Hill: Grey Hill circuit

Type: Sub2k

It was my first outing for quite some time with the Ayr OIR. Different being used to a group walking environment albeit split into two teams to spread us out. Still it was enjoyable to reconnect with a lot of old walking buddies.

I was initially in two minds as this is not my favourite circuit, in part very muddy, but I was hoping the prolonged dry spell prior to the weekends deluge might have dried it out. 

As we headed out of Girvan Ailsa Craig was covered in a bonnet of cloud, a lovely start.

Thankfully there was a stile nearby

We walked up a farm track only to find it was the wrong one so back to the road and up the correct one. The farmer clearly did not want people around!

This magnificent tup was looking lonely separated from his girls, never mind he will be back in action soon. 

Butterbur

Interesting flora and fauna opening up. This butterbur alongside the stream will fully open up with a brush like head, a member of the daisy family. This is our only native Butterbur and only seen in the lowlands plus Western Isles and Orkney.

We were avoiding fields with livestock, just as well, the Belted Galloways were frisky running right to the wire fence as soon as they spotted us. I remember livestock issues from my last venture here but that was horses maybe later.

Byne Hill

We contoured Byne Hill before doing a sharp climb up the several false tops to the trig, that got the lungs going.

Grey Hill

We took a drop from the top line and flanked below Cairn Hill before having a moorland tramp heading for Grey Hill. Then we spotted group 2 coming up the slopes, their track route had allowed them faster walking. Not wanting to meet we sprinted across the tussocks to meet the outliers before heading up the ridge to Grey Hill, beat them, just!

Looking back to Byne Hill, our descent route

We were heading for Pinbain Hill, a first for most of us but now so did group 2 avoiding Grey Hill.

We had to follow them but thankfully they pulled off and we marched past waving and commenting to each other. That was their final top but on we went a meander up and down small rolling tops and barbed wire fences. Plenty of them today.

Small cairn on Pinbain Hill

When we reached Pinbain we had good views down to Lendalfoot and across to Ailsa Craig from its small stone cairn.

Lunch stop please

Wind blowing more than a breeze so back we went to find a sheltered spot for lunch. The sun was out, the sky and the sea were blue and it was just us, a fine lunch break.

Back at Grey Hill, Pinbain middle right

Back up the steep moor slopes to Grey Hill and then a skyline route back over Fell Hill, through the gloopy stuff with the horses staying away to the side.

Monument and Ailsa Craig

Avoiding Byne Hill we went back down the monument track, more horses and bigger but no issues.

Mum's not bothered as the foal runs round her

At the bottom we were mesmerised by the youngest donkey I have seen running round the field bucking its hind legs, the joys of freedom, you got to smile at that.

A great end to a good day out and walking fitness being built up for the big months ahead when real freedom arrives. And great banter with the group.

Ascent: 702m

Distance: 16.1km

Time: 5.04

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Skylark; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch: Pied Wagtail; Gannet: Snipe. 

Glengap Hill recce

Hill: Glengap

Type: N/a

Height: Circa 500m

I decided to recce a portion of the walk I am leading on Sunday for Ayr & District particularly checking out the burn crossing which can be an issue if in full flow.

Forecast was not great as we are experiencing a westerly weather front, strong winds, low cloud and rain and yes I got all three.

As I drove past Shalloch you could barely see the start for the expected low cloud but when I reached my start it was brightening up to the west, brief optimism.

As stated I was not doing the full walk just checking the burn. 

I walked the road section down to Witches Bridge. Looking across to Glengap was disappearing in new cloud which was being blown from the SE not the expected direction.

Looking down I love a meandering burn and this does not disappoint. Additionally the huge sheep pen is an indicator of just how many sheep grazed these hills in the past but a lot less now. The pen is so large and established it shows on the OS maps.

A splashy walk down to the burn and as expected it was an easy crossing after the recent dry spell. But the crossing I needed to check, same burn, was the other side of Glenap hill.  A tramp over the rough terrain and yip will be fine.

Just in case the clouds were low again on Sunday I decided to return via Glengap itself to further the recce.

This hill is not big but it is a steep little beggar particularly with yesterdays near 800m in my legs. I ascended with plenty of short sections and lots of breathers. My calves were burning and my breathing not much better, still well short of where I want to be.

As expected about two thirds up I entered the cloud and no more views. So I looked back and the ground looked far away, confirmation it was a tough wee climb.

Once it plateaued at the top the ground was rough but surprisingly dry. There was a lot of fox scat and I came across a sheep carcase the bones well spread out. I imagine a sheep will keep the scavengers in feed for many weeks.

There was very low forward visibility so just stuck to a pre planned bearing which eventually took me to Rowantree hill.

I was looking for an ATV track in the wet moor grass and found a faint one. Still no visible reference so I followed it but realised quickly it was not quite the right direction. No big deal as I could come off the hill at any point but I wanted to find the ATV stone track.

After wandering in what I thought was correct a pile of stones loomed out of the gloom, the new track. Didn't need to find it but glad I persevered.

A good short exercise to continue building hill fitness and hopefully the weather might be more favourable for the full walk at the weekend. 

Ascent: 349m

Distance: 5.5km

Time: 1.52

Wildlife: Raven; Meadow Pipit

Building fitness in Glen Afton.....Blackcraig circuit

Hill: Blackcraig & Blacklorg

Type: Graham & Donald

Another outing towards building up my hillwalking fitness with a return to the 4 hill circuit above Glen Afton. The weather forecast was generally positive for views and that turned out to be the case. There are previous reports of the route elsewhere in my blog and in fairness the route does not change much. So, this is mainly snaps with a couple of comments on changes I did find.

Looking back to start from Quentin

Some snow patches on flank of Blackcraig

The constructed track from start up to Quentin cairn has been improved since my last visit. Then it went roughly half way up before becoming a boggy path but now it goes all the way to the cairn before becoming a boggy path. Linked to the every expanding wind farm I suspect.

Blackcraig Trig

Blacklorg on left, Alhang middle and Windy on right

A furry caterpillar out early

On the descent from Blacklorg two deep sink holes have appeared that I do not remember from before. There was running water which I presume to be an underground burn. Both holes are right beside the track easily catching out an unwary walker. Imagine this hidden with the recent snow covering, could be very nasty.

Spooky turbines

Mass turbines on Windy

A new sinkhole interesting if snow covered

Sun coming out at last

Snow to play on

It was a good up and down rolling hills walk, damp underfoot but when is it not on these hills? Sadly the number of wind turbines appears to have increased now almost circling these hills. Some areas have surely contributed more than their share and i feel this area is one. 

Final descent to the track

Preggie Coo dropping soon

Looking back to final hill from the car

It has been a good walking week with circa 1800m of ascent and feeling good. Hill fitness moving forward.

Ascent: 785

Distance: 13.5

Time: 5.2

Wildlife: Rook; Raven; Skylark; very fat hairy caterpillar.

Another return to Shalloch on Minnoch

Hill: Shalloch on Minnoch (Middle Heel)

Type: Corbett

Height: 775m

Ascent: 561m

Another repeat hill before getting free to explore wider Scotland. Previous blogs on here so minimum words just some snaps.

It was a nice surprise to see a newly constructed bridge over the burn. it is wedged into an steep angled rock so easier today to cross as normal but useful for higher water conditions.

It is always wet and boggy at the start

It takes two!

There were numerous 'rana temporia ' around today, Impressed with my Latin? Nope didn't think so Common Frog to us. Particularly near the small lochan at the start of the final climb to Shalloch. Multiple colourings had to take great care not to stand on them. 

The top in view still some small snow patches

The clouds were coming and going but lifted for the trig view.

View East

South ridge Lake District far away but in view

Still a small but lengthy cornice at the top of the Maidens Bed. Looked pretty but quite unstable with the melting weather so no walking on it.

Descent with frog lochan

Distance: 12.7km

Time: 4.22

Wildlife: Common Frog; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Raven