In 2012 I got up relatively few new hills, however I had a lot of good days out, especially on Munros - all repeats. Altogether, I counted ninety Marilyns, less than half being new ones. The conditions in the early part of the year were a bit indifferent, although a highlight was a fine traverse of the Buachaille in fairly hard conditions in January. Drumcroy Hill provided a surprisingly pleasant walk in spite of the apparent excess afforestation on the map, on a very mild day at the end of February - positively spring-like. By contrast a week later Green Lowther was in full arctic conditions, with the radar station looking as if it had escaped from Greenland or somewhere.
Arctic conditions (photo: Martin Richardson)
At the end of March we had a splendid few days in Glen Strathfarrar. Beinn na Muice provided a superb sunset view and a decidedly entertaining descent down the steep face in the dark. I just avoided a fairly spectacular avalanche on Sgurr Fhuar-thuill, whilst the following day Meallan Odhar Doire nan Gillean and Beinn Dubh an Iaruinn provided a very pleasant day out with fine views over the wilderness at the head of Loch Monar.
Splendid weather at the end of May was spent in Glen Etive, with a bivvy close to the summit of Beinn Starav and a very hot day on Beinn Trilleachan.
Beinn Trilleachan (photo: Martin Richardson)
The Marhof meet on Islay was good although the weather was not as good as the previous week when I was on the Marilyn-free island of Colonsay - do not mention the MacPhies. Still, all the Islay peaks were bagged and were mostly very good, although the forest around Giur-bheinn was a bit of a trial.
An expedition to the far north, in July, defied the predictions of the Met Office and the weather was very good, giving the opportunity to ascend some remote Grahams and I enjoyed a great day on Foinaven.
The weather in early August was very good, and I enjoyed some great walking in the Fannichs, on Cul Mor and on the Beinn Dearg group. After that the weather deteriorated, but a week in November gave the opportunity for a number of new hills, including a great walk up Mellbreak between downpours.
Ben More and Stob Binnein at the beginning of December were in excellent winter conditions, but as often happens this early promise was not fulfilled and 2012 ended on a somewhat mild and damp note in Scotland - but I was away, skiing in brilliant conditions in France.
