Another weekend trip - always too short with Sunday evening and home-time arriving too early. After work on Friday, myself, Moray and Andy headed up to Gameshope bothy a couple of Ks up above Talla Reservoir to get an early start on the St Mary's Loch to Over Phawhope section of the Southern Upland Way. Parking the car at the top of the reservoir we hoofed it up to the bothy in about forty minutes, with another five spent finding the best place to cross the half-frozen river. We arrived to find the bothy empty and the thermometer on the wall sitting at 2 degrees C. There's no stove or fireplace in Gameshope, so we stood little chance of nudging up the thermometer by burning the gas stove. A few tins and a nip of whisky did little to stave off the cold, so we resorted to bouncing around on the cobbled floor to generate heat before climbing into freezing sleeping bags.
Gameshope Bothy
Games Hope Burn, Frozen
The next morning was sunny but still freezing. The river had risen overnight, despite a clear sky all night, and was now flowing fast over the layers of ice, making it even more treacherous to cross. There was talk of a new bridge in the bothy book. Hopefully it will stand up to the torrent better than then old one. Down to the car and over the hill to the cafe at St Mary's Loch for some cake and Irn Bru before jumping onto the SUW behind Tibbie Shiel's Inn.
From Tibbie Shiel's to Over Phawhope is a pretty straightforward, a couple of up-and-overs and a long drag for the last 9 or 10 Ks up Ettrick Water, some of which was in the dark. We found the bothy empty. Last time we were here, we arrived late to find someone in residence and a spade jammed against the inside of the door. It was only after repeated hammering on the door that the guy came through and opened it. Bad form. We got the stove lit and set to dinner but the room only warmed up from 4 degrees to 6, with all the heat escapaing from the big window. I woke early the next morning to find my inflatable sleeping mat was punctured and I was lying on the cold stone floor.
Over Phawhope - Andy sorting out some kindling for the next residents
We took it easy packing up and set up some more chopped wood and kindling before heading off over to Capplegill where we called a Taxi to take us back to up to the car at Tibbie Shiel's. A burger was washed down by a pint and we headed off home.
Moray had a problem with his sleeping bag - the temperature differential between inside and outside.
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