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Daughter phoned proposing we met up for a hill walk "somewhere between hers and ours". Great idea, suggested places in the Caringorms and Grantown area.
Yes she says but something nearer me, I'm busy that day
Ok, Ben Rinnes has been on the "list of hills to do when visiting daughter" for a while so why not today? Good choice really because the east seemed to be the only area not afflicted by rain and wind
We met at the car park at 10:15 on a Friday morning, to find that it was filling up rapidly. Our joint forces were three humans and four spaniels - obvious who was going to be in charge then
Chatted to other walkers; one of the spaniels was put in his place by a large black lab who could see no reason why he should be expected to put up with four of the pushy little blighters.
(He had my sympathy
)
What can I say about Ben Rinnes? It's a straight forward walk up a hill with interesting tors at the top, oh and its a big favourite with lots of people - the hill just got busier and busier. When we set off it didn't look that challenging, but I soon found myself huffing and puffing like a broken down steam engine; why?
Daughter claims I always huff n puff - moi??
Roger had romped off into the distance so was I trying to walk too quickly - moi??
My theory is that it was the effect of the wind
but I am tempted by the idea of starting my own hill grading system - the Huff_n_Puff Factor
Daughter with horizontal hair
From here the old eroded path and the newer zig zag path are very clear. On the way down I chatted to someone who lives locally who told me that the new path has made a big difference to the Ptarmigan population as it makes it easier for people to keep on a good walking surface instead of wandering over the hillside and standing on eggs or chicks
The tors outlined against the sky are one of Ben Rinnes' most dramatic features
Huffed and puffed my way up to the top - huffing got worse as the wind increased - wind increased as we got closer to the top
One of the reasons I've wanted to come up Ben Rinnes is because of its reputation as a viewpoint, I can see it from the top of the South Sutor on the Black Isle and I wanted the reverse view, and yes even on a hazy day I can make out the South Sutor and Nigg in the distance, and the hills of Easter Ross on the horizon
Windfarm further east
Looking towards the Caringorms, which are being enveloped in bad weather
Family at the top
On the way up Roger had caught up with another walker who was recovering from an illness and this was his first trip out on Ben Rinnes since the illness - he used to walk up the hill in and hour but today it had taken him about 1hr 15 mins, he's clearly on the way to recovery
. There were quite a few people at the top and a fair bit of banter, especially about Danny McAskill's Inn Pin feat.
Even after the banter and the photos its was still only 12 noon, a bit too early to eat, so we set off down. Lots of other people were heading up the hill, so we stopped and chatted for a while. Daughter and I had a good blether and Roger steamed off into the distance again. Before we knew where we were we were back at the car park, which by now was overflowing, and it was still only 1pm - ahhh lunch time!
I think we were all surprised to have done the walk so quickly, I wasn't taking so many photos which probably helped, as was walking along chatting to someone. I would like to come back on a crystal clear winter day, when I think this would be a stunning walk.
