Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2018 i Trail

Simon Ingram goes on location in the Lake District on the mountain that won the public vote – in what ITV are calling the ‘biggest walking poll ever’ p24 James Moorcroft straps on some adventure pants and heads to Snowdonia’s underrated underdog, Moel Siabod p32 Matty Graham steels his nerve and discovers the world’s biggest view p42 Facebook @mattygraham photography Jenna Maryniak takes on Cross Fell’s Helm Wind in Cumbria and gets more than she bargained for (but nothing less than what she expected)... p50…

As served at… On the Hoof takeaway, Rhug Estate, North Wales If you’ve driven along the A5 towards Snowdonia, you might have spotted an unusual sight grazing in the fields around the Rhug Estate Farm – a herd of bison. This is where the meat for the bison burgers from the farm’s On the Hoof takeaway comes from. And you don’t get much more local than that! Served with a slice of cheese and sauce of your choosing, it’s a quick and delicious lunch-stop on your way to the mountains of north Wales. And just down the road, if you’re heading west along the A5 and the weather’s clear, you also get one of the best views of the Snowdonia mountain collective that you’ll find anywhere, all from the…

Despite not growing up in the mountains, I did grow up with mountains. If Little Mell Fell in the Lake District was my baptism aged three, then Bruach na Frithe on Skye’s Cuillin a decade later was my confirmation – a coming of age for a boy for whom mountains then became a religion. The drive on our yearly pilgrimages to Skye from east London was a gently building crescendo of arresting scenery which reached its climax at the Black Cuillin (though they were often obscured by characteristic murk, a quality which taught me the lessons of delayed gratification). The peaks of ‘Alpine Britain’, they are unquestionably special: snarling, jagged mountains in a land of hills, made more tantalising by my father saying, “Maybe when you’re older.” These were mountains…

10 Mam Tor, Peak District 9 Craster to Dunstanburgh Castle, North-East 8 Old Man of Coniston, Lake District 7 Buttermere circular walk, Lake District 6 Tryfan, Wales 5 Scafell Pike, Lake District 4 Cat Bells, Lake District 3 Malham and Gordale circular walk, Yorkshire 2 Snowdon, Wales 1 Helvellyn, Lake District Britain’s Favourite Walks: Top 100 is on the ITV hub until 1st March. For the Top 100 routes, see www.theoutdoorguide.co.uk/…

Q: Are you an urban prisoner? Do family commitments make escape to the hills a rarity or impossible? Are you trapped by a job in the city? Do you don your Rab jacket to take the dog for a walk or the kids to school to at least look the part, even though your walking boots haven’t made it out of the cupboard for at least a year? Target: ONE Everest How to climb your Everest: Climbing the height of Everest is going to mean pulling out all the stops. You’re going to have to settle for every and any bit of ascent you can get, so little and often is the way to go. Get an app on your phone, or strap on your GPS watch, and track your…

Q I’ve just started walking and don’t really understand grid references – how do they work? Susan Richmond, Tamworth Paul says Grid references are important because they are used to uniquely identify a point in the landscape, perhaps when route planning, entering a waypoint into a satnav, or just describing somewhere on a map. Here are three easy steps to always get grid references right: 1 Identify the map sheet you are on For mapping purposes, the UK has been divided into 100km x 100km squares, with each of these being given a unique two-letter code. These will usually be shown in the corners of the map you are using. Note that paper maps may sit across the boundary of these squares, and as such there may be more than…

Q I’m a definite fair-weather walker and don’t really do snow. When will the mountains be free of it? Dale Harker, Lewisham Jeremy says Britain’s temperate climate can and does deliver snow in the mountains at any time of the year, therefore it is completely impossible to ever rule out encountering snow! Add to this the increased snow- holding capacity provided on some mountains by latitude, altitude and aspect, and it is not uncommon to come across long-lasting snow that survives from one year to the next. These semi-permanent snowfields are exceptional and tend to occupy the higher mountains of the Scottish Highlands. More commonly we tend to see mountains free of snow by late spring/early summer in England and Wales, and by mid/late summer in Scotland. If you are…

Q What do the IP codes mean with regards the waterproofness of electronic devices? Caroline Gilbert, Crewe Trail says IP stands for Ingress Protection and the IP marking provides information on how dust- and/or water-resistant a device is. For example, the iPhone 8 is rated as IP67, but what does this mean? DUST RESISTANCE The first digit (IP 6 7) indicates resilience to solid objects. Put simply, the higher the number, the more dust proof the device is. 0 No protection. 1 Protected against solid foreign objects of 50mm diameter and greater. 2 Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.5mm diameter and greater. 3 Protected against solid foreign objects of 2.5mm diameter and greater. 4 Protected against solid foreign objects of 1mm diameter and greater. 5 Dust protected (dust shouldn’t…

North Ridge Resistance Base Layer £16 • Men’s XXS-XXXL • Women’s 6-22 • 140g (L) Very low price and huge size range. Mesh sides and 100% polyester for fast moisture movement. Doesn’t control odour as well as pricier options. EDZ All Climate T–Shirt £24 • Men’s XS-XXXL • Women’s n/a • 147g (L) Low-priced 100% polyester. Good moisture wicking. No women’s style or odour control and only colour option is black. A good, inexpensive option for day hillwalking trips though. Bamboo Clothing T-Shirt £28 • Men’s S-XXL • Women’s 8-16 • 172g (L) Low-priced option with 68% bamboo for odour control and wicking, 28% cotton and 4% elastine to improve comfort. Lots of benefits, but synthetics dry faster. Helly Hansen Lifa Active Light Short Sleeve £30 • Men’s S-XXL •…

Jeremy Ashcroft Trail’s mountaineering editor and a veteran of every classic UK route. Jonathan Cook Has hiked and climbed all over, but his passion for the Lakes remains strong. Ben James Lover of expeditions and mountain challenges all over the UK. Kate Worthington Snowdonia-based Kate holds Summer and Winter ML awards. Dan Bailey Author of Scotland’s Mountain Ridges and a huge fan of big routes. Jen & Sim Benson Writers of adventure guides, and passionate about our wild places. Ronald Turnbull Creator of a whopping 30 guidebooks and 18 unique coast-to-coasts. STRENUOUSNESS How tired will this route make me? The times quoted for Trail Routes are based on estimates of 4km per hour, plus 30 minutes for every 300m of ascent, with another hour for rests every 8 hours. The…

3.5 km/ 2¼ miles 3½ hours Alpine Wales? Who’d have thought? It may not be as lofty as the 4000m peaks the Alps has to offer, but Snowdonia’s peaks and landscape are just as picturesque. And super-accessible to boot, with this route starting from the A5. Thousands of people flock to this region each year, and the route through the Ogwen Valley is easily one of the most visited, flanked by the prehistoric Tryfan and the bulk of Pen Yr Ole Wen. Hillwalkers and mountaineers alike come here to tick off the biggest peaks in Wales. But beyond the paths and tracks, this part of Wales hides some classic scrambles, offering a taster of the alpine ridges and exposure found in mainland Europe. One of these is tucked away on…

30 km/ 18½ miles 10 hours 1 SY338916 First, take a stroll along the Cobb (the old harbour wall) and spot the holes left by some curly seashells in its pale yellow limestone. Then consider the tides. Sludgy clay cliffs west of Lyme Regis have collapsed the clifftop path. At high tide, you’ll have to take a dreary inland route, using the A3052, field paths and a golf course. Otherwise, follow the shore round to the fortifications below the town museum, and continue below Church Cliffs – this is the point where the tide could block you. Then follow the foreshore below the grey clay cliffs. Ammonites can be spotted in seawashed boulders, or by kicking apart lumps of the grey clay. 2 SY365930 From Charmouth’s Heritage Coast Centre (useful…

“All the elements combine to provide a stepped and twisting approach full of interest at every turn” 9 km/ 5½ miles 5 hours Considering it’s unsighted most of the way, the approach to Great Gable from Borrowdale is one of the best ways up the mountain. To get to it you have to navigate your way past a series of intervening gills, corries and hills. It is this intricate engagement with the surrounding landscape that makes this approach so special. All the elements combine to provide a stepped and twisting approach full of interest at every turn. The most common walk to Great Gable from Borrowdale is along the ancient bridleway past Taylorgill Force and Sty Head. It is a superb route but relatively easy, and because of its…

A feather-ruffler, anything with the word ‘greatest’. You couldn’t really call Harrison Ford the world’s greatest actor, but we all like at least one of his films, right? And just because an album is a ‘greatest hits’ doesn’t mean it contains the greatest songs, as anything with those words and ‘80s’ in the same title would confirm. But what about walks? Trail was chuffed to see the recent ITV poll – which got over 8000 responses – revealing not only a hill in the top spot, but occupying nine of the top ten. This is as surprising as it’s welcome – that the wonderful British walking public prefer high places to easy places. Or maybe it’s just that the feelings you get in the hills qualifies for a higher esteem…

Scottish priest and author Thomas West published his A Guide to the Lakes book, 240 years ago in 1778, becoming one of the first people to write about the attractions of walking in the Lake District. West’s book was deemed a huge success and is credited with kickstarting an era of genuine tourism in the Lakes. The world’s tallest mountain was officially named ‘Everest’ by the Royal Geographical Society in 1865. The mountain’s title honours Sir George Everest, who was the Surveyor General of India in the 19th century. An amusing paradox is that the most well-known summit on Earth is generally mispronounced – George Everest’s surname was pronounced ‘Eeve-rest’, with two syllables rather than three. A United States photographic reconnaissance aircraft crashed on Bleaklow in the…

Offering maximum comfort and ventilation, the updated Futura Pro 36 is perhaps the ideal size for multi-day treks and lightweight backpacking. The comfort and ventilation is thanks to the back system that’s held away from the body by a mesh net (allowing airflow between the bag and the body), flexible shoulder straps that self-adjust to the ergonomics of the wearer, and a padded waistbelt that hugs the hips to offer improved comfort and support without hindering mobility. But even with all that techno-science-design-wizardry put to one side, what you’re left with still impresses. The main bag is a two-compartment arrangement, separated by a removable divider. There are inside and outside zipped pockets, plus a hydration pouch in the rear. Add in the double side pockets with compression straps, two side…

Check the current conditions. Helvellyn is unique in that it has a daily update throughout winter provided by the Lake District Weatherline (www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk). This gives an excellent indication as to what weather conditions have been like at the top of the mountain over the past 24 hours, and is invaluable when planning an ascent. Also check the forecasts via the Mountain Weather Information Service (www.mwis.org.uk). If it’s winter, ensure you have the right gear... Ice axes are essential for balance, traction and to arrest a fall if you slip on a slope. Crampons are spikes that attach to boots to provide grip on hardened snow and ice. Stiff 3-4 season boots or 4-season boots are necessary to use these, and also for keeping your feet warm and kicking steps in…

Jon Bennett, Weatherline’s Lake District fell-top assessor, goes up and down hills for a living – in all weathers. Here are his tips for heading out in wind. MAP AND FORECAST Check the weather forecast within 24 hours of your departure time. See www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk or www.mwis.org.uk Avoid going up high if the wind is reaching dangerous gale or storm-force conditions. Consider the direction of the wind and the topography of the landscape – can you walk in lee of the wind? Consider the direction of the wind near any exposed sections of your route, and change your route if there are strong cross winds on exposed and narrow ridges. Bear in mind that mountain conditions are unpredictable, and the terrain can upset airflow to create sudden gusts from different directions.…

Q I’d usually associate frostbite with polar or Himalayan expeditions, but does it get cold enough in the UK for frostbite to be an issue? Adam Turk, Horsham Rob says I’ve seen a climber who lost his glove in Snowdonia suffer from nasty frostbite to his fingers – it is definitely not just an overseas phenomenon. The colder the temperature the quicker frostbite can take hold, but skin only needs to be exposed to temperatures of -0.5°C to be susceptible. The amount of time the skin is exposed is critical, as this determines the severity of any injuries. For winter walkers in the UK mountains we need to look after any areas exposed to the elements such as the nose, cheeks and ears. Learn to keep an eye on your…

COMPRESSION STRAPS These straps are found on the sides of some rucksacks, and allow you to compress the body of the sack to help stabilise the load. They are also useful for stashing items onto the side of the pack, such as trekking poles or tent poles. LID The lid covers the top main opening to the rucksack. These can be fixed to the rucksack or they may have a floating design that allows the main compartment to be extended vertically. To ensure water does not creep under a floating lid into the main compartment when the lid is extended a little, some designs also have a baffle linking the lid to the body of the sack. POCKETS At least one external zipped pocket is useful for guidebooks, maps and…

11.8 km/ 7¼ miles 5 hours At first glance the western side of the Helvellyn range may seem a little dull. The slopes are of a fairly uniform nature, and when compared with the likes of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge on the eastern side, they certainly lack that immediate ‘in your face’ drama. Helvellyn, though, is a big mountain and the differences in the two sides is an integral part of what makes it so popular. If you are looking for a total scrambling experience then there is nothing wrong with doing the Edges. If, on the other hand, you want to savour the fantastic view down the Edges from the summit, and if you just want to walk it rather than scramble, then there is no finer way…

13½ km/ 8 miles 5½ hours o the southeast of the mountainous hump of the Carneddau range, lower-level gems lie dormant, awaiting discovery by those who like to wiggle their way through rocks and heather. Perfect for lovers of varied and potentially challenging walking who like finding their own route and enjoying magnificent views of many other valleys and peaks. Pondering a map of the Capel Curig area, the summits of Crimpiau, Craig Wen and Creigiau Gleision reach out to the north of the village. Easily accessible from the A5, but worlds away once you’re up high in an arena of volcanic rock jumbles (winding through ‘tuffs’ and ‘dolerite’ and some excellent quartz intrusions) these peaks feel wild. The physical nature of the undulating terrain and faint paths means navigation…

“No mountain profile arrests and excites the attention more than that of the Langdale Pikes,” said Alfred Wainwright. Standing below the near-vertical jagged towers at the far-western end of the glacier-carved valley of Great Langdale, it’s impossible to disagree. What a place to spend a long weekend! The Pikes are a joy to walk – sheer and precipitous at their southern faces but with gentler angles beyond as the land climbs towards High Raise; a perfect first day. At the head of the valley stands the majestic, inviting curve of Bow Fell, flanked by the Cumbria Way which follows the curving, glaciated scoop of Mickelden, a deeply peaceful and delightful way to begin day two. The final day’s jaunt up Pike of Blisco, with its summit views towards Coniston, ticks…

RING OUZEL From late March, up in crag-infested regions, a fluting, mournful song can be heard – the ring ouzel. The size of a blackbird, (the name ‘ouzel’ is derived from the old English for blackbird) males are black with a white chest crescent, females are duller and young birds have brown plumage. Nesting on crags, either among the rock or in trees, their presence could mean a temporary exclusion zone for scramblers and climbers as they are considered rare enough to need protecting. SPHAGNUM MOSS A lover of damp bogs, rising over years of growth into mounds, Sphagnum moss is widespread in upland areas. It has a natural iodine content which means it can act as a sterilising ‘wet wipe’. In WWI it was shipped out to the Western…

GRAB TICKETS FOR… KESWICK MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL On the shores of Derwent Water and with rolling hills looming large in the background, this ever-popular mountain feast boasts perhaps the best festival backdrop you’re ever likely to see. Keswick Mountain Festival returns this year, from 8-10 June, packed with sports and activities, a line-up of inspirational speakers, live music and more. Not to be missed! www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk DOWNLOAD… PEAKLENS APP This artificial intelligence app allows you to hold your mobile up to a mountain vista and discover which peaks you’re staring at. Simply install the app, download the UK region and you’re good to use it offline at will. As with most AI apps, some will say this is a cool gizmo while others will think it’s a pile of old tosh. Download…

WATERTIGHT SEAL Non-wicking roll-top closure for waterproof security and convenient adjustable shoulder strap LIGHT AND DURABLE Technical treatments and PVC-free fabrics purpose built for most outdoor activities STRONG AND RELIABLE Reinforced stitching at all stress points for greater seam strength…

The Western Epic A fine route that takes in Helvellyn and its neighbours in a neat way from the west can be found in this month’s Trail Routes. Find all the info you need on page 95! 1 THE QUICK WAY UP The Thirlmere routes A good bad-weather option – at least until you hit the summit ridge, anyway – are the approaches from Thirlmere. They may not be the most scintillating routes, but what they lack in interest underfoot they more than make up for in speed and out-of-the-way atmosphere. Thirlmere is a pleasingly woody, quiet-feeling backwater (for now, at least – zipwire plans may change this), and two car parks at Swirls and Wythburn offer easy access straight onto the eastern slopes of the mountain. The going is…

As far as the eye can see... We’ve all said it, sat atop a summit, with the flask out, gazing in wonder at what lies before us. On top of some peaks the view seems to go on forever, but in reality, it’s more likely to be 30 or 40 miles at the most. Unless you’re climbing the highest peak on the Faroe Islands that is. Slaettaratindur holds a Guinness World Record that needs to be read twice to be believed. From the top of this modest 880m climb, you can see further than anywhere on Earth. In fact, with the right conditions, you can see all the way to Iceland – an astonishing 340 miles away. This unique record owes a little to science, which I’ll explain in a…

Sending a text only requires a short burst of mobile signal. If you’re unable to make a voice call in an emergency, it may be possible to contact the 999 services (including mountain rescue) by SMS text. Register Text ‘Register’ to 999. Wait for a reply with further instructions. Do this NOW! Don’t wait for an emergency IN AN EMERGENCY Once registered, send a text to 999 with the following information: WHO do you need? Police, ambulance, fire brigade, or coastguard. If you require Mountain Rescue ask for ‘police’. WHAT is the problem? Explain why you require assistance and include details of your group and any injuries. WHERE are you? Include a general description, a more specific location and, if you can, your exact position, eg Lake District, Striding Edge…

All Trail tests are completely unbiased and independent. As Trail‘s Technical Editor, GT has been testing our outdoor equipment for over 25 years, and is proud to be a bit of a geek when it comes to kit. GT's reviews have earned him recognition as one of the most influential people in the outdoor industry. He has collaborated with the Leeds University Performance Clothing Research Group; worked as an outdoor instructor and in outdoor retail; and has authored books on scrambles and a backpacking guide to the Lake District. GT’s love of hillwalking and backpacking has taken him all over the world, but the Lake District is his passion.…

OSPREY EJA 38 £120 USED BY light-weight loving deputy editor Jenna Maryniak USED FOR 1 month This backpack was a revelation in two ways. Despite their relative popularity, I had previously shied away from trampoline back systems, because of their bulkiness and unwieldy handling when packing. The ones I had tried had always been heavy and cumbersome too. But this Osprey beauty is ultra-lightweight and has every handy feature you can think of (and more), but more importantly this trampoline back system really works without being obtrusive. Revelation one? No more sweaty back! The second revelation came in the form of the fit. Of course, everyone is different, but this ladies’ fit is so ergonomic that with a few strap adjustments it wraps around me like it was custom-made, and…

Now head to Fort William to see a different side of the Nevis Range, as on the weekend of 2 and 3 June 2018 the Mountain Bike World Cup will be hosted on Aonach Mor. You can enjoy the buzz and the stands in the World Cup Village, before watching the best bikers plummet in a death-defying spectacle down the mountainside. If you miss the June weekend, you can always try the Nevis range XC trails yourself. Find more info and book tickets at www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk…

15.7 km/ 9¾ miles 6 hours This classic circular walk into the higher fells of the eastern Lake District begins in the tiny village of Hartsop near Brothers Water and quickly heads away from the crowds along the beautiful quiet valley of Pasture Bottom. The route initially follows Pasture Beck before entering into a labyrinth of grassy mounds. It then passes round the foreboding Raven Crag, providing some spectacular rocky scenery, before finally taking walkers up a lung-bursting ascent to Threshthwaite Mouth at the head of the valley to reveal spectacular views of Windermere to the south and Ullswater to the north. After conquering the scree of Thornthwaite Crag via the imposing north-western slope, you arrive at the summit of the first of two Wainwrights, marked by the dominant stone…

20 km/ 12½ miles 8 hours If you thought the north face of Ben Nevis was dramatic enough, you’ve certainly never seen the cliffs of Creag Meagaidh. As daunting as they are stunning, the gullys and cracks are a mecca for ice climbers in the winter and for scramblers in the summer. The National Nature Reserve is home to three Munros, its namesake Craig Meagaidh being the tallest. The ascent through ‘The Window’ is a spectacular route, and leads to the plateau of the mountains either side of the gap. Prepare for a full day, with a lot of exposure once on top. The reserve is easily accessed via the A86, and has ample parking. All the paths in the park converge back to the car park and are easy…

Designations don’t matter. Lakeland would be just as lovely without its new World Heritage status. And the Jurassic Coast would be just as Jurassic without the same official Unesco approval – which it’s held, as it happens, for 15 years longer than Lakeland. This 90km stretch of Dorset coastline makes a wonderful walk for early summer, when the air is cool and the car parks and villages are quieter. Mix in some airy Dorset downland with the cliff tops, pretty villages, and odd corners where you expect to see sea-stained barrels of brandy hauled ashore by tarry smuggler boys. And yes, the clue is in the name. The sharp-eyed will spot some ammonites and ancient seashells. ROUTE 10 Lyme Regis to Abbotsbury ROUTE 11 Abbotsbury to Lulworth ROUTE 12 Lulworth…

he huge cliffs stretching along the entire northern escarpment of Snowdonia’s Glyderau hold little attraction for walkers or entry-level scramblers. The towering bastions and buttresses provide vertical adventures for climbers and those with experience, but where do you turn if you’re new to the game and don’t want to encounter wobbly legs the moment you step off the ground? Well the simple answer is Y Gribin! It holds all the same dramatic qualities as neighbouring peaks, but this fine ridge offers a slightly more relaxed gradient, providing a lovely airy adventure without too much stomach-churning drama. It starts its gentle skyward course from the western side of Cwm Bochlwyd and offers a simple path to start with, and finishes with some easy, hands-on scrambling. 1 Y Gribin starts at the…