Turner Cleugh Law in the snow

Hill: Turner Cleugh Law

Type: Sub2k

Height: 551m

I needed to blow away the cobwebs and the ideal solution was to tick off some Border hills. I never tire of visiting the Borders so hears hoping this is a good trip. I hoped that the snow would not have been as heavy in this area as up north.

Parked in a solid ice parking area, just getting boots on was tricky. I knew that the initial ascent was 100 metres of very steep walking. There was more snow than I hoped but here goes.

Hard work already

I initially followed the small barbed wire fence at the trees but the wind had been blowing the snow here, where it had gathered and was knee deep. A buzzard dropped out of the trees only feet away but it was more focused on survival than me. It looked like a vole type in its claws as it flew away.

Struggling I headed off a bit to my left towards a gully in which deer had created a channel, slightly easier walking for a couple of minutes.

Cairn on horizon

Better appreciation of gradient looking back 

This was taking me away from my route so another direct assault heading steeply towards a large cairn. I was puffing away as the terrain was borders tussocks so the snow bits were deep. This was hard going. No idea what the cairn was for, possibly a memorial for some shepherd.

Happy to spot this ATV track

After I left the cairn I spotted an ATV track about 25m to my left, was I a happy chappy. It hadn't been used for a while bit still it was much easier going.

Summit looking south

View north Broad Law in the sun

All good things come to an end as the track veered away so I went cross country again for the final section. At least I could now see the fence that lies behind the summit but I could not find anything to mark the high point. A good look around and definitely nothing higher near here. My GPS and OS route planned agreed this was the spot.

Good views heading down

So another one bagged. Across the way was The Wiss, another of my trip targets. On the descent I studied the Wiss route, straightforward enough on a good day but no obvious ATV tracks. I didn't fancy another full snow walk today, maybe tomorrow.

Looking across to the Wiss, summit on plateau well beyond top treeline

I followed the ATV track quite far down before cutting across to the trees, found deer gully and back to my starting place.

It was a short sharp walk, made tougher by the snow. Another step towards proper hill fitness. Good views, burning legs and a snow skelped face.

Ascent: 238m

Distance: 2.1km

Time: 1.08

Wildlife: Buzzard; Raven