On rechecking my own lists I found that three of my Grahams, a Corbett and a Marilyn had gone and two new Corbetts were added. I still think that an annual cut-off date for revisions for all lists would be an improvement to today's practice of changes being posted from any one of several sources at any time - very confusing. I seem to recall that apart from Arnside Knott, all Marilyn promotions in recent years were Submarilyns beforehand. I am a fan of sub lists and completed the Submarilyn and Subhewitt lists in both England and Wales long ago.
Then there is the Old Man of Mow. I have not climbed the rock tower for the same reasons I do not climb electricity pylons. So that is another Hump unvisited. Iron steps on hills are commonplace overseas. I have come across such aids to progress in this country on Sgurr a'Mhaoraich and Haytor Rocks. Could not such bars be added to the Old Man allowing us mortals to get to the top, leaving the mountaineers to free climb it as they think fit? Everyone would be satisfied.
Only three trips to Scotland in 2014, one of which was completely rained off, in May. I had three flat tyres and two flat batteries during the year, making things even more depressing than the weather made them. I called off another attempt on Stob Mhic Bheathain, this time from the Callop track to the north, as I could not find a usable bridge.
I failed to get to Oronsay again on the Wednesday ferry - this time I misread the tide tables in May and was a week out. I got to the top of Beinn Ruadh at the third attempt by a monstrous thrash up from Inverchapel's red route with more than head-high sturdy bracken to contend with. It took three hours to get onto the open moor. Came back via Puck's Glen, which is the way Mrs B did 20 years ago. It was my last Marilyn south of the Great Glen, but totally unsuitable for my planned celebration of the fact.
Should we not provide step stiles over the four walls on Alan Dawson's recommended way to Killyleoch Hill? Three hundred members with eight clambers for each is bound to end in at least one wall collapse and the owner may then put a ban on access.
I climbed Creag Mhor (16D), my fifth and last Marilyn of this name, during the Helmsdale weekend. Total loss of energy made it sensible to leave Ben Armine for another visit. Back at the car one tyre was completely flat. Used pump to reflate the tyre and gingerly drove 13km back onto tarmac and then 60km to Helmsdale and it was still ok. And then 1000km back home. So, it was a mystery why it happened.
I visited the last of my English and Welsh Humps, leaving seven unvisited due to forestry etc. In August I successfully predicted that Moel Hyddgen was highest of the three contenders for Hump status. Best hills were Carn Llidi, Pole Hill, Moel Penderyn, Alltwen and Middletown Hill. The other sort included Taliaris Park (my secateurs are in there somewhere), Mynydd Bach (horrid), Foel Dinas and the last 500m of open moor on Glendhu Hill. A visit to Cut Hill completed absolutely everything in Alan Dawson's yellow book of English hills.
I am consoled by the thought that I am apparently still numero uno in the Channel Islands and looking forward in 2015 to climbing my last five Grahams before they too get demoted.
Creag Mhor (photo: Martin Richardson)
