 |
|
|
Christmas Outing | Social Evenings | Past Outings Archive | Home
New Year Walk near Abington .. in the clag!
The 17-strong team met up at the Abington Services on the M74. When everyone had arrived .. and after a round of "Happy New Years" .. it was on to the long stay car park in Abington to minimise the number of cars to be left at roadside parking on the B797 at the walking start point. As it turned out, we could just have met there, as there was plenty of space between the two available areas .. ho hum, bit of a waste of time, but noted for the future. Willie had to be down in Moffat in the afternoon, so decided on a short solo trip directly from the Abington car park.
The now 16-strong team set off on the road to Glencaple farm, then began the steepish ascent of Craig Dod on the good bulldozed track. At 444m high, it was just tipping the clag, and the short descent and steepish pull up to the summit of Ravengill Dod at 538m took us well into the clag .. that windy and drizzly condition so typical of the Southern Uplands. The first to arrive took shelter in the shooting butt at the summit .. these hills are commercial grouse moor, with grit bins in evidence all along the route .. but the only thing they were shooting today was the breeze until the others arrived. After a summit photo, it was on to Coom Dod and then to Wellgrain Dod at 555m, where the customary New Year nip and cake were postponed until we had descended below the clag.
Just beyond the summit, James led the group off the track and on to the heathery north ridge of Wellgrain for the descent to Glengonnar Water. Fortunately the heather was fairly short, and we surprised quite a few grouse who were cooried in at their favourite spots. When we arrived at the line of shooting butts above the Water, and well below the clag, we had a quick break for food, cake and hipflask nips with the group divided between butts numbered 1, 2 and 3. Then it was onto the good track by the Water for return to the cars. Everyone opted to head for home rather than drive to the Colebrooke Arms, probably because a complete change of clothes would have been required to be comfortable and presentable after a very wetting route. We'll maybe try this in the reverse direction on a summer's weekday and get some views ....?
GPS data for the walk: 12.4km (7.7mls) distance; 358m ascent; 4hrs 03mins (3hrs 24mins walking)
Willie reported: "From the car park I walked along the road then up the track to the radio mast. From there I went over Castle Hill and Raggengill Hill using various ATV tracks to get to the old Roman road which took me back to the road near Southwood Farm and followed it back to the car park. A good wee walk, mostly below the clag with a brief passing shower and a brief spell of sunshine".
GPS data for his walk: 9.5km (6mls) distance; 330m ascent; 2hrs walking time
AMcG
Join us at
the Counting House, 2 St Vincent Place, from 7pm on Tuesday 3 March
where we'll be talking (amongst other things!) about past and proposed
outings over a small libation or two.
The social evening dates are noted in our Outings Programme, and a reminder will be sent by e-mail about a week beforehand.