Much of my hillwalking during the year resulted in non peak-bagging excursions, but often with wonderful days to remember. In addition, travelling and walking long-distance routes at home and abroad restricted my forays into Wales and Scotland, so only a few Marilyns were added.
A mixed-weather week in Torridon during May gave several repeats, including another wonderful traverse of Beinn Eighe. I was also able to complete my Fannich Munros with the ascent of Fionn Bheinn, taking in the Graham, Meall a'Chaorainn.
June brought a week to remember on Skye, with my 200th Scottish Marilyn on the In Pinn, plus all the other Skye Munros. This week, in the company of George Yeomans, was a 40th wedding anniversary present from my wife, Enid. One final Scottish Marilyn was achieved from our camp on North Berwick Law when walking the John Muir Way. We nipped up almost in darkness above the lights of North Berwick, where we had enjoyed a fish supper a couple of hours previously.
A trip with my friend Bob to the Welsh valleys and south-west Wales extended my Welsh tally by 12, along with a selection of Deweys. Some really good days, but I experienced a couple of the worst summits that I have ever come across. To my relief, on the way down to meet Bob, the dreaded Myarth came and went without any problems, just a final crashing through the undergrowth to find the summit.
For many years I have had a few lumps and bumps of the 1966 Falkingham list to complete. On the day after the October Hillwalkers' Register weekend, in excellent company, the 349th and final one was completed on Chapel Crags above Buttermere.
The high point of the year was at 4095m on Low's Peak, the summit of Kinabalu, the highest mountain in south-east Asia, and the climax of our trip to Borneo. Other foreign summits were added in Spain and New Zealand.
I never tire of being out on the hills, whether locally or further afield. Peak bagging gives plenty of opportunities to discover new areas, new experiences, tremendous vistas, wonderful satisfying rounds, and personal achievements. Life is good.
