The number of Marilyns has crept upwards rather slowly due to other activities and, towards the end of 2015, the really awful weather. Two trips to Switzerland and one on via ferrata in the Dolomites, as well as competing in three mountain marathons, provide some good excuses for the slow progress. Two trips to England for other reasons did allow for three more English Marilyns to be added as a bonus. Likewise a couple more were added in Wales, where variable weather prevented more.
In Scotland, a determined attack on the Grahams made good progress in September and October, only to be brought to a stop by endless gales and rain. I was rather hoping to get to the 800 mark. There was a delightful repeat ascent of Craigendarroch above Ballater with lying snow and magical views to a snow-covered Lochnagar. Three days later, Ballater was overwhelmed by flood water and mobile homes were floating down the River Dee. I feel so sorry for the people of Ballater and elsewhere who experienced such devastating floods.
