A Test of Mettel
In a year in which Swiss glaciers lost three per cent of their total volume, Alex Roddie returns to an Alpine peak he first climbed a decade before, and finds huge changes. This feature was first published in the August 2019 issue of The Great Outdoors. 2007 ‘My sleeping bag’
Nature Notes: wildlife photography, summer 2020
It’s been a while since my last wildlife photo blog. That’s simply because I haven’t been taking as many photos, and that’s because wildlife sightings have, accordingly, declined; I haven’t been seeing anywhere near as many birds from July onwards as I did before. By
What I’ve been reading this week, 26 September 2020
Not all gamekeepers, a resurgent forest, walking the perimeter of Britain, and the world’s most stupid navigational error. Environment and nature Shocking discovery reveals lengths raptor killers will go to to conceal crimes — for me, in a week filled with bad news, this was story of the week. Driven
Field notes: the Mercantour Traverse, Maritime Alps
In the October 2020 issue of The Great Outdoors, you’ll find my feature, ‘Shared Silence’, about hiking the Mercantour Traverse. Here are a few notes on the trail, plus some previously unpublished images. In some ways, 2018 feels like a lifetime ago now. It was early summer when, casting
What I’ve been reading this week, 20 September 2020
Saving British farming, managing tourism, reforming the outdoor economy, and juggling time and words. Environment and nature How to save British farming (and the countryside) — this is a fascinating piece about one possible future for agriculture in Britain. ‘We can’t pretend farming is just a productive industry, because it
Introducing Wanderlust Europe: Europe’s best trails
Today I’m pleased to announce the publication of a new book, Wanderlust Europe, which I co-edited with gestalten. Over the last year, I’ve been working on something special with the team at German publisher gestalten. They approached me in September 2019 with a simple request: would I like
What I’ve been reading this week, 29 August 2020
Swimming in Britain’s deepest lake, a Cairngorms photo story, do climbers read, and better kit doesn’t improve your pictures. Environment and nature Hundreds of Trees Burned at Big Basin Redwoods State Park — ‘Some trees were still smoldering, some were missing their crowns, and others’ trunks had been felled
Writing (two) books during the pandemic
It’s a hell of a time to be an outdoor writer, isn’t it? Since the COVID-19 pandemic kicked off early this year, I have written not one but two books. Here’s a little about how it’s been. At the best of times, I’m a slow
What I’ve been reading this week, 15 August 2020
Reclaiming the silence, golden eagles, deep work tents, and what you really wanted to say. Environment and nature Reclaiming the Silence — a fantastic piece from Julie Coldwell about the bitter waking up after the end of lockdown. ‘During this unexpected peace, many of us woke up to the realization that
What I’ve been reading this week, 8 August 2020
Mountain hares bear the brunt, the grief of lost hikes, minimum-impact wild camping, and along the Yukon River. Environment and nature A visit to Rottal Estate in Glenclova – Alan Stewart investigates how the Rottal Estate is helping to preserve nature. It’s good to see estates taking a more progressive
