Hill: Black Law
Type: Donald
Height: 696m
Lockdown freedom was coming and I needed an away trip so I booked a couple of days in Moffat to hopefully finish the Donalds in this area.
As predicted the glorious lockdown weather changed immediately from dry blue skies to cold and rain. From the forecast I knew I was going to get wet today but this was worse, like a late autumn day going into winter, not a spring day thinking about summer ahead,
I missed Black law out on a previous round and at the time regretted it. But with hindsight it would have been a slog under those very wet underfoot conditions. It was a slog today even after all that dry weather.
Back to Meggat reservoir where my start followed my previous descent trail from Craigierig farm.
This trail is also a footpath to the Manor valley. The rain had been heavy on my drive down, relented as I changed but as I entered the farm section it was heavier stuff, hood up on my 4 seasons Gore-Tex, yip it was that bad. Two days ago I was sunbathing on Loch Lomond hills!!
 |
| Dreich weather |
Just a long wet up the estate track.  |
| A glimpse of Black law |
At one point the clouds lifted to give me a view of Black Law but that did not last longer than a few seconds. Head down watching the huge numbers of meadow pipits, wheatears and skylarks constantly flying across the track. |
| Some weather relief and a proper look at the way ahead |
The track descends to the fence line which I originally planned to follow but the clouds cleared briefly and I spotted an ATV track on this side which took a more direct route. Changed plan for about 20 seconds. The time taken for me to sink into deep peat and sphagnum bogs, help get me out. |
| Back to murky reality the fence to the top |
Safely back on the track I returned to my original route and followed the fence. Not a lot to say about the ascent as the fence goes all the way to Black Law via Redsike Head. To my left there was the interestingly named 'Bitch Craig' but I was not going looking for it. Visibility remained low for most of the ascent with the rain coming and going. As usual the odd track was found which disappeared in to a hag or bog. Much fence hopping to get the better conditions. In times of real wet weather some of this could be dangerous. |
| The view back from the summit |
Finally I get to the summit of Black Law. As per last week somewhat uninspiring as a junction of two fencepoles is it, nothing else. The map shows the Black Law summit at 696m, which is where I was standing, But in the gloom there was clearly a higher spot further on. Map showed point 698m and not named. For the sake of confirmation I walked to it, a waste of effort, further away than it looked and not named. |
| Atmospheric |
Some nourishment and then the descent. As luck would have it conditions changed and it was an atmospheric descent. Instead of constant rain and cloud it became sunshine and showers. The colours in this light outstanding but much more reminiscent of Autumn. The impressive steep flanks of Dollar Law plunging into the Manor valley, glad I wasn't climbing those. |
| Estate track can be seen flanking the hill ahead |
Back on the track my little ascent was about 70m where I was planning my food break at the top. As i turned and looked back the sky was absolutely black. A quick stuffing of the face just as the heavy rain arrived, the worst of the day. As i hurriedly packed my jelly baby bag burst at the bottom and out they fell. I don't know what was on that track but they were not wasted. But the gods looked after me, the rain went off just before I reached the car to get changed. And as I drove to Moffat it was a beautiful afternoon!! Then after an hour it was back to heavy showers and sun.
A typical Scottish day and another Donald ticked off. Never a bad walk and there are some good memories. The downside of the rain is that under our freedom rules wee nippy only allows alcohol served outside just now and that is not happening in this weather in Moffat. Off licence time, but I want a pint!!
Ascent: 549m
Distance: 12.5km
Time: 3.04
Wildlife: Pied Flycatcher; Pied Wagtail; Wheatear; Pheasant; Red Grouse; Buzzard; Raven; Meadow Pipit; Goldfinch; Skylark
No comments:
Post a Comment