Hills: Birkscairn Hill, Dun Rig, Glenrath Heights, Stob Law
Date: Friday 28th February 2014
Company: Just myself
Distance: 26.8km, Ascent: 1070m
Time: 7Hrs 10Mins
I set off from home at 4.15 this morning, destination Peebles, for an ascent of Birkscairn Hill, Dun Rig, Glenrath Heights and Stob Law. I felt fairly tired during the drive to Peebles having been out Aurora watching just a few hours previous. The aurora display across the Moray Firth on Thursday evening was outstanding.
Aurora Borealis (taken just outside Banff):
On arrival in Peebles, I set off walking along Glen Sax. The MWIS forecast of 80% cloud-free Munros and sunshine was correct. I enjoyed blue sky and sunshine throughout the day
.Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
Road leading to Haystoun:
Road near Haystoun:
The walk along Glen Sax was really pleasant. The birds seemed to be enjoying the sunshine too, as the air was full of birdsong.
Glen Sax track:
View from Glen Sax track:
Looking towards Dun Rig from Glen Sax track:
After walking circa 6km along the Glen Sax track, I reached Glensax (building). On first seeing the building, I wondered if it was an open bothy. Locked padlocks on the doors confirmed, no.
Glensax:
Looking towards Dun Rig from beyond Glensax:
The burn was fast-flowing today, so I opted to cross it using the wooden structure in the next photo.
My "bridge" over the Glensax burn:
I found the ascent today a bit of a struggle - combination of lack of sleep and an ongoing bad cold. The path marked on the map was mostly non-existent on the ground.
Looking back towards Glen Sax during ascent:
I reached the ridge at a sign advising of walks to Peebles, via an old drove road, and to Yarrow Valley.
Sign at col between Birkscairn Hill and Stake Law:
From the col, the ascent of Birkscairn Hill was very easy. I left my rucksack at the col while quickly bagging this hill.
Ascending Birkscairn Hill:
Large cairn at the summit of Birkscairn Hill:
Descent from Birkscairn Hill towards Stake Law:
Peebles Hydro (zoom):
After collecting my rucksack on the way back, I continued on to ascend Dun Rig, via Stake Law.
Dun Rig from Stake Law:
Between Stake Law and Dun Rig, I had to make my way through an area of peat hags. I visited the trig point and then the summit, which according to the Database of British Hills is 65m South-West of the trig point.
Trig point, 65m from summit of Dun Rig:
A small stake seemed to mark the otherwise featureless summit.
Looking back to trig point from summit of Dun Rig:
The view from Dun Rig towards Broad Law and Hart Fell was pretty-good.
View from Dun Rig:
View from Dun Rig:
From Dun Rig, I made my way across to the 713m hill and then followed the fenceline along this hill until reaching a fence junction, with a fence leading to my next hill, Glenrath Heights.
View from 713m hill:
Heading towards Glenrath Heights:
The ascent of Glenrath Heights was straight-forward.
At the summit of Glenrath Heights:
From Glenrath Heights, I made my way across to Broom Hill and then across to Stob Law.
Stob Law and Broom Hill:
While I didn't mind the descent from Broom Hill towards Stob Law, I wasn't looking forward to having to re-ascend Broom Hill on the way back.
Heading towards Stob Law:
Ascending Stob Law:
Looking back to Broom Hill and Glenrath Heights from summit of Stob Law:
Heading towards Hundleshope Heights:
On returning to Broom Hill, I next made my way along to Hundleshope Heights. The ground between these hills was fairly wet and unpleasant.
At the summit of Hundleshope Heights:
Hundleshope Heights was worth a visit for its good view of Peebles.
Looking towards Peebles from trig point on Hundleshope Heights:
It was originally my intention to descend via Dead Side. However, crossing the wet ground was starting to annoy me so I changed my plan and descended directly back to Glensax to get back onto the good track out to the car.
Descent to Glensax:
Descent to Glensax:
This walk was definitely longer than anticipated. An enjoyable day out though
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