Marhofn 133.07 - May 2005

Baglogs:

Baglog: Vernon Miles (+20=682)

A reasonably quiet year, but part of the reason is that I cannot be bothered with duff weather anymore. It's okay if I get caught out once I've started, but as for starting in wet misty conditions - well, I leave that to the youngsters now.

Best days out:

• A classic long walk over four Galloway Donalds in March, with the main target being Shalloch on Minnoch, followed by a great six-mile cycle ride back to the car.
• Another long March day, in snowy conditions, to pick up Carn Chuinneag and Carn Salachaidh (15B). This involved another long cycle ride, with six miles of uphill slog on the way in, but it was all downhill on the way out.
• Queensberry plus three other Donalds in late June. Lovely rolling lonely hills, and a very pleasant estate worker who stopped for a chat on top of Gana Hill.
• Conic Hill by Loch Lomond in July. What an absolute cracker on a lovely day - and the views!

Worst days:

• Sgurr Mhurlagain itself was enjoyable in November, but my car didn't enjoy the encounter with a red deer stag on the Dalwhinnie - Laggan road; it was an insurance write-off. Put a bit of a dampener on the day to say the least.
• Sail Mhor in March. Cold and snowy, and I fell in the burn on the way up. Most uncomfortable.

Anyway, best of luck to all fellow Hall of Fame members for this year. It has started well for me so far, with an ascent of the biggest mountain in Africa - Kilimanjaro. And what an experience that was.