The highlight of 2015 was climbing my final Graham, Carnan Cruithneachd, in October along with a group of Munro Society friends at a meet in Kintail. This also meant I became the 39th person to claim completion of a full house, in SMC terminology. It was a goal I had set myself in 2009 after I lost my wife to cancer. It creates a problem of what to do next, but only because there is so much to choose from.
Most of my endeavours were directed at the Grahams, 80 in total. Over winter and early spring, I focused on hills nearer home on day trips. Thereafter I had several trips further afield in the camper van, on good behaviour at last. These included Buchan, Cowal and Ardgoil, Sunart and Ardgour and Loch Hourn. The Graham I most enjoyed was Croit Bheinn mainly for its isolation and the long walk back past the Assary and Ulgary remains in Glen Moidart.
I picked off a few Munros whilst accompanying a friend finishing his Tops but, undoubtedly, the trip of the year was a revisit to Ben Aden. This time we camped in Glen Dessary and did the circuit, in splendid weather, past Sgurr na Ciche, over Ben Aden, dropping into Glen Carnach and returning by Sourlies. Running it close was a revisit to Slat Bheinn, this time via Glen Barrisdale, again in splendid weather. Whatever I do next, revisits to favourite hills will feature high on the list.
Ladhar Bheinn from Slat Bheinn (photo: David Batty)
