Although 2015 was an active year, various distractions kept my total of new Marilyns down to a modest level. Of the new peaks, the most memorable were on a trip to Mull at the beginning of June. The weather was somewhat mixed, but the traverse from Cruach Choireadail to Cruachan Dearg via Corra-bheinn was magic and the weather superb. By contrast, a trip to Ben Armine and Creag Mhor, whilst a fine wilderness experience, only gave views of the inside of a cloud.
I also made slow progress towards my second round of Munros - still a few to go. Perhaps the best trip was a fine winter day on An Riabhachan and An Socach, the latter a much-prized and remote peak. I also made my second visit to Ben More on Mull, for a friend's final Munro. He cleverly chose the one good day in a run of bad weather.
Other highlights of the year included a fine traverse of Suilven from Lochinver to Elphin in April and a traverse of Ben More Assynt and Conival.
At the other end of the scale, a third ascent of Schiehallion still gave no view - although I saw a little more than on the previous two visits.
An Riabhachan and An Socach (photo: Tony Kinghorn)
The activities of the tamperers resulted in the need for some return trips. I reclaimed my final Corbett on Creag an Dail Bheag and a wandering summit in Glen Artney was also reclaimed.
One of the most interesting outings in the year was to Fuji in Japan, now one of my few Ultras. A sweltering bus station in downtown Tokyo in July was a strange place to start, but conditions were more pleasant at the end of the road at over 2000m where the walk started. I followed the tradition of walking up to a hut, the Fuji-San hotel, and then, after a claustrophobic few hours sleep, continuing in the dark to see the sunrise from the summit. The view was spectacular, enjoyed by about 4000 others and me. It was an interesting experience, however give me Scotland any day.
