2013 began very promisingly with a trip to Lochaber in early January. After picking up seven new Marilyns in fine weather on the first two days of the trip, winter returned with a vengeance on the third. A solo expedition over five of the Marilyns south of Creach Bheinn in heavy blizzards down to road level was one of the wintriest I have experienced, and made the hills seem much higher and remoter than their Graham status would suggest.
Progress was slower over most of the year, largely comprising a number of half-day trips from home to pick up relatively accessible Marilyns and Humps, as well as some Munro and Corbett re-ascents with friends and family. More notable exceptions were bagging five Marilyns in Lancashire and the Yorkshire Dales in April, four of the Luss hills in May, four Grahams on a long traverse from Achnasheen to Braemore in June, and another trip back to the Fort William area to pick up six new Marilyns in November.
Beinn Damh (photo: Alastair Swanston)
I did have the opportunity to roam a little higher and further from home during the summer. A day trip away from the beach in Spain gave me the chance to climb a new Ultra: Pico de Aneto, in the Pyrenees. I also had a fine week in August in the Swiss Alps, and picked up two new 4000m peaks: Nadelhorn and the Dom.
With some anti-social behaviour leading up to Christmas, I just managed to add over 50 Marilyns during the year. This included 29 Grahams, taking my Graham total beyond 100 and past half way.
