Peak Bagging and Long Distance Walking in the UK and Spain: Whitehope & Windlestraw Laws

Walk Summary

The first and as it will turn out the only time we will venture above 2000' during this weeks trip with Simon, Marilyn bagging in Area 28 south of Edinburgh.

Simon is just a blur vaulting across Glentress Burn

The plan was to park near Blackhopebyre and after going up Windlestraw Law and it's nearby SW Top to then pick off the nearby Whitehope Law on the other side of the road with a short up and downer.
With Windlestraw Law being the main Marilyn above 2000' and hence a Graham, as well as a Donald it occurred to me on the journey to the start point we might not feel like doing the second part of the walk. Easily sorted do it first - that way there will be no chance that what although not a Marilyn, with it's higher than 2000' height and 66m prominence makes it a Donald, New Donald, Graham Top and of course a Simm, we would be leaving it unclimbed.

Following a late start to avoid bad weather forecast in the morning, which did not really materialise, parked in the layby on B709 north of Hillside Know just south of planned start point at Blackhopebyre. The route up Whitehope Law started with a mildly exciting vault across Glentress Water, followed by steep ascent up SE slope, concluded by a long trudge across heather to summit marked by small cairn near bend in fence.

Don't be seduced right up any stalker's paths.
Stay on muddy shooters track
all the way to fence and Windlestraw Law summit

Descended by following fence NE and turning right at first fence junction down Kitty's Clench Burn. From return to Blackhopebyre we took the shooters track up Glentress Rig which actually goes all the way Windlestraw summit. We were actually seduced on to what looked a more direct route down a gamekeepers path which left us in the middle of heather and a trudge back to the track adjacent a fence we should have stayed on in the first place. Very windy on the top with summit being SW of fence junction and SW of trig pillar beyond fence junction.
Straight forward navigation in to a strong wind following fence to the SW Top. Rather than return along ascent route took direct route off Bareback Knowe [Windlestraw Law SW Top] heading downhill and NW. By now it was turning dark but apart from continuing to head down we were given the occasional clue we were heading in the right direction by cars passing below behind Hillside Knowe.
So having started with a mildly exciting vault across Glentress Water ended with a hint of jeopardy descending in the dark. Not really to the experienced hill-bagger, but all part of what is banked over time building up to allow you to deal with anything unexpected. Ably coped with by Simon on what is his first week peak bagging and more pertinently his 4^th consecutive days walking, knees aching a bit but other than that coping admirably.

Walk Statistics

Walk Date - 24 February 2017
Walkers - Steve Smith
Accommodation - Edinburgh Caravan Club Site, Edinburgh,
Start Point - Walker's car park near Shepherds Cottage (NT 11958 37441)
Start Time - 11:07
Finish Point - Walker's car park near Shepherds Cottage (NT 11958 37441)
Finish Time- 18:04
Total Duration - 6hrs 57mins
Overall Average pace - 1.45mph
Total Distance Walked - 10.07 miles
Total Height Ascended - 1070.21metres

Peaks visited
Munro (282)
NONE
Simm (2190S - 2533E,W &S)
Whitehope Law (88S - 420E,W&S)
Windlestraw Law (89S - 421E,W&S)
Munro Top (227)
NONE
Murdo (443)
NONE
Corbett (221)
NONE
Corbett Top of Munro (???)
NONE
Corbett Top of Corbett (???)
NONE
Graham (219)
Windlestraw Law (5)
Graham Top (777)
Whitehope Law (13)
Graham Top of Munro (???)
NONE
Graham Top of Corbett (???)
NONE
Graham Top of Graham (???)
Whitehope Law (6)
Donald (89)
Whitehope Law (13)
Windlestraw Law (14)
Donald Top (51)
Bareback Knowe [Windlestraw Law SW Top] (8)
New Donald (118)
Whitehope Law (17)
Windlestraw Law (18)
Marilyn (1218S - 1556E,W&S))
Windlestraw Law (80S - 322E,W&S)
Hump (2168S - 2976E,W&S)
Windlestraw Law (95S - 412E,W&S)
Donald Dewey (248)
NONE

Historic County Tops (49E - 93E,W&S)
NONE
S: Scotland.
E,W&S:England,Wales & Scotland

Other walks on this trip
2017
February
17^th North Berwick Law
18^th Scald Law & Black Hill
19^th Mendick Hill, Black Mount & Broomy Law
20^th Whitehope and the Windlestraw Laws
21^st East Cairn Hill
22^nd Wether Law & Allermuir Hill

23^rd Broughton Marilyns

Route