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…

I am often asked by walkers who have spent their life to date walking In England “How does it compare to walking in Scotland, particularly the mountains (the Highlands)”. The first thing I always reply is that ‘it is bloody hard work’….pause for a while and then add ‘but very rewarding’. It is difficult to describe…

The news (seemingly!) that the National Parks of the Lake District and more significantly the Yorkshire Dales will increase in size to support more areas of our lovely landscape is surely a benefit for all who live and visit the area. Putting aside for a moment how this will be funded (lets not hold our…

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales has many pleasures; the variety, history, excellent path network, pretty villages and iconic scenery to name but a few. It does not have steep, craggy fells, deep lakes or views across the sea. I have outlined by Top 10 reasons why walking in the Dales is such a rewarding experience; spend time here and…

Crossing the border from England to Scotland does not feel like entering a new country, heading north from Ullapool in to the barren wasteland of Sutherland certainly does. Cross over the col above the golf course and a new, and better, landscape opens up. Last week our yearly tour was based in Ullapool, one brother…

Last April I was in Threlkeld in the Lake District near Keswick. Threlkeld is a lovely village, the two pubs very good, but dominating all is my favourite mountain, Blencathra (Saddleback to some) which towers above the village in a series of sharp aretes and deep riven valleys. (For a detailed description of the Halls…

It is increasingly looking like this is going to be a typical British winter; wet, windy, not too cold with snow on the Scottish hills and, periodically, on those in the rest of Britain. Last year (at least after Christmas) was exceptional, snow blanketing the country and making for some superb winter walking, the like…