Not a very productive year for me in terms of new ticks, but some very enjoyable walks all the same. Difficult to single out one in particular, but four stand out as memorable for different reasons.
1. Cross Fell, 12th Feb.
From Kirkland via Wythwaite and the Blencarn track, down the standard Kirkland track. Good snow cover above about 650m, Arctic conditions on the plateau. Kirkland is only 4 miles from where I live, so very much a local walk; I felt a huge sense of gratitude at having such a wild environment on my doorstep.
2. Galloway Hills, 17th June.
Merrick, Mullwharchar, Dungeon Hill, Craignaw.
Fine summer weather for a round that felt tougher than its modest distance would suggest - mostly pathless from Merrick to Loch Neldricken and even the "path" down from there is very rough going. Very satisfying, though, and a superbly wild environment of ice-scoured granite.
- Loch Neldricken and Merrick
3. Liathach, 11th July.
Second traverse of this magnificent mountain. First time was as a 20 year-old on a hot, sunny day in June 1983. This time was not as sunny but still very warm. Wasn't quite as I seemed to remember it. Not wanting to miss any of the excitement we scrambled over the first pinnacle, only to realize the path by-passes it. A nice, sustained but easy scramble up to the highest top of Am Fasarinen and just walking thereafter. Definitely easier than Aonach Eagach, but I've only done the latter in winter, so maybe not a fair comparison. Would love to do a third traverse (of Liathach) in good winter conditions.
- Am Fasarinen
4. Mullach na Dheiragain and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan, 8th September.
Starting and finishing with a pleasant 5 mile cycle ride up & down Glen Elchaig. Two new Munro ticks. Felt like a grand adventure into a remote and beautiful part of the Highlands. Weather was very warm and the atmosphere rather hazy, so not ideal for decent photos, unfortunately. Heroic effort on the part of Karl, who was recovering from a nasty cold / chest infection. Took us a while to get round, but that made the experience all the more immersive. Icing on the cake was the descent beside the Falls of Glomach, which were a revelation.
- Falls of Glomach