Hill: Morrone
Date: Wednesday 31st December 2014
Company: Just myself
Distance: 6.7km, Ascent: 480m
Time: 2Hrs
An easy walk today en-route to spending the Hogmanay weekend at Muir Cottage with the Moray Mountaineering Club.
The weather forecast was not good. 80mph gusts were forecast.
I parked in the car park next to the Duck Pond. From the car park, I followed the path heading towards Morrone.
Morrone from Duck Pond:
On reaching the marker post, I took the track heading uphill leading to Morrone. From then on it was just a case of stick to the track.
1.5 miles to Morrone summit from marker post:
Views were somewhat lacking today with the exception of looking down to Braemar.
Looking back to Braemar:
Looking back to Braemar:
During the initial few hundred metres ascent there wasn't a breath of wind. Was the forecast wrong?
Ascending Morrone:
On gaining a bit more height the wind strength increased dramatically. I don't think there were 80mph gusts but the average windspeed must have been 30-40mph. While the wind was not too bad the wind chill was intense. It felt
very cold.
Morrone summit:
I didn't hang around at the summit. After visiting the cairn and trig and having a walk round the buildings, I set off back down the hill via the same route.
Plaque on wall of building at summit:
A few hundred metres from the duck pond, I passed a toposcope that I have not seen previously.
Deeside Field Club toposcope:
Good to see ducks on the duck pond
.
Mallards on the Duck Pond:
Good to finish off 2014 with a walk albeit the weather could have been better.