Craig of Monievreckie and reflections on 2013

29 December 2013

December has not been a good month for hill walking, especially if you live in the west of Scotland. It seems to have been one storm after another but at least there hasn't been any snow. But today the weather had relented, just in time for a final hill walk in 2013. I didn't want to drive far so it was back to an old favourite, the sub-2k Craig of Monievreckie neat Aberfoyle.

I made an early start as the forecast was for more rain coming in later in the day. There was a lot of cloud about, but that was only to be expected for late December. However the sun was making periodic appearances, so it was quite atmospheric. I won't bother describing the route because it was the same as that I have blogged in the past. Above the forest and out on the hillside I was surprised at how vibrant the colours were. This is looking to Ben Venue with the sun just catching the snow at it's very top......

It was a bit cloudier to the west but I could make out Ben Lomond through the gloom.....

and then we were at the summit.....

There was a bit of cloud in the valley when we got there, it made the Lake of Menteith look very atmospheric.....

But the cloud soon dispersed. The best of the view was to the east, towards Beinn Dearg, another sub-2k....
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While I was having my cuppa at the trig, four folk and two dogs appeared, also taking advantage of the break in the weather.

This walk gave me the opportunity to reflect on my walking in 2013. A year that had started with me recuperating from major cancer surgery and not knowing whether I would be back on the hills or not. However I recovered quickly and by the time that the main walking season arrived in April I was confident enough to head to some of the rougher stuff in the highlands. I concentrated mostly on sub-2k Marilyns although I also managed some new Grahams. I had been conscious that there were two milestones approaching- Ben's 100th listed hill and my own 700th Marilyn. Ben reached his first on Knockan, an inauspicious wind turbine covered hill in Banffshire. I was less sure about me reaching 700 but a good spell of weather in October and November saw me there (on Fionn Bhealach in Arran) and in fact I finished the year having made a good start on another 100!

To be honest though, I am simply glad just to be out on the hills again.

To everyone who reads this blog, have a great New Year.

Neil and Ben