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What I’ve been reading this week, 13 September 2019
A visit to Gharbh Choire Mor, a camera for climbers, the great land-ownership con, and a use for Twitter at last. Long-distance hiking and the outdoors “It could be an exciting ending”: the latest from Chris Townsend’s 450-mile Colorado walk – I can’t wait to see more of Chris’
I’ve entered the 2020 TGO Challenge
The TGO Challenge is unique: an annual non-competitive backpacking event crossing Scotland from west to east. I’ve decided to apply for a place in the 2020 Challenge. It’s been on the cards for years now, ever since I really got back into long-distance backpacking in 2014. I’ve
Sky Dance by John D. Burns – why this book was my top project for 2019
On 5 September 2019, I spoke at the launch of Sky Dance by Pinnacle Editorial client John D. Burns. Here’s why this author’s work means so much to me – particularly his latest book. This is an expanded version of the short talk I gave at the book launch.
What I’ve been reading this week, 8 September 2019
Colorado Rockies, Kodak courage, the blindness of outdoors media, and how almost everything about Goodreads is broken. Long-distance hiking and the outdoors The best moments in life should never be rushed – an update from Chris Townsend on his Colorado Rockies walk. Looks fantastic! Kodak courage: social media and risk in
Ode to the Samyang 12mm f/2 wide-angle lens
Over the last few years, this humble lens has surprised me with its versatility – and risen above all others to become a firm favourite. In early 2016, I realised that my standard Fuji zoom lens was holding me back when it came to night-time landscape photography. It was competent, but
What I’ve been reading this week, 31 August 2019
My first set of weekly reads after a summer (hiking) hiatus. I am considering cutting back on or ending this series, or perhaps rolling it back into my weekly newsletter – any views? Long-distance hiking The haul road to Anaktuvuk: a bit of the Brooks range in Gates of the Arctic
The Haute Route Pyrenees – a very brief account
On 21 August 2019, I dipped my toes in the sea at Banyuls-sur-Mer, the eastern terminus of the Haute Route Pyrenees. Here are a few highlights and impressions from my 832km walk from Atlantic to Mediterranean. In figures * Distance hiked: 832km / 517 miles (measured by GPS; almost 100km more than
Off to see the wizard
A version of this piece was first published in my Pinnacle Newsletter. I’ve spent a good deal of my time this week pacing the halls of EventCity in Manchester, ‘doing’ the Outdoor Trade Show with team TGO. While it was great to catch up with so many friends and
What I’ve been reading this week, 13 July 2019
This will be my final set of weekly reads for a while, as I’m off to the Pyrenees for the rest of the summer. Enjoy! Long-distance hiking CDT first month – Inaki’s first month on the Continental Divide Trail. Outdoors Happy Birthday Thoreau—How The Life Lessons in Walden
Celebrating five years of Pinnacle Editorial
Looking back on five years as a specialist outdoor editor Five years ago, I had a day job I hated, so I decided to quit and retrain as a freelance editor. On the 12th of July 2014 I announced that Pinnacle Editorial was looking for new clients. For the first