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Corryhabbie Hill - Late Autumn 2012
Many often refer to Ben Chonzie as the most boring hill of them all. In fact in one of my guide books it is quoted as saying “the dullest Munro in the land” when referring to Chonzie. Now I have never found Ben Chonzie dull, in fact every time I have been up it I have had a great day. I have always been under the impression that no hills are dull – that was … well…. until – erm I came to Corryhabbie Hill… Now before I go and upset too many folks who may have fond memories of Corryhabbie I am counting many factors into this being my dullest most boring hill ever!! (Please note this is also being written a little tongue in cheek). Not only was the hill a little dull, but the weather was foul and my mood fouler still
. Anyway have a read of the below and have a look at the video reports and see if you think if this is the dullest hill in Scotland!!! I have also added my video report of the last visit to Chonzie to see the comparison if you like – the big battle – Corryhabbie vs. Chonzie – who wins – you decide!!!!!!!!!:
CH VR:
Report - Having been up Ben Rinnes earlier in the year, I thought I would complete the Glen Rinnes hills and head on a short hike up Corryhabbie Hill. Before anyone gets too offended I was not in the best of moods when doing this hill and as you’ll see the conditions did not help.
Forecast was good and on drive up, things were looking promising. Heading past Aviemore and the tops of the Cairngorms were white. Fantastic, I’ll get great views of the snow-capped Cairngorms when I get to the top of the hill
I parked at the junction of the roads next to the wheelie bins and cut across the field to get to the gap in the trees and then followed the path round the hillside.
However not too sure where and how I managed to go wrong but before heading on to the open hillside and up the heathery slopes I managed to lose the path and found myself trudging up a pathless hillside with deep soft moss and lots of ruts!! Did not improve my mood or indeed my feelings for this hill!!!
By the time I rediscovered the path the weather had conspired to change and driving sleet now accompanied me on my short trip toward the summit. As I got a little higher it turned more to snow. Forecast did mention a risk of showers so I thought that this shower would pass by the time I got to the top – WRONG – it snow, sleeted and rained until I got back in car (in fact even by time I got home!!). So no views that I was hoping for
Anyway reached the “stony track” and then it was a short distance to the summit cairn and trig. I was actually thinking the “interesting trig” with a metal cap would brighten my mood, as it would offer something different to the trip, but on arriving there the trig was naked – no cap – how disappointing – just a normal trig point
So who has taken its hat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????
So to the highlight of the day – my chicken sandwich – brilliant (sarcasm!!).
Do I continue the circuit and make a horse shoe – NO – Straight back down the way I came. To top it off my elbow was starting to ache badly and I had left the pain killers in car!! Arrghhhhhhhhhhhh……….
So a number of factors conspired to make this a rather disappointing hill for me on this particular day.
I remember reading somewhere that Ben Chonzie could lay claim to being the dullest hill in the land?? Well I think compared to Corryhabbie, Chonzie is a delight and full of excitement!! Ha
What do you think what is your dullest hill???
P.S. Please don’t take offence I am aware that this wee hill would provide a cracking short day out may be in different conditions and if the mood was different!!
Chonzie wins hads down in my eyse - VR:
- this photo sums it up !! what a picture!!
- best thing about the walk (apart from sandwich)- a tree
