A Look At The October Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

The latest issue of TGO features the Gear of the Year Awards, the items the team of testers have felt the best in respective categories over the last twelve months. This year we've added Greener Choice Winner and Best Value Winner categories, to encourage sustainability and affordability, to the usual Winner and Highly Commended categories.

As well as compiling the Awards I've also written about interesting new gear that I saw at the Outdoor Trade Show back in June. Some of this might well be in the Awards next year. 

The theme of this issue is 'tales from thin places ..... places with porous boundaries, portals to the unseen'. To that end Hanna Lindon explores upland legends from around Britain and Emily Zobel Marshall knits past, present and legend together on an adventure over the Welsh 3000s.

On the Isle of Skye David Lintern and friends have an adventure on the Cuillin Ridge, noting that 'any time on the ridge is threshold-altering'.

In the far north of Sweden Mark Waring describes a different though equally challenging adventure as he and his companions packraft the great Pitealven river.

The opening big picture by James Roddie shows a dramatic Glen Affric in autumn with golden trees and snow-capped mountains. 

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh describes the ptarmigan, one of my favourite birds. I review Ian Crofton's excellent book Upland: A Journey through Time and the Hills. Andrew Wang writes about diversity, access to the outdoors, and nature connection. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait looks at the Herefordshire Beacon and the Malvern Hills. Trail of the Month is Glyndwr's Way in Mid-Wales, described by Francesca Donovan. In her advice column, Uphill Struggles, Juls Stodel considers digestion and gut health. 

Wild Walks has a bothies theme. In the NW Highlands Norman Hadley has a bothy stay while climbing Maol Chean-Dearg and An Ruadh-Stac and James Roddie does the same while visiting Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor. In Northumberland Vivienne Crow walks the Pennine Way over Ravens Knowe and enjoys a night in Spithope bothy. Ian Battersby does the same at Warnscale Head Bothy on a walk over the Buttermere Fells in the Lake District and at Greenhaw Hut in the Yorkshire Dales on a trip to Aysgarth Falls. In Wales Andrew Galloway goes to Cae Amos bothy in Eryri/Snowdonia and Roger Butler climbs Drygarn Fawr and stays at Moel Prysgau bothy in Mid Wales.

                                       

A Look At The July Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The theme of the July issue of TGO is summer skills and adventure. In keeping with this Kirsty Pallas and I review three pairs of hiking sandals each. Also in the gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane review three day packs apiece, Steph Wetherell tries four pairs of trekking poles, and David Lintern tests the Cotopaxi Tarak 20L pack and Kapai 3L hip pack. 

Summer skills come courtesy of Glenmore Lodge with instructors giving advice on longer days out, navigating in remote areas with few footpaths, first time concerns about wild camping, and stepping up to scrambling higher grades.

In the main features five hillwalkers share the first experiences that shaped their relationship with the outdoors, Hanna Lindon takes her family wild camping on Dartmoor, and Terry Adby hikes the Kangchenjunga Circuit to mark the 70th anniversary of the first ascent.

In shorter pieces naturalist Nadia Shaikh wades into the shallows to look for caddisfly larvae, Lauris Prince (age 9) reviews Barbara Henderson's I Don't Do Mountains, adventurer Bex Band talks about her introduction to the outdoors and why having children shouldn't bar you from a life of adventure, Jim Perrin praises Shining Tor on Cheshire, and Juls Stodel answers a query about sharing a bivvy spot.  

The theme of Wild Walks is waterfalls. James Roddie visits the spectacular Falls of Glomach in the North-West Highlands. In the Lake District James Forrest goes to Spout Force via Lord's Seat, Vivienne Crow climbs Scafell via Cam Spout, and Norman Hadley goes up Bowfell via Hell Gill. Over in the Yorkshire Dales Ian Battersby visits Buckden Pike and Cauldron Falls plus Gordale Scar and Malham Cove. Finally, in Powys Roger Butler goes to Creigiau Pennant and Ffrwd Fawr.

A Look At The June Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

The June issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. My contribution is a review of the new improved (it really is) Jetboil Flash 1.0L Cooking System. Also in the Gear pages Fiona Russell reviews the OMM Kamleika Jacket, Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane review five pairs of hiking shoes and two budget daypacks each, and Kirsty Pallas and Peter Macfarlane review two pairs of underwear each.

In the main features five outdoors people tell of nights in strange places including mining trenches, World War Two radar stations, and polar bear country. Kate Hill visits remote Maol-buidhe bothy in the Scottish Highlands and delves into its history. In a photo-essay Will Lake describes his photography and illustrates it with some moody and atmospheric Lake District images. Away from the UK Peter Elia goes on a trek to K2 Base Camp in the Karakorum range. 

The issue opens with another splendid Lake District image by Laura Nurse showing Crummock Water from Low Fell at dawn.

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh enjoys the song of the song thrush, Ronald Turnbull reviews Wainwrights Without A Car: A Year On The Lake District Fells by Ron Kenyon, Kevin and Fin Campbell describe their work as bothy maintenance organisers, Jim Perrin praises Sgurr nan Gillean in his Mountain Portrait, Joe Williams gives beginner-friendly tips for fastpacking, and Juls Stobel discusses the battle of comfort versus weight in her advice column.

The theme of Wild Walks is good spots for watching the sunset. In the North-West Highlands James Roddie climbs Beinn Airigh Charr from Poolewe. In the Lake District Vivienne Crow goes up Skiddaw via Barkbethdale and Robinson from Newlands Pass. Also in the Lake District Ian Battersby visits Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd while in Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons he walks to Fan Nedd and Fan Gyhirych Bannau. In Shropshire Roger Butler watches sunset from Titterstone Clee Hill. And in Dorset Fiona Barltrop has a coastal walk from Kimmeridge Bay to Swyre Head.  

A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 
The May issue of The Great Outdoors has boot reviews by Lucy Wallace and Alex Roddie (3 pairs each) and sock reviews by Peter Macfarlane and Gemma Palmer (again 3 pairs each) plus reviews of the Rab Kangri Gore-Tex jacket by Steph Wetherall and the Sierra Designs Nexus Lite 35-50L pack by me. 

Reading the others' reviews I was interested to see that both Lucy and Alex choose traditional heavy leather boots as their favourites. 

The theme of this issue is National Parks as this year is the 75th since the first were established in the UK. 

Former TGO editor and author of National Parks of the United Kingdom Carey Davies looks at their story and his own journey through these special landscapes. In the Lake District National Park Hanna Lindon follows in the steps of the Romans on a two-day wild camping trip along High Street. Also in the Lake District Paul Gamble completes his later father's unfinished round of the Wainwrights forty years after ticking them off himself. 

Nature facilitator and writer and chair of the Peak District National Park Foundation Jen Lowthrop recently spent 10 weeks hiking across England's 10 national parks and writes about the sustainability crisis currently brewing in our protected landscapes.

Over in France David Lintern walks the GR54 in the Ecrins National Park and returns with a fresh perspective on looking after nature plus some superb photos.

The magazine's opening spread is a wonderful dramatic picture of Tryfan and Llyn Ogwen in Eryri National Park.

In shorter pieces naturalist Nadia Shaikh is entranced by oystercatchers, Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is Bannau Sir Gaer in South Wales, Hanna Lindon gives advice on backpacking with dogs, and Juls Stodel gives advice to an 'oldster' (mid-fities? pah!) in an amusing piece. 

The Wild Walks run from the NW Highlands, where Ian Battersby climbs Cul Mor and has a scramble on Beinn Fhada, to Cornwall, where Roger Butler has a coastal walk to St Agnes Head and St Agnes Beacon. In the Lake District James Forrest visits Muncaster Fell and Vivienne Crow goes up Black Combe. In Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway walks over Gyrn Ddu and Gyrn Goch. Down in Devon Fiona Barltrop walks lofty cliffs from Lynmouth to Combe Martin. 

A Look At The April Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In the April issue of The Great Outdoors Kirsty Pallas and I review 5 waterproof jackets each. I also review the Sprayway Torridon Insulated Jacket. Steph Wetherell reviews the Paramo Alta III jacket and four power banks.

This spring sees the 60th anniversary of the Pennine Way, a trail I am fond of as it was my first long-distance walk. Hanna Lindon tells the story of the trail and talks to some completers while Becky Angell gives advice on hiking the route. 

Far to the north-west Carey Davies describes an exciting walk over the rugged Fisherfield Six (or is it Five?).

Alex Roddie heads over the Irish Sea to hike the Beara Way in the far south-west of Ireland.

Much, much further afield Michaela Hrda and Martina Merisi become the first people to complete the Pamir Trail in Tajikistan.

The issue opens with a wonderful evocative image of mist over Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District by Verity Milligan. Creator of the Month is outdoor filmmaker and YouTuber Elli Schneider. Francesca Donovan reviews the book Pathfinding: On Walking, Motherhood and Freedom by Kerri Andrews and Ash Routen reviews the film Moments in the Wilderness by Magnus Lindborn. Jim Perrin remembers a not to be repeated winter climb on Mam Tor in his Mountain Portrait. In the Skills section Monica Shaw explains how to make your own backpacking meals. At the back of the magazine there's a new entertaining column called Uphill Struggles by Juls Stodel. 

The Wild Walks section has a nature theme this month. James Roddie finds snow buntings, mountain hares and ptarmigan on an ascent of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms. Ian Battersby visits the home of England's only arctic charr in Wild Ennerdale in the Lake District and climbs Haycock. In the Yorkshire Dales Vivienne Crow is greeted by the spring songs and calls of skylarks, curlews, lapwings and golden plover on Great Whernside. On the coast of Yorkshire at Bempton Cliffs and Flamborough Head Ian Battersby finds gannets, puffins, and kittiwakes. Also on the coast down in Pembrokeshire Andrew Galloway hears the cries of seals on a visit to St Davids Head and Carn Llidi. Fiona Barltrop encounters free-ranging ponies in the New Forest National Park and wild goats on a walk along the Cornish coast. 

A Look At The March Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The March issue of The Great Outdoors features stories by women hikers and adventurers in celebration  of International Women's Day on March 8th. Five inspirational mountain-loving women - Sarah Jane Douglas, Fiona Russell, Hazel Strachan, Mary-Ann Ochota, and Renee MacGregor - share their stories and give advice to upcoming female hillwalkers; Elise Wortley climbs Mt Blanc in clothing replicating that worn by Henrietta d'Angeville on the first unaided female ascent in 1838; Lorraine McCall describes her continuous round of the Grahams, the first time this has been done; and Lydia Paleschi hikes the Helambu Trek in Nepal. 

The issue opens with a stunning photograph of a camp above a 100-metre waterfall on Disko Island, Greenland, by Rachel Murray. In shorter pieces Creator of the Month is graphic designer Tessa Simpson, Ken Daykin reviews The Cairngorms and North-East Scotland by Iain Young, Anne Butler, and Heather Morning, Jim Perrin looks at Pen Llithrig Y Wrach in Eryri in his Mountain Portrait, and there's the final Coastscript column from Emma Schroeder in which she looks back at the high points of her epic walk. A longer feature covers the the 2025 Reader Awards, with all the winners and runner-ups described.  

In the Skills section Hanna Lindon explores the different ways of meeting like-minded hill folk. In the Gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each test four base layer tops and four insulated jackets, Kirsty Pallas reviews the Coros Vertix 25 watch, and David Lintern tests the Highlander Munro V2 Jacket. 

Wild Walks covers ten stile-free routes, six in England and four in Wales. Three of the English ones are in the Lake District where Ian Battersby goes over High Pike in the Caldbeck Fells, James Forrest ascends Latrigg from Keswick, and Vivienne Crow climbs Angletarn Pikes and Beda Fell. Over in the Yorkshire Dales Ian Battersby pops up again, climbing Great Pinseat from Arkengarthdale. Much further south Fiona Barltrop walks over Old Winchester Hill and Beacon Hill on the South Downs and Roger Butler goes up Hunter's Tor and Easdon Tor on Dartmoor. In Wales Roger climbs Yr Aran in Eryri/Snowdonia, Andrew Galloway visits Llantysilio Mountain in Denbighshire, and Phillipa Cherryson has a circular walk over Pen Y Fan and Cribyn in Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons and goes up Yr Eifl on the Llyn Peninsula.

  

A Look At The February Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 
The February issue of The Great Outdoors is available now. In fact it has been for a while so my look inside is a little late. Apologies! Time is flying by.

Anyway, my contribution to this issue is a review of MSR's interesting new Switch Stove System.

Also in the Gear pages Alex Roddie and Kirsty Pallas review four pairs of hiking trousers each and Kirsty Pallas and James Roddie review four pairs of winter boots each. 

There's also a guide to layering for keeping warm on the hills from Mountaineering Scotland's Helen Gestwicki and Ross Cadie and a quiz on how to avoid hypothermia.

The magazine opens with a splendid photo of Ben Nevis in winter by David Lintern. 

The main theme of the issue is life-changing adventures with four authors recalling key moments. In the Andes climber and writer Anna Fleming meets the pioneering Indigenous Cholita Climbers of Bolivia. The cover of the issue is a great photo by Anna of the Cholita women in the mountains in their colourful clothing.

Back in Britain two story-walks by Corinne Fowler from her book Our Island Stories show how our colonial past is written into the rural modern-day. Francesca Donovan reviews the book elsewhere in the magazine.

Going abroad again Ross Brannigan describes his honeymoon spent fastpacking the Lycian Way in Turkiye.

In shorter pieces Creator of the Month is Munroist David Solomon, Andy Wasley writes about grey herons, and there's a look at recent problems in the John Muir Trust. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is the Ridge of the Red Cairns (Nantlle Ridge). In recollections from her walk round the coast of Britain Emma Schroeder remembers reaching new horizons every day.

Wild Walks covers short walks for short winter days from the Highlands to Dartmoor. James Roddie climbs A' Chailleach in the Monadhliath while Alex Roddie tackles Ben Vrackie in Perthshire and the Tarmachan Ridge in the Southern Highlands. In the Lake District Vivienne Crow goes up Hay Stacks and James Forrest up Helm Crag. Ian Battersby has a snowy walk over Roseberry Topping and Highcliff Nab on the North York Moors and encounters more snow on Great Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales. In the Peak District Andrew Galloway climbs Black Hill. Over in Wales Fiona Barltrop visits Fan Frynch in Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons. Finally Tim Gent walks over White Tor on Dartmoor.

A Look At The January Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The theme of the January issue of The Great Outdoors is making the most of winter nights. The opening double-page spread is a lovely winter dawn photo of a snowy and misty Hope Valley in the Peak district by Verity Milligan. The dramatic cover image by David Lintern shows a hiker at a camp on the Tour des Ecrins in the Alps shining a headlamp up towards a starry sky. 

In the main features there's a brilliantly illustrated photo essay by Scottish astrophotographer Stuart McIntyre describing some miraculous moments under the stars, and another well-illustrated piece by Alex Roddie in which he goes winter camping on Ben Lawers and shows how to make the step up to winter backpacking 

The gear pages cover items for cold weather. Lucy Wallace reviews three sets of crampons, Peter Macfarlane and Fiona Russell test four winter sleeping bags each, David Lintern reviews PHD's Sigma synthetic insulated vest and trousers, and Francesca Donovan tests the lightweight fleece-lined Red Equipment Pursuit Robe for keeping warm after wild swimming.

Far from winter and Britain Phoebe Smith walks Japan's Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route and becomes a 'Dual Pilgrim', having already walked Spain's Camino de Santiago.

As described in this post my main contribution to this issue is a feature on my 1988 walk the length of the Canadian Rockies. I also review ScotWays impressive new edition of Scottish Hill Tracks. Also in Book Reviews Merryn Glover reviews a new edition of Linda Cracknell's interesting and thoughtful Doubling Back: Paths Trodden In Memory. 

Elsewhere Andy Wasley introduces an expanded On The Lookout nature feature with a piece on the elusive bittern, Lewis Winks says the fight for wild camping rights isn't just about Dartmoor, Jim Perrin makes a pilgrimage to Ysgyryd Fawr in the Black Mountains in his Mountain Portrait, Hanna Lindon introduces her home town of Lewes as a base for cosy country walking and talks to five hill baggers on how to take on a tick list, and Emma Schroeder writes of the peace of night-time when camping - except when there are garden gnomes!

The Wild Walks in this issue run from Knoydart to Dorset with the common theme of a pub to visit. In the first James Roddie has a long walk over Ladhar Bheinn, finishing at The Old Forge in Inverie. Alex Roddie goes over Stob Coire Sgreamhach in Glencoe via the Clachaig Inn. Down in England Ian Battersby walks Nine Standard Riggs via the Black Bull in Nateby. In the Lake District Vivienne Crow starts and finishes an ascent of Lonscale Fell at the Farrier Inn in Threlkeld, James Forrest does the Coledale Round and visits the Coledale Inn, and Ian Battersby enjoys a pint in The Ruddings after an ascent of Hopegill Head. In the Yorkshire Dales Vivienne Crow tackles Whernside from Dent, finishing in the George and Dragon. Over in Wales Andrew Galloway climbs Tal-y-Fan and visits the Ty Gwyn Hotel in Rowen. Just over the border in England Lara Dun walks the long ridge of the Malvern Hills to The Wyche Inn in Great Malvern. Finally we reach Dorset where Fiona Barltrop follows the South West Coast Path over Golden Cap to the Anchor Inn at Seatown.

A Look At The December Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The December issue of The Great Outdoors is out now and unsurprisingly it has a snowy theme including a big feature on winter skills by instructors from Glen More Lodge and an article by Anna Wells about her record-breaking winter round of the Munros. 

Photographer James Roddie recalls encounters with ptarmigan with some lovely photographs of this bird of the snows. 

Far from Britain Maria Philippa Rossi learns what it takes to become an Arctic Nature Guide on Svalbard.

In the gear pages Alex Roddie reviews ice axes and Peter Macfarlane looks at emergency kit. My only contribution to this issue is here, a review of the Montane Terra Pants. Steph Wetherall, who has just joined the reviewing team, reviews another pair of trousers, the Maier Sports Lulaka.

The issue opens with a lovely dawn photo of a snowy Pen Y Fan and Cribyn by Itay Kaplan. Creator of the Month is movement artist and bikepacking guide Ana Norrie-Toch. Francesca Donovan reviews Mountains Before Mountaineering: The Call of the Peaks Before the Modern Age by Dawn L. Hollis. In the Opinion piece Dr Rose O'Neill, Chief Executive of Campaign for National Parks, says it's time to put the 'national' back in our National Parks. Jim Perrin looks at the Carneddau in his Mountain Portrait. Your Weekend In... looks at Horton in Ribblesdale where Vivienne Crow says there's much to do as well as the Three Peaks. Finally Emma Schroeder remembers coping with last winter on her walk round Britain's coast.

Wild Walks becomes Snowy Walks this issue, including in some unusual places. Ian Battersby finds snow on Beinn Mhor on South Uist in the Outer Hebrides while Rich Hartfield makes a snowy ascent of Bla Bheinn on the Isle of Skye. In the Cairngorms Alex Roddie makes winter rounds of Beinn a' Bhuird and Ben Avon and the Ring of Tarff. Further west and south Rich Hartfield links four wintry peaks on a Glen Etive traverse. Down in England Vivienne Crow and Ian Battersby both enjoy walks in the Howgills and Vivienne Crow also climbs Great Ewe Fell in the Yorkshire Dales. In the Lake District Norman Hadley walks Fairfield's third horseshoe. Much further south Fiona Barltrop discovers snow on the South Downs.

A Look At The November Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 In the November issue of The Great Outdoors I review eight head torches and the Paramo Alta Trek trousers. Also in the gear pages Kirsty Pallas and James Roddie review four pairs of warm gloves each.

There's a Scottish theme to this issue as it's the annual TGO Challenge one with stories and pictures from this year's event. Alex Nail describes the many trips and false starts needed in the four years it took to compile his latest photographic book on the NW Highlands, The Great Wilderness (which I review here) in a photo essay packed with mouthwatering images. Also in the NW Highlands Gemma Smith explores Assynt and looks at the Gaelic placenames and the history of the area.

Away from Scotland, and indeed Britain, Rudolf Abraham walks across the Massif de Vercors in France and finds solitude, beauty and wildlife.

In the shorter pieces composer and violinist Lisa Robertson is Creator of the Month, Mary Ann-Ochota argues there is a place for music in the hills in the Opinion column, Jim Perrin looks at Mow Cop in Cheshire in his Mountain Portrait, James Roddie looks at Portree on the Isle of Skye as a base for a weekend, Maymana Arefin gives a beginner's guide to mushroom identification, and Emma Schroeder falls for autumn in her Notes From The Edge column. 

As the autumn colours develop in the woods Wild Walks concentrates on forests in this issue.In Scotland Craig Weldon explores the pines of Culbin Forest in Moray, Alex Roddie climbs little Creag Bheag above Kingussie through the woodlands on its flanks and also visits Loch an Eilein and Rothiemurchus Forest in the Cairngorms where he ascends another little hill, Ord Ban. In England Ian Battersby explores Kidland Forest and Bloodybush Edge in Northumberland, Vivienne Crow visits the fragments of temperate rainforest in Borrowdale and on Castle Crag in the Lake District, Norman Hadley doesn't find many trees on Ward's Stone and Grit Fell in the Forest of Bowland, and Fiona Barltrop enjoys the autumn colours on Alder Hill and Fritham Plain in the New Forest. In Wales Phillipa Cherryson does find trees on a walk over Ysgyryd Fach and Ysgyryd Fawr above Abergavenney in Monmouthshire, Roger Butler climbs Moel Hebog and descends into the jumble of Beddgelert Forest in Eryri/Snowdonia, and Ian Battersby visits Stackpole Woods and Stackpole Head in Pembrokeshire.

A Look At The October Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The October issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I review the Altra Lone Peak 8 trail shoes that I wore on the Cape Wrath Trail. That's it for single reviews for me this month but I am quoted extensively in the Gear Of The Year 2024 feature as I tested quite a few of the products. Not all of them though, and one of those, the Flextail Zero Pump, which wins Best Tech and which is reviewed in more detail separately by David Lintern, I am going to buy. It sounds excellent! David also reviews the superb MidgeSpecs, which I reviewed on this blog, which also gets the Best Accessory award. 

In the comparative reviews Lucy Wallace tries out eight pairs of trekking poles and David Lintern and Kirsty Pallas test out the comfort of four sleeping mats each. 

The theme of the issue is long-distance hikes. John Fleetwood walks England end to end from St. Michael's Mount to Lindisfarne Abbey. Marek Bidwell backpacks the original Skye Trail from Armadale to Rubha Hunish. Then there's an incredibly long walk that took Bethany Hughes seven years; 18,000 miles from Patagonia to the Arctic. In the Middle East David Myers makes an extraordinary and sobering solo 1000-mile circuit of the Jordan River watershed.

Elsewhere in the issue Sarah Hobbs of Strathspey Storywalks is Creator of the Month; Ronald Turnbull reviews Everest 24: New Views on the 1924 Mount Everest Expedition from the Royal Geographical Society; Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait looks at fine but often ignored Beinn Dearg in Torridon; Nadia Shaikh hopes for a Right to Raom policy in England and Wales in the Opinion column; Phillipa Cherryson finds out why Rhayader calls itself the outdoor capital of Wales; Alex Roddie looks at how to make outdoor adventures more sustainable; and Emma Schroeder finds an eclectic mix of interesting things in British streets including rubber ducks, sarcastic weather, and proprietary cats. 

Wild Walks has a bothy theme. In the Scottish Highlands Stefan Durkacz visits Luib Chonnal bothy and climbs two nearby Corbetts while Alex Roddie walks the Affric-Kintail Way past Camban bothy and the remote Glen Affric Youth Hostel, and takes a tough walk to Ben Alder Cottage bothy. In the Southern Uplands Ian Battersby goes to Clennoch Bothy and Moorbrock Hill, and in Dumfries & Galloway visits Greensykes Bothy. In the Lake District James Forrest spends a night in the area's most remote bothy, Mosedale Cottage, and goes up Branstree while Vivienne Crow overnights in Dubs Hut as she links two long ridges over High Stile and Dale Head. In the technically bothyless Peak District Francesca Donovan goes up Kinder Scout via Oyster Clough Cabin. Finally in Wales Andrew Galloway finds shelter in Dulyn Bothy in the Carneddau and Phillipa Cherryson stays in Grwyne Fawr Bothy in the Black Mountains and ascends Waun Fach. 

 

A Look At The August Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In the August issue of The Great Outdoors I review six backpacking stoves, Alex Roddie reviews six two-person tents, and Fiona Russell and John Manning review a pair of budget sleeping bags apiece. There are also reviews of the Highlander Women's Ben Nevis 52 Litre Rucksack by Lucy Wallace and the Alpine Parrot Ponderosa Trousers by Mary Ann Ochota.

In the main features Vivienne Crow looks at seven mountain challenges including the Cuillin Ridge, the Cairngorms 4000s, the Lakeland 3000s, and the Welsh 3000s. Alex Roddie goes west to east along the challenging Aonach Eagach in Glencoe. Roger Butler explores the Stiperstones, a beautiful and fascinating corner of the England/Wales border. In Switzerland Richard Hartfield takes the new Via Glaralpina trail round the Glarus Alps and meets the volunteers who built it. 

Also in this issue Creator of the Month is artist and writer Bryony Ella, Francesca Donovan reviews Wild Service: Why Nature Needs You edited by Nick Hayes and Jon Moses, in the Opinion column Debbie North says improving accessibility does not mean paving the landscape, Jim Perrin recalls learning rock climbing on Helsby Hill in his Mountain Portrait, James Roddie looks at things to do in and around Inverness, mountain leader Keri Wallace gives advice on moving faster in the mountains, and in her Notes from the Edge Emma Schroeder laments our lack of biodiversity. 

In Great Walks Ian Battersby goes scrambling on Stac Pollaidh in the NW Highlands and has a gentler walk on Windy Gyle in the Cheviots. There are four walks in the Lake District. Vivienne Crow explores Rannerdale Knotts above Crummock Water and Sheffield :Pike and Glencoyne above Ullswater. Also above Ullswater Alex Roddie climbs Place Fell. The fnal Lakes walk is Norman Hadley on Beda Fell above Martindale. Great Walks then jumps to Wales where Francesca Donovan explores Holyhead Mountain on Anglesey, Fiona Barltrop traverses Pen y Fan in Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons, and Roger Butler follows paths over the Sugar Loaf in the Black Mountains. Finally down in Surrey Nike Werstroh visits the Devil's Punch Bowl on the Greensand Way.

A Look At The June Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

The June issue of The Great Outdoors, out now, has my account of a trip to An Teallach to see how the It's Up To Us path repair programme was going and to try my hand at a little of the work. The piece is illustrated with some excellent photos by James Roddie. It's sponsored by Keela, who provide the clothing for Cairngorm Wilderness Contracts, the company doing the path repair, and I wore some Keela clothing I like and had already reviewed - the Pinnacle Jacket and the Scuffer trousers. 

In the gear section I review the Berghaus 3D Freeflow 30+5L pack, the Patagonia Nano-Air Light Vest, and eight apps for navigation, weather forecasting, and photography. Lara Dunn and Alex Roddie review four lightweight waterproof jackets each and Fiona Russell and Pete Macfarlane review the same number of trail shoes.

The theme of this issue is the mountains and landscape of Wales and the opening spread is a dramatic photo by Kat Lawman of Y Lliwedd from Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) above a sea of clouds. In the main feature six more photographers who live and work in the Welsh mountains describe their love of the landscape and show some favourite photographs. 

Jim Perrin looks at Pen Pumlumon Arwystli in the Cambrian Mountains in his Mountain Portrait. Crickhowell to the south of the Black Mountains features in the Your Weekend In .. pages. Creator of the Month filmmaker and storyteller Emma Crome describes her filmmaking and the importance of her move to Wales. In the Opinion piece Sara Huws looks at the history of the relationship between locals and visitors in the Welsh mountains. And Francesca Donovan reviews Emma C Marshall's Wild Swimming Walks: Eryri/Snowdonia.

Away from Wales former editor Carey Davies returns to the magazine for a celebration of the Langdale Horseshoe in the Lake District while Peter Elia goes much further afield to explore the Caucasus Mountains in Azerbaijan. In the Skills section Alex Roddie gives advice on dealing with midges. In her Notes from the Edge about her walk round the coastline of Britain Emma Schroeder describes what she ate and the importance of her stove and cooking set-up. 

Wales appears again in the Wild Walks pages with five of the ten routes there, all with the theme of water. In Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway visits lakes and waterfalls in the Gwydir Forest and crosses a river twice on a walk in the Dyffryn Ardudwy valley and up Moelfre, whilst Ian Battersby does a round of the lakes of Cadair Idris. In Powys Roger Butler visits the Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall and walks over the Berwyn hills whilst in Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons Fiona Barltrop goes round the Waterfall Country near Ystradfellte.

The water theme continues with the two walks in Scotland and three in the Lake District. Ian Battersby has a coastal walk on Muckle Roe in Shetland. Alex Roddie visits the loch that gives the mountain Lochnagar its name. Vivienne Crow finds a hidden waterfall, Holme Force, in the Loweswater Fells and visits Styhead Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn. And Norman Hadley walks along the top of the Wast Water Screes and then back along the bottom, right next to the lake itself.

A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The May issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In the gear pages I review four men's big packs (50 litre +) and Fiona Russell reviews four women's ones while John Manning and Lara Dunn review five pairs of three-season hiking boots each. I also review the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants and David Lintern reviews the Montane Solution waterproof jacket. 

In the main features Hanna Lindon considers less popular peaks and routes that punch above their reputation, David Lintern goes backpacking round the remote coast of the Isle of Jura, James Lloyd discusses his rather longer coastal walk - right round Britain, and Sarah Hewitt goes on the Manaslu Circuit Trek in Nepal.

The magazine opens with a lovely photo of Cressbrook Dale in the Peak District at dawn by Emily Huzzard. Creator of the Month is landjustice campaigner and podcaster Nadia Shaikh. Francesca Donovan reviews Alex Roddie's latest book Wanderlust -British and Irish Isles. In the Opinion piece Mary-Ann Ochota says that access to nature is a necessity not a luxury. Jim Perrin looks at Carn Ingli in Pembrokeshire for his Mountain Portrait. Emma Schroeder thinks about the wind on her coastal walk in her Notes from the Edge. In the Skills section Alex Roddie considers how to look after your feet.

Alex Roddie pops up again in the Wild Walks pages with two routes in the Scottish Highlands - Beinn a' Ghlo in the Cairngorms and the trio of Ben Lui, Ben Oss and Beinn Dubhcraig in the Southern Highlands. In the Lake District Vivienne Crow climbs Blencathra and Scales Fell and Norman Hadley goes up Great Gable via Moses' Trod and Scafeel from Wha House Farm. In the Peak District Francesca Donovan wanders over Shining Tor and Windgather Rocks and Ian Battersby takes the Dove Dale and Manifold Trail. There are two walks in Wales - Andrew Galloway climbs Carnedd Llewelyn via Cwm Eigiau in Snowdonia while Ian Battersby visits Waun Rydd in the Brecon Beacons. Finally Fiona Barltrop walks the Cornish coast from Tintagel to Polzeath.

A Look At The April Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The April issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. I review six budget fleeces (budget in price, but still good quality) and Columbia's Arch Rock Double Wall Elite Hooded Insulated Jacket. Also in the gear pages Lucy Wallace and James Roddie review four daypacks each and Lucy reviews the Jottnar Women's Fenrir down jacket and James the Bach Apteryx 2 tent. 

I also review Alex Nail's superb photo book The Great Wilderness and Megan Carmichael reviews Annie Worsley's Windswept, which is also excellent.

In the main features Mark Waring describes a backpacking trip in the Tombstone Range in the Yukon Territory in Canada. I was looking forward to this feature as I hiked through the area on my long walk in the Yukon back in 1990 and was interested to hear what it was like now. Mark's excellent story shows that the walking is just as tough as it was back then. Now, though, a permit is required and in some areas tent platforms must be used as the area has become much more popular. Mark's splendid photographs show just how spectacular the Tombstone Mountains are.

There are more wonderful photographs in Jess Jones' photo essay on wildlife and in James Roddie's skills piece on how to spot 7 wonders of the mountains such as cloud inversions and alpenglow.

On Dartmoor Alex Roddie walks the Dartmoor Way with local mountain leader Emily Woodhouse while they discuss camping and nature. In Wales Ceri Belshaw and Sarah Hall go bikepacking.

This issue has the 2024 TGO Reader Awards winners. A few of my favourites here! 

Creator of the Month is London Wildlife Trust Ranger Lira Valencia. In the Opinion piece Mary-Ann Ochota asks whether paid 'wild camping' can help transform access rights in England and Wales. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is the magnificent Aonach Eagach. Reminiscing about her coastal walk around Britain Emma Schroeder looks at the things she collected from photos of every cliff warning sign and every anti-seagull poster to edible mushrooms that enlivened her dinners. 

Wild Walks has a wildlife and nature theme this issue. The walks stretch from the Monadhliath in the Scottish Highlands,  where Ian Battersby watches golden eagles in Strathdearn, to the Jurassic Coast in Devon, where Fiona Barltrop watches beavers. Inbetween these places Alex Roddie visits Ardmore Bay on the Isle of Mull in search of otters and wooded Deuchary Hill in Perthshire in search of beavers, Ian Battersby sees frogs on the Cauldcleuch Head round in the Southern Uplands, Vivienne Crow looks for feral goats on Yeavering Bell in the Cheviot Hills, Francesca Donovan shares Y Garn and Foel-goch in Eryri/Snowdonia with wild ponies, Rich Hartfield looks for wild goats on Rhinog Fawr in Wales, on the Pembrokeshire coast Norman Hadley visits seal pups, and in the Surrey Hills new contributor to Wild Walks Nike Werstroh finds bluebells.

A Look At The March Issue Of The Great Outdoors

This is the first issue edited by Francesca Donovan and I think it's excellent. It's also the first with David Lintern as Deputy Editor.

Of course as a regular contributor (and the grand title of Gear Editor) I am biased! However I don't see the issue or any of the contents until it's published and I read it just like anyone else.

My main contribution to this issue is a trip report and gear review of an overnight snow camp high in the Cairngorms. I also review the 66 North Hengill Insulated Jacket. 

Also in the gear section Lucy Wallace and Alex Roddie review three down jackets apiece and David Lintern reviews the interesting Durston X-Mid 1 tent.

The main features cover City Breaks -outdoor areas easily and quickly accessible from major UH cities; David Lintern backpacking in the SE Cairngorms - illustrated with his usual superb photos; Tom McNally explaining how the Abraham brothers set the scene for modern outdoor photography, with some great photos of modern climbers in Victorian garb on Napes Needle and Needles Ridge by Nadir Khan; and Alice Morrison walking in the deserts and canyons of north-west Saudi Arabia.

The issue opens with a wonderful photo of trees covered in hoar frost in Glenfinnan in the Scottish Highlands with Ben Nevis in the background by Fiona Campbell. 

Inside there's a list of the contenders for the The Great Outdoors Awards 2024 which you can vote for online here.  

Also in this issue Creator of the Month is 'The Urban Wanderer' Sarah Irving. The Opinion piece is by Right to Roam Campaign organiser Jon Moses who says the idea of a new national park is a diversion from the need for better access to the countryside in England. Tim Gent looks at walks you can do on a weekend in Postbridge in the middle of Dartmoor. Francesca Donovan reviews Merryn Glover's The Hidden Fires - A Cairngorm Journey With Nan Shepherd, a book I've just started reading. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is The Stiperstones in Shropshire. In her notes from her coastal walk around Britain Emma Schroeder says she's become a big fan of birds, especially pigeons! The Hills Skill section has Alex Roddie looking at how to avoid fatigue when hillwalking.

Wild Walks ranges from the Northwest Highlands to the Brecon Beacons. Alex Roddie goes up Quinag in Assynt and Glas Maol in the Mounth. Also in Scotland Ian Battersby climbs Beinn Sgulaird in the West Highlands. There are five walks in the Lake District with Vivienne Crow undertaking the Deepdale Horseshoe and the Gatesgarthdale Round, James Forrest walking the Fusedale Round and the Dodds Round, and Ian Battersby going up Whinash from Bretherdale. In the Peak District Francesca Donovan traverses the Edale Skyline while in the Brecon Beacons Fiona Barltrop strides out along the ridges of the Black Mountains. 

A Look At The February Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 This is the last issue edited by Carey Davies, who is leaving after five years at the helm, and it's an excellent finale. 

Carey has done a great job, maintaining and enhancing the standards of the magazine. He is handing over to Francesca Donovan, who has been working on the magazine for some time and who I'm sure will be a great editor too.

In this issue I have a big feature covering 38 pieces of gear, all photographed by James Roddie on trips we did back in October (see here). I also review the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Lite trousers and the Keen Zionic Mid WP boots and Andrew Terrill's wonderful book On Sacred Ground. 

In the main features Francesca Donovan talks to eight outdoors people about their high points and what keeps them motivated when the going gets tough, Sarah Jane Douglas has a winter walk and camp around the Glengalmadale Horsehoe on the Morvern peninsula, there's a photo essay on Eryri by Hollie Harmsworth, and Lisa Morris explores the high-altitude mountain deserts of Dolpo in Nepal. 

The magazine opens with a lovely and dramatic photo by Verity Milligan of a snowy Skiddaw catching early sunshine under a blanket of dark cloud. Creator of the Month is psychologist Dr Jade Adams-White, founder of The Jadeite Project which teaches the benefits of time in nature. In the Opinion piece Mary-Ann Ochota says we have to fix the problem of too many deer. In his Mountain Portrait Jim Perrin revisits Lord's Seat in the Peak District. In a Life Hacks piece Alex Roddie gives some advice on staying healthy and happy over the winter months. And in her Notes from the Edge about her walk round the British coast Emma Schroeder reflects on stories from Britain's lighthouses.

The ten walks in the Wild Walks section range from the Cairngorms to Dartmoor and all have the theme of pubs as well as hills. Stefan Durkacz explores a hilly spur of the Speyside Way running from Ballindalloch to Tomintoul. Alex Roddie has a winter pub walk from the Clachaig Inn in Glencoe up Sgurr na h-Ulaidh. In the Lake District James Forrest climbs Mellbreak from the Kirkstile Inn, Vivienne Crow climbs Barton Fell from the Sun Inn, and Francesca Donovan climbs Kirk Fell from the Wasdale Head Inn. Not far away in the Howgill Fells Roger Butler sets off from the Cross Keys Inn for The Calf and Cautley Crag. In the Yorkshire Dales Ian Battersby explores Arkengarthdale from the Tan Hill Inn and walks the Monk's Road and Mastiles Lane from the Falcon Inn. Over in Wales Andrew Galloway climbs Cadair Berwyn from Llanarmon, which has two pubs, The Hand and The West Arms. Finally on Dartmoor Tim Gent goes up Great Links Tor from the Fox and Hounds.

A Look At The January Issue Of The Great Outdoors & A TGO Video Review

The next issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. I have three reviews inside - Keen WK400 Walking Shoes, Columbia Mazama Trail Waterproof Jacket, and Shokz OpenFit Ear Buds. 

Also in the gear pages Kirsty Pallas and James Roddie each review four winter sleeping bags, and Fiona Russell and Peter Macfarlane each review three pairs of winter gloves. 

There are two big features on bothies. Juls Stobel writes about spending a night in each of the 104 shelters maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association while James Forrest and Jessie Leong spend a night in Warnscale Head Bothy in the Lake District.

In a superb photo-essay David Lintern shares a selection of a decade of images of winter in the Cairngorms National Park.

Far from the cold and the snow Ian Battersby describes a traverse of the length of the subtropical island of Madeira with his two sons. 

Creator of the Month is Phoebe Sleath, an artist and mountain leader who studies the language of landscape through field paintings. The Opinion column is by Jon Moses, organiser of the Right to Roam campaign, who argues that the right to roam can benefit everyone including rural communities. On the New Books page Kirsty Pallas reviews Mike Raine's The Mountain Leader. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is about Yr Eifl in Eryri. 

In the Skills section Fell Foodie Harrison Ward gives advice on how to cook better backpacking meals.

In Scotland Wild Walks sees Richard Hartfield visiting MacCulloch's Fossil Tree on the Isle of Mull, Roger Butler using historic stalkers' paths on Sgorr a' Mhaoraich in the North-West Highlands, and Alex Roddie having day on Kinperney Hill in Angus. In Cumbria Ian Battersby visits High Cup Nick and in the Lake District Ronald Turnbull takes the boat to Aira Force for an ascent of Helvellyn, and Vivienne Crow walks the Scandale Round. In North Yorkshire Ian Battersby finds snow and relics of a bygone age on Fremington Edge and Calver Hill. In Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway finds a tale of murder in the Dyfi Forest while down on Dartmoor Tom Gent ponders another troubling event from the past on the Liberty Walk. Fiona Barltrop also steps back in time on a walk over Blackcap & Mount Harry Beacon on the South Downs.

I also have a review that isn't in the print magazine - because it's a video. This is the one I made with videographer Jordan Tiernan at the end of October. I wrote about the trip in this post.

A Look At The December Issue Of The Great Outdoors

With snow having already fallen on the Scottish hills it's timely that the latest issue of The Great Outdoors features a guide to winter skills with twelve pages of advice from instructors at Glenmore Lodge on everything from avalanches to navigation in a whiteout. Alex Roddie also gives some tips on winter walking and backpacking. There's advice on hiking at night and Andrew Galloway describes the joys of winter nocturnal walks. In the gear pages Peter Macfarlane and Kirsty Pallas review winter walking boots. Kirsty also reviews crampons and David Lintern reviews ice axes for winter walking and easier mountaineering.

In the Cairngorms, October 23, 2023

Also in winter James Roddie climbs Beinn Alligin in deep snow in a feature illustrated with his dramatic and spectacular photos. The opening photo spread is a superb snowy winter photo of the Snowdon Horseshoe and Llyn Llydaw by Alan Novelli.

Away from winter and Britain James Forrest goes walking in the mountains of British Columbia and meets a bear.

In shorter pieces the wintry theme is continued with Creator of the Month, cold water swim coach Vicki McCreadie. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait of The Twmpa in the Black Mountains is illustrated with a great photo of this hill under snow too. The opinion piece is by Amy-Jane Beer who looks at the fallout from the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree and the need to repair our broken relationship with nature. As she nears the end of her walk round Britain's coast Emma Schroeder detours to walk round her birthplace, the Isle of Wight, and ponders what her journey means and why there are so many skeletons in shop windows.

My only contribution to this issue is a sponsored piece on Rab's Vapour-Rise garments, which I was happy to write as I'd liked the first ones some 20 years ago and was impressed with the new Alpine Light Jacket. Since submitting the piece I've worn this jacket on two backpacking trips in the Cairngorms and days out in the snow and I'm even more impressed now. I'll be wearing it much more. 

The winter theme is continued in the snowy Wild Walks section. In Scotland Alex Roddie traverses Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe and Stefan Durkacz tramps the Cleish Hills on the border between West Fife and Perth & Kinross. In the Lake Distirct James Forrest tackles the Coledale Round, Vivienne Crow goes up Skiddaw Little Man and Ian Battersby picks a safe route up Blencathra in ice and spindrift and also traverses Great Dodd and Clough Head. Down in Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway finds standing stones and ancient cairns on Drum and Carnedd y Ddelw while in the Peak District Francesca Donovan climbs Shutlingsloe and Tegg's Nose in the snow. Much further south Fiona Barltrop finds snow in the South Downs on a coastal walk from Beachy Head to Seaford Head.

A Look At The November Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In the latest  issue of The Great Outdoors magazine I have reviews  of the Berghaus MTN Guide MW Hoody fleece jacket and the Osprey Stratus 26 rucksack plus a piece on choosing a three-season sleeping bag. 

On the subject of sleeping Alex Roddie has advice on how to get a good night's sleep when backpacking.

Also in the gear Pages Kirsty Pallas and David Lintern review 'active' insulated jackets for women and men and Lucy Wallace reviews headlamps.

In the long features Hanna Lindon looks at tackling six big walks from across the world, Grant Hyatt describes his life in the Welsh mountains and shares some of his favourite photographs (including a stunning one of a snowy Y Garn under a starry sky), and Jilly Sherlock has an off-season October walk along the Tour of Mont Blanc, also with some superb photos.

This is also the annual The Great Outdoors Challenge issue. As well as entry information there are entertaining tales from this year's Challengers.

In shorter pieces, Creator of the Month is  musician and ecologist Jenny Sturgeon (whose album The Living Mountain inspired by Nan Shepherd's book is superb), Mary-Ann Ochota says veteran wild campers should make space for responsible newcomers in the Opinion column, James Roddie is a guide for a weekend in Aviemore, Jim Perrin praises Beinn Alligin in Torridon in his Mountain Portrait, and round the coast walker Emma Schroeder wonders at what point camping is no longer camping. 

In Wild Walks Alex Roddie describes the Meall a'Bhuachaille circuit in the Cairngorms (which I've done over 100 times!), Vivienne Crow wanders up Broughton Heights and Trahenna Hill in the Southern Uplands and Birkside Fell in Northumberland, Stefan Durkacz explores Cairn Table and the River Ayr in Ayrshire, Ian Battersby links two streams via Hamsterley Forest and Pikeston Fell in Teesdale, and visits Redmire Force and Penhill in Wensleydale, Francesca Donovan climbs Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere in the Lake District, Roger Butler discovers hills and history in the White Peak on Roystone Rocks and Minninglow Hill, Andrew Galloway goes back in time at Castell Dinas Bran and Vale Crucis Abbey in Denbighshire, and Tim Gent walks the Upper Walkham Valley on Dartmoor.