Hill: Blackhouse Heights/Black Cleugh Hill via Black law
Type: New Donald/Donald
Height: 675m
For a variety of reasons I had not been out and about enough on the hills to get my early season walking fitness up to the mark so today would be a tester.
To add to the possible difficulty another beast from the east was imminent. The forecast for today was for a blue sky light winds, sounded great..
The car had to be defrosted but as I approached the start the low grey clouds were dominant with little blue sky to be seen.
 |
Parked at the Megget reservoir and walked up to the stile at the start of the Manor Valley trail.
To get to my New Donald I was having to ascend the old Donald of Black Law again so I was familiar with the route. But different weather conditions, this time it was much colder and I could see light snow being left on the hilltops as every cloud scudded by, great.
 |
| After about 15 minutes I got this view of Conscleugh Heights |
 |
| Black Law directly ahead |
My plan was to go to Black Law then onto the New Donald of Blackhouse Heights (1/50map) aka Black Cleugh Hill (1/25map). After returning to Black Law I then wanted to go onto Conscleugh Heights and Deer Law but rough moorland and an unknown descent off Deer Law.
Leaving the Manor Law track at Foulbrig I repeated my previous route and followed the fence to Black Law. Taking time of course to look at the view and take a breather.
 |
| A cornice beginning to form on Dollar Law |
 |
| The Pentlands on the horizon |
I had forgotten how poor the terrain was. It was typical of these parts, mainly pathless Borders tussocks along with patches of heather and boggy moss. Throw in many peat hags which had to be detoured and it was hard going. I must have climbed over the fence from side to side over a dozen times.
As I climbed the terrain was getting whiter with the snow covering and the wind was unrelenting. The feel like temperature in the biting easterly wind was definitely sub zero. I was well clad and not overly cold apart from my cheeks and nose. I had a slight concern re frostnip.
 |
| Black Law fence junction onwards to the true summit (2m higher) |
 |
| Black Law summit |
Reached the fence crossroads and headed onwards to the true top of Black Law marked by a small stone pillar.
At least the cloud was not obscuring my route to Blackhouse but the terrain was possibly the worst of the walk. It was only 35 minutes but it seemed much longer. A mixture of lined hags and heather with many eroded stony areas all on very narrow lanes so awkward going.
 |
| From Black Cleugh Hill summit looking over to Dun Rig |
The summit top is yet another fence crossroads at the top of moorland but it did have reasonable views across to The Pentlands.
 |
| Looking back to Black Law, sheltered side less snow |
As I turned and headed back to Black Law I was now starting to feel tired as the terrain and unrelenting cold wind was taking its toll.
 |
| Decision time hop over fence and head to my left or straight down |
The return took the same time but felt longer so I reluctantly decided to leave the other two tops for another day, my fitness not good enough and it would have been a risk as I would have had a long crap terrain cross section off Deer Law.
Although the descent was still awkward walking I at least had the wind at my back.
 |
| The track I wanted |
Reaching Foulbrig a coffee and sandwich helped me get back up the rising trail to Black Rig.
One short climb then downhill all the way now, yippee.
 |
| Looking over to Conscleugh a lot of rough ground in between |
 |
| Happy to see the Megget reservoir and get the car heating system on full blast |
It was a good walk but but my legs were really feeling it towards the end, probably a bit too ambitious but I will need to return to get those other two.
PS: As the 1:25 map is the most detailed/accurate then I presume the hill should rightly be called Black Cleugh Hill.
Ascent: 768m
Distance: 16.8km
Time: 4.55
Wildlife: Pheasant; Raven (pair)
No comments:
Post a Comment