Haha, intrepid adventurer that I am. Given that most of the snow had melted overnight, and not to be perturbed by the dark clouds looming (see picture), we decided after lunch today, that we may as well attempt the trek up Ben Aigen. I think it's 471 metres or so, but the ascent itself isn't a problem, because it's very gradual. So gradual in fact, that it's about an hour's walk from the car park to the top, and that's including a short-cut through a very boggy fire-break.
The hill you can see in the picture is Ben Rinnes (from the top of Ben Aigen) which I'm itching to try and ascend. It is considerably higher than anything I've ever attempted though, at 842 metres (which makes it a corbett). I'm told by experienced hill-walkers however, that going up Ben Rinnes at this time of year would be pure madness, and I well believe they're right. However, the view from the summit must be phenomenal.
We've sort of got into a routine of climbing hills on a Sunday, with the Bin Hill 2 weeks ago, the Knock Hill last week, and Ben Aigen this week. Each one successively higher. Yes, I know they're not mountains, but it is Winter and my daughter in particular is highly averse to mud and dirt. She was very concerned about the state of her new jeans, which she had misguidedly worn for the event. The worst aspect of hill-walking at this time of year appears to be the run-off, by which I mean the torrents of water pouring down the hillside from rain and melting snow. A decent pair of water-tight boots is essential. I don't have a decent pair of boots, and can unfortunately confirm this as fact!
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