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Alex Roddie

Happiest on a mountain. Writer, story-wrangler, digital and film photographer. Editor of Sidetracked magazine. Machine breaker.

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The Cape Wrath Trail diaries

The Cape Wrath Trail trip report series days 1 – 3 mile 0 – 38 days 4 – 6 mile 38 – 65 days 7 – 10 mile 65 – 115 days 11 – 14 mile 115 – 167 days 15 – 17 mile 167 – 203 days 18 – 20 mile 203 – 241 Other articles Preparations for the Cape Wrath

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The adventure begins

I’m heading north tomorrow, so this will be my final post before I begin my Cape Wrath Trail journey. My parents are taking their caravan up to the Inverness area to visit my brother James, so I’m catching a lift with them. The plan is to drive from

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Sidetracked Volume Four is here

A few months ago, an exciting opportunity arose. I was invited to do a little freelance editorial work for Sidetracked – an adventure travel magazine with a focus on exploration and wild places. The stories are told through a blend of excellent writing and stunning photography. It’s just the kind

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Book review and interview: A Shroud of Night and Tears by Lucas Bale

A Shroud of Night and Tears (Beyond the Wall, Book 3) by Lucas Bale Over the past year or so, it’s been my privilege to follow the career of science fiction writer Lucas Bale. In my review of The Heretic, his first novel, I concluded by saying that “… I

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Cape Wrath Trail Gear List

Regular readers will be aware that I’m planning to hike the Cape Wrath Trail in June this year. I’ve already blogged about my preparations, but my gear list has changed a few times over the last month so, due also to several requests on Twitter, I thought I’

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First look: Walking the Border by Ian Crofton

Walking the Border:A Journey Between Scotland and Englandby Ian Crofton I have just started reading this handsome volume by Ian Crofton. The author has a number of books to his name, and has a reputation for bringing history and facts to life in an engaging way. He’s also

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Backpacking in the Yorkshire Dales

I spent a lot of time exploring the Yorkshire Dales as a youngster. My dad’s family is from the area, and we would go up most summers to spend a couple of weeks in the caravan. At the time I was obsessed with fossils and minerals, so the main

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Ten years ago

Ten years ago right now — at precisely 11 a.m. on May the 5th, 2005 — I was taking my first steps on an amazing journey. At the time it didn’t feel like very much, but in a very real sense that journey continues to this day, and maybe I

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The Tarptent Notch backpacking tent — First Impressions

Recently I blogged about how my old Laser Competition was showing signs of wear and tear, and that for my planned hike of the Cape Wrath Trail I would need to find a new shelter. My requirements for a new shelter were as follows: 1. Lightweight — specifically, under 800g; 2.

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Book review: Between the Sunset and the Sea by Simon Ingram

Between the Sunset and the Seaby Simon Ingram  It seems that every British hill is on a list of some kind. The Munros, the Corbetts, the Wainwrights – it can be all too easy to get sidetracked by the list itself, perhaps forgetting about the magic of the hills in the