An enforced lay-off late in the year restricted my peak bagging, long distance walking and other interests. However, I did manage to finally reach the Hall of Fame, after Enid and I spent a few days in region 27 during September. We did some easy qualifying hills and finally, on Common Hill, I opened the door and quietly closed it behind me. Not the best of hills, but we enjoyed a lovely sunlit evening, with Tinto standing dominant in the views, marred somewhat by the surrounding wind turbines. We then climbed another two hills as insurance against the Tamperer's activities.
Being an avid list collector, I became aware of the Marilyns soon after Alan's book was published in 1992, but for many years I concentrated more on challenge events and walking long distance trails at home and abroad. I was also slowly completing the Wainwrights and several E and W lists, including historical ones such as Simpson's (1937) and Falkingham's (1966). There was also the small matter of helping to bring up a family.
My first Scottish Marilyn was Beinn Lora, on a family outing in August 1981, and this was followed by spasmodic Scottish visits and ascents over the next 20 years. By late 2002, I had 191 Marilyns to my name but Scotland accounted for only 14 of these. I may have come to the Scottish hills late but, since then, what an adventure it has been. The highlights are too numerous to mention but include The Storr and Hartaval when walking the length of the Trotternish ridge on Skye with my good friend, Alan, and the Mullardoch four in superb conditions. There were two wonderful traverses of Beinn Eighe, and Ben Stack and Arkle in the far north, not to mention Skye Munros.
On the traverse of Beinn Eighe (photo: Alan Dawson)
There were also some wonderful island trips including Ailsa Craig and experiencing one of the best days of my life when visiting St Kilda. The memory, especially of sailing in close proximity to Boreray and the stacs, will remain forever.
Although 2011 was a more subdued year, cheap Travelodge deals created suitable bases to increase my Welsh tally, both north and south and, when walking the Isle of Wight coastal path, a day off enabled me to collect St Boniface Down and Brighstone Down. Not as many of the higher Scottish hills this year, but it did include five Crianlarich Munros early in the year and a memorable round of Beinn Liath Mhor, Sgorr Ruadh and Fuar Tholl. The prize of Seana Bhraigh was also achieved in between quite violent weather.
I also never tire of solving the hills that are awkward or difficult of access. This year was no exception; Seager Hill, Mochrum Fell, Woodhead Hill, White Top of Culreoch, Mynydd Eppynt, and Pen y Garn-goch were amongst those in this category.
What of the future? I want to continue to add to my tally of Marilyns, aiming next for 700 and to finish the English, Welsh and Isle of Man ones. Ideally, I would also like to complete the Munros, 157 to date. More importantly though, especially in Scotland, there are many new areas to explore, many more wonderful hills waiting for me, not necessarily Marilyns or Munros, and long distance trails that beckon me over the next few years. The journey continues. Life is good.
