Hill:
Beninner via Cairnsmore of Carsphairn
Type:
New Donald
Height:
710m
My
first big outing of the year turned out to be longer than expected
and a walk of two halves. The objective being the addition of Beninner, a New
Donald. I wanted to complete the full Donald listing. Some, like today, I am sure I have been on the top but cannot remember or do not have a record.
Defrosting
the car was fine with the anticipation of the weather forecast of a
blue sky day ahead.
Set
of from the Green Well and followed the traditional path which has
been improved but at a future cost I suspect. This looks like the
foundations of a possible wind farm route, certainly not created for
walkers.
We
walked past Willieanna and Dunool to reach the horizontal dyke which
we followed to the wee bridge.
 |
| Follow the dyke to the summit |
 |
| Looking back the walk in |
The
standard trek up to Cairnsmore of Carsphairn followed. The weather was
perfect, blue skies, cool and great visibility, so we had a few stops
taking in the views, glorious indeed. They were really getting our
breath back stops but still great views.
 |
| Loch Doon just in view |
 |
| Windy Standard wind turbines |
The
feel good factor was there until we reached the top and the landscape
of wind turbines came into view. Time to look elsewhere which was
towards the real target of the day Beninner. It looked further away
than I expected but I knew it was only about a 30 minute ramble.
 |
| Beninner ahead |
Headed
down the now more challenging surface, more rocks and hidden holes to
reach the fence at the Nick of the Lochans, but where were the
lochans?. Spectacular view looking back to the crags of Gairy of
Cairnsmore.
 |
| The lochan |
The
first of many fences/walls was now scaled, electrified but thankfully
no current. A faint track led us to the cairn at Beninner, passing
one very small lochan. target achieved.
 |
| Looking back to Cairnsmore |
Lunch break along with good views but a deep cloud had came over and temperatures had dropped rapido. Time to move on.
 |
| Heading towards the hills |
We
decided to descend via the ridge of Beninner before aiming for Willeanna but
this was really rubbish terrain, which started bad and got a lot
worse. |
| Willieanna behind main tree plantation |
 |
| This was the best of the going |
We
descended to the burn but finding a crossing point took time and the
walking beside the burn was challenging. Finally across the burn we
contoured Black Shoulder where initially the going was rough ground
but okay. As we contoured below Dunool it was traditional Galloway
tussocks and wet ground underfoot. But that was a walk in the park
compared to going round Willieanna. At least the sun was back out and
I was too warm, never happy!
Well
the farmer here does not want you to cross his dykes with barbed wire
doing a good job of preventing any climbing. Finally found a bit
alongside the horizontal wall. In retrospect we should have
followed this round the base of Willieanna. But we went diagonally
across the field to reach the ascent track. Big mistake, horrendous
slow walking. New tree plantation. Every step was avoiding a big hole
most filled with water. Throw in the tussocks and it was no fun at
all. It was a long final crossing.
With
huge relief we reached trail not too far from the start.
Overall
a good walk to get the fitness going again. Would vary the route if
doing it again. The descent of Beninner to the track was tough enough
but in other conditions when all the grasses, reeds, bracken etc had
grown forget it.
Surprisingly
for a bright and at times warm day insects were flying but not one
bird or animal was seen or heard. No meadow pipits or corvids. What
is happening here?
Ascent:
745m
Distance:
14.41km
Time:
6.23
Wildlife:
None
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