After a slightly below par performance in 2006, drastic action was required for 2007. So, after 16 years I resigned from my office job in west Yorkshire. In April I started a job at SYHA Crianlarich for the summer. With Marilyns galore suddenly on my doorstep, the opportunities to advance the tally were endless. The year had started by bagging Bishop Wilton Wold, so the walks could only get more strenuous. After moving to Scotland the weather for the first month was fantastic, which meant that bagging was off to a flyer. A real highlight was Ben Starav, which I remember looking at years ago on my first trip to Scotland, thinking what a great beast of a mountain it was.
At the lower end of the scale Cruach Tairbeirt was wonderful, and it was great to meet so many other baggers as they stayed at the hostel. A traverse of the Aonach Eagach rounded off the Crianlarich era, before a move to Oban for October. The lower hills around Scammadale provided short walks which could be organised around work, often with great views towards Mull.
The year ended with a viewless Gummer's How prior to a new year camp in Langdale. So with good progress on Munros, Corbetts, Grahams and Donalds, I was able to boost my Marilyn tally by 153. I hope to see some fellow baggers at Torridon SYHA where I will be working for the 2008 season.
