A 2020 Summary

2020 was a year like no other in living memory.  The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic spread around the world causing millions of deaths and resulting in the restriction of freedoms we used to take for granted.  These restrictions, including lockdowns, hugely limited the opportunities to head for the hills.

At the start of 2020 I had 280 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100, Nuttall, WASHIS, Dawson, Dewey, Bridge and Buxton & Lewis summits.

The publication of Mark Richards’ updated and revised Fellranger guidebooks added 3 new summits to my list.  TRAIL magazine’s reboot of its TRAIL 100 list added another 5.

Overall I :

            went on             6                                  walks

            walked              47.6                              miles

            ascended          17,890                          feet

            walked for         29 hrs 50 mins            (including rest stops !)

            reached            11                                 individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached            3                                   individual summits that I had been to before

            reached            8                                 summits on my combined ticklist

            reached            0                                   previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached            3                                  previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                678                             miles on trips to and from walks

The only significant achievement of the year was a re-completion of the Fellrangers.

All of this meant that after additions and my walks, my ongoing ticklist remained static at 280 summits.

A 2019 Summary

At the start of 2019 I had 441 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100, Nuttall, WASHIS, Simpson, Dawson, Dewey, Moss, Wright, Bridge and Buxton & Lewis summits.

The year was another in which ambition exceeded activity, although the start of the year showed some promise.  After April, no targeted summits were ticked and only a few “boots on” days happened after then.

Overall I :

            went on             9                                  walks

            walked              68.9                              miles

            ascended          17,890                          feet

            walked for         44 hrs 24 mins            (including rest stops !)

            reached            20                                 individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached            6                                   individual summits that I had been to before

            reached            15                                 summits on my combined ticklist

            reached            1                                   previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached            5                                   previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                2195                             miles on trips to and from walks

I’ve detailed this in previous blogs but this year saw the removal of the Moss, Simpson and Wright summits from my ticklist.  This resulted in a list with 146 fewer summits!

The most significant or memorable walks included Pendle Hill, a traverse of the Howgills, Arenig Fach and Sàil Mhòr in Scotland.

All of this meant that after removals and my walks, my ongoing ticklist decreased from 441 to 280 summits.

A 2018 Summary

At the start of 2018 I had 459 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100, Nuttall, WASHIS, Simpson, Dawson, Dewey, Moss, Wright, Bridge and Buxton & Lewis summits.  2018 was the fifth year of my arbitrary 10-year completion plan and I had aimed to tick 52 summits on my list which would include 23 Nuttalls and 4 TRAIL 100s.

The year was one of distraction, with personal and family issues taking precedence over ticking summits.  So, for the fifth year in a row I didn't reach my targets.  From now on, I won't be setting annual targets and I'll take a more relaxed approach to reach completion.

Overall I :

            went on             11                                 walks

            walked              76.5                              miles

            ascended          24,390                          feet

            walked for         55 hrs 6 mins              (including rest stops !)

            reached            28                                 individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached            4                                   individual summits that I had been to before

            reached            27                                 summits on my combined ticklist

            reached            1                                   previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached            14                                 previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                2343                             miles on trips to and from walks

2018 saw 3 Nuttall reclassifications:

            Miller Moss (Little Lingy Hill) was promoted from ex-Nuttall to Nuttall status;

            Foel Cedig was "discovered" as a new Nuttall;

            Cyrniau Nod was demoted to ex-Nuttall status.

Another change was that Cefn Gwyntog North Top was split into 2 summits – North Top and Far North Top – which increased my ticklist by 1.

I also added a couple of more lists to my own ticklist.  I added the ex-Nuttalls which increased my list by 5 and I added the TGO40 list – The Great Outdoors magazine's selection of the 40 best mountains to celebrate its 40th anniversary – which only increased my list by 2.  The TGO40 is roughly a subset of the TRAIL 100 list!

The most significant walks included explorations of the Moelwyns, my first ascent of Cader Idris and my eighth ascent of Snowdon.

All of this meant that after additions, promotions, demotions and my walks, my ongoing ticklist decreased from 459 to 441 summits.

Ysgafell Wen

Three days after abandoning the plan to end my walk with a traverse of Ysgafell Wen I returned to finish the job.  This time I started from Gelli-lago in the west.

Craig Llyn-llagi

I followed the path towards Llyn Llagi and then aimed for the switchback of the path up to Llyn yr Adar which was initially hard to find.  I overshot the turn and climbed too high but from above the path was much easier to see.  Although the path looked a lot less accessible than it actually was I was soon at the shore of the Llyn.

Llyn yr Adar

The lessened visibility coaxed me to take a bearing towards Ysgafell Wen and I touched the tops of all of the likely candidates for the highpoint within the larger of the 670-metre contour rings.  A short drop to the col and then up to the pronounced outcrop saw me on the Nuttall summit.

Ysgafell Wen summit

Cnicht (in the distance) from Ysgafell Wen

It didn’t take long to reach the north top and then the far north top before continuing across some mildly boggy terrain (as most of the day turned out to be!) to take aim for the WASHIS summit of Moel Meirch.  The cloud base had risen affording ever-improving views with Cnicht and the summits of my previous walk particularly caught the eye.

Cnicht and Llyn yr Adar from the north top

Moel Druman, Ysgafell Wen and the north top from the far north top

The final ascent was not well defined; the lack of classification of the hill obviously deters visitors and therefore only indistinct tracks, if any, found their way across the heather and jumbled rocks.

Moel Meirch

It is obvious which is the highpoint, it being an impressive looking pyramidal tor, especially when seen from the east.  Actually reaching the top takes an easy scramble from the more accessible western side. And the juxtaposition of the top block and Yr Aran gave the opportunity for some interesting photographic compositions.

Moel Meirch summit rock

Descending the valley eating jelly babies, the cloud was lifting from Snowdon and Lliwedd; Crib Goch was already in clear view.  Snowdon was clear for about half an hour before the cloud descended again, but I managed to take plenty of photos.

Yr Aran, Snowdon, Lliwedd and Crib Goch

Snowdon, Lliwedd and Crib Goch

The final off-road walking needed some careful navigation, using field boundaries as the major aid to keep on course but once on the road, the last kilometre gave me the chance to cover some ground quickly before eventually reaching the car and a welcome removal of boots.

2018 Targets

Lists to tick

My target ticklist is a combination of unclimbed Nuttalls, TRAIL 100s, WASHIS, Simpsons, Dawsons, Deweys, Mosses, Wrights,Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  At the start of 2018 there are 459 individual summits on my ticklist.

In 2017 I added the Dawsons, Deweys, Mosses and Wrights to my list which increase the total by 137 summits.  My previous goal of completing the list in 2023 has been extended to 2026 because of this, which now gives me 9 years to reach the target.

Still to be ticked at the start of this year are 201 of the 445 Nuttalls and 38 of the TRAIL 100 summits.

This coming year

In simple numbers, 11% of my remaining summits based on my remaining 9-year plan should be an achievable target for 2018, as long as I have some significant multi-summit days out.  11% means 51 summits, but I’m going to round this up to 1 per week.

Which means I’m aiming for 52 summits, amongst which should be 23 Nuttalls and 4 TRAIL 100s.

Because of a number of years of not meeting targets with regard to specific summits, this year I won’t be naming any but I do hope to claim a few that lie further afield.

It’s time to start studying the maps!

A 2017 Summary

At the start of 2017 I had 334 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100 summits, Nuttalls, WASHIS, Simpsons, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  2017 was the fourth year of my fairly arbitrary 10-year completion target and I had aimed to tick 48 summits on my combined list which would include 30 Nuttalls and 6 TRAIL 100s.

And now, for the fourth year in a row I didn’t reach my targets and, yet again, by some distance!

Overall I :

            went on             9                                   walks

            walked              77.7                              miles

            ascended          29,206                          feet

            walked for         53 hrs 43 mins            (including rest stops !)

            reached            16                                 individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached            6                                   individual summits that I had been to before

            reached            12                                 summits on my combined ticklist

            reached            1                                   previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached            5                                   previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                2074                             miles on trips to and from walks

2017 only saw one change to the Nuttalls list.  Carnedd y Ddelw in the Carneddau was demoted following a resurvey but it didn’t have any effect on my list as I had ticked it way back in 1988!

Notable walks included Ben Lomond, Bowfell to mop up a couple of Nuttalls, Arenig Fawr and High Cup Nick which saw another Nuttall put in the bag.

My targets of Snaefell, the 6 Cheviot Nuttalls and Pillar Rock were unsurprisingly untouched – maybe it’s time not to name specific targets!

During the year I added a few more lists – Dawson, Dewey, Moss & Wright – to my own list; another 137 summits!  They are all of 2000-foot mountains in England & Wales and are recognised by the LDWA.  My reasoning for including these takes a little bit of explaining so maybe I will write a blog about it in the future.

So after my walks, a demotion and list additions, my ongoing ticklist increased from 334 to 459 summits!

I think that 2018 will see a different approach when setting targets.

2017 Targets

Lists to tick

My target ticklist is a combination of unclimbed Nuttalls, TRAIL 100s, WASHIS, Simpsons, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  At the start of 2017 there are 334 individual summits on my ticklist and my goal of completing them in 2023 leaves 7 years to reach the target.

Still to be ticked at the start of this year are 206 of the 446 Nuttalls and 39 of the TRAIL 100 summits.

This coming year

In simple numbers, 14% of my remaining summits based on my remaining 7-year target is an achievable target for 2017, as long as I have some significant multi-summit days out.

Which means I’m aiming for 48 summits, amongst which should be 30 Nuttalls and 6 TRAIL 100s.

Amongst my specific targets (again !) are the 6 Cheviot Nuttalls and Pillar Rock.  I’m also aiming for Snaefell on the Isle of Man but that will depend on ferry times and fares.

Let’s see what happens this year…

A 2016 Summary

At the start of 2016 I had 349 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100 summits, Nuttalls, WASHIS, Simpsons, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  2016 was the third year of my 10-year completion target and I had aimed to tick 44 summits on my combined list which would include 27 Nuttalls and 5 TRAIL 100s.

For the third successive year in a row I fell short, and by quite an amount !

Overall I :

            went on             11                                 walks

            walked              77.2                              miles

            ascended          26,309                          feet

            walked for         59 hrs 2 mins               (including rest stops !)

            reached            15                                 individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached            10                                 individual summits that I had been to before

            reached            15                                 summits on my combined ticklist

            reached            2                                  previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached            15                                 previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                2080                             miles on trips to and from walks

2016 was a year that saw a few changes to the list of Nuttalls.  Calf Top was added following the Ordnance Survey adopting a new geoid model; Craig Gwaun Taf was added after a resurvey but I had previously bagged it as it is also a Bridge and Buxton & Lewis summit; Bram Rigg Top was demoted following a resurvey but I had bagged it not long before its demotion; both Long Fell and Tinside Rigg were added after resurveys, both of which were already on my ticklist because of their Buxton & Lewis status.

Another bonus tick was Glaramara North Top which I worked out that I had bagged following some close study of maps, summit descriptions and my walking log – ticks don’t get a lot easier than that !

So after my walks, promotions, a demotion and some careful research, my ongoing ticklist stands at 334 summits.  That’s a fair amount of walking still left to do !

Of the specific summits that I stated were 2016 I only managed Garbh Bheinn in Ardgour and all bar one of the Howgill Nuttalls.  Yet again, I didn’t get to the 6 Cheviot Nuttalls or Pillar Rock.

2016 was a poor year from a numerical point of view but I still had a couple of good days out.  A winter ascent of Garbh Bheinn was the highlight and a return to the Coniston fells made for a good spring outing.

Hopefully 2017 will prove a little more fruitful.

2016 Targets

Lists to tick

My target ticklist has grown since this time last year as I have incorporated the Simpsons – a little known list of Lake District 2000-foot summits – to my existing combination of Nuttalls, TRAIL 100s, WASHIS, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  At the start of 2016 there are 349 individual summits on my ticklist and my goal of completing them in 2023 leaves 8 years to reach the target.

Still to be ticked at the start of this year are 215 of the 443 Nuttalls and 41 of the TRAIL 100 summits.

This coming year

In simple numbers, 12½% of my remaining summits based on my remaining 8-year target should be a reasonable goal for 2016.

Which means I’m aiming for 44 summits, amongst which should be 27 Nuttalls and 5 TRAIL 100s.

Included again this year are specific targets that have not been met in the last 2 years despite me highlighting them – the 6 Cheviot Nuttalls and Pillar Rock.  Despite its technicality, I’ve spoken to a couple of mates who are keen to join me on a trip to climb the Slab and Notch route of Pillar Rock, so hopefully I’ll actually get it done this year !

TRAIL magazine 7 summits challenge

The January 2016 issue of TRAIL magazine issued a challenge to its readers to list 7 summits that they would like to tick in 2016.  So for a bit of fun, I took it up and published my list on Twitter under the hashtag #trail7summits – keep an eye on this year’s blog entries will chronicle to see how I progress.

A 2015 Summary

At the start of 2015 I had 307 summits on my combined ticklist of TRAIL 100 summits, Nuttalls, WASHIS, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  2015 was the second year of my 10-year completion target and had aimed to tick 34 summits on my combined list which would include 26 Nuttalls and 6 TRAIL 100s.

For the second year in a row I fell short, but not by so much.

Overall I :

            went on             17                                walks

            walked              118.5                            miles

            ascended          34,304                          feet

            walked for         70 hrs 36 mins             (including rest stops !)

            reached             29                                individual summits that I hadn’t been to before

            reached             12                                individual summits that I had been to before

            reached             25                                summits on my combined ticklist

            reached             8                                  previously unclimbed TRAIL 100 summits

            reached             15                                previously unclimbed Nuttall summits

            drove                 4254                            miles on trips to and from walks

As the year progressed and the numbers of targeted summits decreased, a Nuttall was demoted following a survey and a WASHIS was added due to a list compilation oversight.  But I added a number of unclimbed Scottish 4000-foot  and Irish 3000-foot summits as well as some Lake District 2000-foot summits from a historic list known as the Simpsons.

So following a demotion, an addition, the ticking of 29 summits as well as the expansion of my target list, what started as 307 summits ended as a list of 349 !  Still quite a bit of walking needed !

Of the specific summits that I stated were 2015 targets, I did manage to tick the 3 Dartmoor summits and Worcestershire Beacon which was quite a challenge to do on a single day out from just north of Liverpool !  And again I didn’t manage to get near the 6 Cheviot Nuttalls and Pillar Rock.

Although 2015’s figures are quite a bit better than 2014’s, it didn’t feel that I’d got out very much and the high mileage was due to a couple of family holidays being taken advantage of to get a single hill day on both of them.  Highlights of the year were Suilven, Pen y Fan, Cross Fell and Merrick – all well-worth the travelling and except for Pen y Fan, devoid of crowds.

Now let’s see what 2016 brings.

2015 Targets

Lists to tick

My target ticklist is a combination of Nuttalls, TRAIL 100 summits, WASHIS, Bridges and Buxton & Lewis summits.  At the start of 2015 there are 308 individual summits on this list (following the “discovery” of a new WASHIS summit) and I have set myself the goal of completing them in 2023 which leaves 9 years until the self-imposed deadline.  You may think that is plenty of time but my efforts last year fell short of a fairly non-challenging yearly goal.

Still to be ticked at the start of the year are 231 of the 444 Nuttalls and 49 of the TRAIL 100 summits.

This coming year

In simple numbers, 11% of my remaining summits based on my remaining 9-year target appears to be a reasonable goal for 2015.

Which means I’m aiming for 34 summits, amongst which should be 26 Nuttalls and 6 TRAIL 100s.

My unticked summits still include some of the more isolated groups of English mountains which I’d like to tick this year.  These are :

• the Cheviots                 (6 summits)
• the Malverns                 (1 summit)
• Dartmoor                      (3 summits)

And I’d like to climb Pillar Rock if I can find a partner or two willing to brave the long walk-in !

Forthcoming blog entries will chronicle how I’m doing; I hope progress is better than last year !

2014 Targets

Lists to tick

Entering 2014, I am doing a lot of work behind the scenes to work out walking routes to tick the remaining summits of the lists I have chosen to pursue in my now post-Wainwright days.

I have decided to aim for completion of the English and Welsh 2000-foot mountains, these being the Nuttalls.  However, there are a couple of historic lists of 2000-footers, particularly the Bridge list and Buxton & Lewis list.  As you would expect, there are a lot of common summits across all three lists, but there are a few summits on the two older lists that are not Nuttalls.  I have chosen Bridge and Buxton & Lewis as opposed to other similar lists for two reasons; these classifications are included in the DoBIH spreadsheet and many of the 2000-foot completions on the LDWA website are for these lists.

Another long-term goal is completion of the TRAIL100 summits.  Most of my remaining TRAIL100s are in Scotland but those left in England and Wales are also Nuttalls and so should be simple to tick.

The WASHIS is a Welsh-specific list of 600-metre mountains.  Most of these are also Nuttalls and the extra 5 that aren’t can be ticked with a little extra effort.

In the long term

If my sums are correct, I have 324 summits to tick to complete all of the above lists.  The summits range from the very far north of Scotland to Dartmoor and I have set myself a goal of 10 years to finish them.  It’s not very ambitious but it does allow a large contingency for whatever life events arrive in the coming years.

Of 444 Nuttalls I have 245 left to tick; of the 100 TRAIL summits, I have 54 unticked.

This year

In simple numbers, 10% of my remaining summits based on my 10-year plan seems reasonable.

Which means I’m aiming for 33 summits, amongst which should be 25 Nuttalls and 6 TRAIL100s.

Looking at a map of my unticked summits, I’d like to mop up the more isolated groups of English mountains this year.  These are :

• the Cheviots                  (6 summits)
• the Peak District           (3 summits)
• the Malverns                 (1 summit)
• Dartmoor                      (3 summits) 

In addition, one English summit that I’d like to climb is Pillar Rock.  Strictly speaking, it is beyond the reach of ordinary hillwalkers but my previous rock-climbing experience gives me the confidence that this otherwise tricky summit shouldn’t pose me too many problems.

Keep an eye on my forthcoming blog entries and I’ll let you know how I’m doing.

A New Start

Because of my recent Lakeland-centric wanderings to complete the Wainwrights and Outlying Fells, it had been quite a few years since I had stayed at my climbing club’s hut in Llanberis.  The Christmas meet provided an ideal opportunity to bag a couple of Nuttalls – the list that I’ll be mostly concentrating on.

I have always been keen to walk up Mynydd Mawr, having been captivated by this picture by Ginger Cain.  A fellow Scouser, Ginger has produced some magnificent mountain art, and his Llanberis gallery of the same name is well worth a visit.

Six of us set off for Nant-y-Betws near Betws Garmon and a short road walk led to a bridge over Afon Gwyrfai to woodland where the climb started.  We emerged below Cwm Du and followed the path westwards to the base of the north-west ridge.  The path upwards was soon found and we followed it steadily to the mist-covered summit.  The lack of a view, combined with a breeze and rain made this a place not to linger so we headed down, along the top of the Craig y Bera cliffs.  One of our senior members entertained us with past stories of loose rock on the well-known Sentries Ridge as we gazed through the mist down the gullies to the narrow arêtes.

The steep descent led to some shelter at the top of the forest where we stopped for lunch before finding the vegetated path at the bottom of the forest.  A quick road walk past the Snowdon Ranger led back to the cars and a quick refreshment visit to the Cwellyn Arms before driving back to the hut for an epic Christmas Dinner.

Following the previous night’s festivities, no firm plans were being made and nobody expressed any interest in joining me on a foray on to the most northern tops of the Carneddau.  Starting from the parking area below Bwlch y Ddeufaen, a path ran alongside the wall to the west ridge of Foel Lwyd and then followed the north side of the wall, slightly avoiding the true summit of this WASHIS classified hill.  By now the wind had gained quite some speed, making the climbing of the wall a little awkward.  The summit cairn was found easily as well as the alternative summit mound.  Once I’d found the throughstones in the wall, regaining the path was easier than leaving it.

I dropped down to the col and was quickly at the rebuilt trig pillar of the Nuttall summit of Tal y Fan.  The breeze helped with the decision to leave quickly and regaining the col led to the good path down to the road.

Now in my post-Wainwright existence, a couple of simple Nuttalls eased me into a new era.  I’m looking forward to some new mountainous areas to explore.