A look At The March Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In this issue of TGO I write about the Hilleberg Akto tent which I used on my continuous round of the Munros and Tops thirty years ago this year. The tent is still fine and I look at how I've kept it in good condition.

In reviews I look at the Grubs Bearline 8.5 boots which I've been wearing a great deal in the snow this year. Also in individual reviews Fiona Russell reviews the Snowline Spikes, Francesca Donovan tests the Heimplanet Kirra 2 tent, and David Lintern tries the Hestra Ergo Grip Active Wool Terry gloves. In comparative reviews Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane test three pairs of hiking socks each and Gemma Palmer tries four camping meals.

The Reader Awards feature in this issue with the best pubs, cafes, campsites, retailers, books, inspiring people and more.

In the main features a series of walks with a feelgood factor are chosen by conservationists, access campaigners, and hillwalkers; Steph Wetherall  investigates the important work of Scotland's Peatland ACTION Programme; Alex Roddie walks the Toubkal Circuit in Morocco; and Ishtayaq Rasool returns to Tulail on the edge of Kashmir where winter lasts half the year.

In the opening Almanac pages Nadia Shaikh looks at the ancient courtship ritual of Great Crested Grebes; Kev Mitchell of Scottish Mountain Rescue reviews A Heavy Affair with the Mountains by David 'Heavy' Whalley; land rights campaigner Tara Wight gives her perspective on land reform in Scotland; Jim Perrin goes to Chrome and Parkhouse Hills in Derbyshire for his Mountain Portrait; and Julia Clarke describes Trail of the Month St Cuthbert's Way in the Scottish Borders.

The Skills section looks at walking for mental health. In Uphill Struggles Juls Stodel gives advice on what to do when anticipation keeps you awake the night before a walk.

Wild Walks asks writers for their favourite routes on which to watch sunset and sunrise. James Roddie chooses Fuar Tholl and Sgorr Ruadh in the NW Highlands. In the Lake District James Forrest picks Dale Head from Buttermere, Vivienne Crow Glaramara and Allen Crags, and Norman Hadley Great Gable. Whitestone Cliff and Gormire Lake in the North York Moors are chosen by Ian Battersby. In Eryri/Snowdonia Roger Butler goes for Cwm Tryfan and the Glyderau, and Andrew Galloway Bwlch Mawr from Clynnog Fawr.