It was rather a modest year for Marilyn bagging in 2010. In fact, you could say that I fell short, as an April trip to Scotland did not get off the ground due to a bout of diarrhoea the day before in Wasdale. I had to stop at every service station on a 200-mile journey home and hope that there were no queues on the M6. I can also point to a curtailed trip on Mull when my walking partner became ill, or even a cataract operation in November which put me out of action for the rest of the year. But, if truth be known, there were plenty of other months in the year and a fair amount of slovenly activity.
There was a bit of cramponing on Cam Chreag in February but the nicest day turned out to be on the unlikely Beinn Donachain (3C). As we ascended in the murk, my walking partner described the mountain as being 'of absolutely no merit'. Shortly afterwards, when the mist broke and we were stood on a snowy plateau in broken sunshine, the mood changed. The Brocken spectre on the descent made the day.
My best trip of the year was to Kerry, where Macgillycuddy's Reeks and other hills were climbed in fine weather.
An October trip based in Crieff was most productive, and several small hills were collected in the borders en route. Mor Bheinn was nice but, on Uamh Bheag, even the banknotes in my wallet were sodden after a very wet day. There was plenty of evidence of ordnance on Ben Clach but the day improved as I made my first, long overdue ascent of Ben Cleuch.
