Where to go though.Even if the minor roads had been ploughed the snow would have been piled up into any potential parking spots...a hill from a town or village and a short drive then.
Black Mount at Dolphinton near the southern end of the Pentlands seemed to fit the bill with the added bonus of a 360 degree view.True to forecast it was a lovely morning indeed-i-o....freshly baked mince pies from the baker in Carnwath and views to die for....
Mist hanging over the Clyde valley...
Arriving in Dolphinton we found that the minor road that snakes around the north of Black Mount looked in not too bad condition.So it proved to be and we managed to get the car in at the start of the track at NT073470 with some minor spade work.The sheep in the field were delighted to see what they thought were two farmers arriving with some slap up fodder and bounded through the snow towards us.
You can see the disappointed look etched into their faces....
It was bitterly cold as we were in the shade on the northern side of the hill.Dunno what the air temperature was but I had a full weight down jacket and two pairs of mitts on.( Outside today in the garden it was minus 18 in the shade at 11am and it felt similar to Sunday ) The cold just enveloped me like a blanket.Never mind,it was only temporary until we got going.We followed the line of the land rover track for a few hundred yards before escaping the snow drifts and heading up onto the
north west ridge where hopefully the wind had blown some of the snow off.It did indeed prove easier going although there was still the odd thigh deep snow drift to elicit a few curses.
Looking back to the north to Dunsyre Hill with the Ochils in the background...
The ridge steepened near the top.Frustrating stuff with a nice crisp crust which you are convinced will take your weight...before you plunge through to knee depth.Still,it didn`t last for long.
Once we were up above the 1500 foot level the snow took on a more solid consistency and made for easier walking along the side of the half buried fence....
The freezing weather had its benefits.Culter Fell and it`s outliers...
Over to Tinto..........
Spent about 15 minutes at the summit which was enough I can assure you :) We had seen several avalanche cones on the northern slopes on the way up so headed towards the 388 metre top before plunging down towards the land rover track again.
Nearly back at the car...
....where the sheep were still awaiting a delivery of neeps...
It was still earlyish and a shame to waste a good day.Bob had a look at the map and fancied the look of a deep gorge just to the west of the village of Carlops about 6 miles up the road.Squeezed into the car park under the Carlops Rock and set off up a track in the general direction.The track soon ran out and so did my patience as we trudged across fields through deep powder snow.We eventually managed to get to the tame part but daylight was now running out so we decided to leave it for another time.One of the old mine buildings near the gorge...
Back to civilisation...
Lovely drive home in the fading light passing in and out of freezing fog patches.A last look at Tinto again as we pass by....
Still to come...a three parter on Glencoe when Bob gets his pc back online.Meanwhile I`ve just got meself an £18 inc.tax return to Malaga for January.Me likey the snow but the sunshine is muchos better :)
You are without doubt an intrepid pair of walkers.You've covered a fair distance in the snow.The closest I've ever got to Tinto is the Tinto House Hotel and a lovely meal it is too.
ReplyDeleteA bit further on you can taste some of the best fish and chips in Scotland.The Townhead Cafe in Biggar who's motto is "Ye Cannae Beat a Guid Fish Supper!" have in the past been the Fish and Chip shop of the year.After half a dozen visits they're still scrumptious and rival the Peacock in Newhaven.
Great pics; lovely weather we're having. You've captured the wordless yet surprisingly eloquent expression of ovine disappointment with great sensitivity, I feel. I once had to feed sheep down in Kent; you had to open the sack of feed go through the gate and run like the clappers; 'gawd help yer if yer fall over' the farmer said encouragingly.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you could have used some snow shoes in the afternoon.
I grew up in Newhaven, but not the same one as the Peacock. Fish and chips in Newhaven, Sussex were pretty good though, back in the day. Fishing port and all that.
Oh it looks lovely, for me lovlier if I am viewing though a window with a glass of mulled wine in my hand! Have you got a spare ticket for me? it's very cold here!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me wish I'd done something other than sit in my house and complain when it was all snowy outside! I love that first shot of the tree, and the one somewhere in the middle with the little black sheep.
ReplyDelete