This was my biggest annual bag of new summits since 2006, mainly down to our club breaking new ground by taking its annual May jamboree to the Western Isles. A scant return otherwise, reflecting a continuing focus on a second round of Munros and Corbetts which will occupy me for at least three more years. A few highlights from 2010:
One of the lowlights was getting a real soaking on Deuchar Law at the start of the summer holidays. My mobile phone did not survive. Another was Ben Bowie along the western edge of the forest. I have not crossed such dreadful, turgid, tussocky ground for ages (CW: You went the wrong way). My original plan was to attempt Dun Leacainn near Inveraray. However, I vacillated between different options and was halfway to Loch Lomond when I struck on the idea of climbing Duncryne at Gartocharn, Tom Weir's favourite jaunt, which I'd never climbed. It was only on top of this, admiring the views between downpours, that it occurred to me to have a try for Ben Bowie. Ten years previously, to mark the millennium, our club had climbed Conic Hill and admired the view of the islands running along the Highland fault line. The prospect back the way had always been a strong motivator to climb Ben Bowie and here finally was my chance. So despite the misery, the view across Loch Lomond to Conic Hill brought a little cheer!
