Hi

I have now notched up my First 100 Marilyns on Wills Neck in the Quantocks.
  I am now on 108 and am looking forward to ascending some more.

I was recently in Sleat on Skye, and due to the wind and rain and mist
(what else do you expect on Skye) so I headed for the pathless, peopleless
tops of the Sleat Peninsula.  There are 3 listed, but only managed the top
two, the southern  one I turned when I got lost in the mist and my wife was
waiting by the woods.  Has anyone else done these little gems (except the
Ordnance Survey)?  - I also managed Beinn Meabost by Elgol - great views of
Sleat from here.

If there is anyone in the Leighton Buzzard/Milton Keynes area, who needs a
bit of encouragement to go-and-get Marilyns then drop me a line.

CC

I was on Gyrn Moelfre 30/11/97.  Early Sunday morning - often a good time
for sneaking by landowners, views better than night-time.  At that time I
had no problem following the public FP from Fron about 1km east to a point
where I judged I'd be out of sight of the farm & could climb the hill.
Lovely hill, worth persevering.

Neighbouring Mynydd Mawr is also lovely. Its trig point is adopted by the
Gentian Club - see their website
http://freespace.virgin.net/p.day/gentians/gentian.htm
although the pics don't really do justice to the view south from its summit.

I'm lucky in that I've got up all but 5 of the Welsh RHBs with no access
hassles yet - even the infamous Carnedd Wen (OS125 - 923099) late afternoon
Saturday 19/9/98 from Clegyrnant, park by bridge, follow stream NE then
forest track to summit.  Met no-one, the only problems wet feet & boredom.
On the way down met a woman in wellies walking a dog along the track

Rob Woodall
-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Dawson <alan@...>
To: rhb@onelist.com <rhb@onelist.com>
Date: 27 June 1999 22:18
Subject: [rhb] Nice place, shame about the people


>From: Alan Dawson <alan@...>
>
>I hadn't been to Wales for about two years, in which time I've climbed
>around 200 Scottish hills without having any access hassles.
>Then last Friday I had a rare chance of a day bagging Welsh hills.
>Thought I'd start with Gyrn Moelfre (30E).
>I was barely 100 metres from the van before being faced with a snarling
>Doberman,
>a "Beware of the Dog" sign, and a very unpleasant Welsh woman
>who's only form of communication seemed to be to say "this is private"
>over and over again.  Normally in such cases I just back off and
>find another route, but in this case I knew I was on a public footpath
>and had legal right of way.  Cuts no ice at all with the folk at Fron
>(Sheet 125, SJ179298).
>
>Maybe I'll adopt Richard Webb's tactics and tackle future Welsh hills
>at night.
>
>Alan Dawson

What is it with Wales?  Am I just unlucky?
Sometimes it's quite reassuring to go back somewhere
and find that nothing's changed.  But not always.

I hadn't been to Wales for about two years, in which time I've climbed
around 200 Scottish hills without having any access hassles.
Then last Friday I had a rare chance of a day bagging Welsh hills.
Thought I'd start with Gyrn Moelfre (30E).
I was barely 100 metres from the van before being faced with a snarling
Doberman,
a "Beware of the Dog" sign, and a very unpleasant Welsh woman
who's only form of communication seemed to be to say "this is private"
over and over again.  Normally in such cases I just back off and
find another route, but in this case I knew I was on a public footpath
and had legal right of way.  Cuts no ice at all with the folk at Fron
(Sheet 125, SJ179298).
The tractor driver at Moelfre Hall (SJ187283) also denied the existence
of a mapped public footpath, but as I looked "a decent sort" he had no
objection to access.  Very nice hill too once you get on it.
To be fair, we had no trouble on Mynydd-y-briw, Rhialgwm or Allt y Main
(apart from brambles) but then no-one saw us.....

Maybe I'll adopt Richard Webb's tactics and tackle future Welsh hills
at night.

Alan Dawson

Thanks Richard

I recall seeing a marked path - didn't dare hope it might go to the summit

Cheers

Rob

PS enjoyed the Rum pics & will enjoy exploring the website further.  I was
there in '96 (last 2 Corbetts) & inadvertently did all Marilyns except
Mullach Mor.  Now I've an excuse to go back sometime and tidy up.

PPS my Grandpa ran 4 Woodalls Shoe Service sites in W'ton, dunno if you
recall at all

At 09:00 PM 6/22/99 +0100, you wrote:
>    This fine hill is situated above  Arrochar.     Last visit I had a brew
>at its foot, then headed off in search  of easier quarry (the Bonawe Five -
>rather fine)   Cheers   Rob Woodall (new to onelist HOPE THIS WORKS  !!!)

IIRC there is now a Forestry Commission marked path up Cruach Tarbert. A
Well signposted
start, between Arrochar and the Railway Station.

See TAC No. 2 for a description of the bad old days.

Richard Webb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orval piccies now visible at
http://www.crux.u-net.com/apr99/Orval.html

This fine hill is situated above Arrochar.

Has anyone found a way thru the serried ranks to its summit.  Last visit I had a
brew at its foot, then headed off in search of easier quarry (the Bonawe Five -
rather fine)

Cheers

Rob Woodall (new to onelist HOPE THIS WORKS !!!)

>
>Then there is Beinn Duirinnis and Beinn Resipol. Both have trigs, now
>recumbent and
>broken off.
>
Ditto Druim Fada though it's not at the top
Sighty Crag has both a recumbent and a standing one
>
>Beinn na Seilg  piccies now on
>http://www.crux.u-net.com/May99/BeinnnaSeilg.html#top
>
Great pics but shouldn't that be 'most westerly in MAINLAND GB'

Ann Bowker
http://www.keswick.u-net.com  ^^mad about mountains^^

>>Great Orme (30c)
>>Drive up theme park. 'Nuff said
>>
>But you don't have to drive up!

You could take a tram...

>>Brandy Hill (31c)
>>Drive up, hunt the trig. I am giving away no clues
>>
>Is there really a trig there?
>We came to the conclusion that it had been destroyed by the water board.
>Not without precedent to find a pillar gone - the one on Pen y Fan is
>definitely not there!

The trig is there.. the waterboard missed it.

The one on Pen y Fan has definitely left the hill

Then there is Beinn Duirinnis and Beinn Resipol. Both have trigs, now
recumbent and
broken off.

Richard Webb
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beinn na Seilg  piccies now on
http://www.crux.u-net.com/May99/BeinnnaSeilg.html#top

Not everybody's idea of an interesting hill, I suppose, but I had a
fine day there today. A path has evolved on the upper reaches of the
hill :-(

Sronphadruig Lodge has some day-glo deer fencing; I've never seen this
before, and I hope I don't again. There's a few kilometers more near
the foot of the Gaick Pass.

It was such a grand day that we went on to Maol Creag an Loch. It was
a great day for wildlife; nothing too unusual, but there was lots of
it, in great variety.

We never saw a soul from leaving the A9 until we returned there.

Grand Day Out. Sunshine always lifts a hill in my estimation :-)

--
Paul Richardson
paulrichardson@...

>>> Wentwood (32C)
>>> Excess tree density.  I couldn't find the trig point !
>>>
It was sheltering under a golf umbrella when we were there
>
>Great Orme (30c)
>Drive up theme park. 'Nuff said
>
But you don't have to drive up!
Come up from the west or the south, keep your eyes shut at the top and it's
quite a nice walk!
Best done on a stormy winter day or, as I did it, so early in the morning
that everybody else was still in bed
>
>South Park(31d)
>Sweet!
>
??????

>Brandy Hill (31c)
>Drive up, hunt the trig. I am giving away no clues
>
Is there really a trig there?
We came to the conclusion that it had been destroyed by the water board.
Not without precedent to find a pillar gone - the one on Pen y Fan is
definitely not there!

Ann Bowker
http://www.keswick.u-net.com  ^^mad about mountains^^

Just to prove Alan wrong in saying that I'm too modest to mention my
'compleations' this is to say that yesterday I completed all the Marilyns
over 1500 feet (half a Munro!).
Well I might as well boast about that since there is no chance that I'll
lower this to 1000ft - let alone do them all!
'Last' hill was Sgurr na Stri. An odd choice really since it was so
different from most of our recent remote obscure and lonely hills, the
boring track up Glen Sligachan being crowded with people though they all
seemed to turn back at the bealach. Odd also that we had never been up it
before - sat at Sligachan several times and rejected it because we were
determined to get a view from the top. Look at
http://www.keswick.u-net.com/stri.jpg to see what we saw yesterday.

Ann Bowker
http://www.keswick.u-net.com  ^^mad about mountains^^

Some dull, the weather was s***e, photos of the slopes of Meall Alvie are on..
http://www.crux.u-net.com/Feb99/MeallAlvie.html#top


Richard Webb

At 08:59 PM 6/12/99 +0100, you wrote:
>
>> Wentwood (32C)
>> Excess tree density.  I couldn't find the trig point !
>>
Thats the fun!, having the orienteering map helps, but I di not use it,
honest.
But is the trig the highest point?
The trees are friendly here

>> Watch Croft (40)
>
Prickly prickly, very ,very prickly. Had a good day on this one. Started
with the Bosigran (commando) ridge, tea in the Count house and off up into
the jungle. Carn Gowla gives a great scramble to finish.
Failed on Carnmenellis once due to prickles. Best done from the east.


>> Pen Y Garn (31C)
>> Just boring really, rather disappointing for a Welsh Graham.
Did this while fleeing a car rally. Marshals threw a fit when I turned in
their press area (Forestry Comm. Car park). Went up through experimental
farm. Good view of the rally from the summit.
Pen y Garn Goch. Thats a dull one.


>>
>> Dundry Down (41)

Failed on this.  Cow was calving on the footpath. Left her to it, and will
be back.

A few nominations in Wales
Mynydd Eppynt.(32a)
Near a road, but in an army range. Safe enough even when flag is flying, as
they close
the road when firing in that area. Catch is you will be moved on if you as
much as stop
on the B road. Did it by parking as close as possible and running like
hell. Carrying
ID is an idea here.

Great Orme (30c)
Drive up theme park. 'Nuff said

Mynydd Rhyd Ddu (30c)
Advanced farmer dodging. Watched the polis looking my car over as I descended.

Y Golfa (30e)
Duck!
Got chased by a friesian bull on a public footpath on the way up, dodged
golf balls on the top (crazy name, crazy game). Then some scummer was
impressing his bimbo by driving at me on the wrong side of the road when I
was walking back. Great day.

Upper Park(31a)
Spread over several maps, intensive pheasant rearing. Did it in early
morning mist and soon realised that someone else was in the forest with me,
someone armed and probably
illegal, like me. found a freshly killed fallow buck. Scarey

South Park(31d)
Sweet!

Brandy Hill (31c)
Drive up, hunt the trig. I am giving away no clues

Myarth(32a)
Everybody's favourite.
Killer vegetation, triffid plantation on summit. Psycho gamies. Tip,
have a stiff drink in the Kestrel leave the car there, and then walk
yourself legal up the
NW side, try and avoid the conifers(and the locals).
Good luck!

Mynydd Sylen(32b)
Easy, nice view and killer barbed wire.

Garth Hill(32c)
Film star and haunt of scumbags.
200 GBP damage to my door here due to thieves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RE big numbers.
>as the latest Hall member on 1009.  His 1000th was Seana Mheallan
>in February 1999. (845-0-122-42).  He bagged Cruachan Charna (18C)
>at the end of May, the first person I know of who has been on Carna
>("with the help of a friend with a yacht").
>

I met the friend with a yacht  at a party on Rum in April. He told me all
about Dr Gordon.
BTW Carna is possible. You can hire a boat from Nr Glenborrodale. 70 GBP/day
If a crowd can be got together I am game for this.

The yachtie has been hired to do Scalpay and the Shiants. Lucky man.



Richard Webb
Sub 3000 http://www.crux.u-net.com

Recently visted 36 remote Corbetts in 9 of the last 11 weekends. (plus a few
more Marilyns)
Just worked out that coming from Manchester (and not retired)
  this cost me about 930 pounds in petrol and ferrys.
ie An average of 26 pounds a Corbett!

Gordon Adshead

PS Don Smithies tells me that he has now crossed 930
and is determined to reach 1000 before he is 70

Had an excellent weekend in Knoydart at the end of May, first visit
to Barrisdale, first use of an umbrella on a hill (Meall nan Eun), first
use of Dry Walkers and first ascent of some big Corbetts
(Sgurr a'Choire-bheithe, Ben Aden and Sgurr nan Eugallt).

Walked out over Eugallt with a mission to check Hamish Brown's
comment in "Climbing the Corbetts" that "the trig point is not on
the highest point of the ridge".  My impression is that he's right.
Although the official Corbett and Marilyn lists both give the top as
894m at NG931045, observation on the summit ridge and from
Sgurr a'Choire-bheithe suggests that the real summit is at
NG927048, height unknown - perhaps around 897m.
Anyone else climbed this in clear weather?
Charles Everett says:
  "On my pathfinder 236 (metricised 25ft contours) the summit of
  Sgurr nan Eugalt TP has a small 2925ft contour ring which equates to
  891.55m.  There is certainly a  considerably bigger 2925ft ring 500m.
  to the NW with no spot height...."

Talking of Hamish, he sent me a message to pass on:
"I'm thinking of Jura immediately after [weekend of 20-22 August].
Taking camper van and would be glad of cost-sharing camping passengers.
Can you pass this around?"

I don't think I'll have any holidays left so will be at work that week,
but if anyone fancies a few days on Jura that week let me know and I'll
act
as liaison officer - or contact Hamish directly at
26 Kirkcaldy Road, Burntisland, Fife KY3 9HQ.
He's not on email and I doubt if he ever will be.
Bit of a Luddite in some ways - he's still resisting use of the
word 'Marilyn'.

Finally, two big numbers.  Rob Woodall is now on 912 after
notching up 29 in a few days which included a 24-hour traverse
of the Cuillin Ridge AND the Red Cuillin.  Fairly boggling.
- 59 tops, 33 miles and more than 23000 feet of ascent.

And James Gordon from Kinlochlaggan (Newtonmore) has clocked in
as the latest Hall member on 1009.  His 1000th was Seana Mheallan
in February 1999. (845-0-122-42).  He bagged Cruachan Charna (18C)
at the end of May, the first person I know of who has been on Carna
("with the help of a friend with a yacht").

I just don't seem to move in the right circles.
My sister has got a canoe but I don't think I've ever met
anyone with their own yacht.

Cheers

Alan Dawson

Some observations from John Abbott of Bristol:

> John.Abbott@... wrote:
>
> I haven't done too many Marilyns I do have a few suggestions for
> the Hall of Shame ...
>
> Wentwood (32C)
> Excess tree density.  I couldn't find the trig point !
>
> Watch Croft (40)
> As Colin Donnelly reports, this is surrounded by tough prickly gorse....
>
> I wore shorts when I climbed Watch Croft on an idyllic summer's evening. I
> was accompanied by my dog (normally a dim-witted creature) who refused to
> walk through the prickles surrounding the summit.  Of course, I had to
> reach the trig point and so I carried her to the summit which caused
> puzzlement and amusement to a couple walking on a good path nearby.  I was
> obviously in discomfort and I think they formed their own impression on
> which of us was the dim-witted creature.
>
> Pen Y Garn (31C)
> Just boring really, rather disappointing for a Welsh Graham.  I did it via
> the quickest route which is still about an hour on a dusty forestry track.
> The anticipation of the ascent is not fulfilled when the summit is reached,
> a real anti-climax.
>
> Dundry Down (41)
>
> I feel as though I should defend Dundry Hill as I have lived most of my
> life in its shadow.  Even now, I live within 4 miles of the Marilyn and
> much closer to the (more pleasant, less spoilt) eastern end of the hill.
> However, I went up to the Marilyn on Sunday and I have to concede that the
> immediate vicinity of the summit is a mess (old tractors, building debris,
> "sludge" etc.).  It didn't smell (OK, so it was breezy) and the views of
> Bristol, South Wales, Somerset hills etc. are as good as ever.  Surely
> there are worse Marilyns ?  Am I being too protective of my local Marilyn ?
>
> Best wishes,
>
> John Abbott
> Bristol

Many thanks, Richard and Jonathan, for your helpful comments.

I was, of course, leaping to unjustified conclusions on the basis of
all those "conifer" symbols on the map. Glad to hear it's easier than
it appears. I hope to get around to climbing it soon.


--
Paul
paulrichardson@...

At 11:18 PM 6/10/99 +0100, you wrote:
>From: paulrichardson@... (Paul Richardson)
>
>
>
>How?
>
>(Deeside. OS44. NO203919)

Easy.

Its arboreal, but friendly. The West side is covered in Scots pines
and gnarley old Caledonian Pine wood at the top.

Did the hill in Feb, when blizzarded off Carn Liath.  Go up from Keiloch
and take the road that passes the west of the hill. Strike upwards
from anywhere of this road.  In orienteering terms its all 'runnable'

Enjoy the 'vibes', this is one of those hills that realy got to me.
Its a bit special on top.  Enjoy.

Will try and get a piccy up on Sub3000

Richard Webb
www.crux.u-net.com

Recently an orienteering event was held in the woods on Shobdon Hill,
Herefordshire. There is a map showing the winning routes on
http://freespace.virgin.net/mike.farrington/Harlequins/images/pictures/M16A.
jpg

The summit is towards the west of the map

This may be of use in finding the top which is in a pleasant oak wood.

Whilst there is little or no 'access' nonsense here, please note that there
is a
lot of forestry work going on on the southern dip slope of the hill.

Richard Webb
http://crux.u-net.com

> Subject: Meall Alvie
>
> Deeside. OS44. NO203919
>
	 We climbed this October 1999. It depends on how up to date your map
is, and that the OS do not distinguish between fine old mature forest with
100 ' high trees, which are easy and a pleasure to walk through and newer
plantations 20' high with dense and bushy low growth.

	 Park at Kepoch on A93 east of Braemar, there are a few spaces
between the trees.

	 We walked up the forest road marked on the OS 1:50,000 map which
runs parallel with the A93, and then climbed straight up through the trees
to the ridge EAST of the summit. There is an old wall, which can be followed
easily WEST to the summit.

	 We came down the west ridge to join the track heading north from
Keppoch. The trees on this side are mature, and this would be a better route
there and back, avoiding any fights with trees.

Hope this helps

Jonathan Woods

How?

(Deeside. OS44. NO203919)

Cheers,


--
Paul Richardson
paulrichardson@...

Another big landmark was reached a few days ago when Ann Bowker
climbed her final mainland Marilyn: Druim na Cluain-airighe (10B),
which she describes as:

"An inspired choice for such a celebration followed by a beery lunch
in the Old Forge at Inverie with no car to worry about"

Ann is now on the RHB list but perhaps too modest to mention this
herself.
Amazing achievement.  Is that 1524 now Ann?
And this was shortly after Ann had climbed her final Graham,
Trallval on Rum, making her the seventh known Grahamist and the first
woman to complete them.

Also Rowland Bowker says he would have liked to have made a statement in
the newsletter, namely:

   "When we obtained your book in 1992 I gave myself the aim of climbing
1500
   which I have achieved. I have now "retired" from full time "Marilyn
   Bagging" although I will still do some when appropriate. I now wish to
   devote more of the time I still have left to things I have neglected
like
   re-climbing some of my favourite Munros and some long distance cycling
for
   example.  The quest from June 1992 to July 1998 was marvellous. Many
many     thanks for the book."

I've also heard of a potential new member who has climbed over
1000 Marilyns - will send details when confirmed.

I'd better go: now 2:30am and I have an early start for Barrisdale
tomorrow.

Cheers

Alan Dawson
alan@...
RHB 836

Sorry if anyone has sent me email recently and not had a reply.
Various reasons: I've been in the USA for 11 days, just back on Monday
(bagged four US County Tops, all in Vermont, three 4000-footers and one
just under).  And just a few minutes ago I received a flood of
messages that have been stacked up on the Freeserve servers for up to
two weeks, so it will take me a while to deal with them.

Also, I'm heading off to Knoydart tomorrow for the long weekend, then
when I get back I have to go to an annoying conference thing at Warwick
Univ,
(no hills round there), so it will be at least a week before I can
tackle the backlog.  Busy time really.

Cheers

Alan Dawson
alan@...

At 11:51 AM 5/25/99 +0100, you wrote:
>From: ann bowker <bowker@...>
>. TofL should join Ben A'n as a
>good non-peak-bagger's hill worth doing for its own sake (but how many npbs
>will do it?).

While we are in Morvern (nice thought) Beinn Iadain is worth a go and aint
on The List(Goes well with Beinn na h-Uamha). See if you can find the
chalk, I have some on my mantlepiece, Real Scottish Chalk(TM).  There is a
track all the way over from Kinloch To Glen Cripesdale, but discretion is
recommended passing Kinloch.
From the bealach it's like the steep end of Pen y Ghent, only better.

Oh yes, Ben A'an is good too.

Richard Webb
http://www.crux.u-net.com   Bags of wee hills.

Just joined this list so here's some useful advice to test it out:
An excellent way onto An Sleagach is over Glais Bheinn and Table of Lorn
which are reminiscent of the Brecon Beacons. A good track winds up onto the
ridge from the gate immediately south of the bridge at 706472 and then
there is really easy going to the trig on GB. TofL should join Ben A'n as a
good non-peak-bagger's hill worth doing for its own sake (but how many npbs
will do it?). Mam a'Chullaich is better climbed than skirted. An Sleaghach
is a real connoisseur's hill, especially if you are lucky enough to be
there on a day as good as we had with the Sound of Mull virtually flat calm.
You could traverse through very rough terrain with some attractive lochans
to Beinn a'Chaisil and come down by Leacraithnaich (the track is pretty
vague east of the bothy) but we made 2 days of it.
Ann Bowker
http://www.keswick.u-net.com  ^^mad about mountains^^

Just a test message to say I have signed up to Rhb@onelist.

Hopefully climbing Dun Rig (Peebles) and a few Donalds one day this weekend.




Jonathan Woods

Applied Technology - Olefins Group
BP Chemicals, Grangemouth

* +44 (0) 1324 49-7466
* +44 (0) 1324 49-3147
E-Mail:  woodsj@...

> Just to test the system:-

Great stuff, it works.  That's four of us on the list so far.

> Although Alan's latest Update suggests that there are 4 candidate tops for Na
> Maoilean (3B)
>
> (Just by chance I visited them last Friday)
>
> I am fairly sure that the one with the Trig Point is the most likely highest >
point.

Pleased to hear this - much more satisfying I think than a tussock.

Here's a couple of other recent comments:

   From Malcolm Corbett (his real name I think):

   ..."has anyone mentioned that the tumulus next to the trig point on
Firle
   Beacon (South Downs) must be at least two metres higher than the trig
point"

It's a few years since I was there, and I can't remember.

   And from Bob Fowler:

   "I was interested to note the inclusion of 2 new hills near Swanage.
A
   good area to visit.  If you are visiting Swyre Head try the short walk
   to the Square and Compass at Worth Matravers, a gem of a pub - see the
   Camra guide for more details"


I'm just about to head off to Vermont for 11 days so will not be
contributing to this list at all or replying to any email - but
anyone can post messages of course.


Cheers

Alan Dawson
alan@...

Just to test the system:-
Although Alan's latest Update suggests that there are 4 candidate tops for Na
Maoilean (3B)
(Just by chance I visited them last Friday)
I am fairly sure that the one with the Trig Point is the most likely highest
point.

Test message

Please ignore.

AB