Hill of Stake 11 June Parts 1 and 2

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert, Rex

Part 1

The access road to the Visitors Centre at Muirshiel still retains enough potholes to trouble a tank, maybe that’s why Rex brought his wife’s car today – the saga of the collapsing springs still haunts him – so it was with some caution that we arrived for the 10 o’clock start. The weather was fine with the prospect of a good sunny day ahead as we made our way towards the remains of the byrites mine and its welcoming container for our coffee stop. The talk was of Davie’s sore knee, with one helpful comment stating it was because it was too close to the ground, and of Rex’s birthday card from Judith – RESPECT!

Tin Can Alley

The pace, as usual, had been brisk and, with Allan making a comeback after a number of weeks, deciding that he would not tempt fate over the open boggy ground towards the hill and declaring that he would go back down to the visitors centre, Malcolm and Johnny, his minders, decided to join him, leaving the others to progress towards the Hill of Stake and Misty Law. At least they were well equipped with both Paul and Rex having their GPS equipment with them, although a lower tech Holly might have been more useful.


Part 2
The intrepid five headed off up the cleuch and onto Queenside Muir.  It was wet underfoot and we each made our own way over the bog meeting up, sort of, at the fence leading to the summit of Hill of Stake.  Celebrations were rather more muted than on the previous occasion we had been here when we finally conquered the highest peak in ... Renfrewshire.

After a brief discussion we decided to stay high and headed in the direction of Misty Law.  Lunch was taken on the sunny and sheltered north slope of East Girth Hill and after a trek through more bog we were soon at the top of Misty Law.

We descended towards the Raith Burn, but crossed somewhat lower than the map and GPS advised.  The crossing of the burn itself was straightforward but the terrain on the far side was less than ideal.  Paul and Davie chose to head straight up the steep slope to easier ground whilst the other three followed the burn.  We all met up for a fleeting moment before the next split - Robert heading off to the shoogly bridge over the River Calder, whilst Gus and Rex decided the Calder close to the Muirshiel Centre was fordable.  Paul and Davie chose to keep their feet dry and headed for the shoogly bridge too, although should its shoogliness have proved too much, they would have continued to the modern bridge 200 metres upstream. The shoogly bridge proved not too shoogly at all whilst those who chose to ford the river did so relatively dry-footed.

There's more than one way to ascend and descend a hill!

Remember to keep together boys!

Out on his own

The team met up again about 2.30p.m. when the famous five, wet footed, arrived back at base camp. 

FRT was taken at the Corner Bar where a very convivial time was spent.