My first Marilyn was Foel Fenlli (30C) way back in 1958, although I didn't know it at the time of course. Then came Snowdon, Snaefell, Moel Famau and Helvellyn - all typical 'tourist' peaks. The first time I deliberately bagged a Marilyn was in July 2003 when I set off to climb Watch Croft in the pouring rain, leaving my wife in the car thinking I was mad. She still does, especially when I return scratched and bleeding after forcing myself through brambles and nettles to find some obscure trig point. However, after 48 years of 'ploddus in muddus' plus some real mountaineering, I'm proud to announce that I've finally emerged from the oubliette into the heady, wine-filled atmosphere of the Cellar Field. At this rate I should make my entry into the marbled Hall when I am 155 years old. However, I have done 50% of region 25; in fact my tenth Marilyn was Cnoc Glas on Soay, with a sergeant from the forces. The landing was 'interesting' though certainly not a 'severe' (see Marhofn 58, p7). Unfortunately, my visit to St Kilda on a National Trust for Scotland working party made me miss England's 1966 World Cup success, for Mallaig was one of the few spots in the UK without any TV reception back in those days.
May I take this opportunity in my first communication to send my congratulations to the editors of Marhofn - they are a joy to read even if they do make my feet itchy at impossible times. I find people's comments on the relative merits and problems of reaching the various tops especially interesting, but some of the nominations for the various hill categories make me wonder if I'm on the same plane(t) as other baggers. How anybody can feel the Rhinogs worthy of Hall of Shame status is beyond me - there is a path through the heather between them if you look carefully. Neither do Titterstone Clee Hill, Kit Hill or Great Orme deserve to be so besmirched just because they've got man-made structures on top. And being a scouser I must defend my local Marilyn, Billinge Hill - if you start from SD524022 it's a delightful walk to the summit, with no sign of a council rubbish tip (until you reach the top). Worse by far is Werfa (a South Wales unitary authority top), which has rubbish illegally dumped all the way up the track to the masts on the summit and the vandalised trig point. A truly disgraceful hill.
Highlights of my times on the tops so far:
I do hope to make it into the Corridor of Obscurity before senility sets in, and if I can get up to Scotland more often, you might just see me crawling into the Hall eventually. Hope Marhofn is still being produced then.
