This is the fourth edition of Marhofn, the Marilyn Hall of Fame newsletter. A Marilyn is a hill of any height with a drop of 150 metres or more on all sides. In other words, a relatively high hill. There are 1552 Marilyns in Britain, and this newsletter is for people who like to climb them, especially people who have climbed 600 or more, and so are eligible for membership of the Marilyn Hall of Fame. You probably read this last year so I don't know why you're reading it again cause it's just the same. The Marilyns are all listed in a book called The Relative Hills of Britain (RHB) by Alan Dawson, published by Cicerone Press in April 1992. Details of subsequent changes to the list of Marilyns have been published in a series of update sheets, most recently in April 2002. Marhofn is distributed free of charge to Hall of Fame members and anyone else interested, although contributions such as stamps and cheques are welcome. Many thanks to everyone who has already assisted - it is very much appreciated.
A new update sheet for RHB (April 2002) is now available, the first for three years. This summarises recent significant changes to the list of Marilyns. These details are not duplicated in this newsletter, as the update sheet should accompany it. Anyone needing a copy of the update can obtain one from the website or address shown on the back page. All back issues of Marhofn and previous updates are also available online.
This year's Marilyn Hall of Fame get-together will take place over the weekend of 31 May - 2 June, based at Golspie, Sutherland. This is open to all hillwalkers interested in climbing Marilyns, not just those in the Hall of Fame. An evening meal has been arranged for the Saturday evening at the Sutherland Arms Hotel in Golspie, where some of the group will be staying (at a discounted rate of £26 per night), though anyone thinking of coming is free to arrange their own accommodation. The only other arrangements are to meet in the hotel bar on the Friday evening for a drink and chat, and to plan expeditions for the Saturday. For further details please contact Jonathan Woods by email to jonathanwoods@tesco.net or phone 01324 832700.
On 30 July 2001 Ann Bowker climbed to the top of Cairn Galtar on the island of Sandray in the Western Isles, her 1545th Marilyn. She reckons it's unlikely she'll manage the other seven, although Mullach Buidhe in the Shiant Islands and Conachair on Hirta are feasible.
Ann Bowker (right) enjoys the spacious rocky summit of Sandray, in the company of Rob Woodall, Eddie Harwood, Chris Watson, Dave Butterfield and Lynda Woods.
2001 odysseys and oddities: reviews of a difficult year
A new Welsh Marilyn? Mark Trengove goes col hunting
Barra room tales: Chris Watson finds 24D almost like home
Emerging from Obscurity: New members find Corridor exit
Hall of Fame table: data for all 84 members. Wow!
Surprises and capsizes: Pete Sellers on land and loch
Rotterdam: a rung on Alan Castle's ladder to the stars
Another headcase with another haul: Peter Wilson in Ireland
Lewis, Mull, Wales, shame and shites, gems and stratagems...
