It was in January 2002, while commiserating with my brother Chris after another early cup exit for Bradford City (this time at Walsall), that he introduced me to the Marilyns. I duly had a look at the RHB website and promptly downloaded Chris Crocker's excellent hills database. I was hooked.
I deduced that my first Marilyn was Great Whernside in 1961, aged 14. I was somewhat downcast to find that by the time I got married in 1968, despite being a veteran of the Yorkshire three peaks, several visits to the Lakes, a Lyke Wake walk crossing and a Scottish trip which included Ben Nevis and the main peaks of the Cairngorms and Glen Coe, I had ascended only 58 Marilyns, of which 24 were repeats.
My hillwalking career then went on hold for almost 35 years, during which I inadvertently climbed a further 13 Marilyns, including three repeats. My tally of 44 out of 1551 was not encouraging, but undaunted I rushed off to Ilkley Moor the following week. Next, I popped up The Wolds on a footballing trip to Grimsby. I was on my way.
Since then I've averaged 25 a year, and should reach the Hall of Fame when I'm 78. Unlike big brother Chris (he's 30 minutes older than me) and nephew Ian, who are both nearing the end of the Corridor, I'm concentrating on more manageable objectives. In 2005 I completed my local regions 35B, 36 and 37. In 2006 I hope to finish at least three of the four Lakes regions and to make headway in the northern Pennines. A planned completion of the Pennine Way, 40 years on, should help me there.
In the absence of any nearby unclimbed Marilyns, I'm also an enthusiast for Hewitts, Nuttalls, Deweys, Phillips and, to a lesser extent, Clem Yeamans (see page 38). On Christmas Eve, accompanied by my wife, I completed the region 36 Deweys on Black Edge near Buxton, and celebrated afterwards with a pleasant drink in the Beehive in Combs. I may never reach the Hall of Fame, but that revelation four years ago has kick-started my hillwalking ambitions, and has given me some memorable moments, including a circuit of Ben Alder, a round of the Snowdon horseshoe, Tryfan north ridge, and trig cricket on Lendrick Hill. Long may it continue.
Tony Watson (right) with friends on Tryfan summit
