A Haute Route Pyrenees section hike, summer 2016
In When Plans Change I wrote about how my hiking plans for summer 2016 had fallen through. Here’s what I’m doing instead. My main requirements for a long European walk this summer are: * It has to be adventurous; * It has to take about three or four weeks to
Why I’m voting Remain
It’s rare that I mention politics on this site, but the issues at stake in the upcoming EU referendum are too important to ignore. If anyone I know is seriously considering voting Leave, take a moment to think about the things that actually matter in this world. Despite what
➝ Down the rabbit hole
My brother James has written a fascinating piece on the psychology of solo caving and climbing. He’s an experienced caver, but unlike most people who venture underground, he prefers to do so alone – a philosophy that also extends to his mountaineering. We are alike in many ways, but where
➝ Smartphones and GPS in the hills
There was some interesting chat on Twitter this morning about the perennially controversial topic of whether it’s best to use a GPS or good old map and compass in the hills. I get the impression this debate isn’t quite so heated as it was a few years ago
When plans change
Sometimes the planning stage of an adventure doesn’t quite work out. This week I’ve made the difficult decision to postpone my planned Nordkalottleden hike until 2017. Here’s why, and what I’m looking into doing instead. The Nordkalottleden, or Arctic Trail, ticked all the boxes for me
Turning Thirty
I turned thirty today. Although the conventional thing would be to sigh ruefully and mutter something about being middle-aged, actually I think turning thirty is pretty awesome. Fifteen years ago, if you’d asked me what it would feel like to be thirty years old, I’m not sure what
Retreat from Jotunheimen
A 47-mile backpacking adventure through the Jotunheimen National Park, Norway, in July 2010. Background In summer 2010, my life was at a crossroads. I’d been working as a barman at the Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe, since 2008, but I needed a change – I was getting bored of the same
Gear review: Speedster 30ml meths/alcohol backpacking stove
Is this the best ultralight alcohol burner for summer backpacking use? After testing it on my recent 280-mile hike in the Scottish Highlands, I think it just might be. First, some context. You can read about my journey from alcohol burners to canister gas and back again in my article
Book review: Snow on the Equator by H.W. Tilman
Snow on the Equator by H.W. Tilman Published by Vertebrate Publishing, £12 I urge all young adventurers to read a little of Tilman before setting off on their own endeavours, as we did, if only to keep one’s self-importance and ego firmly buried in the bottom of the
→ Sidetracked Volume Seven is available to pre-order
This one has been a blast to work on. It’s a very special issue, and if you have an interest in adventure travel, mountaineering or exploration then it’s worth checking out. Dreams are what sustain us. Through the dark times we all experience, when the ground trembles and