To clear away the Hogmanay cobwebs, that little gem Beinn Lora gave a promising start to the year. A few bright days in February produced my sixth Alligin traverse. Previously I had always topped all the horns, but not this time. More soft snow in March gave a rather laborious trudge along the Tarmachan ridge to complete my Murdos on Creag na Caillich, a top not listed in the 1953 tables, shown as 2990ft on my ancient map. The sun shone again in May for a backpacking trip to An Stac and Druim a'Chuirn (10D), with Richard Wood's encouragement, where we met Chris Peart, operating from a high camp under Meith Bheinn. Finally, on a bright and frosty Christmas Eve, Hill of Fare (21B) was well away from the extensive fog further south, and a good spot to reflect on the closing year.
