A Look At The November Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In this issue I look at new items of gear that caught my eye at this year's Outdoor Trade Show. In reviews Kirsty Pallas and James Roddie each try out three pairs of hiking boots. In the Gear Opinion piece James Forrest gives a realistic assessment of waterproofs and what you can actually expect from them. Also on the always relevant matter of coping with rain Will Renwick describes how he deals with wet weather.

The main theme of the issue is bothies, which, of course, are good places to shelter from the rain. A long piece looks at the story of bothies and the sub-culture that goes with them through the eyes of those who know them best, including pieces from authors Kat Hill and John Burns, who have both written books on bothies.  And in her Uphill Struggles column Mountain Bothies Association trustee Juls Stodel gives advice on what to do about snorers.

The Wild Walks pages cover bothies too. In Scotland James Roddie visits the tiny Lairig Leachach bothy in the Grey Corries, Simon Stokes climbs Suilven via Suileag bothy, and Alex Roddie Ben Lomond via Rowchoish bothy. In the North Pennines Vivienne Crow visits Greg's Hut enroute to Cross Fell. Not far away in the Lake District Norman Hadley finds Mosedale Cottage a welcome overnight stop on a long walk on the Far Eastern Fells. In Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway finds refuge in Penrhos Isaf bothy deep in the woods of Coed-y-Brenin. Further south in Wales in the Cambrian Mountains Carys Rees stays in the Lluest-cwm-bach bothy in the Elan Valley.

This is also the annual TGO Challenge issue and there's a selection of stories from this year's event.

Away from bothies and rain Francesca Donovan and Stew Hume embark on a piecemeal approach to Glyndwr's Way in Mid Wales and David Myers has a winter walk on the GR131, which links all seven Canary Islands.

The opening spread is a splendid photo by Alan Novelli of Duncansby Head and Sea Stacks on the far north-east tip of the Scottish mainland.

In a moving piece RSPB Scotland's peatland project manager Sally Berry writes about the wildfire that devastated parts of the RSPB's Abernethy reserve in the summer and the incredible response of the local community.

In her nature column Nadia Shaikh falls for the tiny, cute but aggressive goldcrest.

Francesca Donovan reviews Alastair Humphrey's latest book Unwilded - Finding Our Way Back To Nature and finds it calming and inspiring.

Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is Win Hill in the Peak District which he says is the best sunset bivouac site in Britain.

Queues to reach the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) were in the news again last summer. Carys Rees discusses this phenomenon with her mountain rescue and ultra-running colleague Rob Smith, who is also a professor of sociology. 

A Look At The October Issue Of The Great Outdoors

This issue sees the annual Gear Of The Year Awards, selected from twelve months of gear that impressed TGO's team of experts, including myself. I put together this year's feature and have been convinced to buy at least two of the winners!

The main features see experts looking at the future and predicting what's in store for hillwalkers (I hope some of  them are correct and some aren't!); Alastair MacDonald Jackson explores the little-known hills of Galloway; Alex Roddie goes hiking in the Austrian Alps; and Willem Vandoorne spends time alone in grizzly bear country in Kluane National Park in the Yukon.

In the Skills section psychologist Ian Taylor looks at the science of motivation.

The issue opens with a splendid photograph of Sass de Putia in the Dolomites by Judith Niederwanger and Alexander Pichler. Nadia Shaikh is awestruck by dolphins. Jonathan Caswell speaks to Mike Park, former chief executive of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, and his successor, Andy Buchan, about their stories and their thoughts for the future. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait looks at Rhobell Fawr in North Wales. Trail of the Month is Raad ny Foillan - the Way of the Gull - on the Isle of Man, described by Francesca Donovan. In her Uphill Struggles column Juls Stodel advises a new dad on the protocol of bothying with a baby.

Wild Walks covers seven routes to hills that involve woodlands. James Roddie climbs through Caledonian pine forest above Loch Maree to Meall a' Ghiubhais in Torridon. In the Cairngorms Roger Butler walks from Glenmore to Bynack More, a route sadly closed at the time writing due to the damaging wildfire this summer. In the Southern Uplands Ian Battersby takes the Southern Upland Way through woods to Well Hill.  Vivienne Crow goes through the vast Kielder Forest to Deadwater Fell and Peel Fell in Northumberland. In the Lake District James Forrest climbs Walla Crag via Borrowdale's Atlantic oakwoods. Andrew Galloway is on the same hill as Jim Perrin in his Mountain Portrait, climbing through woods from Coed-y-Brenin to Rhobell Fawr. In Bannau Brycheiniog/Brecon Beacons Carys Rees goes up Fan y Big and Waun Rydd from Talybont Forest.

A Look At The September Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

A belated look at the September issue of TGO magazine. The last few weeks have been somewhat hectic and have flashed by so it's a little late I'm afraid.

In the gear pages Lara Dunn and James Roddie each review four waterproof jackets and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three midlayers. In individual reviews Kirsty Pallas looks at the HeartHero Elliot AED and Fiona Russell tests the La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 trail shoes.

In the main features Tristan Gooley looks at reawakening our ability to interpret and attune to nature, Steph Wetherall is bewitched by Orkney, photographer Lizzie Shepherd has a photo essay about finding as much beauty and meaning in the mundane as the extraordinary, and Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi describes an epic journey to establish a study site for snow leopards deep in the Indian Himalayas. 

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh tells the fascinating story of the robin's pincushion plant gall, Ronald Turnbull reviews The Art of Julian Cooper, Doctor of Peatland Science John King visits Kinlochbervie in the NW Highlands to at the effects of the new green energy goldrush, Jim Perrin recalls jaunts up Beinn Tarsuinn on Aran, and Juls Stodel advises a reader on how to avoid being spooked when solo camping.

The Wild Walks pages cover sea-to-summit routes, starting off with probably the finest of all, Sgurr na Stri on the Isle of Skye, ascended by James Roddie from Elgol. On other Scottish islands Simon traverses Askival and Hallival on Rum, and Roger Butler climbs An Sgurr on Eigg. In Dumfries & Galloway Vivienne Crow gazes across the sea to the Lake District and the Isle of Man from Criffel. In the Lake District itself Norman Hadley tackles the Wast Water Screes from the coast. Down in Eryri/Snowdonia Kate Dakin explores the summits around Conwy, and Andrew Galloway climbs from the sea to Moel Ysgyfarnogod. 

A Look At The August Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In this issue I review solo backpacking tents from MSR, Highlander, Weschel, and Big Agnes plus men's hiking shoes from Keen, Oboz, Danner, and Meindl. Lara Dunn reviews women's hiking shoes from La Sportiva, Helly Hansen, Aku, and Arc'teryx. In individual reviews Francesca Donovan likes the Helly Hansen Blaze 7/8 Tights and David Lintern likes the Sunski Ferrata Sunglasses and the Rab Force Hoody.

Peter Macfarlane gives some advice on second-hand footwear and how to restore in the Gear Opinion piece.

In the main features Julia Clarke links saunas and summits in the Scottish Highlands, Tim Gent explores the tributaries of Dartmoor, and Richard Hartfield solo backpacks the remote Via Alta Vallemaggia in the Alps.

The Skills section wilderness first-aider Cory Jones comments on reader's health issues on long-distance walks. 

The opening Almanac pages begins with an ethereal and beautiful double-page photograph of sunrise on the River Stour in Dorset by Daniel Wretham. Nadia Shaikh considers swallows. Francesca Donovan reviews a film about the Right to Roam campaign, Our Land, directed by Orban Wallace, and the book Swimming Wild In South West England by Sian Anna Lewis. 

In a longer piece Kenton Cool looks back on his 20 ascents of Everest. 

Jim Perrin has a Water Portrait rather than a mountain one, writing about the River Wye. In her Uphill Struggles column Juls Stodel gives advice on building skills and trusting yourself. 

Wild Walks looks at routes that combine hills with water where you can cool off. On the Isle of Skye James Roddie climbs Sgurr nan Eag and Loch Coir' a' Ghrunnda. There are three Lake District walks. James Forrest links Glaramara, Esk Hause, Angle Tarn, and Blackmoss Pot. Norman Hadley climbs Mardale Ill Bell and descends by Kentmere Reservoir. Vivienne Crow also goes over Mardale Ill Bell on a walk that includes Blea Water, High Street, and Small Water. In the Peak District Simon Stokes goes up Kinder Scout via the Mermaid's Pool. In Wales Andrew Galloway visits Llyn y Morynion, Llyn Du, and Gloywlyn on an ascent of Rhinog Fawr in Eryri/Snowdonia and Carys Rees climbs Pen y Fan via the Nant Sere waterfalls in Bannau Brycheiniog,

A Look At The July Issue Of The Great Outdoors

A belated look at the July issue of The Great Outdoors. A problem with the internet has stopped me posting for a while.

In this issue I and Steph Wetherall each review an ultralight big pack and a standard weight big pack. Also in the gear pages James Roddie reviews eight outdoor apps, Steph Wetherall reviews Maier Sports Lawa Shorts, Fiona Russell reviews the Berghaus Rain-Motion Jacket, and James Forrest reviews the Alpkit Atlas boots. Steph Wetherall also looks at sleeping bag ratings and why they don’t work for everyone.

In the main features there’s a look at big human-powered adventures ideal for summer months. David Myers describes setting the fastest known time on the South West Coast Path. Hannah Mitchell treks through the Fann Mountains of Tajikistan.

The Skills section sees the experts of Glenmore Lodge giving advice on navigation, refuelling, river crossings, and prepping for better hill days.

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh enthuses about bugs, in particular the shieldbug; the Peak District’s new wildfire engagement officer tells Claire Maxted what his job involves; Jim Perrin recalls his first ascent of Catbells; and Juls Stodel gives advice on navigation.

Wild Walks looks at routes reachable by public transport. James Roddie climbs Beinn Liath Mhor from Achnashellach railway station in the NW Highlands. Simon Stokes also takes the train, in this case to climb Ben More from Crianlarich in the Southern Highlands. It’s the bus to the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in the Lake District for an ascent of Bow Fell for Vivienne Crow. Another bus in the Lake District takes James Forrest to the start of a walk up Red Screes. Also in the Lake District Norman Hadley takes the train to Windermere for Sallows and Sour Hawes. Down in Shropshire another train takes Andrew Galloway to Church Stretton for a walk over the Lond Mynd. In Wales Ian Battersby climbs Pen y Fan and Craig Cerrig-gleisiad from Pont ar Daf, which can be reached by bus.

A Look At The June Issue Of The Great Outdoors

I have an unusual gear feature in the latest TGO magazine. Rather than a review of any particular product it's an opinion piece on packs and, in particular, what features I really don't like. More conventionally I also review the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Vest.

Also in the gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each review three daypacks and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three pairs of trail running shoes.

In the main features there's a look at a dozen of the best ridge walks in the British Hills ranging from Southern England to North-West Scotland. 

Ursula  Martin  describes probably the longest ever book tour on foot - a 1600 mile circuitous bookshop linking Land's End - John O' Groats walk to promote her latest book One Woman Walks Europe. 

The great mountain and climbing photographer John Cleare sadly died last year. John's editor Deziree Wilson, who was working with him on his memoir Cleare Perspectives, describes the process of putting the book together in a piece illustrated with some of Cleare's superb photos. This is a book I'm really looking forward to.

Flowers and the Alpine spring are the theme of a piece by former TGO editor Carey Davies as he describes a hut-to-hut walk through the Alps in July.

The issue opens with a stunning photo by Alan Novelli of the rising sun catching early-morning cloud on the Y Gribin ridge in Eryri/Snowdonia. 

In the Almanac pages Nadia Shaikh praises the nightingale, I review the Scottish Mountaineering Club's splendid new  guidebook, The Corbetts by Rab Anderson, and in a moving essay Kate Armstrong argues that the mountains aren't always a cure-all for mental health problems.

Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is Moel Hebog in Eryri/Snowdonia, which he describes as a wonderful peak in sumptuous hill country.

In the Skills section Mountain Weather Information Service forecaster and mountaineering instructor Mehmet Karatay talks about the fascinating science of thunderstorms and how to stay safe from lightning.

In Uphill Struggles Juls Stobel advises a reader addicted to outdoor clothing. 

Wild Walks has seven very different routes. James Roddie describes one of my favourites, a circular walk over Meall a' Bhuachaille in the Cairngorms. In a different part of the national park Alex Roddie visits The Snub, Loch Brandy & Glen Clova. The Lake District sees Vivienne Crow on Lingmoor Fell & Side Pike and James Forrest on Gowbarrow Fell. In the Yorkshire Dales Norman Hadley as a stroll through wildflowers on Kisdon and in the Muker meadows. Also in Yorkshire (but not the Dales) Ian Battersby explores Ilkley Moor. Finally in the Peak District shares a classic ridge walk over Chrome Hill.

A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The May issue of TGO has a big feature on gear for wild camping. My contributions are reviews of four stoves - Fire Maple Petrel Titanium Ultralight, GSI Pinnacle Four Season, Alpkit MyTiBurner, & Robens Fire Wisp Solo Cook Set UL -, the Gregory Baltoro 65 pack, and the Alpkit Radiant sleeping mat. Another mat is reviewed by David Lintern - the Highlander Nap Pak Arctic.

Also in this section Fiona Russell and David Lintern review six two-person tents from Fjern, Big Agnes, Wechsel, Highlander, MSR, & Hilleberg with a first look at the updated Nemo OSMO Dragonfly.  Six three-season sleeping bags from Mont, Therm-A-Rest, Gruezi, Alpkit, Robens, & Big Agnes are tested by Steph Wetherell, David Lintern and Peter Macfarlane.

Four reviewers - Steph Wetherell, David Lintern, Peter Macfarlane and Juls Stodel - pick their favourite mini items of camping gear which range from a lantern and freeze-dried meals to tent pegs and a pump for inflating mats. There's also a first look at the Sigg Gemstone Food Jar and Steph Wetherell reviews the Charmast C2065 Power Bank.

Away from gear Hanna Lindon looks at ways to approach the National Three Peaks Challenge 100 years after it was first done, Louise Kenward explores the relationships disabled people can have with the outdoors, Minreet Kaur has a first wild camp in the Cairngorms, and Bella Falk goes on a Maasai-guided trek through Kenya's Loita Hills.

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh peers into pools for short crabs, Jon Moses of the Right to Roam campaign discusses the CRoW Act at 25, Jim Perrin looks at Ben Nevis for his Mountain Portrait, Vivienne Crow introduces the new Roof of England long-distance trail, and Juls Stodel considers where to go to be a hermit. The Skills section looks at new outdoor activities to try.

The theme of Wild Walks this month is big mountain challenges. Simon Stokes tackles the Cairngorms 4000s, James Forrest the Lakeland 3000s, Norman Hadley the Lakeland 800s, Richard Hartfield the Howgills 2000s, and Nike Werstroh the Surrey Three Peaks. Away from walks with numbers Ian Battersby undertakes the Durham Dales Challenge and Chiz Dakin the Nine Edges Challenge in the Peak District.

A Look At The April Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The theme of the latest issue of The Great Outdoors is doing more with less, whether that's keeping gear in good repair so it lasts well or finding budget and second-hand gear. Peter Macfarlane combines the two, finding used items of clothing (Gore-Tex jacket, fleece jacket, fleece salopettes, baselayer) and a  daypack for a grand total of £53 and describing how he returned them to working order. He also writes this month's Long Review, describing how well his Fjallraven Keb Trousers have lasted and how he cares for them.

There's also a round-up of budget gear reviewed in TGO over the last year or so. The Skills section covers maintaining and repairing gear with some examples from TGO contributors including myself on patching torn mesh pockets on a pack.

Away from budget gear Steph Wetherall tests the Smartwool All Season Merino Base Layer and Francesca Donovan tests the Berghaus Farren leggings and trousers. In a comparative review Fiona Russell tries three women's hiking shirts and I try three men's. 

Back to the low cost theme there are 50 tips for hillwalking on a budget covering gear, transport, travelling overseas, accommodation, food, and more.

In the long features JB Smith finds solitude in the Rhinogs in Eryri/Snowdonia, Ailsa Sheldon explores St Patrick's Way in Northern Ireland, and David Myers hikes the Alpenpasse-Weg in the Swiss Alps.

Shorter pieces include Nadia Shaikh on the orange-tip butterfly, a review of the film H is for Hawk by Francesca Donovan, Rachel Hewitt on the dangerous precedent for women set by a rule change for the Spine Race, Jim Perrin on Y Berwyn, and Juls Stodel considering mountain rescue in her Uphill Struggles column.

Wild Walks looks at seven ridge walks. In the Highlands James Roddie relishes Conival and Ben More Assynt, Alex Roddie tackles Liathach, and Simon Stokes scrambles up Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor. The Lake District has Norman Hadley on the Wasdale Horseshoe, James Forrest on the Deepdale Horseshoe, and Vivienne Crow on the Kentmere Round. Finally in South Wales Ian Battersby walks Cribyn and Fan y Big.

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.

A Look At The January Issue of TGO

The January TGO has a tribute to TGO's founding editor, Roger Smith, who sadly died recently. Roger was also one of the creators and for many years the co-ordinator of the TGO Challenge. I think it is fair to say that both the magazine and the event may well not exist without all the work and effort Roger put into them. 

Unsurprisingly this issue has a wintry theme. The opening spread is a dramatic image of climbers on Am Basteir on the Cuillin Ridge in winter by Hamish Frost. 

There's a big feature called The Power Of Cold in which various outdoors people who love winter and snow are interviewed. I'm one of them, talking about winter camping along with David Lintern, a section illustrated with four of my snow camping photos. The whole feature starts with a double-page spread of another of my winter camp photos, taken on a memorable dawn after a bitter January night. In the same pages Gilly McArthur describes the joy of cold water swimming illustrated with shiver-making photos including plunge holes in ice (not something for me!) and Carla Khouri and Alice Kerr discuss becoming devoted winter walkers. There's advice for coping with the cold from Mountain Leader Jenny Bushell too.

The wintry theme continues with the story of a winter Wainwrights round by fellwalkers David Johnson and Nicky Oliver (and Floki the dog), and an account of snowshoeing in the Austrian Tyrol by Alex Roddie, along with advice on learning how to snowshoe.

Away from winter Adam Weymouth writes about his walk retracing the 1000-mile migration of a lone wolf across Europe, as told in his book Lone Wolf: Walking the Faultlines of Europe, which I am looking forward to reading. 

In The Long Review section of the gear pages I write about my now old and well-worn Paramo Aspira Jacket and Fuera Smock and how I care for them. In individual reviews Francesca Donovan tries the Finisterre Iris 1.2mm Yulex swimsuit and David Lintern the Durston X Dome 1+ tent. In comparative reviews Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each try two pairs of gloves suitable for winter, James Roddie tests six head torches, and Lara Dunn relaxes in a couple of camping chairs.

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh looks for winter bird flocks, Francesca Donovan reviews a new film from the Save Windermere campaign called Origin: Finding The Source of Windermere, cancer survivor Marisa Wray talks about the mental and physical benefits of wild swimming, Jim Perrin pens a paean to Holyhead Mountain, and Juls Stodel advises a lonely camper. There's also information on The Great Outdoors Awards 2026.

Wild Walks looks at peak-to-pub winter walks. James Roddie takes a there-and-back trip from the Sligachan Hotel to Bruach na Frithe on the Cuillin Ridge, Vivienne Crow does a circular trip from the Shepherds Inn over Fiend's Fell in the North Pennines, James Forrest goes up Helm Crag from Tweedies Bar in Grasmere in the Lake District, also in the Lakes Norman Hadley traverses Ill Bell from the Mortal Man in Troutbeck, back in the North Pennines Ian Battersby ascends Scargill High Moor from The Ancient Unicorn in Bowes, a bit further south in the Yorkshire Dales Francesca Donovan makes a circuit of Middleton Fell from Barbon Inn, and down in Eryri/Snowdonia Andrew Galloway climbs Yr Wyddfa from the Cwellyn Arms in Ryhd-Ddu.

A Look At The December Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

The December issue of TGO is out now. I've some gear  reviews this month. Firstly a detailed look at the Primus Micron III stove. Then a review of the Rab Neutrino Pro 700 sleeping bag, which I tested extensively last winter, as Lucy Wallace did with the Mammut Women's Perform Down Bag -10C. Lastly there's a mats feature in which I review 3 mats as does Steph Wetherall.

Also in the gear pages James Roddie reviews six 2-person and group tents, Fiona Russell tests the Compressport Full Legs Recovery 2.0 tights, and Kirsty Pallas praises her indestructible Patagonia R1 fleece in The Long Review.

Gear also features in a big photo essay by Max Leonard and Henry Iddon based on their book Mountain Style, which is wonderful and highly recommended (disclaimer: I did write the Intro). 

In other big features Hanna Lindon takes a stroll through 4 billion years of geology in the British hills and Isa Taylor discovers a network of trails in the Sierra de la Serrella not far from Alicante.

The annual Winters Skills Special returns this month with advice and tips from Glenmore Lodge.

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh honours the red fox, I review Nicola Hardy's Peak Bagging Munros Volume 1, conservationist Dave Sexton describes his life, Jim Perrin revisits Moelfre in the Rhinogydd, and Juls Stodel writes about modern mountain legends and stories.

In Wild Walks the writers describe favourite winter hill walks. Roger Butler goes up Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach in the West Highlands. Ian Battersby covers two walks in the North Pennines, Collier Law and Fatherley Hill and then Burnhope Hill. Vivenne Crow has a pair too, over in the Lake District - High Raise via Greenup Gill and Stybarrow Dodd. Also in the Lakes James Forrest does the Newlands Round and Norman Hadley climbs Helvellyn and Catsye Cam.

A Look At The November Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The November issue of TGO sees the start of a new gear spot in conjunction with Nikwax in which reviewers describe their long-term gear favourites and how they care for them to ensure they last. I begin the series with some favourite boots, Brasher Hillmasters, now over twelve years old and still going strong.

Also in the gear pages David Lintern reviews the Jottnar Asger HS fleece and Steph Wetherell reviews the Osprey Tempest 33 Extended Fit Pack. In comparative reviews Pete Macfarlane reviews four stoves, Kirsty Pallas and Alex Roddie review three midlayers each, and Steph Wetherell and James Roddie three pairs of three-season gloves each.

The opening spread is a wonderful photo by Lizzie Shepherd of twisted birch trees in autumn in Inshriach in the Cairngorms.

In the main features Norman Hadley tells an astonishing tale of a navigational error on the Cairngorm Plateau in winter. Five artists, writers and musicians talk about the ways they take inspiration from the outdoors. Phoebe Smith climbs Mt.Kinabalu on Borneo and learns about its place in the culture of the indigenous Dusan people. 

This issue is 2025's TGO Challenge one and there are stories of this years event from many participants.

In the skills section Alex Roddie sharpens up his map and compass skills on an Austrian Alpine Club - organised course in Eryri.

In the regular columns Nadia Shaikh describes hoar frost in On The Lookout; Stew Hume reviews And So I Run by Jamie Doward; Sunny Huang, who recently completed her second round of all 1124 UK hills on the Scottish Mountaineering Club register, describes her extraordinary life; Jim Perrin covers the Fiacaill Couloir, a winter climb in the Cairngorms, as his Mountain Portrait; and Juls Stobel gives advice on how to get teenagers into hillwalking in Uphill Struggles.

Wild Walks covers short trails and sections of longer trails that can be walked in a day or less. in Scotland Stefan Durkacz walks the Dava Way from Grantown-on-Spey to Forres. Vivienne Crow walks the Great Whin Sill in Northumberland, where the Pennine Way and Hadrian's Wall Path unite. In the North York Moors Ian Battersby walks Cringle Moor and Round Hill on the Cleveland Way. Over in the Lake District James Forrest goes from Rosthwaite to Grasmere on the Coast to Coast path while in Wales Andrew Galloway goes from Llanfairfechan to Conwy on the North Wales Path. Further south in Herefordshire Roger Butler climbs Bradnor Hill and Herrock Hill on the Offa's Dyke Path. Finally way down in Sussex Alex Roddie visits Cuckmere Haven and Seven Sisters on the South Downs Way.

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 September Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The September issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. The cover is a superb photo of Sgurr a'Mhaim taken from Sgurr an Lubhair in the Mamores by James Roddie. The opening spread is equally wonderful and encapsulates the the theme of this issue. It shows nine teams of skiers spread over 7km of the Jostedalsbreen glacier in Norway at night using their headlamps to shine a giant morse code SOS signaL In this case it's because the glacier is threatened both by climate change and a gondola. And that's the theme - action to save mountains and nature and to give ourselves hope.

To this end deputy editor Hanna Lindon meets people working for the mountains from the Himalayas to the Lake District and the Cairngorms. In Scotland photographer Richard Cross uses drone photography to show land issues in a way hard to see on the ground. In the Skills section Detective Constable Paul Flint of Derbyshire's Rural Crime Team gives advice on how walkers can help tackle wildlife crime. 

The mountains can revive ourselves too, as Andy Wasley found on a walk in the Dolomites in Italy. Also overseas James Roddie spends two weeks in the spectacular High Sierra mountains in California. 

In shorter pieces Nadia Shaikh writes about the common but often overlooked Meadow Pipit; Francesca Donovan reviews Paul Besley's The Search - the life of a mountain rescue search dog team; artist, poet and 'Day of Access' founder Alec Finlay asks who belongs in the mountains and how should they enjoy them; Jim Perrin takes a lesser-known scramble on Yr Wyddfa; and Juls Stodel gives advice on taking dogs hiking and camping.

In the Gear pages Steph Wetherall reviews the Therm-A-Rest Questor 0F/-18C sleeping bag; Fiona Russell reviews the Alpkit Ultra 1 tent; Lucy Wallace compares four solo tents; Gemma Palmer tries six backpacking meals; and Kirsty Pallas and James Roddie each review a pair of three-season sleeping bags.

Wild Walks covers seven walks all reachable by public transport. In the NW Highlands Ian Battersby goes by bus to the Five Sisters of Kintail. In the Central Highlands Alex Roddie crosses Geal-Charn, Aonach Beag and Beinn Eidbhinn on a walk between the railway stations at Dalwhinnie and Corrour. It's back to buses again for Stefan Durkacz's Glen Sax Round in the Southern Uplands. In the Lake District buses give access to St Sunday Crag for Vivienne Crow and Wansfell for James Forrest. In Mid Wales Roger Butler takes the train to explore Wernygeufron Hill and Beacon Hill. Finally, Fiona Barltrop takes a ferry to the Isle of Wight to walk on Limerstone Down and Hanover Point. 

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.