A Look At The January Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The January issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. The theme is natural wonders and how to see them with short pieces by six writers. I've written about seeing moose in the Rocky Mountains. Foxes, cloud inversions, owls, Brochen Spectres, and pumas are described by Ryan Simpson, Kirstie Smith, David Lintern, Andrew Terrill, and Phoebe Smith. There's also a long feature on golden eagles by James Roddie, illustrated with his wonderful photos.

I have rather more than usual in the gear pages with reviews of the Danner Panorama boots and the Peak Design Travel Backpack, a look at waterproof jackets costing under £200, advice on how to look after your waterproof jacket, and a gear trip report on an overnight trip in Glen Feshie. Also in the gear pages David Lintern reviews six trekking poles, Kirsty Pallas reviews three pairs of gaiters, and Francesca Donovan looks at how to stay dry when hiking.

In the main features Minreet Kaur describes a transfomative climb of Snowdon with a group of South Asian women, Dan Aspel has a winter bothy trip in the Cairngorms,there's an excerpt from Andrew Terrill's wonderful new book On Sacred Ground (I'll be reviewing it soon), and Alice Morrison shares an insider's view of some of the best walking in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. 

Also in this issue the Creator of the Month is Colin Woolf who uses tiny bird pin-feathers to create artworks of the natural world, Mary-Ann Ochota asks if we should stop dreaming of a white mountain Christmas, Andy Wasley reviews Raynor Winn's Landlines, and Jim Perrin considers Rhinog Fawr. 

There's a list of all the entries for the Reader Awards 2022 too. Fifteen categories from walkers' pubs to apps, retailers, and campaigners. You can vote here. 

Finally, in the Wild Walks section there are wintry visits to White Coomb and Loch Skeen in the Southern Uplands by Stefan Durkacz, Buckden Pike in the Yorkshire Dales by Ian Battersby, and Farelton Fell and Hutton Roof Crags in Cumbria by Roger Butler, and less wintry visits to Aber Falls and the North Wales Path in Snowdonia by Andrew Galloway and the Lulworth Ranges and Jurassic Coast in Dorset by Fiona Barltrop.

A Look At The December Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The December issue of The Great Outdoors is out now with an emphasis on winter, as you'd expect at this time of year. However I have a combined trip and gear report on a walk and camp in last summer's heatwave! Originally scheduled for November it got bumped an issue and so now appears surrounded by snow and ice. 

Also in the gear pages I review the Henri-Lloyd Mav Lite Shell waterproof jacket and the Klattermusen Ansur Hooded Wind Jacket, Alex Roddie tests ten head torches, and Lucy Wallace reports on three pairs of winter eyewear.

In the Winter Skills section winter novice Isla McCay describes taking part in the Introduction to Winter Skills course at Glenmore Lodge, James Roddie gives advice on using ice axe and crampons, Lucy Wallace looks at winter hazards, Jon Jones, the Head of Rock and Mountain at Glenmore Lodge, goes through the steps for a successful winter day out, avalanche forecaster Mark Diggins does a Q&A on being avalanche aware, and there's another Q&A with Glenmore Lodge Chief Instructor Heather Morning. 

In the main features six regular contributors describe their most memorable winter days, David Lintern goes winter mountaineering on Carn Dearg Meadhonach and the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, and Norman Hadley goes 'bumbagging' and has a winter camp on Scafell Pike.

Far from winter and the UK Anna Richards tackles 350-miles of the wonderful-sounding Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia.

The issue opens with a splendid winter view down Glen Etive from Buachaille Etive Beag by Simon Atkinson. Creator of the Month is snow artist Simon Beck. Jim Perrin's Mountain of the Month is Ireland's highest, Carrauntoohil. Continuing her series on her walk round the coast of Britain Emma Schroeder celebrates Scottish clouds.

In the Wild Walks pages Stefan Durkacz climbs Fuar Bheinn and Creach Bheinn in the West Highlands, Craig Weldon casts a Brocken Spectre on Stuc a' Chroin in the Southern Highlands, Francesca Donovan finds magic on Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike, Roger Butler explores Heron Pike and Loughrigg Fell above Grasmere, and Andrew Galloway wanders over Bera Mawr and Bera Bach in the Carneddau in Snowdonia.

A Look At The November Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The November issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. I review five men's synthetic insulated jackets and Lucy Wallace reviews five for women. I also review Helly Hansen's Lifa Active Solen base layer and some tasty coffee bags from Ridgeline.

There's a big feature on pub walks with five writers - Francesca Donovan, Jon Sparks, Andrew Wasdale, Andrew Galloway, and Hanna Lindon - giving their best hike and hostelry pairings in the Peak District,the Lake District (two here!), the Cotswolds and Glencoe. They all sound excellent. Also featuring a great pub is James Roddie's account of a walk in Knoydart in the Western Highlands. The Creators of the Month are in Knoydart too - Sam and Matt Humphrey who make craft ales at the Knoydart Brewery. 

There's also a special feature on mountain photography with excellent advice from James Roddie plus favourite photos from James and three other top outdoor photographers - Sophie Carr. Alex Nail, and David Lintern - with the stories behind them. 

In the other main features James Forrest tackles a trio of airy scrambles on Blencathra, Stefan Durkaz undertakes a tough backpacking journey tracing the almost-forgotten Comyn's Road across the high moors between Atholl and Strathspey, Vivienne Crow explores the limestone mountains and dramatic gorges of the Costa Blanca, and Bella Falk explores the volcanoes of Guatemala.

In shorter pieces Mary-Ann Ochota, in the first of a regular series, ponders the dilemma of where to build wind farms, 82-year old Nick Gardner is intereviewed on climbing all the Munros over the last two years, Jim Perrin pays homage to The Merrick in Galloway, and Mountain Leader Lucy Wallace gives advice on how to plan a route.

Finally, in the Wild Walks section Craig Weldon climbs Rois-Bheinn in Moidart in the Scottish Highlands, Ronald Turnbull walks the Ettrick Head Horseshoe in the Southern Uplands, Vivienne Crow links Longsleddale and Kentmere in the Lake District, and Andrew Galloway visits Hollingworth Lake in Greater Manchester.

A Look At The September Issue Of The Great Outdoors

 

The September issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I have a trip and gear report on a three day venture in the Cairngorms during some superb summer weather. I also review the Garmin InReach Mini 2 satellite communicator.

Also in the gear pages there are 3-season boot reviews by Kirsty Pallas and Peter Macfarlane.

In the main features Francesca Donovan camps on top of Cadair Idris then walks to the sea, in a photo essay Nick Livesay traces his journey from a council estate to Mountain Leader and landscape photographer in Snowdonia, Alex and James Roddie undertake the classic Suilven circuit in Assynt, and Andrew Terrill seeks solitude in the popular Mount Evans Wilderness in Colorado.

Shorter pieces include adventure filmmaker and climber Rachel Sarah as Creator of the Month, Hanna Lindon on how climate change is making mountaineering more dangerous, Emma Schroeder on lessons from her ongoing walk round Britain's coast, conervationist Matt Stanick on how sewage is killing Windermere, Lewis Jevons on completing the Wainwrights without a car, Jim Perrin on Mynydd Enlli on the island of Bardsey, and guide Suzanna Cruickshank on safe wild swimming. 

Two good-sounding books are reviewed. Ian McMillan's My Sand Life, My Pebble Life by Francesca Donovan. Lee Schofield's Wild Fell by Roger Butler. 

In the Wild Walks section Vivienne Crow has a walk over Four Stones Hill on the eastern edge of the Lake District, Andrew Galloway makes a summer exploration of Winter Hill in the West Pennines, Fiona Barltrop traverses the New Forest, James Carron visits lonely Steele's Knowe in the Ochil Hills, and Roger Butler walks the Golden Road in the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire.

A Look At The June Issue Of The Great Outdoors

In the June issue of The Great Outdoors, out now, I've contributed a a piece on two favourite Cairngorms hills to a big feature on Classic Hillwalks. Also describing their favourites are James Roddie, Vivienne Crow, Hanna Lindon, and Ronald Turnbull.

In the gear pages I just have two reviews: the BAM 73 Zero Insulated Gilet and the Vaude Wizard 24+4 daypack. More daypacks appear in a comparative review in which Lucy Wallace reviews five for women and Peter Macfarlane five for men. Alex Roddie also reviews three drybags.

In other long features this issue James Forrest fastpacks a section of the proposed England Coast Path in Yorkshire, Stefan Durkacz backpacks over some Corbetts in the Killilan Forest area of the NW Highlands, and Richard Hartfield attempts a 1200-kilometre hike across the Greater Caucasus mountains, a contested region on the Russian border. 

In shorter pieces sound artist Simon Opit is Creator of the Month; James Forrest gives a route guide to Mam Tor and the Great Ridge in the Peak District; Hanna Lindon asks Calum Maclean about his 80km straight line walk ascross the Cairngorms from the Pass of Drumochter to Corgaff, the longest possible without crossing a road; there's an interview with Stephanie Harris of The Old Forge Community Benefit Society about the successful campaign for a community buy-out of this remote Knoydart pub; Paul Besley says better access could be a benefit for nature; Alex Roddie reviews Simon Ingram's The Black Ridge: Amongst the Cuillin of Skye; and Jim Perrin praises Cross Fell in the Pennines.

In the Wild Walks pages Stefan Durkacz climbs Fuar Bheinn and Creach Bheinn in the West Highlands, Geoff  Holland goes to the Breamish Valley and Hedgehope Hill in the Cheviot Hills, Vivienne Crow is on Dale Head and Hindscarth in the Lake District, Ronald Turnbull is also in the Lake District and visits Dovedale and Deepdale, and James Forrest walks the Carneddau in Snowdonia.

A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The May issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I have a piece I loved writing about some of my most memorable camps on long walks over the decades. I also review nine solo tents, a Finisterre insulated smock, EDZ waterproof socks, and a big pack from Osprey.

Other big features in this issue see Ursula Martin undertake a 3700 mile walk in Wales, Stacey McGowan Holloway on a music-inspired backpack of the Hebridean Way, and Rudolf Abraham hiking the Alpe Adria Trail from the Alps to the Adriatic.

Shorter pieces cover Robin Wallace's excellent Walk With Wallace YouTube channel, Vivienne Crow touring Skiddaw, Russ Moorhouse camping on every Wainwright, Fiona Russell on her first solo wild camp, how the outdoor community is supporting Ukraine, and Jim Perrin on Slieve Donard in the Mountains of Mourne.

Alex Roddie gives tips on how and where to pitch a tent in the Skills section while in the Gear pages David Lintern looks at kid's waterproofs. In Books Alan Rowan reviews The Peatlands of Britain and Ireland: A Traveller's Guide by Clifton Bain, and Alex Roddie reviews Tales from the Big Trails by Martyn Howe.

In Wild Walks Alan Rowan climbs Ben Stack in the Northern Highlands, Stefan Durkacz finds solitude in the Pentland Hills, Vivienne Crow visits Pike O'Blisco and Wet Side Edge in the Lake District, Roger Butler is high above the River Wye on Drum Ddu and Y Gamriw in the Cambrian Mountains, and Fiona Barltrop has a springtime walk on the South Downs.

A Look At The April Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The April issue of The Great Outdoors has just been published. In it I have a review of Alex Roddie's The Farthest Shore, the story of a wild night in the Cairngorms, a comparison of three rugged smartphones, and reviews of the Rab Generator Alpine Jacket, Arc'teryx Beta LT jacket, and a couple of cold-weather Tilley Hats. Also in the gear pages Alex Roddie reviews seven smartphone navigation apps.

In the main features David Lintern walks the Cape Wrath Trail, James Forrest attempts the Dales High Way in winter, Hanna Lindon picks out ten UK long-distance hiking routes, and Mark Waring goes hammocking on the Finnish taiga. 

The issue opens with a tremendous double page spread of skiers on Braeriach in winter by James Roddie. In shorter pieces Alex Roddie describes a circuit of Kinder Scout, adventurer and expedition leader Chaz Powell shares stories of his trips in a Q&A, there's a look at oudoor clothing as fashion, mountaineering instructor Mike Raine gives his view on some controversial path repairs in Snowdonia, also in Snowdonia Jim Perrin praises Carnedd Elidir, and James Forrest gives some tips on blister prevention. 

In the Wild Walks section Keith Fergus climbs Stob Binnein in the Southern Highlands, Ian Battersby climbs Helm Crag and High Raise in the Lake District, Andrew Galloway has a coastal walk round Strumble Head in Pembrokeshire, James Deboo takes tracks to Malham Cove and Malham Tarn, and Vivienne Crow climbs Cold Fell in the North Pennines.

A Look At The October Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The October issue of The Great Outdoors has just come out. My contributions this month are reviews of the Nemo Riff 30 sleeping bag and the Keen Ridge Flex boots.

Also in the gear pages David Lintern and Lucy Wallace review five fleece/midlayers apiece and David also tests three cleaning and waterproofing products. 

As every October this is the TGO Challenge issue and there are stories and pictures from this year's event as well as info for 2022.

In the big features this month Dougie Cunningham traverses the Mamores (beautifully illustrated), Carey Davies goes wild camping on Helvellyn, David Lintern backpacks across Ben Alder, and Emily Woodhouse breaks records in Spain's Sierra Nevada.

The opening spread of this issue is a wonderful photo of Castell y Gwynt in Snowdonia by Alan Novelli. 

The Sky Walks flagged big on the cover are TGO's pick of ten ridge walks in Britain and Ireland. It's a good selection but no Aonach Eagach? Really?

Separate to the picked Sky Walks Alex Roddie describes the Ring of Steall, a superb horseshoe ridge walk in the Mamores. 

On serious issues Hanna Lindon asks some climbers, hillwalkers, and mountaineers about climate change in the run-up to COP26, and Lucy Thraves describes a long walk in response to violence against women. 

In the Hill Skills section Alex Roddie and Plas y Brenin instructor Dave Evans explain how to use pacing and timing in part three of TGO's navigation basics series.

A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The May issue of The Great Outdoors has a wild camping theme. I review eleven two-person tents in the gear section and consider tent weight in the latest Hilleberg sponsored better backpacking guide. Alex Roddie tries three backpacking meals and Plas Y Brenin instructor Iona Pawson has a general look at food for the mountains. For those beginning James Forrest answers common questions on wild camping.

To whet your appetite Helen Iles goes comet-spotting on a camp in the Rhinogydd mountains while Andrew Terrill describes an ascent and camp in Italy during his 7000 mile walk through Europe in an excerpt from the first of his two books on the walk, The Earth Beneath My Feet. Both features are illustrated with stunning photos by the authors.

There's further superb photography in a piece by Alex Nail on the Fisherfield Forest area of the Northwest Highlands. And the opening spread in this issue is a wonderful photo of dawn on the Cuillin ridge by James Roddie.

Also in this issue TGO contributors, including myself, talk about their plans for the mountains post-lockdown, Hanna Lindon talks to female walkers about how safe they feel in the outdoors, Jim Perrin describes his affection for little Win Hill in the Peak District, and Roger Smith calls for positive action on the management of the countryside as it opens up after lockdown. Roger also reviews Cameron McNeish's latest book, Come by the Hills.

The Great Outdoors March issue

  

The March issue of The Great Outdoors is in the shops now and the theme is wild winter hikes. Three big UK winter hill walks are described. The first is Alex Roddie's Cairngorms trip from a year ago. I accompanied him for the first night of the trip and really wish I could have stayed for the rest as Alex had superb winter conditions. In the Lake District Ronald Turnbull has an exciting overnight trip in snowstorms in the Eastern Fells. And on Dartmoor Tim Gent takes advantage of rare snowy conditions. Going further afield Carey Davies and Rudolf Abraham describe winter experiences in the Austrian Alps.

Keeping to the winter theme there are reviews of ten cold weather sleeping bags, four by Lucy Wallace and six by me. I also review a Patagonia fleece that's good for the cold and David Lintern looks at three winter hats. In Part Three of her Winter Skills series mountaineering instructor Rebecca Coles describes the challenges and skills needed for a winter ascent of Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. 

The opening photo by James Roddie is wintry too - a splendid image of Suilven under snow.

Far from the British hills there's a spectacular extract from Colin Prior's new book The Karakorum: Ice Mountains of Pakistan. The photos are superb and this looks a fantastic book.

Also in this issue there's a look at the lockdown rules in the different UK countries, an interview with Mark Diggins of the Scottish Avalanche Information Service, an interview with Petra Hilleberg about Hilleberg tents, and Jim Perrin on an ancient volcano on the Lleyn Peninsula.

The Great Outdoors November issue

 

Bivvying, backpacking, wild camping, coastal walking, the Himalayas, and more. The November issue of The Great Outdoors is packed with exciting features.

My contribution is a review of ten 50-60 litre size packs. Also in the gear pages Judy Armstrong reviews six women's waterproof jackets. 

The bivvying comes from Hazel Strachan who describes nights out in the Highlands. In Glen Affric David Lintern goes wild camping with his family. Far to the south Tim Gent follows ancient footsteps as he backpacks the Perambulation of Dartmoor. For coastal walking Vivienne Crow picks eight of the most rugged and spectacular sections of the Wales Coast Path. 

Overseas Ed Douglas describes his first visit to the Himalayas in an excerpt from his new book Himalaya: A Human History, and James Forrest explores the Giant Mountains in the Czech Republic.

Also in this issue MWIS forecaster Garry Nicholson gives advice how to predict cloud inversions; James Forrest is interviewed about the planning for his recent two-week record breaking round of all 214 Wainwrights; Roger Smith is shocked by crowds and a scuffle on Snowdon and appeals for respect for nature; Leena Taha describes a walk with her father in the winning entry in a collaborative writing competition run by Black Girls Hike and The Great Outdoors; TGO Challenge organisers Ali Ogden and Sue Oxley describe how next year's event will be run; and Jim Perrin praises Helvellyn.

The Great Outdoors October Issue

Scrambles, dogs, Cairngorms, paddlepacking, Mercantour Traverse, waterproofs and more. There's lots of good stuff in the October issue of The Great Outdoors.

My contribution is a review of eleven waterproof jackets.

The scrambles are Ledge Route on Ben Nevis, the Cwm Uchaf Horseshoe on Snowdon, and Howling Ridge on Carrauntoohil, and there's advice on tackling them from mountaineering and climbing instructor Rebecca Coles. 

Alex Roddie also encounters some scrambling high in the Alps on the Mercantour Traverse. His account of this long-distance walk is thought-provoking and his photos are mouth-watering.

A very different long-distance walk is undertaken by Stefan Durkacz in the Cairngorms - a four day circular route from Tomintoul through wild country but without ascending any summits.

Dogs are the subject of a feature by Helen Mort who looks at how canine companions can become an important part of mountain days.

In an unusual feature Anna Richards describes a combination of activities I'd have said was very unlikely - paddleboarding and wild camping. 

Also in this issue there's a splendid opening spread of An Teallach at dawn by James Roddie; Josephine Hall's winning entry in a writing competition run jointly by The Great Outdoors and Black Girls Hike UK; an interview with Nick Hayes, author of The Book of Trespass, about the propsed new law to criminalise trespass; Roger Smith on the need for environmental education to be at the heart of our culture; TGO Challenge coordinators Sue Oxley and Aki Ogden on the future of the event; and Jim Perrin on Irish summit Galtymore.

The Great Outdoors July issue

The July issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. I review nine 20-40 litre packs, three canister stoves, and the Merrell MTL Long Sky trail shoes.

With the summer holidays coming up the theme of this issue is outdoor activities with children. It's a long time since this was relevant to me but I do remember some wonderful camps and hillwalks. For those with young families now Hanna Lindon gives some great advice. And outdoor instructor Mikaela Toczek describes how she kept up her outdoor activities while pregnant. There's a list of ten hills suitable for kids too.

Away from families there's an excerpt about the Arrochar Alps from Patrick Baker's excellent new book The Unremembered Places (which I reviewed here) and Peter Elia describes being on Mount Kenya as lockdown began. 

The issue opens with a superb dawn photograph of the Assynt landscape by James Roddie taken on Stac Pollaidh.There's a piece on staying coronavirus-safe when walking. The Great Outdoors Book Club discusses Dan Richards' Outpost: A Journey to the Wild Ends of the Earth. Roger Smith has been reading too and rediscovers Highland Tours by James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. TGO Challenge organisers Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden tell the story of this year's Virtual Challenge. For his Mountain Portrait Jim Perrin praises Y Berwyn in Wales.

The Great Outdoors May issue

Here's a belated look at the May issue of The Great Outdoors, which I've only just seen. As the June issue is already out this issue has gone from shop shelves but you can still buy it direct from the publishers. 

My gear pieces in this issue are a review of the gear I used on my Colorado Rockies walk last year and a report on eight solo tents.

Also in the gear pages Judy Armstrong reviews six pairs of women's walking trousers.

I also contributed to a piece on best wild camps along with eight others including Alex Roddie, James Forrest, Phoebe Smith, and Terry Abraham.

The other big features are Ronald Turnbull on crossing Rannoch Moor, and Ellen Tort camping on a portaledge in the Wye Valley.

Also in this issue there are suggestions for keeping up your spirits during lockdown, with the perspectives of some outdoor enthusiasts including myself; a readers group led by Hanna Lindon discussing Andy Cave's Learning to Breathe; Roger Smith on the importance of the outdoors for all of us; Roger again on the first spring for 40 years without a TGO Challenge; and Jim Perrin praising magnificent Bla Bheinn on Skye.

The Great Outdoors began 42 years ago

A thread on Twitter started by Mark Waring - @mjdwaring - had me searching out my copies of the first issues of the magazine, which I found in an old plastic box buried under a pile of sleeping bags. Other than the cover the first issue was all black and white and printed on fairly rough matt paper. There were 70 pages, of which only 30 were editorial, the rest being advertisements, a surprising number from companies that are still around - Vango, Mountain Equipment, Karrimor, Nevisport, Optimus, Gore-Tex, Cotswold, Silva, and Berghaus - though many are long gone - Ultimate Equipment, Insulatawear, Javlin, Pointfive, Robert Saunders, MOAC, and Bukta amongst them.

Of the features Robin Adshead's first Solo Pitch column is about lightweight camping and shows that attitudes haven't changed. He writes "the dedicated lightweighter ... is constantly seeking new ways of making his kit smaller, lighter and more versatile ..... the reduction of kit is always a worthy aim". Showell Styles, author of the excellent books Backpacking in Alps and Pyrenees and Backpacking in Wales, starts a good six-part series with a look at preparation for long trips, starting and finishing his piece "so you wake up in the tent on the first morning of your backpacking journey". The Great Outdoors has always had history pieces. In the first issue this begins with an interesting piece on William Crossing, Man of Dartmoor, by H.D. Westacott.

This first issue came out just before I set off on my first really long walk, from Land's End to John O'Groats. At the time I hadn't had anything published. On my return I approached The Great Outdoors editor Roger Smith with some ideas and eventually had a short gear review published in the April 1979 issue. I had no idea then where this would lead.

Two years ago I wrote this piece on the fortieth anniversary.

The Great Outdoors Spring issue

The Spring issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. It's the first issue of the lockdown but was written and produced before this began. I guess it's best now to regard it as inspirational.

I wrote a piece on planning for the TGO Challenge in May. That's not taking place now of course but the advice will be useful next year! Or of course for other long walks that become possible once the lockdown is eased.

The lockdown has changed much, including the fortunes of magazines like The Great Outdoors. With many shops that sell it closed the best way for regular readers to help keep it going is to subscribe - which you can do here.

Back to this issue. In the Gear Pages I review ten pairs of three-season walking boots plus Mountain Hardwear's all-white Lamina Eco AF 15F/-9C sleeping bag. Coffee afficiando Daniel Neilson reviews three coffee makers for the outdoors. I'll be getting one of these! After years of deliberation I've finally decided I want decent coffee on the hills so I found this review very useful.

The theme of this issue is the Munros and the cover picture by Dougie Cunningham is of Buachaille Etive More, undoubtedly one of the finest of them. The lead article is a moving piece by Sarah Jane Douglas, author of Just Another Mountain, about climbing all the Munros and the solace the hills bring. In another major feature David Lintern links together a host of Glen Affric Munros in a high-level backpacking trip. There's a Q&A with Kevin Woods about his winter round, which he has finished since this interview. James Forrest, who recently completed his first round, talks to four Munroists about their bagging adventures. There are also lists of the five most difficult and five easiest Munros, which are sure to start some debate!

Away from the Munros the open picture spread is a dramatic shot of two scramblers on Crib Goch in Snowdonia. Ten TGO contributors pick their favourite walks for beginners. There's a look at Capel Curig in Snowdonia. Roger Smith reviews The Last Blue Mountain by Ralph Barker and Alan Rowan reviews Feet And Wheels To Chimborazo by Mark Horrell. Roger Smith calls for proper funding for footpaths. Jim Perrin's Mountain Portrait is Mweelrea in Co.Mayo in Ireland. I've never been there. It sounds wonderful! In the Lake District Andrew Galloway attempts the notorious Broad Stand on Scafell. Far away from our hills Phoebe Smith goes hiking with humpback whales on Dirk Hartog Island in Australia. Thinking about overseas trips Hanna Lindon looks at minimising the environmental cost.

The Great Outdoors April Issue

The April issue of The Great Outdoors is in the shops now. My contribution is a review of ten head torches. Also in the gear pages there are pieces by two new testers - Lucy Wallace reviews five pairs of women's waterproof trousers and Mark Waring tries four packrafts. Mark also has a feature on the trip in Knoydart on which the packrafts were tested, with photographs by David Lintern.

The opening spread of this issue is a wonderful photo by Simon Atkinson of a winter sunset over Liathach in Torridon, taken from high on Beinn Eighe.

Aside from packrafting the big features are a piece on four Lake District horseshoe walks in winter - Fairfield, Kentmere, Newlands and Coledale - by Ronald Turnbull; James Roddie climbing Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete; and Mikaela Toczek snowshoeing in Slovenia's Julian Alps. All the features are illustrated with mouth-watering photos.

Elsewhere in the magazine Hanna Lindon gives advice on how to climb Mont Blanc; Roger Smith considers calls for more national parks in Scotland and reviews John Murray's Reading the Gaelic Landscape; Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden look at what makes for good company on a long-distance walk; and Jim Perrin praises Dduallt in Snowdonia.

The Great Outdoors March issue

The March issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I review ten pairs of walking trousers and three insulated flasks. In a very interesting and informative piece Alex Roddie reviews the gear he used on his Cape Wrath Trail walk a year ago.

The issue opens with a splendid night shot of Glencoe under a vast starry sky by Dougie Cunningham.

Inside the magazine Hanna Lindon looks at the controversy on diversity engendered by Lake District National Park head Richard Leafe and talks to BAME outdoor leaders for their perspective, while Roger Smith worries about the possible change to trespass laws in England and Wales following the general election. TGO Challenge Coordinators Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden share some tips on enjoying your food on a long walk. In his Mountain Portrait Jim Perrin enjoys Skiddaw.

The main cover feature Move To The Mountains involves pieces by various people who've moved to the hills to live and work plus some advice on how to make this work (I did it nearly forty years ago and I'm still learning!). One of those who writes about moving to the mountains is David Lintern and he also has a thought-provoking feature about a winter walk in the increasingly damaged Monadhliath. Another winter walker is James Forrest, who undertakes the Cumbria Way.

Far from Britain Peter Elia visits Peru's spectacular Cordillera Huayhuash, an area threatened by climate change as its glaciers are disappearing.

The issue also has the results of the TGO Reader's Awards. There are eleven categories, running from Campaigner of the Year (Greta Thunberg) to Pub of the Year (The Clachaig, Glen Coe), Book of the Year (Mountain Man by James Forrest), and Clothing/Equipment Brand (Rab). I came third in Personality of the Year - thanks to everyone who voted for me. It was deservedly won by Sarah Jane Douglas, author of Just Another Mountain.

The Great Outdoors February issue - feature on my Colorado Rockies walk

The February issue of The Great Outdoors has just come out (yes, in magazine land it's already the second month of next year).

I've written a feature on my Colorado Rockies walk of last summer plus reviewed a dozen midlayers. There's also a feature on The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year, for which I was one of the judges.

Gear turns up again in Hanna Lindon's piece Tread Softly, which looks at the ethics of flying, greener gear, how to make gear last, and using public transport.

The theme of this issue is epic walks and Ben Lerwill has compiled a list of ten from across the world. James Forrest describes his ascent of the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye, part of his six-month round of all the Munros. He also gives advice on how to climb the Munros in a single push - but doesn't mention what, in my view, is the best way, a continuous backpacking trip.

In New Zealand Kat Young and Liv Bolton walked the South Island end to end on the Te Araroa Trail and each describes a sections of this.

The issue starts with a lovely photograph of a winter sunset on Blencathra, taken by editor Carey Davies. Away from the epic walk features and gear reviews Roger Smith discusses the increasing proliferation of named trails, Ronald Turnbull reviews The Munros: The Complete Collection of Maps from Harvey Maps, Alex Roddie has high praise for Benedict Macdonald's Rebirding: Rewilding Britain and its Birds, TGO Challenge organisers Ali Ogden and Sue Oxley look at how to prepare for a long-distance walk, Jim Perrin describes Mynydd Ddu in South Wales, and Glenmore Lodge instructors advise on 16 steps to avoid making mistakes in winter.

What's in the January issue of The Great Outdoors

The January issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I review ice axes and crampons suitable for hillwalkers plus three Pertex/Pile tops. Testing the last reminded me just how good they are.

The opening spread is a stunning shot of An Teallach in the snow at dawn by James Roddie.

Staying with the winter theme Carey Davies has a look at Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Helvellyn under snow, and there's advice on winter skills from Glenmore Lodge. Phoebe Smith makes a winter visit to  the remotest place in mainland Britain in the Fisherfield Forest in the Scottish Highlands.  In an article that made me shiver Sarah Stirling goes winter swimming in mountain lakes and rivers. Brrr! Across the North Sea Alec Forss goes ski touring in northern Scandinavia, a feature that brought back memories of my many skiing trips in the area.

Away from winter Hanna Lindon looks at the problem of route markers left after organised challenge events in Snowdonia. Roger Smith gets excited at the idea of 'footpath farming' - grants for farmers to maintain paths. There are book reviews of Alex Stainforth's Another Peak - Everest is Not the Only Summit by Alex Roddie and Nick Corble's Diagonal Walking by Roger Butler. TGO Challenge coordinators Sue Oxley and Ali Ogden praise solo walking in an excellent piece. In his Mountain Portrait column Jim Perrin looks at my nearest Munro, Cairn Gorm, and finds much to praise despite the ski resort.