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…

This is not a Health and Safety piece, anyone who knows me would realise this is then last type of blog I would ever write. However with a little bit of thought before you head out a walk your day can be so much more satisfying. Here are some key tips and advice to ensure…

Not everyone wants to climb popular mountains, visit famous historical sites or walk to a well known waterfall. There is a growing band of walkers who would like to escape in to less known areas. They are looking for something different and unexpected, something unusual or simply just pleasureable. It is the explorer in us bursting…

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…

The Dales may have beautiful scenery, classy beer and food, pretty villages and is on many people’s doorstep but it is not enough. Many seek challenges and satisfaction, particularly when out walking. As a committed walker I always seek a challenge, a goal, when out walking. The challenge does not have to be tough. It…

The Yorkshire Peaks is a perfect challenge, 24 miles and nearly 5,000 foot of climbing is at the extreme end of most people’s potential for a day’s walking. However it is doable, a reasonably fit person with the right guidance can achieve something that will live long in the memory. Satisfaction and extreme pleasure (with…

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…

For many years myself and JP had discussed climbing Tower Ridge on the north face of Ben Nevis. Rightly deemed a classic it fell between proper rock climbing and a good hard scramble (or so we were told) and therefore we were capable of doing it. We were joined by JP’s wife Ella and Barry,…

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…

As the Ambleside Mountain Rescue teams received 3 calls within an hour the other Saturday from people lost in the fells, a sense of frustration again built up within me. I do not know the specifics of these cases but I would hazard a pretty good guess that EITHER the walkers had no idea how…

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…