Zack's Ben Rinnes Mountaineering Expedition

After flying past Ben Rinnes numerous times en route from Aberdeen to Inverness and vice versa, it was decided it was high time to launch an ascent on the mountain by foot. Hannah was obliged to carry the baby as part of her strict fitness training regime. I had the more challenging task of acting in a supervisory and navigational capacity and carried auxiliary articles such as elements of the picnic, charts and telecommunications and photographic equipment.

Commencement of the ascent:


View of the carriages:


Summit comes into view:


Ascent continues:


Breathe in:


Appoaching finals:

South to Ben Avon (left) and Beinn a Bhuird (right) in the distance 22 and 24 miles away respectively:

Final push for the summit:

East towards Aberdeen with Tap of the North (sic), Bennachie and The Buck in view:

Zack looks as exhausted as Hannah must feel:


Final approach:

View from the summit of Hannah & Zack approaching the same:

Happy Hannah & Zack at the summit, 2756ft (840m) above sea level:

Zack even happier now that he is out of the wind:

Eating a cheese puff as part of his picnic:


Preparing for descent:

Zack not happy to be retreating from the summit:

North to the Moray Firth. In this direction mountains 60 miles away could be seen:

Conducting negotiations in an attempt to secure a fly-by by the local air ambulance:

South to the Cairngorms:

Continuing the retreat, Tap o'Noth visible on horizon above and to the right of the person featured:

Zack in a state of rest approaching base camp:

Happy Zack back at the truck:

Ben Rinnes (the pointed one) whilst departing the vicinity of the same: