I only climbed 30 new Marilyns last year, although it was nice to briefly return to Scotland after an absence of a couple of years, mainly to help a mate finish off all but his last Munro. I have only 24 left to complete them myself, so I may make a determined effort to do so in the next year or two.
I managed a few day trips to the England / Wales border areas, but it seemed that my car would always choose to break down on a Friday. I have definitely changed my attitudes regarding absolute height. A week in the Lakes in September proved this - out on the hills practically every day, the maximum altitude achieved was 330m. My only other Lakes Marilyn before this trip had been Helvellyn in 1987.
Favourite hill of the year: Holm Fell (34D), climbed late in the day, when it was absolutely quiet. Hard to believe that this was in the middle of the Lakes. Closely followed by Ysgyryd Fawr (32A), a great hill in itself, where I was buzzed by a bright yellow biplane at the summit.
Worst hill: Gun (36). Thick mist all the way from the car, then getting wet paint from the trig over my hands and rucksack.
Funniest moment: My 70-year-old mother's hysterical laughter when I proudly climbed out of the car to scale the towering heights of the embankment on Hegdon Hill (38B). I might take her up Ruardean Hill if I ever revisit that one.
Unfunniest moment: A tie. Either my chain snapping near Loch Pattack, which meant not getting back to Dalwhinnie till gone midnight, or two days later when a pedal broke on the way out to Beinn Dearg and Beinn Bhreac (6A), meaning that I had to leave Beinn Bhreac for another time. I hate that bike.
As for 2006, I hope to get up more Welsh hills this year, as I only managed two last year, sending my Welsh total up to a scary 15, although my English total is only slightly less pathetic at 40. My wife's best friend is moving up to Bolton, so I have been very quick to point out that we can visit often and I will 'go for a few walks' and leave them in peace.
