News for 2010
Walks in the Loch Lomond Area 20th February 2010
Saturday 20th February dawned very cold, with a clear blue sky and no wind. The weather forecast for the day was encouraging and all things considered it was emerging that this promised to be the best walking day for quite some period of time. The Club headed up Loch Lomondside to Tarbet and it was from there that both High Levellers and Low Levellers started their respective walks. The target for the High Group was to reach the summit of Tullich Hill, 632m and then descend down into Glen Douglas and thus on to the finish at Inverbeg. The aim for the Low Group was to walk around Tullich Hill, drop down into Glen Douglas and also finish at Inverbeg. The big bonus for all on this occasion was the weather and the part it played in contributing to what can only be described as absolutely stunning views of snow clad peaks out across the complete flat calm of Loch Long. This was Scotland at its best with the iconic Cobbler lined up with Beinn Narnain and A'Chrois and all dressed in their splendid winter coating of white. To compound this image there was the reverse reflection mirrored in the flat calm surface of the loch. A memorable view indeed and one which would be held in minds and cameras for a long time to come and by both groups as it was not necessary to climb to the highest point to enjoy the scenery. The route followed by the Low Group as they progressed permitted views on to Ardgartan and down Loch Long towards Loch Goil. It was quite a stiff climb to the top of Tullich Hill for the High Group despite the fact that it is only about two-thirds the height of a Munro. The summit was brilliantly clear and conditions were good enough to have a drum-up whilst drinking in the views of Loch Long and Loch Lomond. It was a source of much comment to reflect that the views on this outing were so much better than many experienced during the misty, damp days of Summer 2009. From the summit of Tullich Hill it was a simple descent down into Glen Douglas and thus down to Inverbeg, the social hour and the waiting bus. The distance walked by each group was in the order of 15 kms. and all considered it a pleasure on such a beautiful day.
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Walks in the Kippen Area 6th February 2010
Both groups dropped off in a side street in the village and struck off to the south east. The plan was for both groups to walk up to the "Spout" but by different routes. The Low Leveller's route took them round by Gribleash House and Wrightpark and thus to Ballochleam Farm from the south west whilst the High Levellers walked by Dasher Farm and Auldhall and approached Ballochleam Farm from the north east. From the farm both groups walked the same route, climbing steadily up to the "Spout"which is located at just about 300m. The views out over Flanders Moss and the Lake of Menteith to the north west were a little limited on this occasion due to the mist but never the less most members considered the climb worth the effort. The High Level group continued on from the "Spout" up to the top of Lees Hill which, at 411m is the highest point in this immediate area. Regrettably the mist on Lees Hill was even thicker and views non-existent so the group wasted no time in descending down to The "Spout" again and joining their Low Level colleagues in a drum-up. It has to be recorded that on this day the waterfall was not exactly "spouting" but members reflected that this has a positive side in that it indicated there had been very little rain during the previous few days. The descent back down to Kippen was fairly straightforward for both groups by their respective routes and after a quick change at the bus a social hour in Kippen was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
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Walks in the Sanquhar Area 23rd January 2010
The outing on Saturday 23 January was the second of the new year and what a relief it was to go out in mild, dry, windless conditions with even a hint of blue sky to help things along. The venue for this day was a place called Spango Bridge located on the B740 road between the village of Crawford John and Sanquhar. The Low Levellers were dropped off first very close to the actual Spango Bridge which carries the B740 over Spango Water. Their route led them south into the forest, by Clackleith Farm and eventually connected them with a section of The Southern Upland Way. It is soft rolling country-side in this part of Scotland and very pleasent it looked on this outing with patches of sunlight gracing the hillsides interspersed with areas of snow. In fact the members were required to walk on hard frozen snow for short periods as they made progress along their route. Lunch was enjoyed in bright sunshine at a place known as Cogshead where there is evidence of habitation which stimulated conversation on the remote, lonely existence the dwellers must have experienced. It was fairly easy walking on this outing, mostly along forest track and an excellent opportunity to "break in" bodies which had been subjected to much Christmas fare and lack of exercise during the festive season. The finish was reached at Nether Cog and it seemed fairly evident that the walkers thoroughly enjoyed their 12 km. hike in conditions which can only be described as excellent for the time of year.
The High Levellers were dropped off a little further south on the A740 and followed their route in from Nether Cog up to the top of a hill called Wedder Dod from where they enjoyed a quite splendid view out over the Lowther Hills patched with brilliant white spots of snow contrasting with the brown winter undergrowth. Ground conditions were very reasonable for walking and the sunshine was a very definate bonus. This group also walked part of their outing on the Southern Upland Way but eventually veered off this up to the top of Conrig Hill 485m and their highest point of the day. The rest was easy, down hill across broad grassy slopes, around or across large patches of snow and on to the finish at Nether Cog to join forces with their Low Level friends thus completing a 12 km. circular.
The social hour was held in The Shawlands Park near Larkhall and much appreciated it was by all. A splendid day out in soft mild conditions and lots of healthy exercise for the members. For more information about the Club check out the web site at www.ololhikingclub.co.uk or e-mail ololhikingclub@yahoo.co.uk or call Elizabeth on 01355 220601
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Walks in the Monteith Hills 9th January 2010
Saturday 09 January was the first outing of the New Year for the Club and a little adjustment to the plans was required in view of the extreme weather conditions being experienced in recent weeks. The original intent was to walk from Callander to Aberfoyle taking a route along by Loch Venachar, then south west by The Menteith Hills, up and over Creag Dhubh and finally into Aberfoyle. In view of the heavy snow covering on top of ice a decision was made to stay off the hills and keep the whole outing as safe as possible whilst being compatible with providing an interesting walk. The weather had warmed up considerably on Saturday morning and the temperature was an almost comfortable minus 3 degrees, the sky was grey and light snow was falling. All thoughts of taking the bus into any minor roads were abandoned and all walkers joined forces to form a Club Walk starting from the car park in Callander. It very quickly emerged that the "casual" little walk along the minor road to Loch Venachar was going to be anything but easy. At first glance it presented an attractive picture of new fresh snow on the road surface with tree branches, heavily coated, framing the view ahead. A dose of realism was quickly injected when walkers started to skid about, clutch on to each other and shout warnings. Underneath the snow was a layer of highly polished ice. Quick adjustments were made, walking was confined to verges and gradually order was restored.
The revised route led up into the forest at East Lodge and it was a considerable relief to get on to this forest track as it had been little used in recent days and therefore presented a fresh, soft surface to walk on. There is a small loch with no name in the forest below Meall nan Gobhar and when the group reached this point a most picturesque scene emerged with the frozen loch surrounded by heavy, snow covered boughs, topped by a clear blue sky and the sun sparkling the snow crystals. The stresses and strains of the difficult walk along by Loch Venachar quickly evaporated. From this location the route led the group on to a single file walking track through forest and across a short section of open hillside. It was quite an exhilarating experience in bright sunny conditions making tracks through pristine snow, being very therapeutic. Apart from the occasional slide and "bump" landing by some members the group made a safe and excitedly noisy traverse of the section below the Menteith Hills to eventually emerge from the forest at the outdoor centre on the outskirts of Aberfoyle. A social hour in Aberfoyle followed and it was very apparent from the glowing faces and high spirits on the bus back to East Kilbride that the winter gloom had been well and truely lifted, at least for this particular day.
OLOL Hiking Club wishes to extend thanks to South Lanarkshire Council for their most welcome grant for older members of the Club towards a social occasion just prior to Christmas.