AS continued his campaign to get more of his Donalds done by making three trips to The Borders in November with assorted folk.
The first trip, 07/11/24, started off with a visit to Daer Reservoir to climb Comb Law and Ballencleuch Law but this was abandoned due to very dense mist being present right from the start. Subsequent Plan B’s entailed either a visit of to a nearby Museum of Lead Mining or a short walk to Gameshope Bothy, NT 13510 18495, near Talla reservoir. The latter prevailed. Pic shows AS & PF heading off from the car to the bothy only a couple of km south along Games Hope Burn. They later went on to Gameshope Loch to extend the day a bit, see; https://consumerplatform.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/24612744/241107--gameshope-bothy-and-loch--talla-reservoir?lat=55.451475&lon=-3.384537&zoom=13.1418&style=Leisure&type=2d
The bothy lies on the western side of Games Hope Burn, but there is also a more modern building opposite on the east side (see pic) with a veranda, which was ideal for their second lunch on the return leg from Gameshope Loch.
The bothy itself.
…and the stand-alone toilet to the NW – the key for which could not be found!
The bothy is in good order with space for 6 x folk.
…someone had re-purposed redundant power line insulators as stands for a small shelve above one of the tables – BR could have done with one under his chair to prevent the electric shock.
After a leisurely lunch No.1, they decided to extend the day a bit and visit lonely Gameshope Loch, NT 13000 16355, a further 3km south.
This is what they came for, Gameshope Loch or what they could see of it.
On the route back, the pic shows the drama that Games Hope Burn provides.
Near the end. Team Happy were glad to get a reasonable walk of 9.7km with 280m of ascent on a day that could have seen them in a mining museum!
The second trip, 19/11/24, inherited a clear cold day that started near the Daer Reservoir, as pictured above looking east from the eastern slope of Comb Law. The objectives were Comb Law (Donald), NS 94382 07392 and Ballencleuch Law (Donald/Fiona), NS 93553 04996 and Rodger Law (Donald top), NS 94517 05811. There was a deep windchill in the fairly strong breeze higher up but great visibility. Views stretching from the Lake District to Arran and Ben Vorlich/Stuc a Chroin! For their route see; https://consumerplatform.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/24618182/241119--comb-and-ballencleuch-law-from-daer-reservoir?lat=55.340007&lon=-3.669082&zoom=13.2686&style=Leisure&type=2d
Lunch break at the top of Comb Law.
At the top of Ballencleuch Law, BR takes a pic of Comb Law centre left, AS & PF approach the cairn centre right, whilst Rodger Law lurks behind them in the distance.
Three cool duds…dudes!
On the downward slope from Rodger Law looking NE. Interestingly the wooded hill in the centre, Hitteril Hill, originally had no tree plantation on the top, so the trees now present there are the result of seed spread.
Final stretch down to the car at the right-hand corner of the forest. A good day out covering 9.5km and 447m of ascent.
Finally, their third Borders trip visited Windlestraw Law, NT 37140 43115, and Whitehope Law, NT 33063 44598, about 7km north of Innerleithen. This time AS, PF & BR were joined by IH who was greatly encouraged by at least two forecasts of blue skies and sunshine…but the weather forgot to read the forecast and it turned gie murky, damp and windy. Pic shows IH, BR & PF at the start of the ascent up the track to Windlestraw Law, see;
IH on the left feels not only offended by the sight of BR’s 1980’s style purple mittens but the lack of sun is the last straw!
Having completed Windlestraw Law they headed SW for 1km then descended to the NW over Bareback Knowe. Pic shows the ever-changing weather looking SW from Bareback Knowe.
Oops, visibility occurred…in the distance centre right lies Whitehope Law and it’s ascent route up the burn centre pic - pic taken from Bareback Knowe.
Traversing the stream at NT 33850 43126, across the road from Glentress, to the western side for the ascent of Whitehope Law.
The ascent from the burn was heavy going through the bracken and heather, akin to treading mattresses at times. Pic shows four damp dudes eager to get back down. Note: the apparent bridge over the burn at NT 34186 43692 on the 1:25,000 map is not suitable for people to cross, but the stream can be easily crossed with a minor leap a few metres upstream. Overall a damp, windy but good day out covering 11.3km and 788m of ascent.
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