Jonathan’s Blog

Climbing Snowdon is the most popular mountain challenge in Britain, upwards of 400,000 walkers head for the summit every year. I have only climbed Snowdon once before, that was the full Snowdon Horseshoe over 20 years ago. Therefore I was looking forward to my next visit with the family in which I planned to walk the southern part of the Horseshoe over Y Lliwedd, up the Watkin Path to the summit...

I have never completed an organized Challenge walk before. Yes I have walked enough 'challenges', day walks including many Yorkshire 3 Peaks, the 44 mile Lyke Wake Walk but nothing which had the size and scale of a "Challenge" walk. However Sadie and Michelle persuaded me to put aside any reservations about being 'organized and told what to do' and try a 50 km (52 really) walk in the Peak...

Any walk is made much more enjoyable if some element of planning goes in to it. I like to spread my map out the night before and try and picture what is going to happen the next day. It doesn't always work that way but it helps a lot. Here are my 15 top tips on planning a walk [caption id="attachment_40349" align="alignnone" width="801"] Heading up Whernside,[/caption] 1. Use Guide Books...

I love walking away from the crowds, exploring by myself and finding some 'Hidden Gems'. Avoid Malham and Horton, the central spine of the Lakes and the Yorkshire Coast and there are some absolute crackers just waiting for you to discover. You may not see a soul all day on these walks and if you do they will be few and far between. However one thing you will know about anyone you see...they...

The 'Dales 30' are the mountains in the Yorkshire Dales National Park over 2,000 feet with a 30 metre drop on all sides (100 foot when all said and done). The full list is here. Over the past few years increasing numbers of people are taking up the challenge of climbing these mountains, I know this from the number of 'Dales 30' books I am selling, a rough and ready guide which hopefully reflects...

If you’re thinking about whether you should go on that charity walk or run, the answer is to just go for it. Walking is one of the most effective cardiovascular exercises you can do. And if that’s not enough to convince you, here are five more reasons why you should definitely go on a charity walk. [caption id="attachment_39925" align="alignnone" width="752"] Walking for...

How many times have you sat around and discussed the best mountains or hills in Britain? Certainly I have. My favourite mountains are not what many would describe as the 'best' but more a subjective view of the mountains and hills that I have enjoyed being on more than others, memorable occasions. They cover most of the UK, there are not many mountains I have not climbed. Anyway no more...

The light was perfect as I completed a short walk along the slopes of Blencathra from Threlkeld. I have taken a number of photos along this walk but none in Spring. It completes the set! The walk itself starts and finishes from Threlkeld and involves very little climbing although the daunting bulk of the mountain dominates all. The walk details are here. [caption id="attachment_39672"...

I have just spent a pleasant half day walking and exploring the rarely visited western flanks of Whernside. Heading up from the col between Kingsdale and Deepdale to the summit, I then kept to the western side of the summit ridge wall and explored the 3 Tarns of Whernside. I returned to the col via the scar overlooking Deepdale, mainly on a sheep track although some of the route was trackless. I...

There is surely nothing better than a winter's walk on a clear day, with snow on the ground. The low sun creates an excellent light which even an amateur photographer can make look good, the walking is easy on the hard ground (as long as the snow is not too thick) and a cosy pub is definitely a great way to finish. ...