Fragments from the journey home
A flying visit to Fort William and Glen Coe with Hannah. It's work – a media event at the new Páramo store opening on the FW high street – but it's also fun, catching up with friends who live in the most beautiful spot along the north shore
'So how are things *actually*, Alex?'
It's 6.30pm on a Saturday evening in October and I'm flicking back through my blog posts for the year, reflecting on how I've totally failed to carry out my plan of returning to an old-school pattern of blogging. Not necessarily little and often,
First steps in medium-format film photography
For me, creativity has never been about the final result, and that's certainly true of photography. There's so much more to enjoy, to learn, to engage with. As someone who finds modern digital photography soulless, who has spent a decade learning how to shoot 35mm film,
Ten years as a professional writer and editor
In early July 2014, while hiking in the Alps, an idea I'd been considering for some time finally resolved into a plan. I would quit the day job and dive into a new career as a freelance editor and writer. WHOOSH! Hear that? It's the sound
Postcards from Morocco
In late June, I began the long journey from Scotland to Morocco. The goal: to hike the Toubkal Circuit, climb Toubkal itself, and then have further adventures amongst the 4,000m peaks of the Toubkal National Park. This trip was planned and organised by my friend Emily Woodhouse, who is
Building Alpenglow Journal: a new type of outdoor publication
Friends, it's time to talk about the future. In my last Substack update, I wrote that I was working on plans for a complete relaunch of The Pinnacle. I hinted at a pivot towards something different – something I hoped to launch in July. Although I’m not quite
Sidetracked Volume 30: the Art of the Journey, and a look back at a decade in print
30 issues. 10 years. Still here, still seeking out those special stories, still offering an antidote to the scrolling. I'm pleased to announce that Volume 30 of Sidetracked magazine is now available to order (or why not subscribe?) Every issue of Sidetracked is special, because we only publish
Elements: a look back at Sidetracked magazine's first festival
We did a thing. And, weather and a few logistical issues aside, it was a good thing. The idea first emerged last November. Picture the scene. Kendal Mountain Festival had finished for another year, and team Sidetracked got together for an AGM. Graphs, plans, ambitions – followed by Jenny Tough'
Mountain Style: the first illustrated history of British outdoor clothing
Early this year, I noticed a new account pop up on my 'Explore' tab in Instagram. @mountainstylebook was posting images of classic mountaineering gear adverts, as well as some photos of the gear in use. Dear reader, you know me – such stuff is catnip to my brain, so
'Embracing constraints taught me to love them'
Tip of the hat to The Cramped, one of my favourite blogs, which pointed me in the direction of this fascinating piece: 'A tale from “ye olden days” of graphic design that taught me to love and embrace constraints'. This post from Mike Rohde is a look back
