2005 was the first year that I really gave much thought to climbing hills under 2000 feet. The main targets for the year were to complete the 14 outstanding Corbetts and to reach the Marilyn Hall of Fame. The first major outing came in March with a traverse of Beinn Dearg in Torridon on a superb day, accompanied by my son David and wife Janet. At Easter we climbed all the Marilyns in the north of Arran, mostly in mist. On 29 May the 600th Marilyn was reached on Creach Bheinn (18C) after a round of Glen Galmadale. In June the Skye Grahams were completed on Ben Aslak (17C) and we also climbed Beinn na Caillich (10B) after a boat trip from Arnisdale.
At the end of the month we had a trip to Andorra where we climbed a number of peaks, and in July enjoyed another superb Torridon day on Beinn na h-Eaglaise (13B). August started with the four Grahams in the Luss group (1E), then a hot day on Ben Aden (10B) from Loch Quoich, and Carn Ban (15A) from Glencalvie Lodge using bikes. After a September holiday in the Sierra Nevada, the final highlight of the year was a week on Mull in November, when a cold spell produced some superb clear days on Ben Buie, Creach Beinn, Corra-bheinn and its neighbours. It is a magical island in good weather, and in six days we saw no other walkers. Throughout the year we climbed some of the smaller hills, and discovered the joys of fine little hills like Largo Law (26) and tangled with electric fences on Broomy Law (28A). A trip to Knoydart for the three remaining Corbetts proved elusive, so this is the key target for 2006.
