Two spells in Pakistan had the effect of restricting my hillgoing a little in 2011, but I still managed 37 new Marilyns. However, I'm still some way from the Hall of Fame.
Longest days: A cold and windy day in April was spent on the hills above Glen Lochay. Ben Challum, Cam Chreag (my 500th Marilyn, yippee), Creag Mhor, Beinn Heasgarnich and Meall nan Subh in about nine hours. Tough going in places, and it felt much wilder than I expected so far south.
However, the longest day was a wonderful trot around the eastern Cairngorms from Tomintoul, with a bit of help from my ancient mountain bike as far as Inchrory. On this rare day I had to put a t-shirt on to prevent sunburn - not a situation I have often encountered in these hills. About 12 hours out in total but, despite tired legs late in the day, I was overwhelmingly aware of a sense of privilege at being on those hills on such a clear and warm day. Makes it all worthwhile.
Shortest day: Mount Hill, in Fife, took a total of 21 long minutes to ascend and descend. It was also the lowest hill of the year. Good viewpoint though.
High point: Ben Nevis again. Another bash at the big one, in the company of 480 other idiots (i.e. runners).
Wee sod: Newtyle Hill gets the award this year as far as I'm concerned. Waist-high reeds and bog, followed by knee-high heather and then, on descent, an impenetrable tract of forestry to negotiate. What a sod; makes the Mustagh Tower look easy. I almost abandoned my alpine-style ascent in favour of siege tactics.
Not sure what will happen in 2012. Pakistan beckons again and, sadly, I only get to visit Sindh province which is as far away as possible from the Mustagh Tower. Not that I would be getting very far on anything like that, you understand, but it would be nice to say hello from a distance.
