Hill: Clockmore (641m)
Other Hills: Cramalt Craig
Type: Donald Top; Donald
If taken in isolation Clockmore could be a short, straightforward but steep climb over mainly heather clad terrain. Probably an hour or so up and down.
Researching the route and looking at the map I worked out a longer circuit which had more appeal as I wanted to ramble for longer than an hour.
On the day the weather forecast was not the most promising, consistent strong winds blowing in from the north bringing with them rain and snow. Throw in feel like temperatures of -10deg up top it was definitely still the season for full winter gear.
As I geared up the wind was howling, the reservoirs waves looked good for wind surfing, wow, was this a mistake?
My ramble started from the Megget reservoir parking area and headed up the track beside Cramalt Farm following the Cramalt Burn.
 |
| Clockmore as viewed from the track at the start |
It was a good track rising in the direction of Dollar Law, much more ascent than I needed today to bag Clockmore but hey ho be positive, it is building my walking strength.
I had been suffering from a heavy cold/Covid so there was a bit of huffing and puffing as well as some stops to take in the landscape and recover. The wind and rain showers were lighter than expected so it the going was easier than I expected.
 |
| Good track winding all the way to the high point |
My chestiness was apparent and I was really blowing towards the high point of the track.
 |
| Turned now, looking back to Dollar Law |
 |
| Looking down on the start/finish point at the trees |
 |
| Track winding round to Cramalt Craig, Broad Law behind |
Up top the main track changed to a grassy ATV track as it headed towards Dun Law where I now had decent views over to Broad Law. There was a short descent where I was hit by the heaviest storm shower of the day, hail not snow, short but intense and I was glad that I had completed the first half of the circuit so the battering was more from the side and behind.
 |
| Cramalt Craig looking back |
 |
| Another snow shower just about to hit me |
 |
| Broad Law |
My goggles were steaming up (they shouldn’t!) as I climbed up to the highest point of the ramble, Cramalt Craig, almost a Corbett, once was until re measurement. As I climbed I recalled first doing Cramalt as part of a longer ramble in conjunction with Broad Law. That was a tough up and down and back again on a very warm day as I recall.
 |
| Pykestone Knowe ahead |
Leaving Cramalt Craig it was rough high moorland crossing to Pykestone Knowe but still with a partial ATV track.
 |
| Finally Clockmore with the shaft of light hitting the reservoir |
Looking down from Pykestone I could see that the worst of terrain was now ahead. I knew from my planning this was going to be rough going but it is always different when you see it for real, not a map. It also became worse going than I expected. Looking down I could see a lot of heather, tussocks and peat hags and no tracks but there was no choice but to go for it, this hill was my objective after all.
 |
| High point looking back to my route |
It was certainly not very pleasant and quite hard going so it was with a lot of relief that I reached the summit of Clockmore. Not that it is recognised in any way but this was the top.
 |
| The worst is to come as I head back to Megget reservoir |
The descent back to the farm was by far the worst going. Quite steep and surprised with heather that was waist deep at times. Step by step, pole prod by pole trod, as I had no idea what was underfoot, slow going but I got there.
A long way for a short cut as my granny used to say but despite the mixed weather and mixed terrain it was a good day out and one bagged top closer to my full Donald completion.
Ascent: 704m
Distance: 11.5km
Time: 3.35
Wildlife: Raven: Snipe: Redwing: Pheasant: Great Tit.
No comments:
Post a Comment