Capel Fell and Croft Head

And so to a day to myself, far from the mad. I decided to drive South and take in some hills around Moffat, that I hadn't been into. Initially, I had planned to take in Ettrick Pen too but I thought I would leave that along with Andrewhinney Hill and the other Donalds from the bothy. I left the car before the farm and began the walk round to Selcoth farm. I followed the right of way and began climbing a satellite peak of Capel Fell. This gave a quick ascent and already I could see over to Hart Fell and White Coomb, the higher peaks being clad in the white stuff. There was a bit of down before the final ascent up on to Capel Fell but once up on to the summit, all that indicated this was a small piece of wid. From here, Croft Head looked a fairly benign lump and already Ettrick Pen looked more attractive. I descended down to Ettrick Head, where the Souther Upland Way crosses at about 450m. A bleak spot but here I chose to have tea and lunch. Lunch consisted of a M&S mince pie and a baguette with peanut butter and nutella - oh how the French would be impressed. Ma guele.

I had decided at this point (1130) that I would continue on to the two Donalds (Loch Fell and partner) before doubling back and taking in Croft Head. The walk up to Wind Fell brought me to a frozen land of peat hags, with no place to sit and take in the even bleaker view. However, I enjoyed the barren aspect and the solitude was welcoming. I had a lot of time to think about present and future and some changes were afoot. It had been a quick and intense year but next year I hit a milestone so things would have to move. And move I did, down and over to Loch Fell with its trig point and views down to a sitka world before me. I headed North and eventually reached the steep decline to the SU Way. From here, the zig-zag path and Carmichen scar were evident. I believe the scar will grow and grow as the land around it looks very unstable. I took a wee break at the odd cairn on the SUE and had tea two in the circular sheep fank. The final ascent up on to Croft Head was simple due to the zig-zag path but again no cairn at the top - I dropped a stone I had taken up with me and moved off and down for the last time. Never met a soul all day and really enjoyed my time out at 5 hours.

Sgiath a Chaise

A short excursion. It seems my trips out are always quick getaways these days and I never get to fully enjoy the sojourns. I was up and down in 3 hours and back in Glasgow by 1245. This was a fab wee hill, which offered lovely views over to higher peaks (my iPhone didn't do it any justice). The wall of Beinn Each linking the two neighbouring Munros towered above and the stags roared their disapproval of my appearance. Strangely enough, there was no cairn that I could find but simply an iron post with a rudimentary cross made of wood. The descent back off was quite tricky as the ground was steep but once back on the track in Glen Ample, it was a simple and pleasant meander back to the car just as others were setting out.