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Forecast for the May holiday Monday was better in the east so we decided this would be a good day to return to Glen Rinnes to climb Corryhabbie Hill. I have to admit I had hardly noticed it either of the times I was on Ben Rinnes - although looking back at the photos it's there reclining unassumingly on the south east side of Glen Rinnes.
Glen Rinnes
Three of my grandsons climbed Ben Rinnes with me two years ago and when the older two heard there was a hill planned on a day they weren't at school they were keen to come.
The two older grandsons going up Ben Rinnes with Corryhabbie across the glen
Corryhabbie beyond Ben Rinnes tors
That was two years ago. On Monday the boys were back to climb Corryhabbie. We drove to Ellivreid Farm and spoke to the folk there to check we wouldn't be blocking farm vehicles and they said it was fine to leave the car on the grass at the right hand side. We booted up and the boys went over to pay their respects to the cows peering out at us from the barn.
The boys with their previous conquest behind them
The boys and the girls
Immediately opposite the farm is a gate which you go through and follow the rough track in the direction of the pines. The WH instructions said to head for the gap in the pines which briefly had us heading too far west towards the gap between two separate plantations of pine. It didn't feel quite right.... then we realised the gap we were meant to be heading for no longer existed since the pines on the left side of the 'gap' had been felled with only stumps remaining. (The WH directions have now been amended to avoid this confusion.)
Go through this gate and head towards left side of pines (Moira's pic)
Once we had that sorted it was a straightforward walk along a gently rising track through a large field of black faced sheep and lambs.
Looking back to Ben Rinnes
Maw and wean (M's pic)
We stayed on the track until it reached a gate in the fence so we didn't have to climb it as was suggested we should. Once through the gate a muddy path swung left which we followed until it petered out and we struck up the hillside over the heather.
Start of the muddy path (M's pic)
Ben Rinnes again
After a bit of pathless heather yomping we were ready for some fuel intake so found a mossy bank to rest against and I have to say that out of the wind, in the sunshine and with a pleasant view in front we could happily have stayed there all day.
M's pic
Glen Rinnes
Onwards and upwards (M's pic)
It was once the gradient steepened the hares and the tortoises began to show their colours. The hares (the boys) wanted to speed ahead while the tortoises plodded on slowly behind.... and when the gap widened the hares would find a nice spot to sit down and wait for the tortoises to catch up. It was from one of these waiting points the older hare made a video on his phone which they endearingly called "The three old geezers".
As we gained height the path became less wet and soon we caught sight of the stony track on the ridge.
Spot the track leading up to summit plateau
M's pic
Once on the track there was no holding the hares and there didn't appear to be any risk of them falling asleep so the tortoises could overtake and pip them to the finishing post.
The hares got here first
We're over here!
As you will see there is no longer any metal cap on the trig. It may be lying hidden under the pocket of snow piled up in the windbreak but its removal from the top had nothing to do with either hares or tortoises. The only time I've seen it was in a photo with a black panther posing beside it.
The three old geezers of Corryhabbie - taken by the boys
Ben Avon massive
The rest of the Cairngorm block
The circular route sounded attractive but we were unsure about crossing the Corryhabbie burn. With snow melt it might have meant a paddle and we figured the water would be very cold so decided it was safer to return the way we came. On the descent we found a few paths we had missed on the ascent, including one that cut the corner down to the gate from the lambing field. Once back at the car the boys went to say goodbye to the cows and we headed home in the direction of Grantown with the intention of going in there for coffee for us and ice cream for the boys.
But Grantown was a big disappointment with three potential coffee places closed - surprising for a supposedly tourist friendly place on the afternoon of the May holiday! So I took the boys to the Co-op for ice creams and fizzy drinks which they chose very quickly but we then had to wait in a queue for about 10 minutes to pay for them. We delivered the boys home in time for their tea and in the evening they decided they wanted something else to do - and went swimming. So when it comes to boundless energy the hares definitely have it!
