The highlight of 2015 was undoubtedly completing my Corbetts, with an ascent of The Cobbler on my 50th birthday on 27 May. Twelve friends accompanied me in rain, wind and even sleet on top, but the needle was threaded and champagne drunk, as the occasion required. We had a superb meal in the George in Inveraray afterwards.
I thought I had finished my Corbetts all bar this one in 2014, but when I checked on hill-bagging, I discovered that I had not done two demoted Munros: Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and Beinn a'Chlaidheimh. I am one of the few to have completed Corbetts before Munros. Richard and I therefore spent a pleasant April week doing these plus various other Marilyns. I also did my first three Irish Marilyns in May, in typically wet Irish weather, enabling me to bag another European high point.
In November we much enjoyed a trip to north Wales, staying at the wonderful Victorian Plas Tan y Bwlch centre. I was pleased to join Michael Earnshaw on his last Welsh Hump, Anne Bunn on her final mainland Marilyn, and Lorna Smith on her 600th Marilyn, all worthy achievements.
Finishing my Corbetts was one goal for the year; another was entering all my UK ascents onto hill-bagging, the marvellous website. With some technical assistance from Michael Earnshaw, I think I have now entered all my Marilyn ascents. I have been rewarded with a total of 1006, with my 1000th being Beinn Mheadhonach, en route to the Marhof AGM and dinner at Ardfern, although I did not realise it at the time. Suddenly, completing English and Welsh Marilyns seems in sight. The benefit of lists. Thirty-two Ultras also kept me busy in 2015, making a total of 169, with more planned.
For 2016, I hope I can avoid distracting Richard from completing his Marilyns, as well as continuing to increase my total and possibly completing the English Marilyns. Trigs, Tumps and Humps have emerged as new opportunities as well, but I have not managed to count them yet.
Meall Mor, a 165m Hump near Ullapool awaiting counting (photo: Alan Dawson)
Thanks to all those who have worked on cataloguing, surveying, maintaining websites, publishing newsletters and arranging trips. It inspires one to continue this rewarding hobby. I would never have believed I could have done so many hills and it is a real sense of personal achievement. It is also a pleasure to join others on their landmark ascents. My best memories are undoubtedly the many Mays spent in Scotland, particularly on the west coast and the Western Isles. Plus new year Lakes trips when we have had crisp snow and clear views from the fells. Being part of the first party to ascend the St Kilda stacks for many years is definitely a top tick too. I hope we can continue to contribute an annual account of Marilyn ascents somewhere, where we can be encouraged by others' similar stories.
