My interest in Marilyns began... after I started the Munros in late 2005 and stumbled across the Scottish Hills website. Several members of the Hall are regular posters there and I began following their exploits. I soon became interested in the list which provides lower-altitude targets for those rare wet days in the north-west Highlands. It also is countrywide which provides more opportunities for taking advantage of good weather.
My favourite Marilyns are... all of them. In good weather they are all enjoyable. If I had to make a choice I would go for Sgurr na Ciche. It has that adolescent mountain form and just beckons to be visited.
My least favourite Marilyns are... any of them that have a full summit cloak of forestry. I do not mind suffering the indignity of ascending through a forest, but to arrive at the summit and be deprived of a view is depressing.
Do I keep Marilyn bagging a secret? I do not, but I do realise that the wider information of your exploits is not engaging for most non-baggers. Topics like I was out in south Wales and an adder threatened to bite me are interesting. Saying I ascended Mynydd y Glyn today is more of an acquired taste.
I... did for several years investigate becoming a professional gambler. It is only possible to make regular profits in horse racing and card playing. I am a good card player, but find it dull so it was horse racing for me. I made money, but it was not easy money. In time I owned a leg of several horses. Lester Piggott sidled up at Newmarket and asked my trainer for the ride on one of them. He came second in the race so a perfect scenario was avoided and my money stayed with the bookmaker.
The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.
- Albert Camus
