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

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

Advertising through the years

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

Fylde Mountain Club, 1960s. Credit: Tony Iddon

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

Disappeared brands

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

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

Troll 1980s and Peter Storm 1970s

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

 

My first book was published 35 years ago.

Scott Steiner in camp on the Continental Divide Trail

“Backpacking, travelling in remote places carrying all you need in a rucksack, is a means to freedom, the freedom of the wilderness, a freedom which I have relished over the years and the experience of which I hope to portray here”.

The above words are from the introduction to my first book, The Great Backpacking Adventure, published thirty-five years ago. They’re as true now as they were then.

I enjoyed writing the book, as I have every book since. I wrote it because it was the sort of book I enjoyed reading. My walks had been inspired by books on long walks by John Hillaby, Hamish Brown, Colin Fletcher. I hoped I could entertain and inspire others the way they had me. 

Back then the world was a different place, a much slower place. The electronic revolution was yet to begin. The Internet, GPS, digital cameras, smartphones were all in the future. I wrote the book on an Amstrad computer, bought specially for the purpose, then printed it out and sent it to the publisher along with a selection of transparencies. Remembering that really makes it seem a distant time. Walking in wild places, enjoying and feeling part of the natural world, hasn’t changed thoug

The Great Backpacking Adventure is long out of print. But some of the words I wrote back then seem to ring truer today, sadly.

“Our modern detachment from nature, from the force of which we are a part, our futile attempt to prove ourselves separate from and superior to the ecological system that allows us to live, our view of the world as an enemy to be conquered, and a bottomless treasure chest to be exploited, are the escapist and selfish attitudes that has les us to the brink of the abyss of annihilation on which we are poised. Re-establishing our place in the natural scheme of evolution and the real world is essential if we are to have a future”.

And the final lines:

“I pack a rucksack and head off into the hills to pitch my tent, gaze at the sky, feel the wind and rain on my face, the rocks and earth under my feet and bring my life back to the only thing that exists, the present”.

Book Review: The Munros A History by Andrew Dempster.

Back in 1995 The Munro Phenomenon by Andrew Dempster was published. I read it immediately and found this story of the Munros fascinating and inspiring. In particular I was taken with the comment that “it is interesting and almost strange that no one has yet attempted all the Munros and Tops in a single expedition”. I was so taken in fact that I set out to do just that the very next year.

Last year the follow-up to The Munro Phenomenon was published and The Munros A History is just as fascinating as the original book. In the twenty-six years since 1995 much has changed, including the numbers who’ve completed the Munros, up from a little over 1,000 to around 7,000. The Scottish Parliament has come into being, the first National Parks in Scotland have been created, there are legal access rights, hills lists have been updated and new ones produced, Munro records have been broken, there’s now a Munro Society.

Andrew Dempster includes all this and more in The Munros A History. It’s not an update of The Munro Phenomenon but a new book that goes far more deeply into the whole subject. The history of the lists (Munro’s was not the first), the first Munroists (I’m pleased to see so much attention given to the Rev ARG Burn, the first to complete the Munros and Tops), the post-war surge in Munro bagging, and continuous rounds and records (I’m mentioned here) are all covered. There’s also a look at the mass of Munro baggers who don’t do continuous rounds or run round the hills in record times with a consideration of why they do it.

Readers will also learn about the early map-makers, the first tourists, the 1930s working class outdoor revolution, the topography and topology of the Munros, and other hill lists like the Corbetts. The author, a two-time Munroist himself, describes some his favourite Munros in a chapter that really shows his deep love and attachment to the hills. A final chapter covers the crucial issues of conservation, re-wilding, and well-being.

I think this is a marvellous book (and not just because I have brief mention!). It contains a huge amount of research presented in an entertaining and readable style. The author isn’t afraid to give his own opinions either, which I always like even if I don’t necessarily agree with them.  Whilst those who have climbed or are climbing the Munros are the obvious audience it should appeal to anyone interested in the Scottish hills and hillwalking. Highly recommended.

The Munros A History is published by Luath Press at £11.99 .

Outdoor & Nature Books 2021

 

Every year sees a wealth of outdoor and nature books published and 2021 was no exception.  Here are brief descriptions of the ones I enjoyed most, in no particular order, along with one from a previous yeart I hadn't got round to finishing last year. Where I've reviewed the book online I've given a link.

As every year I also dipped into old favourites from authors like Edward Abbey, Colin Fletcher, John Muir, Nan Shepherd, and Hamish Brown. New books don't replace old ones! I've mentioned a couple of others here then finished with a short list of books I'm reading now or will be reading soon.

The Earth Beneath My Feet by Andrew Terrill (Enchanted Rock Press, 2021)

I liked this so much I reviewed it twice! Here and here. It's a superb hiking story about the author's walk up the length of Italy and through the Alps. Expansive, personal, and positive this is a life-affirming book. And it's only part one, with the second volume, On Sacred Ground, covering the continuing journey to the northern tip of Norway due out this year. I'm really looking forward to it.

The Farthest Shore: Seeking solitude and nature on the Cape Wrath Trail in winter by Alex Roddie (Vertebrate, 2021)

Another excellent tale of a long walk, this time a tough winter one in the Scottish Highlands. The author set out to escape the online digital world and immerse himself in the natural one. What he discovers is illuminating and thought-provoking. My review for The Great Outdoors magazine should appear soon.

Wild Winter: In search of nature in Scotland's mountain landscape by John D. Burns (Vertebrate 2021)

In my review of this book I wrote "the mix of adventure, wildlife, comic incidents, intriguing characters, and thoughts about the future of the land make this an entertaining and thought-provoking book". 

The 1033 High Hills of Britain by Alan Dawon (Pedantic Press, 2021)

An idiosyncratic book about hill bagging with an unusual list of summits this successor to The Relative Hills of Britain is entertaining and informative. Contains some wonderful mountains stories and interesting arguments. I must get round to writing a review.

Peaks And Bandits by Alf Bonnevie Bryn (Vertebrate, 2021)

First published in Norway in 1943 this is the story of two students and their 'discovery' of Corsica in 1909. They have plenty of amusing and hair-raising adventures, not all mountaineering ones. A light humorous read. I reviewed it here. 

The Trail by Ethan Gallogly (Sierra Nevada Press, 2021)

This is a novel based on a hike along the John Muir Trail in California, telling the story of two hikers whose relationship develops as their walk progresses.  The author knows the trail and the area really well and imparts a great deal of information in an entertaining and easy-to-read way. I'll post a full review soon.

The Vanishing Ice: Diaries of a Scottish snow hunter by Iain Cameron (Vertebrate, 2021)

A fascinating and intriguing book about the author's passion for the remnants of snow that last through the Scottish summer. Adventure stories, scientific research, history. There's a lot to snow patches! I reviewed it for the December 2021 issue of The Great Outdoors. I'll post the review online soon.

The Munros by Rab Anderson & Tom Prentice (Scottish Mountaineering Press, 2021)

The fourth edition of the Scottish Mountaineering Club's guide to the Munros this is by far the best yet with much more information, more photographs, and larger maps. The subsidiary Tops are included for the first time too. I reviewed it here.

The Peatlands Of Britain And Ireland: A Traveller's Guide by Clifton Bain (Sandstone Press, 2021)

The third in a trilogy by Clifton Bain, the others being The Ancient Pinewoods of Scotland and The Rainforests of Britain and Ireland, this is a lovely book for browsing and inspiration. It's packed with information on peatlands and their importance along with information for visiting key ones plus some wonderful photographs.

Wanderlust Alps: Hiking Aacross the Alps by Alex Roddie (Gestalten, 2021)

A companion to 2020's Wanderlust Europe this is another book for browsing and inspiration. It's packed with details of hiking routes in the Alps and mounth-watering photographs. I reviewed it here. 

Of Stone And Sky by Merryn Glover (Polygon, 2021)

A family saga set in the Cairngorms this novel is powerful and absorbing as the complex tale evolves with a profound mystery at its heart. I haven't finished reading it yet so it may well appear in next year's round-up too.

Regeneration: The Rescue of a Wild Land by Andrew Painting (Birlinn, 2021)

The story of the vast Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms since it's takeover by the National Trust for Scotland in 1995 this book reveals the hard work, compromises, and scientific study needed to restore nature and the landscape. 

Rebirding: Rewilding Britain and its Birds by Benedict Macdonals (Pelagic Publishing, 2019)

I included this in last year's review though I hadn't finished reading it. Now I have I think this informative and provocative book is worth a second mention. The uplifting optimism at the end is very much needed.

Walks And Climbs In The Pyrenees by Kev Reynolds (Cicerone Press, 1978) 

Author and guide Kev Reynolds sadly died towards the end of last year. I have many of his books. I've chosen this one as it was the first I bought and the one I used in the hills most, taking it on several trips to the Pyrenees. We've lost a great outdoor writer.

The Cairngorms by Adam Watson (Scottish Mountaineering Trust, 1975)

Another sad loss was Adam Watson in 2019. The expert on the Cairngorms in all aspects his Scottish Mountaineering Club District Guide Book is packed with information on geology, weather, natural history, as well as walks and climbs. 

 

Finally here's a list of books I've either started reading or will be doing so soon. (I read too many books at once!).

Wanderers: A History of Women Walking by Kerri Andrews (Reaktion Books, 2020)

Restoring The Wild: Sixty Years Of Rewilding Our Skies, Woods and Waterways by Roy Dennis (Collins, 2021)

The Black Ridge: Amongst the Cuillin of Skye by Simon Ingram (Collins, 2021)

Chasing The Deer: The Red Deer Through The Seasons by Neil McIntyre (Sandstone Press, 2021)

The Fox of Glencoe by Hamish Macinnes (Scottish Mountaineering Press, 2021)

Book Review: Wanderlust Alps by Alex Roddie

 

This big book arrived a couple of weeks ago and I've been browsing through it on and off ever since. It's a companion volume to Wanderlust Europe, which I reviewed last year, and has the same format. That book covers the whole of Europe, this one just the Alps, if you could use the word 'just' about Europe's main mountain range. 

Divided into five sections - Western Alps, Swiss Alps, Eastern Alps, Italian Alps, and Slovenian Alps - the book describes walks of all lengths, from multi-week treks like the 608km GR5 Alpine Traverse to half-day strolls like the 8.9km Val Gardena's Ridgeline. There's an enticing description of each walk then a useful information page or two. The latter includes information on seasons, accommodation, what to bring, flora and fauna, and more but not the maps and guidebooks needed. You'll have to find these for yourself. There's no general introduction and the introductions to the different sections are no more than a couple of sentences. 

The book is written by Alex Roddie but the only mention of this is on a page of publishing infomation at the back of the book, where it says 'Text by Alex Roddie'. He's not mentioned on the cover, the spine, or the frontispiece. I think he should be. Without his words there'd be no book. As a fellow author I protest on his behalf!

The book is profusely illustrated by colour photographs, many spectacular and mouth-watering, by twenty-plus photographers including Alex Roddie and with two from myself. 

This is a book to dream over and I've been doing just that, though a little more seriously than I might have done a few years ago. After my GR5 Through the Alps trip in 2018 I became interested in more long walks in the Alps, walks I could reach by train, as I did that walk, rather than by flying, and so reduce my carbon emissions. Wanderlust Alps has given me many ideas.

 

Exciting New Outdoor & Nature Books

 

Some excellent outdoor and nature books have been published recently and I have this collection to read. The difficulty is knowing where to start. I've dipped into all of them and then decided that trying to read all five at once would be too confusing so I've settled on The Earth Beneath My Feet as that's one I've been waiting to read since the author told me about it when I met him in Colorado back in 2019. I haven't got very far yet but the start is exciting and gripping.

I'll post reviews of each one in time.

Book Review: Corrour Bothy by Ralph Storer

I didn’t expect a book on a bothy, even one as iconic as Corrour, to be so enjoyable that I’d read it in a rush but that was the case with this book. After it arrived, I started flipping through the pages, got hooked on various passages and then decided I’d better start at the beginning. Reading it straight through I was captivated, fascinated and excited. Corrour was one of the first bothies I ever visited, and I have stayed there many times, but I think this book will be enthralling for every lover of wild places whether they have been there or not. (And note that if it makes you want to visit, as is likely, Corrour is very popular – best take a tent).

The author tells the story of the bothy,  of how it was built as a deer watchers house in 1877 and then quickly used by walkers and climbers after the last watcher left in 1920. He describes its splendid setting in the Cairngorms and gives advice on approaches to it and walks from it. The first renovation in 1950 and subsequent ones are described and there are tales of the building of the first bridges over the  rivers and burns that have to be crossed to reach Corrour. Before these existed visitors suffered regular soakings and, sadly, one man drowned in 1950 on the final crossing of the Dee just below the bothy, an event that led to the first bridge being built. There are many interesting photographs of renovations and bridge building from 1948 right up to 2018 along with photographs of the bothy and its setting by the author from his many visits.

Whilst the story of Corrour is fascinating, even more so are the entries from the bothy books, which date all the way back to 1928. Ralph Storer deserves credit for his painstaking research into these. Reading through his selections from the books builds up a picture of an outdoor and mountaineering community that stretches back over ninety years, bringing to life the characters who wrote them. The pleasures and hardships are all there, from the beginning, and little has changed, apart from those bridges.

Some of the entries tug at the heart, others made me laugh out loud – especially some in the Bothy Cuisine chapter. One from 1939 gives a detailed recipe for a meal of corned beef, baked beans and oatmeal, then finishes “dig a hole at a safe distance from the bothy and bury the lot”.

Those who feel midges have got worse in recent years should note that there are comments on being bitten to death by them from 1939. The problem of litter isn’t new, either, with the first complaint coming from 1929. The weather, of course, is a major topic, as is pack weight. Some of the entries could make the non-hill goer astonished that anyone would put themselves through all this voluntarily. Just why is explained in an entry from PE Shand in 1930: “Magnificent scenery, enchanting mists – and soaking rain. What scenery, what weather! What pleasures can match those of the unorthodox insanities of the lovers of the high places, the magnificent madness of the mountaineer?” Hear, hear!, PE Shand, hear, hear!

I could quote endlessly from the bothy entries, but I won’t. Instead, I’ll recommend this wonderful book to anyone who likes bothies, hill culture, and the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of the best outdoor books I’ve read in a long while, a love letter to Corrour Bothy.

Corrour Bothy is published by Luath Press and costs £10.99

Outdoor & Nature Books 2020 Review

  

Every year sees a wealth of outdoor and nature books published and 2020 was no exception.  Here are brief descriptions of the ones I enjoyed most, in no particular order, along with a few that were published in previous years but I hadn't got round to reading until last year and a couple of classics. 

As every year I also dipped into old favourites from authors like Edward Abbey, Colin Fletcher, John Muir, Nan Shepherd, and Hamish Brown. New books don't replace old ones!

Corrour Bothy: A refuge in the wilderness by Ralph Storer

The last book I read in 2020 as it arrived just before Christmas. A love letter to a Cairngorms bothy. History, anecdotes, geography, bridge building, walking routes and many, many excerpts from 100 years of bothy books. I found it intriguing and fascinating. A longer review will follow soon.

Underland: A Deep Time Journey by Robert Macfarlane

This was the first book I read last year. A magnificent and dizzying tour de force it looks at every aspect of humanity's involvement with the underworld in myths, history, literature and today. The author carries you along on exciting and sometimes terrifying underground adventures, all described with profound understanding of the meaning of the places explored.

The Big Rounds: Running and walking the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Charlie Ramsey Rounds by David Lintern

Three challenging multi-summit hill circuits in England, Wales and Scotland described for walkers as well as runners with interviews and stories from the exceptional characters who first undertook them. Beautifully illustrated with the author's excellent photographs. Longer review here.

Marram: Memories of sea and spider-silk by Leonie Charlton

A lovely lyrical account of a journey on horseback through the Outer Hebrides tinged with sadness as the author grapples with memories of her fraught relationship with her late mother.

Red Sixty Seven curated by Kit Jewitt

A lovely collection of essays and paintings inspired by the Red List of the most vulnerable UK birds. Review here. 

Walking Through Shadows by Mike Cawthorne

Gripping story of a tough walk through the Scottish Highlands in winter in memory of a friend who died in the wilds. Captures winter in the hills superbly. Review here. 

Rebirding: Rewilding Britain and its Birds by Benedict Macdonald

A deep look at the decline of birds in Britain and what can be done about it. Challenging, provocative, and, ultimately, optimistic.

Walking the Great North Line: From Stonehenge to Lindisfarne by Robert Twigger

Entertaining story of a walk through England along a line connecting historic sites. Humorous, philosophical, and fun. Review here.

The Unremembered Places: Exploring Scotland's Wild Histories by Patrick Baker

Journeys to islands, mountain passes, caves and more in search of history in wild places. Fascinating and informative. Review here. 

Wanderlust Europe: The Great European Hike by Alex Roddie

A collection of lavishly illustrated walks in Europe from Iceland to Georgia. A book for dreaming and inspiration. Review here. 

Mountains of the Moon: Lunar Nights On Scotland's High Peaks by Alan Rowan

Exciting and entertaining account of a night ascent at every full moon of the year. 

Keeping Dry & Staying Warm by Mike Parsons & Mary Rose

A detailed look at staying comfortable in the outdoors. Packed with information. I was a consultant for the book. More here.

Life On The Mountains by Terry Abraham

Outdoor film maker Terry Abraham tells his story. Beautifully illustrated with his wonderful photographs. Review here.

Skye's Cuillin Ridge Traverse by Adrian Trendall

The best guidebook I've seen to the formidable Cuillin. Excellent route descriptions, advice and photographs. Review here. 

Sky Dance: Fighting for the wild in the Scottish Highlands by John D. Burns

Conservation, mountaineering and bothies all mixed together in this comic novel with a serious message. Review here.

Our Place: Can We Save Britain's Wildlife Before It Is Too Late? by Mark Cocker

Thought-provoking look at the history of conservation organisations and legislation with analysis of what went wrong and the radical steps needed to change this. Review here. 

The Munros In Winter by Martin Moran

New edition of a classic first published in 1986 with a new foreward by Joy Moran. An epic Scottish winter adventure climbing all the Munros in one winter for the first time. I have an original edition I haven't read in decades. It's proved well worth reading again.

Call-Out by Hamish MacInnes

Following the sad death of mountaineering and mountain rescue pioneer Hamish MacInnes last autumn I pulled my copy, dated 1978, off the bookshelves and reread it. The stories are terrifying and sobering and the author's ingenuity in finding ways to rescue people very impressive.

 

 

 

If you're looking for an outdoor book or DVD for Christmas .....

 

Maybe someone would like one of my books or DVDs. 

 If you're buying online Bookshop.org is a way to do so and support local bookshops.

Book Review: Wanderlust Europe by Alex Roddie

 

Yesterday a big book arrived and I've been browsing through it ever since. Wanderlust Europe is a collection of walks throughout the continent from Iceland to Georgia, the Canary Islands to Arctic Norway. It's for all walkers and includes day walks, weekend walks, and multi-week walks. It's not just the big names either. Indeed some, like the Tour of Mont Blanc, are not included. There are many tempting walks here I've not heard of before - Fagaras Mountains Traverse, Slovenian Mountain Trail, and Trancaucasian Trail amongst them.

I must declare an interest in the book as it is compiled and much of it written by my friend and colleague Alex Roddie who asked me to contribute some photos for two very different walks, Rothiemurchus Forest and the GR20 on Corsica. Eight of my pictures were chosen, three of them appearing as double-page spreads. There are many other photographers from the British outdoor world whose work is included too - David Lintern, Colin Ibbotson, James Roddie, Andy Wasley, Emily Woodhouse, Lizzie Shepherd, Paddy Dillon, Andrew Locking, Gavin Macfie, Gillian Price amongst them - and there are many images from Alex Roddie himself.

Each of the profusely and beautifully illustrated fifty walks has a descriptive essay, information page, and map. It's a book for inspiration and encouragement not a guidebook though. No one will ever carry this in their pack - indeed, there are probably ultralight hikers whose full packs weigh less than this tome! This is a coffee table book for browsing and daydreaming.  And as such it's wonderful. 

Book Review: The Unremembered Places by Patrick Baker

Patrick Baker's new book, The Unremembered Places, follows the same pattern as his previous one, The Cairngorms A Secret History, which I reviewed here. This time he covers places throughout Scotland. The approach works well, mixing personal journeys by foot and canoe with stories of the places visited. Many islands are covered along with mainland places from the fascinating Bone Caves of Inchnadamph to the wild and exciting Jock's Road from Braemar to Glen Clova and the grim graveyard of navvies who built the Blackwater dam above Kinlochleven. The stories are well told, entertaining and informative, and the author's adventures, which don't always go smoothly, bring reality to the situations  in which the historical events took place.

For anyone interested in the Scottish outdoors and the history of its wild places this is a great read. I thoroughly recommend it.

Book review: Life on the Mountains by Terry Abraham

Terry Abraham's films on Scafell Pike and Blencathra are much loved and highly successful and the third in his Lakeland trilogy, Helvellyn, is eagerly anticipated. Before that film appears this book about Terry and his life will be published. It's a magnificent coffee table book, packed with Terry's dramatic and beautiful photography. Life on the Mountains is due to come out on May 9. Signed copies can be ordered in advance here.

I first met Terry Abraham over seven years ago when he approached me about making The Cairngorms In Winter DVD (which makes a cameo appearance in the book). We've been good friends ever since and I knew many of the stories in this book. Quite a few were new to me however and further increased my admiration for him and the struggles he's had to achieve his goals.

The book is an autobiography, told by Terry to John Manning, who wrote the text. I don't know how much editing was done but John did it well, Terry's voice coming through loud and clear. Reading it I felt I was in a pub listening to Terry talking. This really is his story, and it's a powerful story too, emotionally wrenching, passionate, and devastatingly honest.

Despite setbacks including illness and injury Terry never loses sight of his dream. Once he has found his desire, to make the films, he doesn't let up. Reaching this point is difficult too, with career changes, tragedies and redundancy along the way. In the mountains Terry overcomes appalling conditions - there are some exciting and dramatic adventures - as he puts together his vision for the films. Many nights are spent camping high in the hills in all weathers to get the shots he wants. He tells how his approach developed from film to film as his experience grew, and how he selected the people, including myself, who appear in the films. He gives sympathetic portraits of  many of them, with a little gentle fun poked at some of us.

Terry's story is fascinating and inspiring. This lovely book with its superb photographs does it justice. I'm biased of course but this really is an excellent book that should appeal to everyone who loves Terry's films and everyone who loves the Lake District.

Book Review: The Munro Society Journal No.5

Formed in 2002 The Munro Society (TMS) is open to anyone who has completed the Munros. I belatedly joined last year - I should have done it sooner. One of the perks of membership is a copy of the Journal. It's not exclusive to members though and can be bought from TMS for £10 plus p&p, which I think is very good value for a 260 page book with colour photographs.

TMS describes the contents of Journal No. 5 2020 as an eclectic mix and it really is. There are stories of hill rounds (not just Munros), exciting adventures at home and abroad including Everest and the John Muir Trail, and several historical articles plus photos of all the artwork for the Munro Legacy Exhibition (which I wrote about here).

I haven't read all the Journal yet - this is a book you can dip in and out of - but the stuff I have read is excellent. Standouts so far for me:

Robin Campbell's 'Munro the Man', about the life of Sir Hugh Munro

Current Clerk of the List Dave Broadhead telling the story of the List of Munroists kept by the SMC

Hamish Johnston on Mathew Forster Heddle who compiled a list of 3000' Scottish mountains before Munro, a list now lost

A reflective piece by Hamish Brown entitled 'Some Thoughts on early Munro-ing'

Confessions of a Bagging Granny by Margaret Squires

Alan Rowan on his year of ascents at every full moon

Humour from Peter Willimott - 'Mountaineering in East Anglia'

Di Gilbert's moving acount of life and death on Everest

Stewart Logan's account of hiking the John Muir Trail.

Munro-ing by Paddy Hirst. Fascinating republication of an article by the first woman and tenth person to complete the Munros (in 1947).

And I've still plenty left to read!

If you're an aspiring Munroist this book is full of information and inspiration. I think it will also appeal to any walker who likes to read stories and history about the hills.

Outdoor Gear Coach: Keeping Warm and Dry

Way back in November 2013 Mike Parsons asked if I'd like to be involved in a new project called Outdoor Gear Coach he was starting with Mary B.Rose. The idea was to provide independent information on products and how they worked for outdoor shop staff, instructors, writers, bloggers and consumers.

I knew Mike and Mary from the Innovation for Extremes conferences they'd organised and from their book Invisible on Everest: Innovation and the Gear Makers. I also knew Mike from his days as MD of Karrimor International and then founder of OMM. Mike is a keen mountaineer, skier, rock climber, hill runner, long-distance walker, and mountain biker and has an unparalleled wealth of knowledge about outdoor equipment. Mary is a hillwalker and retired academic historian. OGC sounded an excellent idea and I liked the idea of working with others so I agreed to take part. Chuck Kukla, a mountaineer, instructor and researcher in the Northeast USA, also came onboard as the US editor plus Alan Hinkes as high altitude advisor, and Marian Parsons as advisor and copy editor.

Over seven years later, and after more than 700 emails, numerous Google Docs, and a few meetings OGC has published its first book, Keeping Dry & Staying Warm Part 1, available from Amazon as a print or e-book. It's a collaborative venture but most of the work has been done by Mike and Mary who as well as the writing have done vast amounts of research. Working with others and exchanging ideas and information has been a fascinating and valuable process. I've learnt a great deal. I hope the results will help others to do the same.