It was a slow Marilyn bagging year in 2013 even by my standards but plenty of days out on the hill. Scotland in February produced no new hills but at least I got a Munro early in the year on a very snowy Carn Liath. Until April, when we were based near to Bonar Bridge, there were only local Midlands hills on the agenda, but then came a modest flurry of Grahams with the Corbett Carn Chuinneag as well. Pity it was so windy all the time but at least there were sundry lower Marilyns to be getting on with in an area we do not get to so often. The day on Beinn Tharsuinn was truly wet, blustery and misty, memorable for the unpleasantness that a straightforward hill can inflict when nature bites back.
There was lots of bird-watching in May and June but a Lake District weekend including Glaramara, Scafell Pike and Blencathra bucked things up a bit, along with visits to the Arans, Berwyns, north Pennines and Peak District.
My main trip of the year was a two-week trek to the Atlas mountains of Morocco, including an ascent of Jbel Toubkal. I have always fancied a 4000m peak. There were many passes and valleys, one stormy night, campsites and gites. Thankfully no unpleasant insects, snakes or scorpions, although I am sure they were not that far away, and no funny tummy either. A fantastic country, one to visit again, but I will not miss the mobile camping toilet tent.
Back in the UK the rain, mist and mud on Black Hill showed why Morocco was a good idea. Scotland in October was a little better in the weather stakes when Ben Tee and two of the Glen Roy Carn Deargs were done along with the Loch Arkaig Grahams of Meall Blair and Sgurr Choinich, which I was able to do as a linear walk.
A final flurry in the Lake District effectively brought the year to a conclusion other than rambles on Stiperstones and the Clent hills.
