Kickstarter fund raiser for Mountain Style: The first illustrated history of British outdoor clothing – apparel that took us further, faster and higher, and became style classics.

A fascinating book on the history of British outdoor clothing is due out this autumn. The authors Henry Iddon and Max Leonard are seeking funds on Kickstarter to meet the costs of publishing. 

Advertising through the years

The book will be packed with illustrations from advertisements and magazines as well as archive photographs of the clothing in use in the British hills and further afield in the Alps and Himalayas showing just how styles and fabrics changed dramatically in the last half of the twentieth century. The authors have spent years doing detailed research and have interviewed many of the key figures involved in what was a period of rapid development and innovation.

Fylde Mountain Club, 1960s. Credit: Tony Iddon

As well as the clothing the book covers the rise of the main brands, both those still with us today and those long gone. I had clothing from most of those in the picture below.

Disappeared brands

I've written an essay for the book, looking at the clothing I wore on long-distance walks from the 1970s onwards and my involvement with the outdoor trade as a gear reviewer.

I think this looks a wonderful book that I'm very much looking forward to reading. Just the photos I've seen bring back many memories. It deserves support.

Troll 1980s and Peter Storm 1970s

There's much more information, including the rewards for different levels of support, on the Kickstarter page.  

 

Kickstarter Project: Francis Tapon's Unseen Africa

Kickstarter and similar crowd funding resources are an excellent way for projects that aren't conventionally commercial to get off the ground. Kickstarter is how Terry Abraham funded The Cairngorms In Winter. Without the support of many people we couldn't have made that film.

One Kickstarter project currently seeking funds that looks very interesting and worthy of support is writer, explorer and long distance walker Francis Tapon's The Unseen Africa , which will be a TV series about Africa that looks at all those aspects of the continent that aren't usually covered, presenting a view of Africa far from the usual one of  'poverty, pestilence and pyramids'. Through Kickstarter Tapon hopes to raise the money to make a pilot episode to show what the series will be like. He is in Africa now. Here's a short taster


There will be an outdoor theme in the series as Tapon plans on climbing the highest peak in every one of the 54 African countries. (How many of the peaks can you name? I managed three - I really don't know much about Africa).

I think this project is worthy of support and I hope it goes ahead. Have a look at the Kickstarter page and see if you agree.

The Cairngorms in Winter with Terry Abraham: A Kickstarter Project

Today I am very pleased to announce the launch of a Kickstarter project with outdoor film maker Terry Abraham. This exciting project will see us venturing into the Cairngorms in winter, one of the most beautiful and potentially one of the most severe mountain environments in the British hills, to show the spectacular winter landscape and look at how to enjoy it safely. We'll be camping and hiking in all conditions to bring you a real feel for the power of winter in this tremendous place. As I write this I am looking out on the distant hazy snow-spattered  high tops of the Cairngorms. I can't wait to get started!

Here's a taster:


Terry has written about how this project came about on his blog here.

Please visit the Kickstarter page to see the details and what's on offer for various pledges.