Another lowly total for the year, but boy was there quality? The highlight was undoubtedly the trip to Lochcarron, where my son James joined me and my friend Jeff on a lovely sunny romp around the Maoile Lunndaidh plateau, which completely dispelled all the aches and pains of climbing up the incredibly steep ridge. Next day we trekked in to Bendronaig bothy, and enjoyed the luxury of a real toilet, courtesy of a bucket filled from the nearby stream to flush it. Next morning we traversed Bidein a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor, again on a glorious sunny day, with fantastic views of Skye and Torridon, and many other familiar peaks. We walked out via the bothy to collect our things, and over three hours later, in Lochcarron, Nicola treated us to bacon butties - yummy. Only four Munros to go now.
A landmark year as I achieved my hundredth English Marilyn on Muncaster Fell while on a Lakes trip, although the highlights were finally managing the Helm Crag Howitzer scramble on my third visit to the top - it was actually dry at last - and also climbing a fantastic Marilyn, Whitbarrow.
Yet another visit to North Uist yielded a South Uist wee gem, Triuirebheinn, with a vista of seaboard views, both north to Stulaval, Beinn Mhor and south to Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, Eriskay and Barra - absolute heaven.
James Dant on Triuirebheinn (photo: Phil Dant)
Finished the year with an easy jaunt up Longridge Fell on our bi-annual trip to Blackpool pleasure beach and the illuminations. So that is four to go before I enter the Corridor, hopefully sometime next year.
On the Munro front, I hope to get up Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach), Sgurr Mor (Loch Arkaig), and Meall Buidhe from Inverie, plus the Old Forge pub, in July, and then save Mull's Ben More for 2014.
