During the first two months of 2010 my trips were limited to north Wales and the Pennines, as Sarah and I awaited the arrival of our first child in March. Humps were added to Marilyns as targets closer to home.
The year started with an ascent of Mynydd Nodol in marvellous snowy conditions, but a flat battery precluded any further ascents on that day. Later that month, Calf Top and Barbon Low Fell gave a memorable day with crystal clear views to the Lakes. I completed section 30D on Foel Offrwm in February, and the sunset from the top was one the best views I have seen. I could hardly tear myself away from it.
Our son, James, was born in early March but I still managed trips to the Pennines that month. On one of them I bumped into Eric and Margaret Young near Freeholds Top. In early May, Mark Trengrove and I had a wonderful day in the Borders, bagging three Marilyns; the skylarks were singing and spring was in the air.
My only trip to the Highlands during the year came in early June with Chris Watson and culminated in the annual dinner in Ullapool. A family trip to Hampshire in July allowed me to head for south Wales, where I bagged ten hills in three days. Ysgyryd Fawr was the best of the bunch, with lovely views to the Black Mountains, and later that same day I finished section 32A on Graig Syfyrddin. Another holiday in August near Edinburgh allowed me to bag some hills in the Southern Uplands. On a hot sunny day I had an eight-hour round from Culter Hill to Lamington Hill (which I do not recommend from this direction). I climbed out of the Cellar and into the Corridor of Obscurity on Tinto, a fine hill for such a milestone.
Late September brought a fine day with Mark Trengove on Blackcraig and Blacklorg Hills, which gave great views in all directions. After getting back to the car as the sun was setting, we decided to go for Kirkland Hill. It was almost dark when we reached the summit but the beautiful red sunset over Arran was fantastic.
November took me to south Wales again and a group of four very easy Marilyns in just over two hours. Highlight of the 12 Marilyns on this trip was undoubtedly Mynydd Carningli, which gave a delightful scramble and marvellous views to Bardsey Island and the Lleyn peninsula. The bagging year ended in late November with a memorable day on Yr Eifl and Mynydd Carnguwrch, again with Mark Trengrove. There was snow underfoot, sunshine and fantastic views as far as Ireland. This was a great finale to my bagging year as the days I had planned for December were wiped out by the snows.
