Marhofn 230.13 - May 2011

Baglogs:

Donald Shiach (+24=706)

For the last 13 years most of my new bagging has been helping towards completion of the Grahams, and I managed a further 17 in 2010, leaving only 13 to go. I have now scoped out the next batch of hills, with a view to completing the Grahams this year or, more likely, in 2012.

My next challenge, to be spread over my declining years, is the 1500-2000ft hills of Scotland. I think it is time that there was a name for these but I have not come up with a convincing one yet. One thing that I have noticed whilst annotating the maps is how many of these hills have trig points; well over half, I believe, which indicates how well they line up with bigger hills. The half dozen or so that I have done all have excellent views, often over areas not well seen from other hills. I think this will be a worthwhile project but, of course, most of my hill chums think this is beyond the pale. A couple of highlights in 2010:

• An ascent of Cat Law in Angus from the west was enlivened by a walk below the Craig of Balloch, a mini Dirc Mhor, that I was not expecting. There are many more tracks on these hills than the map suggests but, sadly, that does not include the south ridge of Tarapetmile. But there was an adder waiting for me below Corwharn.
• After much humming and hawing about the best route into Beinn nan Lus, I ended up canoeing in from the head of Loch Etive and camping overnight at Inverghuisachan Point. Kayakers will tell you Loch Etive is barely tidal, but that's not true. They will also tell you that for Loch Etive in a headwind, kayaking is a better option than an open canoe, and that one is true. It is a big brute of a hill from anywhere, but this approach at least reduces the walk-in.



Dirc Mhor (photo: Bert Barnett)