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…

Last Autumn I took to the fells over Derwentwater in what can only be described as classic Autumn weather. Even someone without much ability as a photographer was able to capture a rare selection of images on a walk I will never forget. I have written this blog in a hope that it may inspire…

Whilst the country was basking in beautiful sunny weather I set off with Mist and my 2 brothers for our annual pilgrimage to Scotland and some big walking and climbing. Having completed the Munros (which Alistair is trying to do)  and not having the inclination (or probably determination) to complete the Corbetts (which Barry is…

In the last 20 years we have become a real world leader in charity events and fund raising for good causes. Initially inspired by Bob Geldof and Live Aid, Children in Need, Ian Botham (my no 1 sporting hero, a man who took risks and pushed himself to the limit) and the proliferation of charity…

‘Snow this weekend’ she says as we sweep past each other on this morning’s dog walk. ‘Aye’ I responded not having a clue what she was talking about, Surely it cannot be snowing at the end of May except possibly in the higher reaches of the mountains of Scotland. Maybe a drop will fall somewhere…

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…

ARRIVED and in the fells it’s proper, have a look at my latest walk on Skiddaw! For the umpteenth time this winter I have returned from a walk dripping and cold, having slithered around ‘the circuit’ as we call it on drenched lanes, sopping grass and of course the creeping menace of mud. Contrast to…

Second best to being out on the fells themselves is reading about them. There is some splendid books for walkers out there, both fact and fiction, which are certainly the most thumbed in my own collection. Some appear by the bed regularly, others come out as a less regular treat and some I regularly read…

Well not quite… but the excellent contribution of volunteers in the recent Olympics and no doubt the forthcoming paralympics has received the credit that is, without doubt, fully deserved. However the work of the hundreds of volunteers who help maintain our national parks goes almost unnoticed. My knowledge may be limited to those in the…

The romantic side of me has always been drawn to the buses and trains of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District yet the practicalities of travelling by public transport have always put me off. Until recently train travel for me has been limited to a few trips on the Settle Carlisle railway (quite excellent…

I am not ashamed to admit I enjoy ticking. Whether this happens to be a new summit, a different route or simply just an alternative and unusual walk I may not have completed before then for me this increases the enjoyment of a day in the outdoors.   If there is some kind of list…

Daft question maybe, but there are many different reasons why people are motivated to go out, either for a half hour walk in the park or a full days yomp round the fells and valleys of our superb countryside. Over the years I have met many many walkers/climbers on a huge variety of walks –…