Marhofn 212.12 - May 2010

Inxs

Jim Fothergill (+106=1065)

I managed to increase my total by three figures for the sixth year in a row and now have only one Welsh Marilyn left to do - Bardsey Island - but 19 still outstanding in England.

Major trips included weeks in Pitlochry, Ariundle, Torridon and Edinburgh/Stirling, plus a fortnight shared between the Great Glen hostel (the old Loch Lochy YH) and Inverie. I struggled to find a hostel in Edinburgh where you could park but found the Globetrotter Inn which, when booked via Hostelbookers, was amazingly only £6 including breakfast. It was a bit impersonal but the unisex bunks had curtains and a light, which seemed a great idea. Highlights of the year:

• A snowy ascent of Ben Vrackie from Pitlochry hostel in March - I was the first up there on the day, in deep snow.
• An atmospheric round of Garbh Bheinn, Beinn Bheag and Sgorr Mhic Eacharna on our last day at Ariundle in May.
• Millfore from Minigaff in May, my 1000th Marilyn.
• A long trip from Glen Dessary to An Stac (10D) in August. The view over Loch Morar was reminiscent of Loch Coruisk from Sgurr na Stri.
• Torridon in October, with a great round of Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn; a scary day in gale-force winds on Beinn Dearg; Mullach an Rathain with the Northern Pinnacles.



Garbh Bheinn from the west (photo: Alan Dawson)