A chance to head to Glentrool and into the wilds of the Southern Highlands. I had been down here previously to bag the Merrick, as well as some of the other Donalds and Grahams including Lamachan Hill and Curlywee. So, it was an area I returned to with some fondness. I had originally planned to do this trip and break it up my wild camping. I wasn't sure where I would camp and would just see how things went. As it was, I got away from work at noon and was ready to start my walk at 1355. Could I get round the 3 Donalds (including Dungeon Hill) and back by nightfall?
I took the path to the sign for the cut-off just after the gate and came across an unusually felled tree - lightning strike perchance. From here, it was a nice path across the bottom of Buchan Hill, which finally turned the corner and up into the coire. The river was flowing fast and I began to worry about the crossing at Loch Neldricken. At times, the path was very boggy but it quickly took me up to the plateau and the crossing became apparent. Large stepping stones required care but I was across without event. From here, the walk around the loch and below the crags of Craignaw was very pleasant and the sun emerged. Views back to the Merrick were lovely and the loch lapped at the water's edge - you'd be hard pushed to find a better beach!
The hard work began up the gully and I was keen to find the memorial to the two pilots who died in 1979. About 200m SW of the summit, I came across the cairn/memorial, with some plane wreckage. It would have been a beautiful spot had it not been for the events that happened here many years ago. I continued on to the summit of Craignaw and the view across to Dungeon Hill was stunning. My next objective, I made the awkward descent off Craignaw and over to the Deil's putting green. The afternoon was disappearing and once up on to Dungeon Hill, the sun had disappeared too. I made my way down to the bealach between this hill and Mullwharchar. It was 1730 and I was feeling a bit tired - I hadn't had proper food since a kitkat at 1500, and lunch had been at 1100. I decided to boil some water and have some coffee and porridge. Having had my breakfast, I made the decision that I would bag Mullwharchar and make for home.
The weather deteriorated once at the summit but fantastic views to Loch Doon and back down Loch Enoch perked me up. Caffeinated too more likely. I began the long tramp back to the car but it wasn't long before I was on the Rig of Enoch and the good path back down. I reached the car at 2015, without need for the head torch. It had been a beautiful trip into a very wild place. The terrain was incredibly rough with good paths at a premium. But, I think this is what made it so special.
