After a fantastic 25-day spell in the Alps during July, with masses of long rock-and-ice routes as well as the ascent of fourteen 4000m peaks, my mountaineering sadly took a nose-dive owing to severe problems with my left heel and Achilles tendon. Thus the odd Marilyns ascended earlier in the year remain far more memorable than they otherwise might have been, and a few more were added in August.
A windy eight-day spell in the north-east saw me wandering from Ord Ban to the storm-blasted Meikle Conval and Little Conval, and on to the fantastic Tap o'Noth (21A), where I was pushed around the path to the top of this grand little viewpoint. The surprise on the last day was Coiliochbhar Hill, with magical, scraggy, lichen-hung coniferous trees on its drizzly top - pretty unreal and unexpected.
Coiliochbhar Hill (photo: Klaus Schwartz)
February started with twin-topped The Coyles of Muick (7) which bore no resemblance to little Creag Ghiubhais not far away just a few hours later, where I struggled through thigh-deep heather, with the steep slabs of its east ridge the only relief. The top was a jungle of heather, birches and small pines, but all this did make it very special as it was my 800th Marilyn. An easy ascent would have felt far less of an achievement. The next day ended on the gentle Sron Smeur (4B) with its fabulous open views across Loch Rannoch and the moor. Leagag (2A) early next morning possibly surpassed it, feeling incredibly remote and so much loftier. Three more Marilyns on the edges of Loch Rannoch concluded that day - a magic area indeed. Another short memorable spell with my friend Edwina took me to some western hills near Loch Eil. Creag Bhan was followed by little Cruach Doir'an Raoigh (10D); not an easy ascent despite its lack of height, but spiced by a splendid evening setting, with moody dark clouds over the islands to the west. Sgurr Buidhe (10D) was the last of the Marilyns near Mallaig and the only one graced by sunshine.
Eigg and Rum from Cruach Doir'an Raoigh (photo: Klaus Schwartz)
