For me this was a year dominated by work (new job and several colleagues on long-term sick leave). Plans to complete the Munro Tops (and hence also the Murdos) were shelved. However, I did complete the New Donalds, in foul November clag, rain and gales, in the company of five good pals and Flapjack the stuffed dragon. There were no real lowlights this year, just too few days on the hill. Some highlights included:
Brimmond Hill (21B). A return trip from my desk at work in my lunch hour, on cross-country skis in perfect snow with sunny blue skies. Felt smug all day after that one.
Hightown Hill (27C). Another sneaky one. Persuaded six of my 15 organic farming students on a study tour to Galloway that they really should be going out for an evening walk to gain a better appreciation of the surrounding countryside.
Cairnharrow (27B). Final sneaky one. Left the students studying dairy cattle and raced off up Cairnharrow. Was amazed to see the Isle of Man so close (must visit soon). I was back with the students before any of them noticed I was missing.
Rum Cuillin (17D). Done in perfect weather from a small yacht chartered with pals and based in Loch Scresort. This was my first experience of sail-mountaineering and it certainly won't be my last. The best part (apart from scrambling amidst the magnificence of the Rum Cuillin) was sitting on deck in the evening sun (with a half) surrounded by a total absence of midgies, whilst watching pairs of frantically scratching, midge-maddened campers on the beach (that's usually me).
Cruachan Charna (18C) and Beinn a'Bhaillidh (18A). My first two Marilyn-bagging sea kayak trips, with partner Andy and two pals. Cruachan Charna (on the island of Carna in Loch Sunart) was an easy, pleasant short day, amidst seals, terns and an eagle, but Eilean Shona, which we circumnavigated as well as climbing to the top of Beinn a'Bhaillidh, was more than a little exciting for a novice sea-kayaker. We had to negotiate a fairly big sea, with waves coming from an awkward direction on the seaward side of the island. Amazingly, not one of the three novices capsized. Magical views from the top though, of silver sands, sparkling aquamarine seas, the wilds of Moidart and away out to Rum, Eigg, Muck and Skye.
Audrey Litterick bagging by sea (photo: Andy Walker)
