Hill:
Fell Hill
Category:
Sub2k
Height:
417m
With
the Covid restrictions easing but still in place I was looking for
risk free hills so I decided to go for an easy non risk option up
today’s newbie, Fell Hill. The standard route is a fairly
straightforward moorland yomp but the few reports I read included
cattle en route and at this time of the year a herd of coos are best
avoided if possible.
 |
| From the start, yip heading up to those turbines |
I
knew that the summit was now at the top of a wind farm, sadly seen a
few like that recently, so there was the option of trudging up the
wind farm hard packed road.
However,
when looking at the OS map and Google Earth there seemed a better
route by taking the forest track to Loch Howie then onward passing
Loch Skae. From here Google Earth showed the landscape deforested so
I could head directly to the trig or take a slightly shorter route
onto the road. An almost risk free route and apart from the odd dog
walker should be people free.
As
it turned it out the planning was perfect.
 |
| Track leading to loch Howie |
There
are two signposted tracks going to Loch Howie and I stopped at the
2nd and parked opposite my walk start at another
signposted walk, room for 2 cars. The other side was no parking
ongoing forestry work.
A
locked barrier to duck under then a pleasant forest walk with birds
singing all around which soon brought me to Loch Howie.
 |
| Loch Howie |
Nice water
but these angling boats have not been used for some time, take a lot
of bailing out.
 |
| Need a bucket to get rid of that water |
A
slightly longer track section before reaching the deforested opening.
Luckily the working track had been extended further lessening the
debris crossing. The deforested area crossing was actually straight
forward with lots of small hard packed tracks to aid walking.
 |
| Bonus track went further than I thought |
Broke
through this area and headed up the moor to the first turbine. An
unexpected obstacle, a barbed wire fence. Shaky and loose not worth
the risk climbing here so I wandered up the wire and found a spot
where I could lower the barbs and leg over without damage.
 |
| Twin peaks |
I
was soon on a turbine track but got to do some hillwalking so hopped
onto the moor again heading to a small cairn then onward to the top
where there is a trig and a surprisingly large cairn.
 |
| Looking south to the normal walk in route |
The
views were surprisingly good. The hill stands alone and although not
big its position gives excellent views south to the Solway (probably
Lake District hills behind) and over to the Galloway ones from the
other day. Looking east the radar ball on Lowther Hill was shining in
the sunlight. Carsphairn, Glen Afton hills etc.
 |
| My walk in and the two lochs |
So all round
delighted with this little outing. Plenty of dried coo pats around
the turbines so the beasties get to roam here but not today.
On
the way back I had a look at Loch Skae, this is the proper fishing
water, more and better boats. A private club but all locked up. I
wonder if it is because no-one could travel less than 5 miles to get
here, surely not?
 |
| Better boats, pontoon etc this is the proper fishing water |
On
the descent the weather which had been threatening brightened up so a
pleasant stroll back to the car. Spotted movement quartering the deforested area, delighted a Red Kite.
 |
| Red Kite |
Objective
achieved, a no risk outing to a new hill and didn’t see another
person. Probably start on some bigger ones now.
Wildlife:
Red Kite; Buzzard; Great tit; Long tailed tit; Blue tit; Wren;
Chaffinch; Mistle Thrush; Skylark; Meadow pipit; Red Admiral; Orange
Tip; Large White; Small Heath, few fat voles; Stoat, with something
in its mouth but couldn’t get a good view.
Time:
2.22
Ascent:
238m
Distance:
9.5k
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