An erratic year of hillwalking with 43 new summits over two thousand feet and 100 new Marilyns. A pleasing three-figure end-of-year total and steady progress with Donalds, Grahams, Corbetts and Munros. Plenty of adventures too, including a September walking holiday to the Polish Tatra.
A spring backpacking trip to the Graham, An Cruachan, delivered clear skies for fantastic views of Loch Monar, and there was more tented action in June whilst visiting Monadh Mor and Beinn Bhrotain in the Cairngorms. Wet weather in the west took me east again in August; this time for Ben Avon and a high camp at The Sneck. A great through route from Tomintoul to Braemar including the delightful Munro top of Stob an t-Sluichd. Trips north yielded, amongst others, Beinn Leoid and Ben Klibreck, whilst trips to Fife and further south to the Borders helped push the total along.
The year's highlight was the post-Portree dinner visit to Harris and Lewis. A cheeky trip to Seaforth Island set the scene for a week-long spell of productive bagging, cracking banter and thrift. Walking in Pairc with Jim Bloomer and Iain Brown combined good company with an inspirational wilderness. Thanks to Michael and Peter who organised the boat trips.
Sadly, I never found time to get back up Hill of the Wangie so have no real reason to mention it this year - but have done so anyway. To end on a positive note, Auchtertyre Hill was a wee gem, enjoyed as the sun set on the Sisters, but the Western Isles will linger longer in the memory. Another year at Torridon Youth Hostel in 2012, so I hope to see some of you there sometime.
