This Is The New Year

And what's New Year's Day for if not a walk up the nearest Ben.

So to Bennachie we went - and in fact we've not been up since we went with Jona last Christmas holidays.  This time, however, we climbed from the Back 'o Bennachie car park, knowing that going from the Centre itself would be, in the words of iChum, "as busy as Sauchihall Street on a Saturday afternoon".

And actually, I think we all enjoyed this side of the hill a wee bit better...

Not that we originally had any intention of actually climbing the hill.  With two pregnant ladies in our midst we'd agreed on just an afternoon stroll through the woods, but that was so enjoyable we decided to go as far as the tree-line. Then, despite the treacherous ice underfoot and some indecision, we chose to carry on till we could see the top (and there really were plenty other people walking up and down the path, including babies on backs, and even one on a shoulder - which was crazy!).  So up the hill we headed, until the treacherous ice underfoot and the continued indecision just got silly. 

At this point the most heavily pregger and youngest turned back with a helping hand from Tio Freddow, swiftly followed by the other pregger and Oma, whilst the rest of us brave [read: slightly crazy] ones carried on...  Actually, the kids didn't seem to have much of a problem with the ice - guess it's a lower sense of gravity, or less care for the consequences of falling maybe.

The Summit!!  Of Little Oxen Craig at least. 
The actual Oxen Craig was up higher still.

Andrew Fordyce opened a lintel quarry here at Little Oxen Craig in the mid 1800s.  It operated for about 40 years till 1891.  The quarry stopped working overnight, however, when a serious build up of water burst and washed away the tracks leading up to the rockface.  With no transport routes, the quarry was immediately unable to function.

Mither Tap (our usual climb) just to the left of the Don
with Oxen Craig out the picture to the right

The three peaks of Benanchie (L-R) Craigshannoch, Mither Tap in the distance
and Oxen Craig (and Little Oxen Craig behind Jelo which was as far as we got)

I've always wanted to climb these three peaks of Bennachie actually, but right enough winter is probably not the right time of year to try it.

The three amigos

Anyway, having bravely cared for his wife and children back down to the tree (and therefore no ice) line, Tio Freddow came back up the hill to meet us.  With Jelo, Tio Freddow, the Don and I arming ourselves with a child (or two) each, we slipped and slidded our way back down the hill - choosing to cut right across the heather at one point which we deemed far safer than dealing with the sheet ice.

So was it worth it?  Or slightly crazy to keep going?  I dunno, but it's always satisfying, especially when recounted over a cream topped hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire.