Marhofn 93.05 - May 2003

Annual reports B-C:

Annual report: Peter Collins

A lot of tidying up for me in 2002:

• I climbed the only one of the eight new 1997 Munros that I had not already visited - Stob na Broige (3B), with a walk back along the full ridge of the Buachaille.
• My last Welsh Marilyn on 30 March - Esgair Ddu (31A), where many keep-out notices last year, increasing in size and number on each visit, prevented a completion then.
• Absolutely everything in the Welsh TACit Tables including SubHewitts, SubMarilyns, Council Tops - the lot!
• A revisit to Sgurr nan Eugallt (10B) in better weather to walk over to the true top, and a first visit to nearby Buidhe Bheinn.

Our first visit to Orkney in June with indifferent weather was magical - met the real Harray potter! The earth moved for me also on Mochrum Fell (27C) in February, with fallen pines blowing in the gale, propped up by their neighbours, lifting their large root balls by as much as a foot - quite scary. I picked the three worst days of weather in February for my first trip over the border - nine in total for the year.

Other highlights were Sgiath a'Chaise (1B), Druim na h-Earba (4A) and Bidein Bad na-h-Iolaire (4A) - superb views of the tourist path zigzags up the Ben with Glen Nevis below. Dun Rig (28B) had the best-kept trig I've see in many a day - even returfed around the base of the column.

Has anyone ever got to the top of Sgurr an Fhuarain (10B) with dry feet (or dry anything for that matter)?

Worst trudges were Bainloch Hill (27C), Newtyle Hill (6B), Deuchary Hill (6B), Craignaw (27B), Creag na Doire Duibhe (4B) and The Fruin (1E) - apparently without any local Helensburgh interest. Law Kneis (28B) by forest rides as recommended, avoiding the beast of Deephope (now deceased - AD), is definitely best left for ex-commandos.