Bagging started around the Welsh borders on the first day of spring - a four-Marilyn day including Y Golfa and Moel y Golfa, the former being a steep drive up to the clubhouse, with nice coffee served whilst the occupants competed to suggest the best route to the summit trig.
June saw the first visit to Scotland since 2008. A three Marilyn day on the Ben Starav group gave grand views but also a very late return to the roadside. So late that I saw the sunset and the sunrise. I wouldn't recommend the path from the Glas Bheinn Mor - Stob Coir'an Albannaich col down to Loch Etive in the dark to my worst enemies. Truly horrible, but now only one Munro left for completion. This is planned for July this year on Mullach Clach a'Bhlair, sadly not a Marilyn but it is, just, a Hump.
Highlights of the year were the views from Ben Starav and Ben Donich, summitting The Cobbler, evading wild ponies mugging walkers on Dunkery Beacon, and Wills Neck during the early October heatwave.
I have also started trig bagging and attended the Cold Ashby 75th anniversary meet in April. It was also good to briefly meet Rob Woodall on a reservoir trig raid in February. I am looking forward to Corbett and Graham bagging in May and July as well as the Munro completion and getting more Pennine peaks under my feet.
The Cobbler (photo: Kevin Palmer)
