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Weather/Conditions: Fairly
saturated ground due to persistent rainfall earlier in the day. On the
ascent, we had clear skies with some light cloud but the sun had already
dipped behind clouds at the horizon, so no sun. We stayed at the summit where a light (and very cold)
wind blew until we left and descended in the growing darkness with light
cloud overhead.
Distance/Ascent/Time: 3km /
400m
/ 2h 05m
Accompanying: Steve |
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Earlier in the
day, Steve (brother) and I had been rock climbing together, and although
we'd toyed with the idea of spending the evening in the Campsies, we
dismissed that plan, and decided to go off an do our own things. But
Steve rolled in the door around 8pm and my first reaction was to ask
"Campsies?". It was getting late, I figured we only had an hour of light
left, so I grabbed my gear and we shot out of the house, driving off to
Strathblane. Fun times...
I hadn't taken everything though: I had my camera, (I always have
my camera) two fleeces, gloves, a survival bag and a torch. I had no
idea what we could climb before the light disappeared but I ran it past
Steve and we decided to go to the Glengoyne Distillery and find a route
up from there. Prior to this walk I'd never taken this route or been on
this side of the hill, so we were taking our chances a little.
We left the distillery at 8.50pm, and it took no time at all to find the start.
But from the lay-by opposite the distillery, we walked along the road in
the direction of Glasgow and the first field was the way up. Stiles took
us over the fences and a rough path could be made out all the way up. To
our backs, the sunset was fading.
We climbed for 40 minutes, arriving at the top at 9.30pm. it had been
slightly steeper on the way up, but there had been ample light. There
was nobody else on Dumgoyne at this time and it was very silent, very
peaceful. Nice to be able to share the moment. We sat and talked for the
next 45 minutes, freezing ourselves to death (although the survival bag
came in handy) but watching the sky grow darker and the stars coming
out. We left as the light had almost disappeared and descended by
torchlight. It was exhilarating, and enjoyable for it was my first time
being on the hills in such darkness. I reckon on a calm night it would
be easy to camp up on the hills, but that's something else to consider for
the summer.
We arrived back at the car at 10.55pm, and headed off home. We had had
plenty of opportunities to go over on ankles I guess, but everything had
gone smoothly, even for a walk that had been born out of a moment of
madness...
Written: 2009-05-09 |
