The waterfall thundering down Setnesfjellet

Skarven (1048) seen on the road to Torvik

Link to Picasa Album

Snortungen (1198m, prominence 231m) 19th July 2009

2009-09-16T20:06:00.005+01:00

Store Vengetind, Storhesten and Blånebba

Snortungen

I caught the 9.50 am Molde bound bus and got off a few miles down the road, at Tokle. I started walking at 10 am, initially along a gravel road and then up a path that climbed steeply by the side of Litleelva. This path climbed up through the woods in steep hairpin bends to the huts at Ingridsetra, and gave pleasant views to Åndalsnes, Setnesfjellet, the Finnan group, Blånebba and Store Vengetind. The latter was covered in cloud, as were the pinnacles of Store Trolltind. The sky was overcast but the sun peeped through from time to time and I got a little sun burnt. At the huts I left the path and climbed the open hillside. This was steep, with vegetated rocks at first and was a little awkward to traverse. Good views opened up to Skarven, Såta, Måsvasstinden, the peaks of Tresfjord, and the Romsdalen giants.

Kvassetinden (1188m)

Måsvasstind (1203m) and Loftskardtind (1191m)

I had lunch at the 978m spot height, and after lunch climbed the easy slopes to the 1193m foretop. There were a few boulderfields to get around but from the 1193m top the terrain was one big, awkward boulderfield, although before reaching the main summit at 1198m the going became easier again. The view from the summit cairn was amazing, encompassing the Eikesdal peaks, Skåla, Molde, Otrøya, the Tresfjord peaks, Måsvasstinden, Kjøvskardtind, all the Romsdalen peaks and many hills I didn't recognise. I did recognise a hill I had seen from Oppdal last year, which rises above the town, although the name escapes me. I could see, however, that the weather was deteriorating: clouds were beginning to creep down the higher peaks and a few spots of rain fell. I descended as quickly as I could, picking up a clear path here and there. I descended on a better line as a result and reached Ingridsetra at 4.25 pm. It was raining harder by this stage, although it was still humid and I didn't bother with waterproofs. There was a bus at 5.12 pm and so I flew down the hairpin bends of the path, and lower down I ran as fast as I could. I got to the bus stop a minute before the bus, having descended from the summit in 2 hours 20 minutes. The whole walk took just over 7 hours, and I was fortunate in having got the bus because the rain came down heavily during evening and didn't stop for nearly 48 hours.

The 1193m foretop of Snortungen

Link to Picasa Album

Blånebba (1320m, prominence 590m) and Storhesten (1023m, prominence 173m) 18th July 2009

2009-09-16T18:01:00.008+01:00

Romsdalshornet and Romsdalen

Blånebba, with Store Vengetind towering behind

Blånebba (1320m)

It was a beautiful, warm and sunny morning as I left the hostel at 9.45 am. I walked for a while towards Åndalsnes before reaching the path up Nesaksla. This climbed steeply through the forest, making for hard, hot work. To compensate there were spectacular views down to Åndalsnes and across to Romsdalsfjorden, Setnesfjellet (1238m) and the trio of Bispen (1462m), Kongen (1614m) and Dronninga (1544m). The upper part of the path was even steeper than the lower part and had several chain bannisters to aid upward progress. The path climbed over several crags, some of which were quite tricky due to polished rock and just the fact that I found some of the scrambling moves a bit awkward. When I reached Nesaksla there was a large party from a local hiking club and I hurried on to get away from them as I dislike large crowds in the mountains. As I went along the ridge the views got better and better: I could see Store Vengetind and its summit fin, Romsdalshornet, the Troll Wall, Finnan, Bispen, Kongen, Dronninga, the Eikesdal peaks and out over towards Tresfjord. The most spectacular view was along the length of Romsdalen, and sometimes straight down to Romsdalen. The ridge was narrow in places but easy and good fun. I had lunch on Mjølvafjellet (1215m), with views to the summit of Blånebba, and Store Vengetind towering above it and making Blånebba looked tiny.

Store Trolltind and the Troll Wall

After lunch I continued along the ridge but didn't get very far. The ridge narrowed so that it felt like I was walking along the apex of a roof, with steep drops on either side. It was only a short section but I didn't like it and so I turned back.

Store Trolltind, with Bispen, Kongen and Dronninga to the right

Storhesten (1023m)
I descended the NNE ridge of Mjølvafjellet and cut down into the corrie. This was tricky as there were slabs to circumvent and steep snowfields to descend. It was slow going but I got down eventually and found a path. This led up to a hut called Jamnåbotn, which was open and had enough room to sleep 2 or 3 people. I walked up to the pass between Blånebba and Storhesten, with the fin of Store Vengetind sticking up between them, and then climbed up Storhesten. This wasn't the easiest climb on account of the boulderfields which had to be traversed. I reached the top at 5 pm and enjoyed the view to Isfjorden and the surrounding peaks. After a few photos and a quick drink I descended back to the pass. I then followed the path back towards Jamnåbotn but further down the valley the path disappeared before reappearing again. This path climbed over Høgnosa and descended into Vikabotn, which reminded me of Cadair Idris. Here I met another English guy who was staying at the hostel and we walked together for a while. The descent down from Nesaksla was tricky, particularly as I was tired by this stage and I did a few bum slides to make things easier. I reached the road at 9.20 pm and the hostel at 9.40 pm. It had been a long 12 hour day for 1 peak but the views to the Romsdal giants and down to Romsdalen I will never forget.

Åndalsnes and Romsdalfjorden

Setnesfjellet

Link to Picasa Album

Skarven (1048m, prominence 661m) 17th July 2009

2009-09-09T21:39:00.007+01:00

Torvløysa from Skarven

The summit of Skarven

I got the 9.50 am Molde bound bus, something that was to be a regular occurrence, and got off at Torvik. A track ran up Fjelldalen towards the ski centre at the head of Skorgedalen and I started walking up this track at 10.35 am. It was a well made track but it was steep at first, climbing in zig-zags, before levelling out. There were view through the trees, to Isfjorden, Innfjorden, the cliffs of Grisetskolten falling into Romsdalsfjorden and Skjerven with its head in the clouds. It was cloudy and humid, and mist shrouded most of the tops.

Kvitfjellet from Skarven

My intention had been to bash my way through the forest once I was level with Skardvatnet but the forest looked thick, overgrown and hard work. Instead I carried on along the track until I reached a path which served a number of huts. The forest here was more open so I decided to go "off piste" here, and on reaching 517m Gjøafjellet I saw Skarven for the first time. I had to descend to a swampy area but I managed to skirt around the worst of the wet ground and so keep my feet dry. I was soon clear of the forest and the ascent was easy and good views began to open up. I could see the cloud covered Romsdal peaks above Åndalsnes, Blåstolen and Trollstolen, Kvassetinden, Gravfjellet, Breidvikheia, Snortungen, Såta, Måsvasstind and many other peaks. At 1.25 pm I had a half hour lunch stop at Barfjellet, the 813m shoulder of Skarven., which offered a fine view of the summit ridge.

Skåla (667m) with Otrøya behind

After lunch it didn't take long to reach the summit, the ascent passing over a subsidiary top, before a path appeared which led to the top. I reached the summit cairn at 2.35 pm and stayed for half an hour, as the view was amazing. Apart from the peaks mentioned earlier, there was a beautiful view to Kvitfjellet and Rødvenhalvøya, Torvløysa, the mountains near Tresfjord, Skåla (1128m), the city of Molde and the island of Otrøya. It really was a beautiful scene in the sunshine, although a cloud came over the summit and hid part of the view.

Looking towards Molde

At 3.05 pm I descended to Barfjellet and then took a more direct line back to the track in Fjelldalen. It was hot and sunny, which brought out the horseflies, and I was plagued until I applied insect repellant. I reached the track at 4.45 pm and walk leisurely back to Torvik, enjoying the sunshine. I reached the bus stop at Torvik at 5.50 pm, and although there was a bus at 6.25 pm, I decided to hitch a lift. After 10 minutes I had a lift with four Russian guys in a minibus and they dropped me off near the hostel.

Skarven from Barfjellet

Link to Picasa album

Svartebottstinden (1207m, prominence 252m) 16th July 2009

2009-09-03T18:33:00.005+01:00

Setnesfjellet from the hostel

The summit of Svartebottstinden

It was a sunny and humid morning as I left the hostel in Åndalsnes with the intention of climbing Setnesfjellet. This is a 1238m high mountain which rises steeply behind the hostel and is Major mountain of Norway, having a prominence of over 600m. I have a Norwegian language book called Fra Topp til Topp i Romsdal by Iver Gjelstenli which gives a vague description of climbing this hill. It mentions a path which starts from the upper edge of cultivated ground east and above the gravel pit, which then climbs the north east ridge to the north top. I walked to the gravel pit but saw no sign of the path and I also thought the hill looked steep, rocky and forbidding. I decided to try the other side of the mountain, which looked less steep from the map.

A misty Isterdalen

Having the missed the morning bus and, being rural Norway, there being no bus for several hours, I decided to hitch-hike the few miles to Innfjorden. After 20 minutes an older guy who didn't speak any English gave me a lift to the settlement of Griset, where the trail started. This saved me a vertical climb of 130m from Innfjorden, which I was grateful for. A well signposted path climb through the path to the col between Grisetskolten (1066m) and Svartebottstinden (1207m) and the plan was to traverse around to a subsidiary top of Svartebottstinden, called Ølmannstinden (1161m), descend to the col below Setnesfjellet and then climb to the summit.

Isterdalen

I started up the steep path at 11.15 am and I was soon soaked. This was due to the high humidity and the fact that it soon began to rain, and this rain carried on for much of the rest of the day. As I climbed views opened out up Isterdalen but the mountains were shrouded in mist, although there were misty views to Grisetskolten and Ølmannstinden. At the col I left the path and climbed the open slopes towards Ølmannstinden, stopping briefly for lunch in the rain and the mist. I reached the top at 2.30 pm with the help of my new GPS and immediately started the descent towards Setnesfjellet.However, I didn't get very far before the slope started to become steeper than I was comfortable with in the mist. I couldn't see what I was descending into and was concerned that the angle would steepen further. I felt that clear visibility was needed, so I returned to the summit of Ølmannstinden.

Grisetskolten

I decided to climb Svartebottstinden instead but felt that this was a second best option, as I was disappointed at not climbing another Major mountain. I followed the ridge to Svartebottstinden, although the terrain was rocky and undulating and not as well defined as the map suggested. It would have been difficult to have followed a compass bearing as walking in a straight line was impossible. I reached the cairn on the summit at 3.30 pm but enjoyed no view, in fact it was still raining and wasn't very pleasant. I started the descent straightaway,initially following my route back towards Ølmannstinden, before descending towards the col below Grisetskolten. I reached this col at 5pm and followed the path back towards Griset. The rain became torrential for a time, before finally stopping. I reached the road at Griset at 6.10 pm and followed the road down to Innfjorden. Since there was no bus I was forced to hitch back to Åndalsnes. I started hitching at 6.45 pm, and although there was little traffic I only had to wait 10 minutes before a woman gave me a lift to the hostel.

Link to Picasa Album

To Norway! 14th and 15th July 2009

2009-09-02T21:17:00.004+01:00

14th July 2009

To Oslo

A 9 am flight from Liverpool got me to Torp in time to catch the 12.20 pm bus to Oslo. The bus arrived at 2 pm and I walked to the Anker Hostel on Storgata, where I stayed the night. The afternoon was spent shopping for maps and food, allowing me to have a relaxing evening.

Åndalsnes

15th July 2009
Arrival in Åndalsnes
I got the 8.07 am train to Trondheim, changing in Dombås for Åndalsnes. The railway line ran beneath the Troll Wall and offered an ideal view of the wall. I thought it was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen, it just took my breath away with its' verticality and height. It was a beautiful day in Åndalsnes when I arrived at about 2 pm. My pack weighed a ton, as it was full of food for 6 days in the mountains and my original intention had been to stay in the unstaffed hut of Fokhaugstova. This involved getting a bus to Innfjorden, walking for miles up Innfjorddalen or hitching a lift and walking for 3-4 hours from the end of the road to the hut. With such a heavy pack I couldn't face it so I decided to stay in Åndalsnes and travel out on the bus every day. Unfortunately the only regular bus goes to Molde so I got to know the bus drivers on this route very well over the following week!

Two views of the Troll Wall from the train between Åndalsnes and Dombås

Stob an Eas (732m) 21st June 2009

2009-08-09T11:56:00.004+01:00

Looking to the summit of Stob an Eas

The trig point on Stob an Eas

I parked the car at the wide entrance of the forestry track at NN168074, in the Hell's Glen. The mist hung low over the hills, it was humid with no wind and I was devoured by midges in no time. I started walking at 8.15 am along the forestry track, which was rutted and waterlogged in places, making for difficult walking. The track continued further than indicated on the map, and deteriorated into a path. The path ended at a firebreak and the ascent of Stob an Eas ascended the steep slopes which then confronted me. The grass was long and wet, it was hot and humid and I was soon soaked. Looking across the Hell's Glen there was a view of a mist covered Cruach nam Mult but this view disappeared as I ascended into the mist. I reached the trip point at 9.35 am, after 1 hour and 20 minutes of walking, and the mist had cleared a little and so there were views of misty mountains and Lochs Goil and Fyne. I stayed for 10 minutes but started the descent when it started to rain heavily. I was drawn down slopes which were less steep than my route of ascent and eventually I was confronted by the wall of forestry which chokes the bottom of the hill. This left me with no choice but to bash my way through the trees to the track I had followed on the way up. This bash wasn't as bad as expected and once I got to the track it didn't take long to reach the car. I finished the walk at 10.30 am, giving a total of two and a quarter hours for the round trip.

Clach Bheinn (437m) and Loch Long

Link to Picasa Album

Cnoc Coinnich (761m) and The Brack (787m) 20th June 2009

2009-08-04T19:44:00.005+01:00

The Brack, seen on the descent of Cnoc Coinnich

Cnoc Coinnich (761m)

I parked the car at the free car park in Lochgoilhead on wet and overcast day. The mist was low over the hills and it was rather depressing. I started walking at 9.45 am up the road opposite the car park, which became a path. Just after a junction the path entered the forest and climbed gently. Just after a bridge near the cascading Donich Water the gradient became much steeper, the path entered a fire break and deteriorated. It was steep and wet underfoot and after leaving the forest the path followed a line of white posts. There were misty views of Ben Donich and over Loch Goil to Beinn Bheula, Beinn Lochain and Cruach nam Miseag. Near the top of the pass between Cnoc Coinnich and The Brack I left the path and climbed the north west ridge of Cnoc Coinnich. The ridge fell away in some impressive cliffs, which I kept well away from, and I reached the top at 11.45 am. The summit was marked by a small cairn on the edge of a slab and was enveloped in cloud. It was windy and cold but I stayed until midday hoping that the mist would clear. It didn't. I descended my route of ascent and lower down the mist did clear, giving me my first view of The Brack. I had lunch just above the pass and the breaks in the mist became more frequent, so I was more hopeful of views from The Brack.

Cnoc Coinnich

The Brack (787m)

The Brack is a steep and craggy hill but it gave no problems, although the weather wasn't great, with some beefy showers. I reached the top at 1.55 pm and enjoyed some misty views of Beinn Luibhean, Ben Ime, The Cobbler, Ben Donich, Beinn an Lochain, Beinn Bheula, Ben Lomond and others. The Luss Hills looked especially fine and I could see a town in the lowlands, with the Camsies or Kilpatricks behind. I stayed for 10 minutes then descended back to the pass with Cnoc Coinnich. From the pass I followed the path into the forest and down the wet, slippery slopes to Lochgoilhead. I had to be careful not too slip over but I reached the car without mishap at 4.15 pm, a total of 6 and a half hours for the whole walk.

The trig on The Brack

The Luss Hills from the slopes of The Brack

Link to Picasa Album

Beinn Leamhain (508m) 7th June 2009

2009-08-02T11:38:00.003+01:00

Looking into Loch Leven to Aonach Eagach and Bidean nam Bian

I parked the car near Sallachan, just off the A861, at a large lay-by near the River Gour. I started walking at 9.10 am on the right of way up Glen Gour, and it was another sunny day. There were lovely views to Druim na Sgriodain, Sgorr Mhic Eacharna and Beinn na h-Uamha. A fence enclosed the hillside to my left and it wasn't until I had passed Loch nan Gabhar that I saw a gate. The climb was hard work on account of the tough vegetation, which consisted of long tussocky grass, thick heather and tall bilberry, with hidden rocks and holes. The angle of the slope relented at about 400 metres and the going became easier, although getting to that point had involved a lot of energy. Eventually I reached the trig point at 502m and enjoyed the views down Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven to Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Bidean nam Bian, Beinn a' Bheithir and the Aonach Eagach. It was a short walk to the actual top at 508m, marked by a small cairn, which I reached at 10.55 am. There was a tremendous view of the east face of Garbh Bheinn, as well as a number of other peaks in Ardgour, the island of Mull and what I took to be the Paps of Jura.

Sgurr a' Chaorainn (761m), Sgurr Dhomhnuill (888m) and Beinn na h-Uamha (762m) from Beinn Leamhain

I couldn't face descending the same way so I went down the ENE ridge which gave easier going, although it was steep at times. However, near the road I came across some steep crags and it took a while to find a safe way down. Once I was down to the road it was a short walk to the car, which I reached at 12.05 pm. After a quick lunch I had the long drive home.

Garbh Bhein (885m) from Beinn Leamhain

Link to Picasa Album

Cruachan Chàrna (170m) and Beinn na h-Uamha (465m) 6th June 2009

2009-08-02T10:58:00.004+01:00

Ben Hiant (528m) from Cruachan Chàrna

Gathering on the summit of Cruachan Chàrna

Cruachan Chàrna (170m)

A trip to the island of Carna had been arranged for the Saturday of the Marhofn weekend, with two boatloads of Marilyn baggers. The boat was due to leave from Laga at 9 am and parking in Laga is limited, so it meant an early start. Chris parked the car in a car park about a mile before Laga and we walked down to the jetty. The boats were late in leaving and we didn't set off until 9.30 am, arriving on Carna 15 minutes later. The ascent to the top of the island was short but it was rough underfoot, with thick vegetation. I reached the top at 10.15 am and was in time to catch the first boatload of baggers who were celebrating the entrance into the Hall of Fame of Charles and Dee. The view was nice and included Ardnamurchan, Ben Resipol, Morvern, and part of Ardgour. We descended a different way, as we didn't like the path we came up on and we reached the jetty at 11 am. We had to wait until 11.50 am to be picked up but we were given a lift back to the car park.

On the boat back to Laga

Beinn na h-Uamha (465m)

Chris drove us round to the Morvern peninsula and he parked the car in the Forestry Commission car park near the head of Loch Arienas. We followed a track for a short time but had to leave it to climb the open slopes of the hill. The ground was tussocky, it was steep and hot and it was hard work. The higher we climbed the better the views became of the extensive cliffs of Sithean na Raplaich, looking like an ancient caldera. We came upon an area of cliffs and landslips, which had to be avoided, but this was accomplished without any problems. We reached the top at 3.45 pm and enjoyed a great view, which included Ardgour, the other Morvern hills, Mull, Rum, Skye and some unknown islands in the Western Isles. It was windy on the top but we stopped for a bite to eat, and on the descent we met a fellow Marilyn bagger. We took a different line in descent and ended up wading through some thick and high bracken. We reached the car at 4.55 pm and celebrated a good day with a beer.

Chris climbing Beinn na h-Uamha. Sithean na Raplaich behind

Beinn Iadian (571m) from Beinn na h-Uamha

Link to Picasa Album

Beinn a' Bheithir: Sgorr Dhearg (1024m) and Sgorr Dhonuill (1001m) 5th June 2009

2009-07-29T20:14:00.005+01:00

Climbing into the corrie

Mark and I parked in the Forestry Commission car park at South Ballachulish and started walking at 9.45 am. Initially the way lead along a broad forestry track that curved around Gleann a' Chaolais, and although there were interesting views of the various tops of Beinn a' Bheithir, it was a rather boring section. At the head of the glen a path branched off from the track, entered the forest and became quite muddy. After a while it became very boggy and the trees became an obstacle. I had to keep my distance from Mark, as a number of times he got caught on branches and they pinged back nearly hitting me. It was very pleasant at all. After what seemed like a long time, we got out of the trees and found ourselves in a dramatic rocky corrie with our objectives to either side of us. The path climbed steeply to the pass between Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill. We had lunch on the far side of the pass, as it was windy, and enjoyed views to Appin with Fraochaidh particularly prominent. After lunch we climbed the ESE ridge of Sgorr Dhearg along a path and reached the top at 2.10 pm. The views were wonderful, to Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Loch Leven, Ardgour, Skye, Mull, Appin and Jura.

Sgorr Dhonuill

After admiring the view we descended back to the pass and ascended the path up Sgorr Dhonuill. This a rocky and dramatic peak and the upper part of the mountain required the use of hands to get up it. We reached the top at 3.45 pm but didn't stay long. We had enjoyed a sunnt day until that point, despite the frequent showers falling around us, but as we sttod on the summit of Sgorr Dhonuill a bank of evil looking black cloud was heading our way. The cloud looked apocolyptic it its inky blackness and we were expecting a drenching. The temperature dropped and the cloud dumped some hail and wet snow on us but it didn't really amount to much. However, frequent rain showers peppered us after that. We decided the follow a different path into the forest and this was a lot easier than our ascent path. Once back at the forestry track it was a matter of retarcing our steps to the car, which we reached at 7 pm.

Looking to Fraocaidh

Sgorr Dhearg

Link to Picasa Album

Gulvain (987m) 4th June 2009

2009-07-28T19:47:00.005+01:00

Gulvain from the head of Gleann Fionnlighe

I had trouble finding somewhere to park the car and ended up parking in a lay-by on the A830 about a mile from where the track up Gleann Fionnlighe started. I didn't realise that there is space to park a few cars by the entrance to the track. I started walking at 9.30 am, reaching the start of the track 20 minutes later. It was a long walk up Gleann Fionnlighe but the forest was nice, with plenty of bluebells in flower and with glimpses of Gulvain and Braigh nan Uamhachan. As I got nearer to Gulvain there were also good views of Meall Onfhaidh and Meall a' Phubuill, and I saw that there was a path climbing the steep flanks of Gulvain, which had been created by the passage of many boots. The climb was a steep slog but I just put my head down and went for it. I gained height quickly and views soon opened up. Although it was warm and sunny every so often the sun would go behind a cloud and a freezing wind would spring up. The steep angle relented a little at the 855 metre shoulder, and from there the 961m trip point was soon reached. From the trig there was a superb view of the narrow ridge arcing gracefully towards the summit. Traversing this ridge was brilliant and I enjoyed looking down the steep flanks on either side. I reached the summit at 1.15 pm, just in time for lunch. The view was fantastic, taking in South Uist, Skye, Rum, Ben Nevis, the Grey Corries, Mamores, the Glencoe hills, Ardgour, Moidart, Sgurr Thuilm, Streap, Glen Dessary, Sgurr na Ciche, the Knoydart hills, the Loch Lochy hills and the Monadhliath. I couldn't tear myself away and I stayed for 45 minutes before descending. It was a knee grinding descent down the steep flanks and it seemed like a long trudge out along the track. I reached the end of the track at 4.50 pm and then had another 20 minute walk back to the car. I thought that Gulvain was a fine hill and had given me a great day out with views to remember.

Glen Dessary from Gulvain

The graceful ridge leading to the summit

Link to Picasa Album

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain (849m), Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn (775m) and Meall a' Bhainne (559m) 3rd June 2009

2009-07-27T20:15:00.003+01:00

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain from Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain (849m)

It was another hot and sunny day as I parked the car at the Forestry Commission car park at Callop. I started walking at 9.15 am along the broad track that leads along the shore of Loch Shiel. This was very pleasant, giving views to Glenfinnan with the viaduct and the monument to Bonnie Prince Charlie, Beinn Odhar Mhor, Beinn Odhar Bheag, Sgurr Thuilm and Sgurr an Utha. At the remote cottage of Geusachan, where there was a mini hydro electric scheme in development, I left the track to begin the climb of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain. The mountain dominated the view and looked rocky and inaccessable, although I was to find that appearances can deceive. A faint and intermittent path climbed the hillside and I found it hard work in the sun. It was a rocky mountain but there were easy ways through the crags at every stage, and I reached the large cairn marking the summit at 12.45 pm. I stayed for 40 minutes to eat lunch and admire the view. This was extensive and included Beinn Odhar Mhor, Beinn Odhar Bheag, Loch Shiel, Sgurr an Utha, Sgurr Thuilm, Gulvain, Braigh nan Uamhachan, Ben Resipol, Sgurr Dhomhnuill, the wild hills of Ardgour, Ben Hiant, the islands of Mull and Skye, the Mamores, Ben Nevis, and much more.

Sgurr Ghiubhsachain

The ring of crags around the summit of Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn

Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn (775m)

It was a steep descent down the rocky slopes of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain but I accomplished it with ease, finding a way through the crags. The ascent of Sgorr Craobh a' Chaorainn was easy enough apart from the ring of crags which encircled the top. I tried to climb through them and I was one move away from doing this but it was too difficult for me. I then realised I was on steep terrain that I didn't actually like. Retreat was not easy and I had to throw my pack down in order descend back to safe ground. I traversed around to the left and found an area where the crags ran out and it was a simple walk to the top. I reached the cairn at 2.40 pm and stayed for 10 minutes to take photos and admire the scene before me. Sgurr Ghiubhsachain looked impressive, as did Loch Eil and Ben Nevis, and there was a great view of the Cuillin ridge and Bla Bheinn on Skye.

Meall a' Bhainne (559m)

After descending from the summit thare was a short ascent over the subsidiary top of Sgorr nan Cearc, followed by a descent to the Bealach na Geire. The direct descent to the bealach was blocked by crags and cliffs, necessitating a detour. I descended steep grassy slopes and had a small climb up to the bealach, before climbing 200 meters up to the summit of Meall a' Bhainne. The ascent was hard work as it was hot and I was tired, but I reached the top at 4.40 pm. The view to Glenfinnan monument and viaduct was particularly beautiful. From the top there was a descent of easy looking slopes to Callop, which I found hard work due to tiredness. Just before reaching the track near Callop I surprised a red deer hind but she was too quick for me to get a photo. A short walk along the track brought me back to the car at 5.55 pm, a total of 8 hours and 40 minutes.

Glenfinnan viaduct and monument

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Beinn Odhar Bheag (882m) and Beinn Mhic Cèdidh (783m) 2nd June 2009

2009-07-26T19:25:00.008+01:00

Beinn Odhar Bheag from Beinn Odhar Mhor

Beinn Mhic Cèdidh, with the Rois-bheinn group behind

Beinn Odhar Bheag (882m)

The SMC guidebook mentions a lay-by near the railway line where cars should be parked. However, I had trouble finding it and ended up parking further away and I came across the lay-by after walking along the A830 for a few minutes. There was a sign in the correct lay-by which contained stalking information and a bridge crossed the river here. After crossing the railway line a boggy path climbed up towards the hills but it soon petered out. It was a bit of a hard slog climbing upwards in the hot sun but attractive views soon opened up down to Glenfinnan and towards Sgurr an Utha, Sgurr Thuilm and Streap. I reached the top of Beinn Odhar Mhor (870m) at 11.30 am, a total of 2 hours walking., and took in the extensive views. Amongst the visible sights were Loch Shiel, Loch Eil, Ben Nevis, Sgurr Ghuibhsachain and the Ardgour hills, plus the Glenfinnan, Morar and Knoydart hills. I followed the rocky ridge down and then up towards Beinn Odhar Bheag, with some dramatic cliffs falling towards Loch Shiel. I reached the summit cairn of Beinn Odhar Bheag at 12.20 pm and sat and ate lunch in the warm sunshine. The view was tremendous, especially along the length of Loch Shiel with Sgurr Ghuibhsachain and wilds of Ardgour rising behind the loch. There were also views to Ben Nevis, the Glenfinnan viaduct, the Glenfinnan, Morar and Knoydart hills, the Rois-bheinn hills, and Ben Resipol, and there were hazy views of Rum, Eigg and Skye out to the west.

Loch Shiel

Beinn Mhic Cèdidh (783m)

After a 35 minute lunch I continued by dsecending 400 metres to the Bealach a' Choire Bhuidhe. Beinn Mhic Cèdidh rose steeply from the bealach and it was hard work climbing the slopes in the hot sun. I reached the top at 2.05 pm and stayed for 20 minutes and drank in the beautiful view. I descended the steep slopes back to the Bealach a' Choire Bhuidhe and then followed the Allt a' Choire Bhuidhe down the glen. I stopped for a drink by the side of the river at a beautiful meadow. I was almost lulled to sleep by the warmth of the sun, the smell of warm earth in the air and the buzzing of insects. There were views to the two Marilyns I had climbed and I could have stayed there all afternoon and relaxed. Resisting this temptation, I made a rising traverse to cross the lower slopes of Beinn Odhar Mhor in order to return to my starting point. This took longer and was steeper than expected, and there were some steep gorges to circumvent. Eventually the car came in sight and I reached my outward route, crossed the railway line and the river and reached the car at 4.50 pm.

Beinn Mhic Cèdidh

The Rois-bheinn group from Beinn Mhic Cèdidh

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Sgurr na Ba Glaise (874m), Rois-bheinn (882m) and An Stac (814m) 1st June 2009

2009-07-01T19:06:00.009+01:00

Sgurr na Ba Glaise, Rois-bheinn and An Stac

The car was parked at the lay by which lies at the side of the phone box in Lochailort township and I started walking at 9.45 am. It was sunny and already hot so I knew it would be an energy sapping day. On the opposite side of the road a track led through a pretty wood to a bridge over the River Ailort and then along a road past the Glenshian Hotel. This became a track and when this suddenly ended a boogy path took over. This led through attractive woods festooned with flowering rodedenrens and this then became an ATV track. By this stage there were lovely views of Druim Fiaclach, Sgurr na Ba Glaise and An Stac, particularly as the ATV track climbed the hillside. I left the track and climbed the open hillside towards the top of Beinn Coire nan Gall. I contoured around the summit and climbed to the summit of Druim Fiaclach, which I reached at 12.40 pm. The views of the hills of Glenfinnan, Morar and Knoydart were beautiful and I had a half hour lunch here.

Looking to Beinn Odhar Bheag and Beinn Mhic Cedidh

After lunch I walked over the subsidiary top of An t-Slat-bheinn and then climbed up to Sgurr na Ba Glaise, reaching the summit at 2.20 pm. It had taken me over 4 and a half hours to reach the first Marilyn of the day and I had 2 more to go, so I knew I was in for a long day. After admiring the view for 10 minutes I followed a patchy path down to the Bealach an Fhiona. The climb up to Rois-bheinn looked a steep and a hard slog in the heat, although there were impressive views of An Stac and Sgurr na Ba Glaise. This didn't take my mind off the hard work to come though. A wall climbed up the ridge of Rois-bheinn and I followed this, and while it was hard work it wasn't as steep as it had looked from below. I reached the 882m summit, which was marked by a cairn, at 3.15 pm and proceeded straight to the 878m west top. This is a better viewpoint and is marked by a large cairn. The view was amazing, although the heat made it somewhat hazy. There were views to Rum, Eigg and Skye top the west, the hills of Ardnamurchan, Ardgour, Moidart, Morar, Knoydart and Glenfinnan, and of a snow speckled Ben Nevis. After time to appreciate the scene I retraced my steps to the main summit and then down the ridge by the side of the wall to the Bealach an Fhiona.

An Stac

Ben Hiant on the Ardnamurchan peninsula

The climb up to An Stac was a hard slog as it was hot, I was tired and dehydrated and the climb was steep and rocky. I reached the summit at 5 pm and stayed for 15 minutes to enjoy the view and rest from the toil of climbing upwards in the heat. The descent was steep and rocky and took a lot of concentration in order to find the correct route down. It was hard going and seemed to go on and on and on ... Eventually, after going over Seann Chruach and an unnamed 322m top, I reached the path I had followed in the morning. I then followed the path and the track to the hotel and the track back to the car. This I reached at 7.50 pm, meaning that the whole walk had taken 10 hours and 5 minutes. I was knackered but it had been a fantastic day and worth all the effort.

Rois-bheinn

An Stac

Link to Picasa web album

Beinn a' Chrùlaiste (857m) 31st May 2009

2009-06-28T17:53:00.007+01:00

Beinn a' Chrulaiste

The mighty Buchaille Etive Mor

The car was parked at a lay-by on the A82, just passed the junction with the Glen Etive road, and I began walking at 3pm. It was an extremely hot afternoon and I was soon hot and sweaty. I enjoyed the views of Buchaille Etive Mor towering above, and of Meall a' Bhuridh, as I walked along the minor road which led towards the Kingshouse Hotel. Just before the hotel a locked gate blocked the road to vehicular traffic and a boggy path started from here. It climbed the moor by the side of the Allt a' Bhaliach and provided a convenient means of ascent. After a while I left the path and ascended the south south east ridge of Beinn a' Chrùlaiste. This had rocky outcrops to avoid and was rather boggy underfoot, but amazing views opened up over Rannoch Moor and the Bridge of Orchy hills. I came across an intermittent path higher up and I followed this to the summit, which was reached at 4.50 pm. The view from the trig point was fantastic: Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Ben Alder, Scxhiehallian, the Bridge of Orchy hills, Bidean nam Bian, Beinn a' Bheithir, Meall Dearg, Meall a' Bhuridh and the stageringly impressive Buchaille Etive Mor were all in view. I stayed on top until 5.15 pm as I couldn't take my eyes off the beautiful scene before me. However, I couldn't stay up there forever, so I retraced my steps to the car. This I reached at 6.50 pm, so the whole walk took a total of 2 hours and 50 minutes.

The Bridge of Orchy hills and Rannoch Moor

The Buchaille from the summit of Beinn a' Chrulaiste

Ben Nevis

Buchaille Etive Beag and Bidean nam Bian

Link to Picasa Album

Bredon Hill (299m) and Cleeve Hill (330m) 7th April 2009

2009-05-21T18:59:00.007+01:00

The tower on the top of Bredon Hill

On the way to Hampshire to get married I decided to take the opportunity to bag the two Marilyns in the Cotswolds, Bredon Hill and Cleeve Hill.

Bredon Hill (299m)

I parked the car in the village of Bredon’s Norton, in Worcestershire and followed the bridleway which climbed up the hillside of Bredon Hill. It was a sunny and pleasant day, although a little breezy. There were attractive views to the Malvern Hills and the clear air promised further views higher up. I lost the bridleway at one point but a bit of perseverance brought me back on to it. The bridleway went through a pretty area of woodland, which looked ready to sprout bluebells anytime soon. Once through the wood the summit tower came into view and it wasn’t long before I stood on the top of the Banbury Stone and the view indicator which marks the top. The view was tremendous. Apart from the Malverns, I could also see Cleeve Hill, the Clent Hills,the Clee Hills of Shropshire, Worcester, Tewkesbury, the Sugar Loaf, the Black Mountains, May Hill, Coventry, and a large part of Warwickshire. The descent involved a retracing of my upward steps, except I saw where I had gone wrong on the ascent, allowing me to keep to the bridleway all the way to the car. The whole walk occupied one and half hours and I thought Bredon Hill to be rather charming.

The lovely wood below the summit of Bredon Hill

The Malvern Hills from Bredon Hill

Cleeve Hill (330m)

I parked in the village of Southam, near Cheltenham and followed the bridleway which went through Queens Wood. Once through the wood the path climbed steeply up the escarpment and I followed the path along the edge to the trig point on The Cloud. The views were almost as good as those from Bredon Hill. I could see Cheltenham spread out below, the Severn Bridge, May Hill, the Malverns, the Sugar Loaf, the Black Mountains, Bredon Hill and much of the Cotswolds. The radio mast near the summit towered above, and it was too this that I headed for. This involved retracing my steps along the escarpment edge, and then following a path once I was clear of the golf course, which took a direct line for the mast area. From the mast a level walk on close cropped grass followed until I reac hed the trig point. There was an area near the trig that I thought looked higher but the summit was so level it was difficult to tell. From the trig I walked back to the escarpment edge and followed my route of ascent back to the car. The walk took a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes, and despite not being a high summit, I felt that Cleeve Hill had been an enjoyable ascent

Cleeve Hill from Bredon Hill

Looking towards the summit of Cleeve Hill from The Cloud

Link to Picasa album

Cacra Hill (471m) and Broad Law (840m) 5th April 2009

2009-05-21T18:13:00.007+01:00

Looking towards Ward Law from Cacra Hill

Cacra Hill (471m)

I parked the car on the grass verge by the side of the B711, just passed the farm at Cacra Cottages, and started walking at 11.45 am. A short walk along the road led to a part of the road that was fenced by a single strand of wire. Knowing the liking for electric fences in the Border hills, I found an area which allowed me to easily crawl underneath. Once on the open hillside it was a simple matter of climbing the steep slope to the unmarked top. The angle relented near top and the summit area was undulating. The existence of a 470m contour ring and a 466m spot height on the map meant that on the ground both summit areas looked higher from the other. The 471m high summit was unmarked, so I sat down in the vicinity and ate lunch. It was a little windy and cold but the sunshine was warm. It had only taken 30 minutes to reach the top and I took a generous 25 minute lunch. I enjoyed the views to the Manor, Tweedesmuir and Ettrick Hills, plus in the distance were the Eildon Hills. I followed the same route down, reaching the car at 1.10 pm.

The Wiss and Turner Cleuch Law from Cacra Hill

Looking down the valley of the Rankle Burn

Broad Law (840m)

A drive along the minor road from Meggethead to Tweedsmuir led to the Megget Stone. All the parking places were taken so I drive further down the road and came across a parking area, near the area labelled Talla Moss on the map. This walk started at 1.55 pm and a quick hop over the fence brought me to the open hillside. This area is not as craggy or scree covered as the map indicates and was, instead, an easy walk on vegetation. On the top of Fans Law I found a boggy path that led much of the way up the hill. This led over Cairn Law and gently up to the summit of Broad Law. The views became good the higher I went, and included Hart Fell and White Coomb, the Eildon Hills, the Culter Hills and the Lowther Hills. The hillside was filled with the delightful sound of Skylarks singing, heralding the onset of spring. It had clouded over and the sun had gone it so it was quite chilly as I reached the summit. The summit area was anything but wild, with the radio mast and attendant building littering the plateau. The views were enjoyable though and included a large swathe of southern Scotland, including The Cheviot to the south and Tinto to the north. I reached the trig point on the summit at 2.55 pm and stayed for 10 minutes. I then reversed my route of ascent, reaching the car at 4.10 pm.

From left to right: Lochcraig Head, White Coomb, Molls Cleuch Dod, seen from Broad Law

The Culter Hills from Broad Law

Link to Picasa Album

Boulsworth Hill (517m) 28th March 2009

2009-04-04T12:36:00.006+01:00

The trig on Boulsworth Hill and Pendle Hill

The car was parked at the free Wycoller Country Park car park, just outside Wycoller, at SD923395. It was a cold, breezy day with sunshine and some blustery showers. Some of these were of hail and sleet and were quite painful. I started walking at 9.35 am by walking into Wycoller. I thought this was a pretty village, with cottages made of local stone, a pretty river flowing through and the moss covered ruins of Wycoller Hall. I followed the Bronte Way out of the village, along the river, but higher up I found myself off trail and struggling through the maze of walls above Turnhole Clough. There were views to Boulsworth Hill, Crow Hill and Combe Hill, and I eventually found the Pendle Way. I followed this, which became a tarmacadam road until I came to the junction with the permissive path up Boulsworth Hill. I followed this permissive path, which was steep and boggy, and quickly enjoyed views to Pendle Hill, Colne, and the hills of the Yorkshire Dales.

Boulsworth Hill

Pendle Hill

I reached the trig point before midday and it was windy and cold. There were showers falling in many places and stayed only long enough to admire the view and take a few photos. The highest point was not the trig but was a nearby boulder, which I scrambled up. The view took in Pendle Hill, the town of Colne, the hills of the Yorkshire Dales, and the wild grouse moors which surround Boulsworth Hill. I descended by the permissive path down Bedding Hill Moor and followed the Pendle Way until near Beaver Farm. I followed the maze of paths that criss crossed through the fields below the moor, back to Wycoller. I saw a lamb which had just been born and heard many lapwings calling. I reached the car at 1.25 pm, 3 hours and 50 minutes after setting out.

Looking back to the trig on Boulsworth Hill

New born lamb

Link to Picasa Web Album

Beinn Uird (597m) 8th March 2009

2009-03-27T18:44:00.005Z

Beinn Uird

When I had woken up it was snowing heavily but by the time I had eaten breakfast it had stopped snowing and the sun was shining. This false promise tempted me to climb Beinn Uird. At the Rowardennan car park I got talking to a guy called Les, who was going to climb Ben Lomond and we started the walk together at 9.40 am. My route initially followed the Ben Lomond path and it was lovely walking through the snow covered forest. There was a large area of felled trees that gave views to Ben Lomond and across Loch Lomond to the Luss Hills. The sun soon disappeared, it began to snow again and the snow became deeper the higher we climbed. It also became windier and it felt decidedly chilly. Les decided to come with me as conditions would have been unpleasant on Ben Lomond. We left the Ben Lomond path near a fence and traversed around and then descended to Moin Eich, the pass between Ben Lomond and Beinn Uird. It was hard work in the soft snow and it was a long, tiring plod up the broad NNE ridge of Beinn Uird. The mist was down and we could see very little, the wind increased and became quite strong, the snow fell harder and became wind driven. We were faced with a blizzard and I found out that wind driven snow in the fence really hurts. It was worse when I was hit by snow in my eyes as I was temporarily blinded. The summit seemed higher than 597m in such conditions and it felt that it would never arrive. We reached the small cairn at 12.05 pm and headed for a nearby rise, as I thought it looked higher. When we reached it we saw that the cairn was higher. We descended due east and we came out of the mist and arrived at a track. We followed this to Blairvockie Farm, out to the public road and along the road back to the car park. The car was reached at 2.10 pm, a a toal of 4 and half hours. I was releived to shelter in the car, asthe weather was windy, sleety and freezing. After a quick lunch, I started the drive back to Liverpool.

Loch Lomond from the climb to Beinn Uird

Climbing Beinn Uird in blizzard conditions

Link to Picasa photoalbum

Conic Hill (361m), Ben Bowie (314m) and The Fruin (361m) 7th March 2009

2009-03-25T19:59:00.007Z

Conic Hill

Conic Hill (361m)
The walk up Conic Hill started from the free car park in Balmaha and followed the West Highland Way for the most part. I started the walk at 9.40 am under cloudy skies that soon brought rain. The snowline had retreated upwards overnight and Conic Hill was almost snow free. The West Highland Way went through an attractive forest at first and was initially flat before climbing steeply. The forest offered shelter from the wind, which I noticed when I left the forest for the open hillside. With the gain in height views opened up to Loch Lomond and the Luss Hills. There was a great view of the the islands of Loch Lomond and Ben Bowie which marked the Highland Boundary Fault. There were a number of paths which branched off the West Highland Way and climbed towards the top of Conic Hill. I followed one of these paths and climbed over a couple of subsidiary tops before reaching the summit at 10.30 am. This was a windy place, which was not very pleasant in the rain, and gave only misty views of Loch Lomond, the Luss Hills, the lowlands and Binnean nan Gobhar. I followed a different path back to the West Highland Way and walked along this to the car park. I reached the car at 11.15 am, 1 hour and 35 minutes after setting off.

The Highland Boundary Fault

Ben Bowie (314m)
The car was parked at the entrance to a track at grid reference NS328842, by the side of the A818 near Helensburgh. There is enough room here for one or two cars and there is a small lay-by on the other side of the road. The walk started at midday, with me avoiding the barbed wire topped gate by hopping over the wooden fence at the side. There were obvious signs that many other people had done this, and in fact I met a couple of dog walkers during the course of the walk. The track went through the boring conifer plantation and after what seemed like an age, entered open ground. Near Goukhill Muir a boggy path left the track, headed for a gate and a fence, and followed the fence to the top of Ben Bowie. There were three knolls which looked equal in height so I visited them all. One had a cairn but whether it was the highest point I couldn't tell. The hill was covered in mist so I saw nothing. On the descent the mist cleared enough for me to see the subsidiary top of Killoeter and I decided to climb it as well. I had a hazy view of Helensburgh from the top but it was poring with rain and there was a strong wind. I descended back to Goukhill Muir and then followed the track back to the car. This was reached at 2.20 pm, giving a total time of 2 hours and 20 minutes for the walk.

A misty view of Ben Bowie

The Fruin (361m)
I parked the car at the high point of the Glen Fruin road where an entrance to an MOD track allowed a number of cars to be parked. The weather was diabolical! The mist was down, even at 200m, the rain was teeming down and the wind was blowing me around. I seriously doubted my sanity in going for a walk in such conditions. I started at 3.05 pm and initially followed a clear track. This soon petered out and was replaced by an intermittent path that often disappeared in the boggy ground. 55 minutes after setting out, at 4 pm, I reached the summit cairn and took in the view of mist that surrounded me. On the way down the mist started to clear, although the rain didn't stop. There were views down Glen Fruin, backed by the mist covered Luss Hills, the Garelochhead peninsula, and the snow streaked mountains of Cowal and Ardgoil. I was relieved to get back to the shelter of the car 2 hours after setting out. I enjoyed my hot shower that evening and the felling of being warm and dry.

Glen Fruin and the Luss Hills

Binnean nan Gobhar (585m) 6th March 2009

2009-03-23T18:55:00.007Z

Binnean nan Gobhar

After the long drive from Liverpool, I parked the car in a lay-by near Cashel campsite on the road which runs up the eastern shoer of Loch Lomond. I started the walk at 2.05 pm, intially through the grounds of Cashel farm. I noted that the farm has a walker's car park with a £2 charge, payable in an honesty box. A track climbed the hillside through the forest and quickly offered views down to Loch Lomond and its islands. It was cloudy and humid and the threatening rain arrived after half an hour's walking. As I climbed higher I had views to the Luss Hills, Conic Hill, the Campsie Fells and the Kilpatrick Hills, all of which had a sugar coating of snow. However, the rain became heavier and more persistent and the views intially became hazier and then disappeared altogether.

Ben Bowie and Loch Lomond

Conic Hill from the slopes of Binnean nan Gobhar

The track ran out on a moorland plateau which was snow covered and consisted of deep heather and tussocky grass. This was hard work and my feet fell in many hidden holes. The higher I climbed the thicker the snow got and the heavier the rain became. There were snow drifts which were knee and even thigh deep and I fell over several times. The mist came down, reducing visibility to a few yards, and it became quite unpleasant. I arrived at the trig point at 4.20 pm but this isn't the summit of the hill, so I set a compass bearing for the true top. I arrived at the misty snowy cairn at 4.35 pm and immediately set a compass bearing back to the track. The mist had descended to about 300 metres and stumbling down the rough moorland was eery and ethereal. Loch Lomond came into view just before I reached the track and I descended thjis back to the car, which I reached at 6.05 pm. The walk had taken exactly 4 hours, and whilst is was unpleasant a lot of the time I got a sense of achievement at having reached the top in such conditions.

The trig on Binnean nan Gobhar

Link to Picasa Photoalbum

Hallin Fell (388m), Watch Hill (254m) and Binsey (447m) 28th February 2009

2009-03-01T17:04:00.010Z

The summit cairn on Hallin Fell

Hallin Fell (388m)
After the familar drive up the M6 , and the parking of the car at the car park on the pass between Hallin Fell and Steel Knotts, Mark and I started the first walk of the day at 11.40 pm. It was windy, drizzly, grey and cloudy. There was a clear footpath up the fellside and views to Place Fell, the High Street range and the Helvellyn range. The higher fells were cloud covered but there was enough of a view to see that on a clear day this would be a marvellous place. A climb of only 20 minutes brought us to the large summit cairn and a windy eyrie looking down on Ullswater. After a few photos we turned tail and walked down again, following a slightly different route down the fell. We reached the car at 12.25 pm, meaning the walk had taken a total of 45 minutes. Despite the shortness of the ascent we agreed that Hallin Fell was a wee gem of a little mountain.

The Helvellyn range from Hallin Fell

Gowbarrow Fell and Ullswater from Hallin Fell

Watch Hill (254m)
After having lunch in the car we proceeded to the other end of the Lake District, and parked the car on the outskirts of Cockermouth at NY131311. We started the walk up Watch Hill at 2.05 pm, in the continuing wind and intermittent rain. The rain was heavy at times and we felt that it was an approprite day for such low hills. The climb started on the right of way which formed part of the Allerdale Ramble. This went off to our left after a while but a path continued up the hill. There were a number of bumps of similar height but we thought the highest was located in the forest. There was a narrow path in the forest which led to the highest bump. This had obviously been made by previous baggers and it was marked by a black glove. Outside of the forest there were views to some misty mountains and also back to Cockermouth but the view was far from inspiring in such weather. Instead of retracing our steps we followed a path through the forest that went straight down the steep southern slopes of the hill and down to the road. A short road walk followed, back to the car. This was reached at 3.40 pm, the walk taking a total of 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Watch Hill

The summit of Watch Hill

Binsey (447m)
I parked the car in the lay-by at the bottom of the path up Binsey, on the minor road by Binsey Cottage. We started the walk up at 4.10 pm, and whilst it was still windy the wind was colder. The rain had stopped and the weather was clearing up. There were dramatic views all the way up to Skiddaw, wreathed in mist, and of Knott in the Back o' Skiddaw. We reached the windy summit after 25 minutes and enjoyed misty views to Carlisle, across the Solway Firth to Scotland,and to the Cumbrian coastal plain. It was Skiddaw and Knott that drew the eye, however. We descended the same way and reached the car at 4.55 pm, a total of 45 minutes. Mark and I both felt that it had been an enjoyable day, despite the weather.

Knott from Binsey

Skiddaw from Binsey

Link to Photoalbum

Cauldcleuch Head (619m) and Greatmoor Hill (599m) 20th February 2009

2009-02-25T17:45:00.009Z

Greatmoor Hill from Stob Fell

Cauldcleuch Head (619m)
It was grey and misty, with cloud enveloping the highest summits, as I started the climb up Cauldcleuch Head at 11.10 am. The car was parked on the road to Hermitage Castle, by the track to Twislehope Farm. I started by entering the field on the opposite side of the road, and going through two more gates before I reached open country. Views soon opened up behind to Dun Fell, a cloud covered Roan Fell, and Geordie's Fell. I could also see down the valley of the Hermitage Water to Blackwood Hill, and to my left to Cauldcleuch Head's subsidiary top of Tudhope Hill which was wreathed in mist. The climb to the top of Cauldcleuch Head led over a number of lower tops, including Stob Fell and the strangely named Muckle Land Knowe. Between these two tops there were brief views to the Moffat Hills but such far views were shortlived. There were also views to Greatmoor Hill, which looked impressive and seemed to tower above. The ground was quite waterlogged, as all the snow which had fallen earlier in the month had melted and left only isolated patches. From Muckle Land Knowe there were views to a snow dappled, misty Cauldcleuch Head. I reached the unmarked summit of my first objective at 12.40 pm,a total of an hour and a half after setting out from the car. The mist came and went and gave fleeting views to the surrounding hills. During gaps in the mist I could see Muckle Land Knowe and Greatmoor Hill and both looked higher than Cauldcleuch Head, although this was an optical illusion.

Tudhope Hill

Blackwood Hill from Greatmoor Hill

Greatmoor Hill (599m)
After a quarter of an hour on the top of Cauldcleuch Head, waiting for the mist to clear, I made my way towards Greatmoor Hill. This involved following the fence over the plateau and then descending fairly steeply down Windy Edge. It was here that I met the forestry plantation which covers the northern partof these hills. After passing over the insignificant top of Swire Knowe I sheltered in the forest away from the wind and ate a quick lunch. After lunch I ascended Starcleuch Edge to the summit of Greatmoor Hill. There were a number of peaty hollows which were full of soft snow and I frequently went through up to my knees. The trig was reached at 2.20 pm and I stayed 10 minutes to admire the view and take some photos. From this angle Cauldcleuch Head was clearly higher and looked quite attractive with its snoe dappled slopes. There were misty views of the Eildon Hills and Rubers Law to the north, Blackwood Hill to the east and Roan fell to the south. I descended back down Starcleuch Edge to the area where I had had lunch and then followed a track that descended towards Winterlair Hill. It was rather faint and I went wrong and ended up descending the narrow valley created by the Crib Burn. The steep slopes falling to the burn forced me to ford the burn a number of times before I was compelled to climb back up the hillside a little. The forlorn ruined farmahouse of Braidliehope was reached, after which there was a clear bulldozed track to follow. There were views back to both Cauldcleuch Head and Greatmoor Hill, but the rain fell heavily and made for unpleasant conditions. Nearer the road there were views down the valley of the Hermitage Water, and I reached the road near Braidlie farm. A half hour walk along the road followed, which was brightened up by the groups of snowdrops on the verges. The car came into view at 4.50 pm and the return journey home was started 10 minutes later.

Muckle Land Knowe and Cauldcleuch Head from Greatmoor Hill

Rubers Law and the Shankend Viaduct

Link to Photoalbum

Hart Fell (808m) 7th February 2009

2009-02-22T13:42:00.009Z

Hart Fell

I started the climb up Hart Fell at 11.30 am from a lay-by near Capelgill Farm on the A708 just outside Moffat. The hills were thickly plastered with snow I was looking forward to a good day out. As I walked down the road the Ettrick Hills rose to my left and Hart Fell and its satellites to my right. I went through a gate and entered the open hillside, where the snow soon started. It was a long climb to the first top, Saddle Yoke and it was hard work. The snow was firm, even icy in places, but it made for reasonably quick progress. There were impressive views of the snow plastered cliffs of Nether Coomb Craig, and as I climbed higher of Moffat Dale, Carrifran Gans in the White Coomb group and the Ettrick Hills behind. It was quite windy and every so often the wind would whip the snow into spirals, forcing me to bow my head as the spindrift stung my eyes. Saddle Yoke was reached after lunch and it became apparent that there was a narrow and icy ridge down to the col with Under Saddle Yoke. This was the most tricky part of the day and I had to descend very carefully. The sttep ascent up to Under Saddle Yoke was followed by a gentle descent towards the headwaters of the Black Hope Burn. The sun, which had earlier been shining, now went behind the clouds and it became difficult to judge gradients. At one point I went in up to my thighs in snow and I aw there was a steep bank of snow when I had originally seen a flat surface.

Under Saddle Yoke

White Coomb

After struggling through the soft snow, I eventually began to climb up Hartfell Rig, which offered fine views of White Coomb, Broad Law and the Culter Fells, as well as the snowy dome of Hart Fell. The summit of Hart Fell was finally reached at 3.30 pm. The trig wa lower than the surrounding snow and there was a fantastic vista of snowy hills: the Ettrick Hills, Manor Hills, Culter Fells and Lowther Hills were all in view, although haze hid the more distant hills. The descent was gentle at first, and gave views to Under Saddle Yoke and Saddle Yoke. However at the curiously named Hass o' the Red Roads it became steeper and icier and I had to tread carefully. Past this area the terrain became plateau like and for a time I was slowed by soft snow. By the Hang Burn the descent steepened and became icy again, and apart from a brief level area, this continued down towards the valley. By Hang Gill the snow became patchy and soft, making it easier to descend, even though the slope was a steep one. There were beautiful views of the Ettrick Hills, shining red in the gloaming. I came to a path, which led over a gate to the A708 near Capelgill Farm. From here it was a 10 minute walk along the road in the gathering darkness back to the car. I reached the car at 5.55 pm and got home at 9.10 pm, meaning that the whole trip had taken 5 minutes shy of 13 hours.

The Culter Fells

The trig on Hart Fell

Looking up to Hass o' the Red Roads

Link to Photoalbum

Low Fell 423m, 18th January 2009

2009-02-08T16:57:00.008Z

Low Fell from near Thackthwaite

Low Fell 423m
Originally Mark and I were going to climb Hallin Fell but we decided that this was too short a day, even on such a wild day as this. We decided instead to climb Low Fell. This part of the Lake District takes a while to get to, day we didn't reach the car park at Lanthwaite Wood until 12.20pm. When we started walking at 12.40 pm it was windy and overcast and it soon began to rain. The rain was heavy and wind driven and it wasn't very pleasant, as we walked along the road to Thackthwaite. There were impressive views of the towering prow of Mellbreak and of Whiteside and Grasmoor, their tops streaked with snow and covered in cloud.

Whiteside and Grasmoor from Low Fell

From Thwackthwaite we walked up a track that ascended the hillside. The rain came down heavier and it became more unpleasant than before. The path went behind a fold of the hillside which offered some shelter so we had a quick lunch sitting on a large rock. After lunch the rain turned to driving hail which felt like a torrent of wind driven needles in the face. I walked with my head down and followed Mark's feet in front of me.

Mark climbing Low Fell

When we got to the crest of the fell the rain and hail stopped but the wind was ferocious. There was a lovely and fantastic view of Crummock Water, Whiteside, Grasmoor and Mellbreak. We reached the summit, marked by a small cairn, at 2.45pm but we had to fight to stand up. The wind threw us all over the place and it was a struggle to take photos. The descent was steep, along a path that followed a fence but it eventually levelled out and entered a wood. We soon raeched the road at Foulsyke and then had a bit of a road walk to the car, which we reached at 4.05pm. We agreed that Low Fell would be a great walk on a sunny day but we hadn't seen it at it's best.

Crummock Water from Low Fell

Mellbreak

Link To Photoalbum

Wisp Hill & Pikethaw Hill 3rd January 2009

2009-01-11T17:48:00.008Z

The trig point on the summit of Wisp Hill

Wisp Hill (595m)
I started the walk up Wisp Hill at 11.15 am from a layby on the A7 just north of Ewesless Farm. I took a short walk along the road before hopping over the fence and climbing the open slopes. It was a beautiful sunny and cold morning but I was out of condition after the Christmas break and I was soon feeling hot and out of breath. Initially the climb was steep but views opened up to Roan Fell, Ellson Fell, Cauldcleuch Head and the valley of Ewes Water. In addition Pikethaw Hill looked impressive and its large cairn was clearly visible. When I reached Whin Fell there was a breathtaking view of the Ettrick and Moffat Hills covered in snow, and Wisp Hill finally cam into view. The upper part of Wisp Hill and Pikethaw Hill were covered in either snow or hoar frost, it was difficult to tell. From Whin Fell it was a short climb to the trig point on Wisp Hill, which I reached at 12.25 pm. The panorama taht met me was fantastic. I was especially drawn to the views of The Cheviot, the Eildon Hills and the white line of the Ettrick and Moffat Hills. I attempted to take photos but the temperature was so low that my batteries kept running down, even the new ones. I had to blow on them to regenerate them each time they failed, so it took me about 20 minutes to take all the photos I wanted. Once I'd taken all my photos I descended to Ewenhope Fell and then to Ewes Doors, the pass between Wisp Hill and Pikethaw Hill. I had a quick 15 minutes break for lunch here.

The Ettrick and Moffat Hills from Wisp Hill

Pikethaw Hill and Causeway Grain Head

Pikethaw Hill (564m)
After lunch I ascended the north east ridge of Pikethaw Hill. This was a steep climb but gave good views back to Wisp Hill, and I reached the large cairn on the summit at 2.05 pm. The view was similar to that from Wisp Hill but I stayed until 2.20 pm, hardly able to tear myself away from the wonderful vista. I descended the north west ridge down to Ewes Water and followed a path toward Eweslees Farm. Wisp Hill and Frodaaw Height rose steeply to my left and right and straight ahead rose Crude Hill. Near the farm the path disappeared but the correct way was obvious and clear track soon appeared. The track went through the farmyard, where there was a barking sheepdog. I went through the adjacent field to avoid the dog and then had a short but scary walk along the A7 back to the car. I reached the car at 3.35 pm, meaning that the whole walk had taken 4 hours and 20 minutes. I felt that this wasn't bad considering my lack of fitness.

The cairn on the summit of Pikethaw Hill

Wisp Hill from Pikethaw Hill

Link to Photoalbum

Wendover Woods 22nd December 2008

2009-01-11T17:31:00.004Z

The monument containing the summit plaque

On the way from Liverpool to Portchester for Christmas I managed to pursuade my girlfriend that we should take a detour to take in Wendover Woods in Buckinghamshire. The road up the hill wasn't very well signposted but we found it eventually and paid the £3 charge to park in the car park. It was less than 5 minutes from there to the monument signifying the top. However, this isn't the summit and so I spent a few minutes wandering around trying to identify the actual top of the hill. There was one area amongst some yew trees and another on the exit road which both seemed higher than the monument. From there it was back to the car to continue the drive south.

Link to Photoalbum

Muncaster Fell (231m) and Dent (352m) 13th December 2008

2009-01-02T17:53:00.005Z

Muncaster Fell

Muncaster Fell (231m)
It was a damp and drizzly day as Mark and I travelled to the western part of the Lake District. The car was parked at a lay by on the A590, near Muncaster castle and the ascent of Muncaster Fell was started at 11.50 am. We walked up a track known as Fell lane, which gave views through the drizzle to Black Combe and a snow dappled Whitfell. At Muncaster Tarn the track became a path and climbed the rugged flanks of Muncaster Fell. I was surprised that the fell was such a rugged little hill and it seemed higher than it really was. A trodden path left the main path and went to the summit, which was reached at 12.40 pm. We stayed for 5 minutes and admired the misty view of Whitfell, Black Combe, Selllafield, the Irish Sea, Harter Fell, Hard Knott, the Scafells and the Wasdale Fells. We descended the way we came and reached the car at 1.20 pm, giving a round trip time of an hour and a half.

Harter Fell from Muncaster Fell

Dent (352m)
After lunch in the car we travelled through the town of Cleator Moor and then up a road called Nannycatch Road, at the end of which there is an area where cars can be parked. The walk up Dent started from this parking area at 2.30 pm and followed a track through the forest. It was raining heavily, which felt quite unpleasant but at least there was no wind. The track left the enclosure of the forest and entered open ground, which gave views of the cloud covered Ennerdale Fells. A path, part of Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk, left the track and headed for the summit of Dent. There was a small cairn marking the top, although we weren't sure if a further point was the top or not. We walked over to it just to be sure and I had a little celebration as Dent was my 300th Marilyn. There was a view of St Bees Head from here but most of the surrounding hills were in cloud. It was getting drak so we quickly retraced our steps to the car, which we reached at 4 pm. Again, this was a round trip time of an hour and a half.

St Bees Head from Dent

Link to Photoalbum

Baugh Fell 6th December 2008

2009-01-01T14:40:00.008Z

Yarlside, Howgill Fells from the valley of the River Rawthey

I started walking at 10.45 am from Rawthey Bridge, a few miles from the town of Sedbergh on the A683. As events transpired this was far too late to start a walk of this length in early December and I was to find this out the hard way. It was cold, with a temperature not far above freezing, and there was a considerable amount of snow. Initially I followed a track that climbed the hillside until I came to the bridleway that led along the River Rawthey. The tracks were covered in snow and difficult to follow but the views were lovely. The Howgill Fells rose behind me, whilst to my left was Wild Boar Fell and Swarth Fell, and the snow made the fells seem wilder and higher that they are. I followed the River Rawtheyuntil I came to a bridge. Here the river fell in a series of impressive cascades and waterfalls. Here I left the track and climbed the open hillside. This was hard work, as the snow had a crust on top which I broke through into the soft snow underneath. I regularly sank to my knees, which made walking laborious and slow going. The climb started off steep but soon levelled off and became long and gentle. In fact, in the sugary snow it seemed to last for ever and despite the cold I felt hot. My progress was slower than I thought, as I kept thinking I was near the top only for another long slope to come into view.

Calders and Great Dummacks, Howgill Fells. The Coniston Fells and Langdale Pikes behind

The trig on Knoutberry How, buried in snow

Lunch was taken near West Baugh Fell Tarn and I could see Knoutberry Haw, the 676m high secondary top of Baugh Fell. I estimated that it would take me about half an hour to reach this point, when in fact it took me an hour and a half. The view was an impressive one. Baugh Fell seemed like an arctic wilderness, as did the hills of the Yorkshire Dales such as Great Shunner Fell, Lovely Seat, Aye Gill Pike and Great Knoutberry Hill. Beyond the Howgills rose the mountains of the Lake District, with the Coniston Fells, Langdale Pikes, and the High Street group looking particularly prominent. Tarn Rigg Hill, the summit of Baugh Fell rose a short distance away. However, it took 25 minutes of hard walking to get there, with the result that it was 3.35 pm and nearly sunset by the time I had reached the top. It had taken me nearly 5 hours and I was exhausted.

The sun setting behind Great Knoutberry Hill

The setting sun made for a beautiful sight but I only had time to take some photos and quickly admire the view before beginning the descent. Luckily the sky was clear and the moon was shining, meaning that it was bright enough to walk without a torch even after the sun had set. The gloaming from the setting sun gave enough light to see by until about 4.50 pm and then a combination of moonlight and torchlight got me down. The torch was used for comfort more than providing any extra light. It took a long time to get off the summit plateau and then to descend the slopes between Rawthey Gill and Swere Gill. My this time I was exhausted but after the sun set the temperature plummeted and so I couldn't rest without risking falling asleep and dying of exposure. I crossed Rawthey Gill a couple of times and made sure that I kept it to my left. This would ensure that I would remain on the same side of the river as the farm of Uldale House. This was the nearest point of civilization, and therefore the start of the nearest road. I had seen a group of trees from above and I knew that Uldale House lay just beyond. With the depth and consistency of the snow, however, it was two and a half hours before I reached this group of trees and another hour before I got to Uldale House. In between the trees and the farm lay Whin Stone Gill and this was the trickiest section of the descent. The beck had carved a hollow and this was full of fallen trees which made for a difficult negotiation of the beck.

Looking to Knoutberry Haw on the descent of Tarn Rigg Hill

I had difficulty in finding my way through the grounds of Uldale House but after going down a couple of blind alleys I found the road out of the farm. This track led to the metalled lane that would take me back to the car but it was covered in slippery ice and meant that I had to walk in the snow by the side of it rather than risk slipping over and injuring myself. After what seemed like an age, I reached the car. The time was 8.45 pm, meaning that the descent had taken me over 5 hours and the whole walk had taken exactly 10 hours. The car was covered in ice, which took ages to scrape off and my bootlaces were frozen, meaning that I couldn't get my boots off. I had to keep the car engine running and turn the heater on before the laces thawed enough for me to get my boots off and drive home. I had pushed the boundaries of safety to the limit and I was annoyed with myself for treading such a fine line between life and death.

Swarth Fell in the moonlight

Link to Photoalbum

Mount Hill (221m) 24/11/08

2008-12-05T20:46:00.005Z

Mount Hill

This was a quick ascent on the way home, and whilst it was a repeat for Chris it was a new hill for me. The car was parked just off the A913 near the cluster of buildings known as The Mount on the map. It was cold and sunny with a little snow on the ground here and there. We took a wrong turning in the farm yard and ended up walking along the edge of a muddy field, before regaining the track. We walked around the hill before climbing to the summit, which contained the trig and the tower known as the Hopetoun Monument. The view was partially obscured by trees but the most notable scene was to the Lomond Hills. We took the track back to the car and the round trip occupied 55 minutes. The long drive to England then followed.

The Hopetoun Monument

Link to Photoalbum

Windlestraw Law (659m) 23/11/08

2008-12-05T19:54:00.007Z

Blackhopebyre with Burntshell Rig and Gill Rig behind

Chris and I had intended on making another atttempt to reach Pressendye but there was even more snow overnight and many roads were again blocked. We decided to go south and have a go at Windlestraw Law. It was a cold morning, around 0 degrees but the Moorfoots had received only a dusting of snow. The car was parked in a lay-by on the B709, just passed the farm of Blackhopebyre, and we began walking at midday. It was a freezing cold, the wind was bitter, the ground was frozen solid but, as we climbed, good views opened up to Whitehope Law, Clog Knowe and a cloud covered Dun Rig. We followed the track up Glentress Rig but this pettered out at some grose butts, and then a quad track took over, which became a path. the ground was boggy, and as the air temperature rose, our feet went through the snow and into the icy bog.

Icicles

Chris, with Whitehope Law behind

We reached the summit after an hour and fifteen minutes, and we saw clearly that the trig was not on the highest point. The actual summit was a point not too far from the trig, although we visited the trig as well as the real top. It was blowing a gale on the top, the windchill was several degrees below freezing, the cloud was descending and my face was colder than it had ever been. The view was amazing though, ranging from Fife, the Lomond Hills, the Angus Highlands, Bass Rock, North Berwick Law, the Eildon Hills, the Cheviot Hills, the Ettrick Hills, Blackhope scar and the Lammermuir Hills.

We went across to the lower south west top as quickly as we could, reaching the cairn at 1.55 pm. Again we agreed that the highest point was not at the cairn, but was close by. The gale force wind and bitter cold continued, so we descended the rough slopes, crossed the Glentress Burn, followed a sheep track to an enclosure and then up to the track we had followed earlier in the day. It started to rain, which was the icing on the cake, and we reached the car at 2.55 pm. This was a total walking time of 2 hours and 55 minutes and we had hardly stopped, due to the cold wind. We had lunch in the car and then headed back to Tayport.

Chris heading for the south west top

Link to Photoalbum

Carleatheran (485m) 22/11/08

2008-12-03T20:05:00.005Z

Carleatheran and Ballochleam Farm

The original target for the day was Pressendye but there were several roads in Aberdeenshire that were blocked by snow and the prospect seemed rather uninviting. Chris and I, therefore, decided to climb Carleatheran in the Gargunnock Hills in central Scotland.

After driving from Tayport to a bridge near Ballochleam farm, on the Glinns Road near the town of Gargunnock, we were ready to start walking at 11.10 am. It was cloudy and cold, with a temperature around freezing but to compensate the escarpment of the Gargunnock and Fintry Hills rose above us quite dramatically. We took a track that went passed Ballochleam Farm and then up towards the hills and as we climbed higher a fantastic view opened up to the Southern Highlands. Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, Stuc a'Chroin and Ben Vorlich were particularly prominent, and although the cloud meant that the views were a bit hazy it was still an impressive sight. As we neared the col between Carleatheran and the neighbouring Marilyn of Stronend in the Fintry Hills, the waterfall called the Spout of Ballochleam came into view. At the col I thought about climbing Stronend and then catching Chris on the ascent of Carleatheran. However, I decided against this, which was fortunate, because Carleatheran took longer to climb than either of us imagined.

Stronend from Carleatheran

The Spout of Ballochleam

A rough track left the main track that we had been following and went towards the summit of Carleatheran. The track traversed boggy ground but fortunately the ground was frozen, with a little dusting of snow, and this helped us over the boggy bits. It was a long way to the summit but it was a delight to walk along the top of the escarpment and admire the enchanting view of the Southern Highlands. The summit was reached at 1.35 pm and we stopped for 25 minutes for lunch. The view was tremendous, to the Sothern Highlands, the Campsie Fells, the Ochils, the Pentlands and possibly Tinto Hill. We started the descent at 2 pm and retraced our steps, and I couldn't take my eyes off the Southern Highlands the whole way. We reached the car at 4.15 pm, a total walking time of 5 hours and 5 minutes, and total distance walked of 17.6 km.

Ben Ledi from the climb to Carleatheran

Link to Photoalbum

Roan Fell (568m) 21/11/08

2008-12-01T18:12:00.008Z

Chris heading for the summit of Roan Fell

After a three hour drive Chris parked the car at the entrance to the track that led to Twislehope farm. It was cold and cloudy with frequent snow showers and the ascent of Roan Fell seemed rather uninviting. We started walking at 12.20 pm along the track and passed Twislehope farm. We passed a kennel full of foxhounds that barked ferociously and made us feel grateful there was a high fence that stopped them biting chunks out of us. The track climbed the hillside and offered a fine view down the steep valley of Caulker Grain. Despite the cold the ascent was hot work, forcing me to remove a layer, although the track levelled off after a while and the ascent became less steep. The snow line was reached at about 500m and the track was quite thickly covered at times. Clouds enveloped us and we reached the end of the track on Hartsgarth Fell, whereafter a border fence was followed to Roan Fell. This lay about three quarters of a kilometre away and about 20m higher. The intervening ground was boggy, despite the layer of snow covering the moor and we reached the cairn marking the summit at 1.50 pm, a total walking time of an hour and a half.

Arkelton Hill, with a glimpse of the Solway Firth to the left

Greatmoor Hill from the summit of Roan Fell

The top was wreathed in cloud and shrouded the view but as we ate a hurried lunch in the bitingly cold wind the mist rolled away and the sun came out. The view took in the Solway Firth, Pikethaw Hill, Wisp Hill, Ellson Fell, Cauldcleugh Head, Greatmoor Hill, Blackwood Hill, Larriston Fells and the snow covered Cheviots. The light dusting of snow shone in the sunlight but soon after starting the descent at 2 pm, the cloud came in again and snow began to fall. These showers fell heavily at times and the wind blew the snow straight into our faces, not a pleasant sensation. We hastened back to the car via our route of ascent and were glad to reached the our haven of metal at 3.20 pm. This was a total time of 3 hours for the round trip, the temperature was only 2 degrees Celsius, the wind chill made this feel much lower and we were glad to take shelter in the car and cintinue our journey north.

Link to Photoalbum

Mellbreak (512m) 1/11/08

2008-11-09T17:15:00.009Z

Mellbreak from near Lanthwaite Wood

The Plan: Mark would pick me up at 8 am, we would drive to the Lanthwaite Wood car park near Loweswater and climb Mellbreak and Low Fell. A nice pint in the Kirkstile Inn would finish a perfect day. It should have been easy ... and it wasn't.

Mellbreak (512m)

The plan started off well enough: Mark arrived at 8 am and we set off on time. The drive took longer than expected and we didn't arrive at the National Trust car park at Lanthwaite Wood, near Loweswater, until 11.30 am. Moreover, we didn't start walking until 11.55 am so with sunset at around 4.30 pm there wasn't much time to climb two hills. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a dusting of snow on the higher tops and the trees in their autumn raiment. The walk started easy enough as well, and we walked along the road to the Kirkstile Inn, and then up a track that entered Flass Wood. We were looking for a path that climbed up the hill from the edge of Flass Wood but on the ground this path appeared to have disappeared and a path went straight through Flass Wood and straight up the steep prow of Mellbreak. This path looked steep and hard going on slopes of scree, so we went to the right and followed a faint path which we hoped would lead us to the path indicated on the map and in the Wainwright guide. It didn't. We ended up climbing steep slopes of thigh deep heather with scree underneath. It was extremely hard work and despite the cold wind I was soon hot. To compensate there were fine views to Low Fell, Blakes Fell, and across the Solway Firth to Criffel and the coastal hills of Dumfriesshire. In the bright sunshine it was delightful.

The Solway Firth from Mellbreak

Mark on the heathery slopes of Mellbreak

It seemed to take an age to climb the tough slopes but eventually we reached the main path, just below the lower north top of Mellbreak. The wind was cold and we didn't linger but there were enjoyable views to Grasmoor, Robinson, Fleetwith Pike, High Stile, Pillar, Blakes Fell, Loweswater, Low Fell, the Solway Firth and Dumfriesshire, as well as the higher south top of Mellbreak. The higher tops had a dusting of snow above about 700 metres and this gave the scene a distinctly wintry feel.

The distance between the two tops of Mellbreak was longer than it looked on the map but there was a clear path and the walk was an easy one. Dark clouds floated over and covered the higher tops and a few spots of rain fell. However, they didn't come to anything significant and the sun soon came out again. The higher 512 metre top gave a fine view to Crummock Water and Buttermere, with the bold outline of Fleetwith Pike towering above the latter lake. We descended slightly and enjoyed a late lunch in the shelter of a crag.

After lunch the descent continued down to the right of way by the side of Scale Beck. This led to Crummock Water and a pleasant walk along the lake followed. However, it was 4.30 pm by this stage and it was getting distinctly dark. The last rays of the sun shone on the brown, bracken covered slopes of Grasmoor, on the opposite side of Crummock Water, and turned them a beautiful golden colour. We kept our torches off for as long as possible but ended up in a marsh near the farm of Highpark. Once we turned the torches on this was easily negotiated, although we got rather wet.From Highpark it was an easy matter of following the metalled lanes back to the car park. The car was reached at 6.10 pm, six and a quarter hours after leaving it and Low Fell would have to wait for another day.

Fleetwith Pike and Crummock Water at dusk

Link to Photoalbum

St Catherine's Hill (236m) and Brighstone Down (214m) 23/10/08

2008-11-06T19:20:00.009Z

The Oratory on top of St Catherine's Hill

St Catherine's Hill (234m)

I took myself and the car over on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry for a whopping £34.50 and then drove to the southern part of the Isle of Wight. There is a free public car park at SZ489769, directly below St Catherine's Hill and it was from here that I started the short ascent of this hill, which is a Hump (Hundred Metre Prominence). There is a clear path all the way to the top, which is a right of way, and the ascent took about 10 minutes. It was cloudy and windy so the views were not as good as they would be on a clear day but the chalk cliff of Tennyson Down was prominent, together with Brighstone Down, St Boniface Down and Stenbury Down. Portsmouth and The Solent were seen faintly through the murk but were largely invisible. The most notable feature of the hill is the ruined oratory on the summit. There is little of this structure left but it provided welcome shelter from the gale and allowed me to eat lunch in comfort. The descent to the car was as quick as the ascent and the whole round took half an hour, which included lunch.

Tennyson Down from St Catherine's Hill

Information board on St Catherine's Hill

Brighstone Down (214m)

A short drive brought me to the village of Brighstone and the car was parked near the school. There is a free public car park in the village but I failed to notice this until my return after the ascent of Brighstone Down. This was my last unclimbed Marilyn in Region 42 so it's ascent was much anticipated. A bridleway was followed that climbed Limerstone Down, offered fine views of the unnamed downland above Mottistone, and then entered Brighstone Forest. The chestnut trees were particularly attractive in their autumn colours and the forest floor was covered with fallen leaves, giving the forest an austere look. The bridleway continued to climb, the trig point appeared through the scrub on the right hand side, and was reached by a short path. I was overjoyed to have climbed my last unclimbed summit in Region 42, a region which had seen me climb my first Marilyn (Butser Hill) in 1985. St Catherine's Hill could just be seen poking above the trees but another than that there were no views. I returned to the car by the same route and the whole walk took an hour and a half. I drove to Fishbourne for the ferry and had a celebratory pint in Portsmouth.

St Catherine's Hill from above Brighstone village

The trig on Brighstone Down

Link to Photoalbum

Shining Tor (559m), Gun (385m), The Cloud (343m) and Raw Head (227m) 18/10/08

2008-10-20T19:49:00.013+01:00

The final slopes of Shining Tor

Shining Tor (559m)

The walk started from the National Park car park at the Lamaload Reservoir, and after 5 minutes along the road, followed a signposted right of way to the top of the hill. It was a steep pull up at first, initially by the side of a wood and a beck, and then via more open slopes. Impressive views soon opened up to the nearby city of Manchester and I was surprised at how large it is. The path levelled out at the 480m contour and then descended slightly before the last steep climb up to the summit slopes, a section that offered an attractive view to Shutlinsloe (506m). The path was wet and boggy but just before the top the main path along the ridge crest was met and this was stone-flagged across the wet peat. The top was reached after 55 minutes and the view was tremendous. The whole of Manchester was laid out below, with Winter Hill and Hail Storm Hill behind, the whole of the Cheshire Plain, Jodrell Bank, Fiddler's Ferry Power station, the Runcorn Bridge, a faint view of Liverpool through the binoculars, the border hills or eastern Wales, The Wreckin, the Church Stretton hills, Kinder Scout and it's satellite moors. I could hardly tear myself away but there was a cold wind and it had started to cloud over. The route of ascent was followed back to the car and the whole walk took 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The Lamaload Reservoir

The Roaches (505m) from Gun

Gun (385m)

The car was parked at a parking area near the summit of Gun, not far from the village of Meerbrook. There was a clear path to the top and the ascent took only 15 minutes and the round trip only 25 minutes. The view was obviously not as extensive as on Shining Tor but still offered long vistas across the Cheshire Plain, the Shropshire hills and closer at hand to Shutlingsloe, Shining Tor, The Roaches and the Tittesworth Reservoir.

The Cloud from Gun

The Cloud (343m)

A short drive followed to the outskirts of the village of Timbersbrook and there were a number of cars parked by the side of the road near to where the Gritstone Trail climbed hte lower wooded slopes of The Cloud. This path climbed very steeply at first and I was soon out of breath but once a track was reached the gradient decreased considerably. A National Trust sign was passed and the track was left in favour of a path through the forest. Eventually the open moor was reached and the top arrived sooner than I expected, the ascent taking 20 minutes. There was a small gritstone edge at the summit and a steep slopes led down to the houses on the mid slopes of the hill. Being on the edge of the Peak District there was a view into the heart of the southern part of the National Park, and across the Staffordshire and Cheshire Plain. I followed an identical route back and reached the car after a total of 55 minutes, which included 15 minutes on the summit.

The gritstone edge at the summit of The Cloud

Bracket fungi growing in the woods on The Cloud

Raw Head (227m)

A 36 mile drive followed to the village of Harthill, in the Peckforton Hills of Cheshire. After parking in the village I followed a cul-de-sac that led to Droppingstone Farm. Just before the farm the Sandstone Trail climbed steeply through the woods, before levelling out prior to the final ascnt to the trig point on the summit. The view was impressive, particularly to the Welsh border hills, Liverpool and the oil refineries of Ellesmere Port. I retraced my steps to the car and the walk took a total of 50 minutes.

Raw Head from Harthill

The Peckforton hills in their Autumn colours

Link to Photoalbum