Marhofn 38 - May 1999

1998 Landmarks

• During 1998 the number of members of the Hall of Fame increased from 21 to 36.
• In February Charles Knowles became the fifth person to climb 1000 Marilyns. The champagne celebration was held at the nicely sheltered summit cairn of Cademuir Hill.
• At Easter (in Torridon), Don Smithies became only the seventh person to pass 800 Marilyns. He was accompanied by Gordon Adshead, who reached 800 himself the next day.
• Sometime during the spring Peter Lincoln crashed into the Hall in a hurry, and on 2nd July (on Morrone) completed a continuous round of all the Munros, Corbetts and Grahams (648 Marilyns).
• Apart from Peter Lincoln, the most active new members were Rob Woodall (815) and Bert Barnett (743). Laziest member was Eddie Harwood.
• In May Roderick Manson and Alan Dawson teamed up for a joint 100th Graham - Meall nan Gabhar (Section 1D). The occasion was only slightly marred by one of the pair forgetting his socks and having to wear gloves and bandages on his feet.
• In July Ann and Rowland Bowker jointly climbed their 1500th Marilyn (Meall a'Bhainne, 18B), in the company of several other Hall members. A memorable fine sunny day in the middle of a dreich summer spell.
• Ann and Rowland also became the first people to climb all 39 English SubMarilyns (140-149m drop), finishing on Lundy Island.
• In October Ann Bowker became the leading Marilyn bagger, passing Rowland by reaching the tricky summit of Stac Pollaidh, with a little assistance from her son Martin.
• In November David Smith become the oldest member, being five months more mature than Rowland Bowker. He regards this honour with some ambivalence.
• Roderick Manson managed to clock up 100 Marilyns for the fifth successive year. His 100th was Glas Bheinn (3A), en route from Bridge of Orchy Station to Rannoch Station, and was followed almost immediately by his 600th Scottish Marilyn, Leathad Mor.
• By the end of the year Dorothy Wilson had become only the third woman member. Colin Dodgson became the first person to be awarded posthumous membership.
• Graham Illing is the first new member of 1999 and the 37th to date.