Following my Corbett completion and entry to the Hall in 2008, I was expecting 2009 to be a fairly routine year, the main focus being progress on my second Munro round, with a target of completion before my 50th birthday in October 2010. I was also hoping to bag at least 35 new Marilyns, to stay on course for Graham completion and Upper Hall entry before I hit 60. However, it turned into my most eventful year to date. I attended my first Marhof meet and experienced my first chant, as Charles and Dee were welcomed into the Hall in a shared Carnal experience. I then went on to set new annual personal best totals for Munros (60), Corbetts (16), Grahams (21) and Marilyns (51). In total I stood on 167 Marilyn summits, 57 of which were called Arthur's Seat. Along the way I completed the Munro Tops, on Knight's Peak, followed 30 minutes later by my second Munro round on Sgurr nan Gillean. This was accomplished only 40 minutes before the press conference to announce the demotion of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean, so I was probably the last person to complete a 284-Munro round before the list was reduced to 283.
