An average bagging year despite the poor weather conditions. This year's total comprised 16 Corbetts, 48 Grahams, 34 other Scottish Marilyns and a few English and Welsh Marilyns. The best walking days were on Snowdon, Beinn Lair, and Ben Aden. Our waterproofs were tested on many occasions and they failed on most. We had intended visiting the picturesque Scottish islands of Jura, Rum and Harris to complete our first round of the Corbetts, but potential weather windows never materialised.
We very rarely see a soul on our winter hill walks but, last February on Binnein Shios, we got chatting to a walker who we found out was an Upper Hall member, Iain from Wales, who was really fit and doing some serious bagging.
In July we finally managed to reach the 600 Marilyn mark on Foinaven, a very enjoyable day, finished by celebrating with a meal and drink or three in the Ferryboat Inn, Ullapool.
I have been wandering about the Scottish hills for over 30 years and had have never had one tick bite. Last year, however, it all changed as I became a tick magnet: babe magnet please, tick magnet no.
Our top priority for 2012 is to complete the remaining 11 Corbetts in glorious Scottish sunshine, to get closer to completing the Grahams, and to try and get at least one visit to England and Wales.
