Highlights of 1999 were the Ben Mor Coigach group in a shirtless late July heatwave, followed by a camp on Stoer Head, Carna (following a piss-up on a boat moored off Kilchoan and bouldering on the gabbro slabs of Beinn na Seilg) and Ben Stack in the storm on Hogmanay. I managed to evade the military on Mickle Fell by climbing it on Christmas Day, then crashed the car I was driving on an icy road back in Speyside. Another summer escapade gave the last 'wanted' hills in Barra and Uist at a time when most of the mainland had pretty foul weather but those hills and coasts were enjoying it pretty fine.
I raided the Brecon Beacons and various other bumps south of the Border on the way to and from the continent in September. Fullest sense of anti-climax was carefully ensured by 'climbing' Cheriton Hill, Crowborough and Botley Hill within 24 hours of leaving the Alps. The two new ones in Purbeck were a pleasant surprise on the way south, especially in balmy sunshine that made it feel like I was already across the channel.
