Above: Looking north with Ben Rinnes left.
Corryhabbie Hill
MunrosNone
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CorbettsCorryhabbie Hill
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GrahamsNone
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BothiesKnochkan (Suie) at NJ2766824182. Braes of Glen Livet. Open Bothy's book: South room has a fireplace and 2 windows, a settee, armchairs and a table. Another room has furnishings and a bed. 2 other rooms: 1 narrow and another with a fireplace.
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Distance Ascent10km 478m
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Estimated Time5h 00min
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NotesThe original plan was from Glenfiddich or Suie (combined with Cook's Cairn).
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3 January 2023
20 years ago, I was very fit and confident about long days on the hill, even in winter. I knew that I had the speed and level of fitness to get out of trouble. I am still in reasonably good shape and can walk long routes but at a slightly slower pace, so the safety margins are reduced. I wanted a hill that I knew I could do comfortably in a short day and still drive some of the miles back home in in the daylight. Is Corryhabbie Hill the most exciting hill I have ever climbed? Well no, but it was beautiful in its winter plumage and simply perfect under the circumstances.
While I am confident on Scotlands mountains in full winter conditions, I am always a little uneasy about driving along winter roads, especially ones I do not know and, following a couple of occasions where I have (temporarily) been stuck in a parking place, I am a bit anxious about finding somewhere suitable to park.
While I am confident on Scotlands mountains in full winter conditions, I am always a little uneasy about driving along winter roads, especially ones I do not know and, following a couple of occasions where I have (temporarily) been stuck in a parking place, I am a bit anxious about finding somewhere suitable to park.
I had considered approaching from Glenfiddich and also via Suit, combining Corry cabbie Hill with Cook's Cairn, but after reading The Rodmeister's report on Walkhighlands, I decided to approach from the north - less driving distance and a more direct, shorter route. I really appreciated The Rodmiester's descriptions regarding parking (though I parked in front of the bins rather than behind to avoid getting stuck. He emotions some plastic over the barbed wire at the top of a fence. I think I took a slightly different line as I encountered a gate at every fence, though on at least one occasion, including the kissing gate, it was tied up with stiff wire. Clearly, we will not have any of that soppy kissing around here!
It struck me regarding to the number of footprints in the snow. I may have only spotted the one hare but I assume that it was not responsible for all of the tracks in the snow.
The snow did get a little bit deeper higher up from ankle deep to knee deep in places but in due course, I made it to the top. The cairn around the trig point was full of snow and did not provide the shelter I had hoped for but set up my tripod for a summit selfie, rank some of my coffee and ate my sandwiches. I made a couple of out and back explorations to obtain better photos including one of Cook's Cairn, as my focus will soon turn to the Grahams/Fionas.
The snow did get a little bit deeper higher up from ankle deep to knee deep in places but in due course, I made it to the top. The cairn around the trig point was full of snow and did not provide the shelter I had hoped for but set up my tripod for a summit selfie, rank some of my coffee and ate my sandwiches. I made a couple of out and back explorations to obtain better photos including one of Cook's Cairn, as my focus will soon turn to the Grahams/Fionas.
I probably remained on the summit for around 30 minutes. It was cold and there was a breeze but it was reasonably comfortable.
On my way down, I saw a group of 5 and waved to them with a walking pole.
I have never understood the appeal of diamonds but I love the sparkle of ice crystals in the sunshine.
On my way down, I saw a group of 5 and waved to them with a walking pole.
I have never understood the appeal of diamonds but I love the sparkle of ice crystals in the sunshine.
After walking up in the shadows, it was nice to descend in the sunshine, though the sun never got very high.
Back at the car, I was struck by the yellow glow of the sun on the trees. Looking towards Ben Rinnes with the modern Glenrinnes distillery, opened in 2019, visible in the middle distance.
