Walking a Long Distance Footpath There is something immensely satisfying in walking a Long Distance footpath. Travelling long distances across the country (or a number of maps) and finishing in a completely different place is always full of interest and satisfies a primeval need in many of us to explore and conquer. All over the world these long distance walks… July 8, 2020 5:56 pm
20 Hidden Gems-Walks I love walking away from the crowds, exploring by myself and finding some ‘Hidden Gems’-Walks. 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… June 10, 2020 9:28 am
Opening the Countryside Opening the countryside could create division amongst local people depending on how its done. I have set out below a strategy for a staged and, I believe, safe way of opening the countryside . At the present time (in lock down) visiting the countryside is off limits for anyone unless they live there. Even for… May 7, 2020 1:02 pm
A Climb of Mount St Helens in the States Mount St Helens is a stratovolcano situated in the State of Washington on the north east seaboard of the United States. It is infamous for an eruption in May 1980 that killed 57 people. The resultant earthquake reduced the height of the mountain from 9.677 ft (2,950m) to 8,363 ft (2,549m) and left a 1… December 18, 2019 12:37 pm
NEW Yorkshire 3 Peaks Book “The finest 1 day challenge in England” As a mountain guide who lives in the shadow of the 3 Peaks and regularly leads walkers on the 3 Peaks challenge I felt I was in a unique position to write a book on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks. So I did! The Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge is… December 12, 2019 12:57 pm
My Favourite Mountain They say that familiarity breeds contempt. No it does not when you talk about my favourite mountain. Blencathra is magnificent. I have climbed Blencathra over 30 times. It is now a pilgrimage I do once a year (at least). I have climbed it on every possible route. I have twice slept on the summit (once… September 9, 2019 2:48 pm
A walk up Snowdon 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… August 22, 2019 5:39 pm
Walking with Children Walking with children is fraught with difficulties and concerns for many. It does not have to be. Once over the initial ‘I don’t want to go’ and once they are out and about they will almost inevitably enjoy it. It will also stick in their memory for many years after. I have based my advice… August 5, 2019 5:00 pm
A “Challenge” Walk 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… July 17, 2019 4:42 pm
My Favourite Mountains (in the UK) How many times have you sat around and discussed the best mountains or hills in Britain? Certainly I have. My favourite mountains are not necessarily the ‘best’ but more a personal view. They are the mountains and hills that I have enjoyed clibing more than others for a variety of reasons. They cover most of… April 1, 2019 10:59 am
Blencathra in Spring 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… March 20, 2019 10:15 am
Enjoyable Snowy Walks 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… January 31, 2019 6:00 am