The highlight of 2013 had to be completing the Grahams at last. Three cheers for hip replacements. I was much helped by the marvellous summer of 2012 in the north and west of Scotland where the most wanted hills lay. Not easy either; when I had 29 to go, ten were over 730m and nine over 720m. Many of them were real trophies and starting from sea-level. There were seven to go in a reasonable four days at the start of 2013. I had a fearsome cold night in my van before one of the best views ever from Carn Loch nan Amhaichean; nothing but snow visible. That meant another day for Beinn nan Eun by Loch Glas.
Carn Loch nan Amhaichean (photo: Martin Richardson)
Then things fell apart. My wee van, after being slept in for 252 nights, had to be put down and a lot of hiring followed for islands and other plans already booked. I was happy to sail along Loch Morar for Oban bothy nights and Druim a'Chuirn as a reward. I had hoped to canoe across Loch Arkaig and Loch Eck for west shore Grahams, however with that access closed I ended up cycling up Glen Mallie for Mullach Coire nan Geur-oirean.
The low of the year had to be Beinn Tharsuinn in a world of wet above, below and between and a brief half-clearance for Meall a'Chaorainn - scarcely memorable. That just left Beinn Bheag and Beinn Mhor, traversed in that order, after cycling along to Bernice - a fine outing for the last Graham.
Still more, in September a train journey to Exeter and hiring a car helped fill in the blanks in region 40. Brown Willy was the only real hill day, ambushed with wet and no visibility. I would only recommend Carnmenellis to my enemies.
A SMC meet in the Lake District gave me more list-ticking time. In the north Pennines, Nine Standards Rigg was the most enjoyed. As was the Tan Hill Inn which was visited often.
