A backpack exploration of the Galloway Hills, in a circuit from Newtown Stewart for public transport. An original plan to begin with a traverse of the Rhinns of Kells was abandoned due to poor weather. Instead a first night camp was made at Drigmorn before crossing to Loch Dee via the Pulnee Burn and the Loop of Laggan. This was made difficult by the wet conditions, poor visibility, high winds, trackless tussocks on the ascent and the sheer weight of the pack. Although it then stopped raining and I had clear skies for the rest of the trip, conditions were dominated by strong, bitterly cold north winds. The next three nights were camped around Loch Enoch, from where I explored the granite peaks of the Dungeon Hills and visited the summit of Merrick. All pathless terrain, the tussocks making progress difficult. I had a scare when I fell in a hole and got both legs wedged! A two day walk out followed the easier going of teh forest rides with further camps at Court Knowe and Drigmorn before catching public transport back to London.
A backpack exploration of the Galloway Hills, in a circuit from Newtown Stewart for public transport. An original plan to begin with a traverse of the Rhinns of Kells was abandoned due to poor weather. Instead a first night camp was made at Drigmorn before crossing to Loch Dee via the Pulnee Burn and the Loop of Laggan. This was made difficult by the wet conditions, poor visibility, high winds, trackless tussocks on the ascent and the sheer weight of the pack. Although it then stopped raining and I had clear skies for the rest of the trip, conditions were dominated by strong, bitterly cold north winds. The next three nights were camped around Loch Enoch, from where I explored the granite peaks of the Dungeon Hills and visited the summit of Merrick. All pathless terrain, the tussocks making progress difficult. I had a scare when I fell in a hole and got both legs wedged! A two day walk out followed the easier going of teh forest rides with further camps at Court Knowe and Drigmorn before catching public transport back to London.
