My interest in Marilyns began... when I was living in the south of England and I discovered the RHB website in 2001. I did not get to the big hills much and so it was great that I had hills nearer to home that I could tick off a list. At that time, the Hall looked an impossibility and it seemed I would never get there. It was only when I moved to Liverpool in 2007 that my Marilyn bagging really took off.
My favourite Marilyn is... so far Blabheinn. It is a wonderfully rugged hill and the view is amazing. I could hardly bear to leave the summit when I was up there.
My least favourite Marilyns are... Myarth and Bainloch Hill. They are the only hills I have had no enjoyment out of at all, not even retrospectively. Myarth was climbed during the Builth Wells meet with a number of baggers. With its GOML reputation, the brambles and nettles and the lack of a view lead me to feel that it is a crappy little hill. Bainloch Hill was climbed with Mark Trengove and Jonathan de Ferranti on a horrible day of rain and mist. It was hard work through the woodland and over the deer fence, and we saw nothing from the misty top.
Do I keep Marilyn bagging a secret? I do not, in fact I am proud of it. I once went to a staff development event for work on presentation skills and I wrote and delivered a presentation on Marilyn bagging. The other delegates were rather mystified.
I... have a passion for American sport. When I am not bagging, I am often watching baseball, American football, Canadian football and ice hockey.
