So, the end of an era is happening with the publication of the final Marhofn. Well, you know what they say, always leave them wanting more. Many thanks indeed for such a herculean creative effort. Whilst I have to admit that with most of the magazines and newsletters that I receive I have eventually had to adopt a one in / one out philosophy, I certainly have not applied this process to my Marhofn collection. And if it had to end, at least my final Marhofn baglog is able to record my completion of the region 25 Marilyns.
Yes, the pinnacle of my bagging in 2015 had to be October's successful trip to the St Kilda stacks. We were undoubtedly lucky baggers to be blessed with such a suitable weather window, but to paraphrase, 'the more you plan, the luckier you get'. So, many thanks to Rick Salter for the arrangements, to Seumas for the expert boat-handling and to my fellow summiteers, especially those that assisted those of us who were less experienced. I hope to be able to return to the islands in 2016 with friends for a more relaxed, climbing-harness free, visit.
Apart from St Kilda, I only had two other two trips away. The first was to Skye in May and June where, for once, I managed to avoid being drawn to the Black Cuillin and instead went Marilyn hunting. I even managed to get over to Scalpay (thanks Tony). The second was to the Glen Coe and Ardgour area in November for a few Corbetts and Grahams and a reminder of the different varieties of wintry weather - wall-to-wall sunshine glistening on new snow and the next day squelching through boggy ground in driving rain and thick clag.
The remainder of my Marilyn efforts were restricted to single day forays to the Moorfoots, Nithsdale, the Monadhliath, Ettrick Forest, Glen Luss, the Kilpatricks and to Moffat Dale. My final hillwalking weekend of the year was to the Lakes at the beginning of December, but storm Desmond put paid to Saturday. Sunday was spent viewing the aftermath and feeling sorry for everyone affected so badly. Here's to 2016 - to fewer injuries, fewer Desmonds, less house maintenance and more enjoyable hill days.
