Meall nan Eun and Stob Coir’an Albannaich 11 Nov 2018

A day with hill fog persisting on the summits, but nice misty light lower in Glen Etive, especially late afternoon. Some fairly steep short scrambly sections, and very boggy approach and return paths - one of the wettest I remember. A fairly gentle pull up onto Meall Nan Eun, but no views...... then a confusing (in mist) plateau across the the steep climb up Stob Coir’an Albannaich, much the higher of the two at 3,425’ compared with 3,045‘. It was snowing and settling on Albannaich, quite a wintry feel combined with the mist. The path out extremely wet and boggy, but nice views with mist coming and going and low sunlight angling through the glen. Down before dark. Munro total 219.

Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin and Stob Coire Easain 21 Oct 2018

Better weather then forecast for our Steven Fallon trip. The overnight rain stopped as we arrived at Fersit. We set off up the path alongside Loch Treig, then headed up the boggy slopes and the steep climb to the ridge leading to our first Munro, Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin at 3,625'. The shifting but rising showery cloudbase gave dramatic but somewhat foreboding views across to the Grey Corries, and the sweeping arc to the shapely second Munro, Stob Coire Easain, 3,658'. Two summits and two views! Munro total now 217.

Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a'Chaorainn 18 Aug 2018

A day of increasingly good weather for these 2 southern Cairngorm Munros, a very scenic approach through the pinewoods of Glen Derry, then a good path up through the trees to the shoulder of Beinn Bhreac, then the east top at 3,054' with good views in the sun of yesterday's peak, the massive bulk of Beinn a'Bhuird. Then across the plateau to the higher summit of Beinn a'Chaorainn, very windy and a height of 3,550'and amazing views east across the Lairig to Macdui and Derry Cairngorm, with a tiny bothy down in the glen. A steep descent and more great views on the walkout made for a memorable day. Munros#215.

Beinn a'Bhuird 17 Aug 2018

A guided walk with the Mar Lodge estate and NTS staff, the cloud base down at about 900m so no views at the cold, windy, fogged plateau and cairn. 3,924' but no views! Worth returning to on a fine summer day as perfect tundra habitat for wildlife. Munro#213.

Cairn Toul and Sgor an Lochain Uaine 7 Aug 2018

A 12h day with Steven Fallon's group into the heart of the Cairngorms from Rothiemurchus. A long walk in, then arduous ascent up the very bouldery N slope of Cairn Toul, the 4th highest peak in Scotland and the UK, at 4,236'. Bright and increasingly sunny weather with expansive views across the massive peaks of the Cairngorms, from Cairngorm and Ben Macdui to Braeriach - with Lochnagar visible to the north, and Beinn a 'Ghlo to the south. Then a superb high-level ridge walk, round to the adjacent Munro of Angel's Peak, or in gaelic Sgor an Lochain Uaine, an airy viewpoint and 5th highest Munro at 4,127'. Then on to Braeriach, 4,252' and only topped by Macdui itself. As it happens, my 2nd ascent of Braeriach! Dramatic views across the Coire back to Cairn Toul, Angel's Peak and the lower peak of Devil's Point, which I will have to return to do separately (good to have an excuse to come back!). Great to have clear summits on these very high hills. Munro total 212, or 75% of the total now climbed.

Beinn a'Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich, 6 June 2018

Hot weather continuing for these 2 peaks next to Cruachan. Hard going with hardly any breeze, and I followed the wrong hydro path and did a needless diversion - so it was a hard pull up the pathless W ridge of Cochuill to the summit ridge and then the cairn itself at 3,215'. Good views across to Glen Etive, also S to Ben Lui. Then a drop to the Bealach and a good path to the summit of Eunaich, fractionally higher at 3.245'. Views all round and relentless sun (in western Scotland!) a steep drop down to the path and back to the start, Munros #210.

Meall Dearg (Aonach Eagach) 5 June 2018

Perfect weather for a last minute trip. A cloud sheet over Lomond meant that I headed further NW to do the only Glencoe Munro still on my pending list, Meall Dearg. An approach from the N side on Loch Leven meant a pleasant approach with increasingly dramatic views of Aonach Eagach, and spectacular views back towards Ben Nevis and the Mamores as I gained height. The summit at 3,127' gave views across the chasm of the glen to Bidean nam Bian, as well as a bird's eye view of Aonach Eagach itself - I've now done both the Munros, at either end of the ridge, without traversing the ridge itself. Munro#208.

Sgurr a Mhaoraich 14 May 2018

A fairly remote part of Scotland on Loch Quoich, and excellent stalkers paths, and views once again, for this excellent viewpoint being an isolated hill. Rocky near the summit (3,369') and I had to divert around. Couple of deep snow patches on the path, but a great panorama especially of Ladhar Bheinn down Loch Hourn, and Sgurr na Ciche across Glen Dessary. Up and down in 5h owing to the excellent access. A great trip, 5 summits all with views, and memories of the expanse of the western Highlands with snow-streaked ridges and northern corries accentuating the views. Munro total 207.

Beinn Fhada 13 May 2018

A really enjoyable walk in steadily proving weather, very varied - forested Glen, then a stalkers path zigzagging up the corrie onto a rocky plateau and a summit with a 360 panorama in the continuing good weather. Total 206.

The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine 12 May 2018

A stunning days weather in Glen Shiel starting with a superb early morning by the loch at Kintail. A good stalkers path, we bypassed the Forcan ridge up to the bealach. A steep pull up to the Saddle, and a great ridge and small exposed summit at 3,314'. A fantastic viewpoint in the stunning weather, from Ben Nevis and Knoydart round to the Cuillin ridge and the hills of the northwest ranged out in front of us - Fisherfield and Torridon all in view. Then down and up surprisingly steep slopes to Sgurr na Sgine, slightly lower at 3,100'. A great day to complete the Glen Shiel Munros, total 205.

Beinn Mhanach 11 May 2018

A bright morning and then more cloud and eventually some rain late afternoon. First day of the trip with Jen and Matt, good to finish off the Bridge of Orchy hills. A long walk in on predominantly grassy slopes, a strong southerly wind. Some snow patches still lying. A moderate pull up to the summit at 3,130' and a good viewpoint, especially east where the skies were brighter. Rather a boggy descent. Munro number 203.

Worcestershire Beacon - not quite a Munro..... 25 Feb 2018

First hill of the year, sunny skies and a very cold easterly wind.... a 4 mile walk on the crest of the Malverns to the summit of Worcestershire Beacon and back at 1,394'. Good views across Herefordshire towards Wales, the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. Not a Munro by any stretch of the imagination but a good bit of exercise, and hopefully a taster of the year ahead and a start on getting fit.