Date: Thursday 13th January 2022
Company: Just myself
Distance: 12.2km, Ascent: 550m
Time: 3Hrs 30Mins
Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I have lost spontaniety. Last night, I think I got it back
. At 19:30, while sitting bored in the house with the prospect of working from home again today, I decided to quickly pack my hillwalking gear into the van and head to the Southern Uplands with a view to completing the Donalds. With a circa five hour drive to get there, including a stop for fuel and food, I knew I would not get there before 0:30. I quickly booked today off work and commenced the 200+ mile journey.
I wasn't sure where to park up for the night so took a chance on parking-up at St. Mary's Loch. This was possibly the worst place I have ever parked-up for the night, in that I was so close to the road, an A road, every car that passed literally shook the van. The noise of passing cars combined with the noise of the wind meant I had almost no sleep.
An hour or so before sunrise, I made my way towards the Megget Stone for an ascent of two of my final three Donald Tops, Carlavin Hill and Great Dod. I would also be re-ascending Molls Cleuch Dod which was my first ever Donald ascended in March 2008.
For the walk today, I parked in a parking area a short distance up the road from the start of the track below Carlavin Hill. Once suited and booted I walked down the road to reach the start of the track.
Route:
At the start of the track there is a welcome sign. Really nice to see an estate in the Southern Uplands which is pro-hillwalking and access. Many of the estates in this neck of the woods are grouse moors with no respect for wildlife. If you want to see countless snap traps and snares while walking, the Southern Uplands is THE place to come
.Talla and Gameshope signage:
While following the track round the base of Carlavin Hill, I noticed a gap in the fence and decided to head uphill from that point. The ascent was via long grass and tussocks. Some decent snowfall is still needed to flatten 2021 growth.
The ascent was pleasant enough despite the tussocks as I had views of surrounding hills and down to the Talla Reservoir.
Talla Reservoir from slopes of Carlavin Hill:
I was however heading-up into the cloud. Hopefully this would lift or disperse given the MWIS forecast suggested 80% cloud-free tops. Unfortunately the MWIS forecast was completely wrong with low cloud pretty-much everywhere!
Ascending Carlavin Hill:
Looking across to Broad Law:
It didn't take long to reach the summit of Carlavin Hill, the summit of which is allegedly the base of the highest point of the dyke. I made sure I visited all potential high points just in case some clown with an accurate GPS comes along in the future relocating the summit.
Summit of Carlavin Hill:
From Carlavin Hill, I followed the dyke out to Molls Cleuch Dod.
Following the dyke out to Molls Cleuch Dod:
Summit of Molls Cleuch Dod:
From Molls Cleuch Dod I progressed towards Firthybrig Head then Donald's Cleuch Head before bearing-off towards Great Hill.
During this section of walk I decided to count paces to traverse one of the kilometres. I was a bit miffed when having thought I had walked 1km by counting paces, I had only walked 900m. I guess I didn't factor in walking into the wind, either that or my legs have shrunk with age
.Poles leading out to Great Hill:
The summit of Great Hill is allegedly a pole. Again I walked about bagging all potential high points.
Summit pole?:
I now had the option of returning to the start via Molls Cleuch Dod or undertaking a circuit by dropping down towards the Games Hope Burn with a visit to Gameshope Bothy. The option to visit the bothy won hands-down.
It was great to drop below the cloud as it is somewhat tedious walking with no views.
Dropping below the cloud:
On reaching the burn I followed bits and pieces of track towards the bothy.
Following the Games Hope Burn towards Gameshope Bothy:
The last time I visited the bothy I got wet feet crossing the burn. This time was no different other than this time it was very wet feet.
Gameshope Bothy:
This really is a lovely bothy.
Inside Gameshope Bothy:
Memorial plaque inside Gameshope Bothy:
Inside Gameshope Bothy:
After again crossing the burn I made my way out towards Talla Linfoots.
Track leading out towards Talla Linfoots:
Following the track leading out towards Talla Linfoots:
I was aware by undertaking this circuit that I would end up back on the road c.100m lower than my van. The walk back up the road was however nice enough given views back to the reservoir.
Talla Reservoir during ascent of road:
Looking back towards Talla Reservoir from near parking area:
One Donald Top remaining to complete all 141 Donalds and Tops.