Having undergone major cancer surgery in December 2012, I was unsure what 2013 would bring. I did know however that I wanted to be out on the hills again as soon as possible. My plan was to ease my way back gradually. So one bright, frosty day towards the end of February, I made my way slowly up the path on the Knock of Crieff, one of the easiest of the sub-600m Marilyns. The feeling when I reached the cairn was as good as that felt when I reached my final Munro summit many years ago. Never mind that the cairn on the Knock was hidden away in the midst of a forest, it was a summit and I knew then that hillwalking would be possible again.
The following week I decided to try something a bit more taxing - Blaeloch Hill. I used the wind farm road, which meant that there was only a short distance of rough ground to cover. After that, it was Craig of Monievreckie, a forest road followed by a rough path with a couple of ups and downs. I felt no ill effects, although I was a lot slower than I had been before my medical problems occurred.
I had not set myself any goals for the year, although it was in the back of my mind that a significant milestone - 700 - was not far away. By June I felt well enough to have a few days away at Lochailort. Creag Bhan was the best of the hills climbed that trip. I have not seen many reports about it but I found it to be a magnificent viewpoint in the midst of some great mountain scenery. For some reason, a view of Loch Beoraid always sets my pulse racing.
The hills around north Kintyre seemed to play a major part in the year's walking. This is sub-600m territory par excellence; no Munro or Corbett bagger ventures here. Yet many of the hills, though small in stature, are rugged and once past the extensive forestry that covers many lower slopes, are a delight.
I tried to get out on the hills one day per week and concentrated on new sub-600m Marilyns. So as summer faded into autumn, I found the milestone number getting closer. What hill should I choose for it? I particularly like islands and I still had all of the smaller hills on the list in Arran to do. So along with my springer spaniel, Ben, who has now accompanied me on over 100 hills, I set off one October morning for a day visit to the island and a walk up Creag Ghlas Laggan (Fionn Bhealach). I took possibly the least interesting but easiest approach, up a faint 4WD track from a lay-by at the highest point of the road. It was though quite a nice summit with good views to the higher hills on the other side of the glen.
The weather continued to be favourable through most of November so I managed to fit in a couple more hill days in Scotland plus a short visit to the Lake District. So I am now on my way to 800.
