The bagging year began with the traverse of Beinn Ruadh in Cowal. This was a day-trip from Whitehaven based on public transport during the cold snap in January. However, my classic day out in 2010 was finally getting along the South Cluanie Ridge as a day walk, whilst staying at the Cluanie Inn for three nights during the fine spell in May.
The worst hill of the year was Mwdwl-eithin, probably because it was also the only hill that I climbed in the rain. This is more a comment on my pickiness than any general climatic improvement. The very dry summer allowed me to keep my feet dry in running shoes on two notoriously wet Pennine hills, Birks Fell and Black Hill.
The rest of the year was a case of picking off single hills, mainly in the Southern Uplands. Two major campaigns were based around family holidays in London, where I finished off region 42, and a self-catering cottage high on the flanks of Rhinog Fawr, which gave several glorious days in the Rhinogs, Arenigs and Berwyns. A particularly significant ascent was that of Ben Venue for my 50th birthday. In October, an unexpectedly enjoyable walk was on Fell Hill (27C); memorable for the huge mushrooms of all varieties in the deep dark wood to the east of the summit.
The year ended as it began with a quickie ascent during a cold spell. This time it was Birnam Hill once Scotrail eventually began running north of Glasgow again.
Sgurr nan Clach Geala (photo: Alan Dawson)
