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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“BOOK REVIEW” a Lifetime of Hill Walking is a high quality book which describes Barry’s 50 years of climbing mountains in Britain & Ireland. The challenge is to climb the highest 500 mountains in Britain & Ireland which have a 500 foot drop on all sides. The 340 page, hard back book is professionally put together…

I have walked all my life, not just a stroll round the streets, but proper walking. From when I can first remember I walked. Whether along the beaches of Northumberland, the steep climb up to the Haven at St Abbs or in the Lake District. My Dad’s first thoughts were not what walk his child…

Taking to the fells of Britain today is very different to what it was 30 years ago, neither better or worse but very different. The best things do not change, most people who are out and about are thoroughly enjoying themselves (even in bad weather once the decision is made to go out the day…

I have always enjoyed wild camping, whatever the weather. There is a real adrenalin buzz when you can hear the rain hammering on the tent, only inches away from where you are lying or the wind is buffeting the tent and you wonder whether you have put the tent pegs in deep enough.  This year…

The greatest dilemma when guiding a group or individual on the mountain is to balance the excitement of a walk with the safety of the party or individual. The one overriding motivation for employing a guide, either to go up in to the higher fells or as a low level walk, is that the day…

Walking in the winter months in the Lake District is as good as it gets. On a crisp clear day the low light and autumnal colours give a special days walking even when the higher fells are covered in cloud or snow. I have listed my 10 favourite Lakeside walks for such an occasion! Not…