Marhofn 133.07 - May 2005

Cellar Field:

David Rawden, Southampton (309)

Out of the Cellar and into the Corridor at last, with my 300th Marilyn, Cruim Leacainn (4A). Two other landmarks amongst my 47 new Marilyns were my 100th in Wales and my 50th in Scotland. With my nearest unclimbed English one (Winter Hill) about 230 miles away, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to increase my tally, and any chance of entering the Hall of Fame is pretty slim. I'm more likely to be exchanging my walking poles for a zimmer frame. So I think I'll concentrate on completing England (30 to go) and Wales (51 left). Highlights of the year were Stac Pollaidh, the Rhinogs (with a herd of wild goats), Allt yr Esgair (lovely views) and Whitbarrow (ditto). Lowlights were two failures:

• Peel Fell (33) from Carter Bar. Not recommended - not much of a track, hard going, and needing more time than I had anticipated. Must try it from Kielder.
• Myarth (32A). I spoke to a forestry manager type who told me emphatically that it was a 'no-go area'. It seems a most unattractive hill anyway and I wonder if it is worth bothering with. I did drive right round it. Does that count?I was also not very enamoured with Gun, while the dreaded Black Hill (36) in rain and mist was also a non-event, but at least most of the route there and back from Wissenden Head was paved. The acres of black peaty ooze were a revelation, and I'm glad that I didn't have to negotiate them.

AD: Sorry David, but the Corridor of Obscurity starts at 400. Back to the Cellar with you. And no, driving round doesn't count.