Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Trail

Sitting at home writing the intro to this issue of Trail, with rain hammering against the window on one of those grim December afternoons that never quite shrugs off the darkness of the previous night, all I’m doing is planning my escape. From this computer, this weather and this winter; looking into 2022 with rose-tinted visions of long days spent on dry, dusty trails leading me high onto warm hilltops. I’ll spare you all the ‘new year, new you’ cliches, but instead tell you we’ve loaded the 118 pages of this magazine with ideas that will help you turn this coming year into one massive adventure. From long-distance trails and classic Lakeland fells to Alpine peaks and group walking weekends, there are enough trips in here to turn every weekend…

Crib Goch Snowdonia “A beautiful morning on Crib Goch with Jagoda Buchala and Norik Koczarian.” Michal Nepszij, Chesterfield Belstone Tor Dartmoor “Here’s my mate Conal enjoying a contemplative moment near Belstone Tor on Dartmoor.” George Bladon, Bristol Pen-y-ghent Yorkshire Dales “Full-time working (care assistant). A wife and mum. Now (peri)menopausal, sometimes injured, usually tired. A solo explorer AND trig-bagger! I’ve finally conquered the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, albeit individually. Each one felt an achievement, each one for a different reason.” Cheryl Speight, Chorley Toubkal Atlas Mountains “Just got back from Toubkal (Morocco), my first major hike and first time over 4000m at 52. It was the second part of my 50th. The first was trekking Greenland across the polar ice cap. Greenland was the ice, and Toubkal overlooking the Sahara the…

LENGTH Hold the axe by its head with your arm straight down your side. For a general-purpose axe for walking and easy mountaineering the spike at the end of the shaft should reach your ankle. For a dedicated walking axe a slightly longer length makes it more comfortable to use, while climbing axes tend to be shorter. THE CURVE Walking axes that will be used more like a trekking pole tend to have straight shafts, while mountaineering axes that will be swung by the shaft when climbing will have a more curved profile. The greater the curve, the more climbing oriented the axe is. THE AXE HEAD The point at the front of the head is the pick, and this is used for more vertical terrain and ice axe arrests…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 32KM TIME 9-11 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1560M PEAK BAGGER STATS MUNROS 3 TRAIL 100s 1 At 1309m Ben MacDui is only 36m lower than Ben Nevis, but because it’s part of the behemoth Cairngorm plateau its majesty can be lost when approaching from the north. It’s just another high point, though one with a pretty big cairn on an already massive landmass. But not if you approach from the south. From Deeside, the mountain appears as it should: impossibly huge, a pyramid point above cliffs scraping down to a hidden lochan. If this route were a little more accessible, or if MacDui were 37m taller, it would be a classic. But its remote nature and 5km walk-in reserve it for mountain connoisseurs with strong legs and stamina.…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 13.5KM TIME 6 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 943M PEAK BAGGER STATS TRAIL 100s 1 The Eifionydd hills are quiet hills. From the elephantine Mynydd Mawr to the sinuous ridges of Nantlle they remain a haven of tranquility, while just across the valley Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) trembles under the weight of thousands of boots. It’s not that they are unattractive. Indeed, the Eifionydd skyline soars and swoops in graceful arcs resembling a visual representation of a Rachmaninoff adagio. Further south, dominating the village of Beddgelert, is Moel Hebog, the undisputed monarch of this relatively unburdened huddle of peaks which, along with two lesser brethren, you’ll be visiting on this rewarding route. There is an honesty about Hebog, and from whichever way you choose to climb her she lays all…

At 958m, Bruach na Frithe is one of 12 Munros on Skye, 11 of which are peaks on the main ridge of the Black Cuillin and the other being the outlying summit of Blabheinn. Of all the Black Cuillin summits, Bruach na Frithe is the least difficult to climb and it also makes for one of the finest viewpoints along the Cuillin ridge. This is not a walk to underestimate, as the terrain is rugged and steep at times, but in good conditions this is an exhilarating walk that provides the most accessible introduction to the delights of the Cuillin ridge. Marsco is arguably the finest of the Red Hills – otherwise known as the Red Cuillin – forming the eastern flank of Glen Sligachan. This circular route is a…

The North Face of ‘The Ben’ has a reputation for being one of the finest winter mountaineering destinations anywhere on the planet. Gnarled climbers travel from around the globe to pit their wits against the mixed ice and rock routes tucked away in the gullies and buttresses of Ben Nevis’ shattered rock. It’s a brutal, unforgiving place, but one that’s also undeniably spectacular dressed in its cloak of ice and snow. This CMD Arête goes nowhere near these steep, dark places, but it does offer an unparalleled view of them. The arête itself hangs between Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg (from which it takes its name) like a jump-rope between two kids in a playground. This glacier carved ridge is narrow enough to feel airy but forgiving enough to…

Trail’s 2021 Mountain Photo of the Year competition has, in terms of overall quality, been the strongest since it was first launched seven years ago. But there can only be one winner. This year’s title goes to Joseph Hill, a 36-year-old paramedic for the North West Ambulance Service in Cumbria, whose epic winter shot from the north face of Ben Nevis was a big hit with our panel of expert judges. You also voted in your thousands in our online public vote at www.livefortheoutdoors.com to finalise the top three photographers, who all win a prize bundle of goodies from our partners at Fujifilm, Affinity Photo and Zerofit. One of the things that stood out about Joseph’s winning image – on top of key photographic elements like composure and light –…

[SAFETY ADVICE] HOW TO ESCAPE A WHITEOUT Assuming you have gone out with all the necessary winter kit, have planned your route and know where you are, this is what to do next... 1 STOP Whiteouts can be incredibly disorienting and it’s hard to even know which way is up. They can make you feel nauseous or seasick. Don’t panic, stop and take stock. 2 OBSERVE Establish exactly where you are. If you’ve been tracking this and making observations, it might be fairly easy. If not, backtrack, aiming for a large, safe catching feature. 3 SHELTER Get into a mountain shelter, layer up and encourage group members to eat or drink something while you plan. 4 PLAN Establish a route off the mountain using safe, helpful features and avoiding hazardous…

THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN OUTDOOR KIT Have you ever had a burning desire to sleep on top of your car? Nope, neither had we. But over the past couple of summers, on almost every campsite we’ve pulled into, we’ve seen a steady rise in the number of people turning their cars into mini campervans. In a nutshell, a roof tent is a tent you store on top of your car like a roof box, which then opens up into a tent once you’re parked up. There are various styles, ranging from fold-out canvas tents to sturdy, aluminium-cased pop-ups that open at the click of a button. Most come with a fitted double mattress and an attachable ladder for ease of access. This creates a no-hassle style of camping, where you…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 13KM TIME 5 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 1000 PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 2 TRAIL 100s 1 Place Fell’s relatively low height and close proximity to Helvellyn, St Sunday crag and Fairfield mean it’s overlooked by most. But that is an error, as this is a lovely peak, with awesome panoramic views spanning the central Lakes from Kirkstone Pass to Ullswater. So go on, turn east rather than west as you set out from Patterdale! You’ll gain relative solitude over the even less frequented Beda ridge – with great views over Bannerdale and out to the northern stretches of Ullswater, then cross the Boredale Beck on a clapper bridge. There’s a bit of a navigational challenge up onto High Dodd, but pause along the way and look back for…

DIFFICULTY HARD DISTANCE 20KM TIME 7 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 997M PEAK BAGGER STATS MUNROS 1 The Munro of Sgor Gaoith (Skor Goo-ee) grants perhaps the finest view within Cairngorm National Park. Its sharp summit clings to the edge of cliffs that plunge some 600m into the steely waters of Loch Eanaich with the scoured corries of Braeriach’s huge western flanks rising beyond – it is simply breathtaking. Similarly, Sgoran Dubh Mor and the other tops visited on this walk offer exemplary vistas. Sgor Gaoith is thought to mean ‘windy peak’ and this exposed plateau is open to the elements, having been formed over many millions of years through natural forces. It is the high point of Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve, one of nine National Nature Reserves that lie…

The attractive village of Exford is a bit like an oasis. But instead of crossing empty sand dunes you’ll pass through Exmoor’s high open moorland and wriggle over a few hairpin bends before getting that first all-important view of a large green and a couple of traditional pubs. If you were travelling with a caravan of camels you’d no doubt bunker down for a week or two, but we’re here for some splendid wild walking. And at the end of each day you’ll be lured back to your quiet sanctuary next to the youthful River Exe. These routes take you over Dunkery Beacon – Exmoor’s highest point – and along the edge of a huge scallop known as the Punchbowl. They criss-cross through the meandering valley of the River Barle…

Also known as Saddleback, Blencathra is popular for good reason. It’s the first ‘proper’ mountain you’ll see as you approach the Lakes down the busy A66 road from Penrith, lurching upwards to your right in a tangle of steep buttresses and shadowy gullies. It’s also an accessible peak that also offers pulse-quickening challenges whatever time of the year you climb it. There are so many routes to its true summit at Hallsfell Top that it’s hard to know where to start, so we’ve picked out six of our favourites to kick things off for you. They vary from steep but simple strolls from the roadside, to one of England’s most notorious ridge scrambles, plus a longer approach that takes in the glorious remoteness of Lakeland’s Northern Fells. LAKE DISTRICT VIEW…

VIEW WITH A ROOM WASDALE HALL YHA, LAKE DISTRICT Despite appearances, this is not some expensive hotel. This, dear readers, is a youth hostel. And over the winter you can hire the whole place to yourself. It sleeps up to 42 people in 8 bedrooms, with 6 bathrooms for £500 a night in January. If you have the maximum number of people, that’s just £11.90 a night to stay in a grand 19th century country manor house surrounded by some of Britain’s best hillwalking territory, and still only £62 a night if you only have 8 with a room each. It certainly earns its place in ‘View with a Room’, being positioned at Britain’s favourite view. Set right on the shore of Wast Water, you can look down England’s deepest…

HOW THE HELL DID THAT HAPPEN? Usually either fatigue, walking on wet ground or rocks, or a dodgy landing from a jump. There’s loads of possible reasons – it’s one of the most common mountain injuries. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? Nothing at first. Let the initial pain subside, catch your breath and get into a more comfortable, sheltered position. Put on a warm layer and sit on your bag to insulate your bum from the ground. WHAT DO I DO WITH MY FOOT? Elevate and immobilise it. Be very careful – there is the possibility of a fracture, so treat it as though this is the case. WHAT AM I LOOKING FOR? Check CSMS. That’s circulation, sensation, movement, strength. Has the injured area become pale, or blue and cold?…

When I go to a restaurant, I like a minimalist menu – fewer options makes it so much easier to choose. Conversely, a big menu just leaves me in a state of crippling indecision, and I inevitably end up making a rash last-minute choice I live to regret. The same goes for most outdoor kit these days. The options are both endless and bamboozling – how will you ever decide what is right for you? Take headtorches for example. Do you favour Petzl or Black Diamond? Would you like rechargeable lithium-ion or AAA batteries, or both? How many lumens do you need? What about burn time, beam distance, and reactive lighting? Will an over-the-head central band add comfort, or not? And how light and waterproof should it be? It’s a…

DIFFICULTY MEDIUM DISTANCE 10KM TIME 6 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 765M PEAK BAGGER STATS WAINWRIGHTS 4 TRAIL 100s 1 Where the Lakeland fells landscape meets human history, it all becomes rather intriguing. And the added understanding of how our beloved lakes have been influenced by human existence creates a more intoxicating relationship with the ancient rocks that pre-date our interventions. The enigmatic Honister Pass area reflects this, like many other historical slate-mining locations; the natural environment giving way to an engineered but strangely beguiling landscape, full of human history and rocky drama. The journey from Honister to Great Gable moves away from this intensity to wander along the quieter heights of Grey Knotts, Brandreth and Green Gable, before culminating in height and grandeur atop the rocky bulk of Great Gable. Follow…

DIFFICULTY EASY DISTANCE 7KM TIME 3 HOURS TOTAL ASCENT 450M PEAK BAGGER STATS TRAIL 100s 1 Yr Eifl is a beautiful, trident-shaped trio of hills on Pen Llŷn (Llyn Peninsula) that offers a laid-back half day of walking – perfect for when the weather is bad in the bigger, more popular mountains, or if you’re taking some younger walkers out for an adventure. Yr Eifl actually translates as The Fork. The middle prong is called Garn Ganol (not named on the map), the seaward hill is Garn Fôr or Mynydd Gwaith, and the final and perhaps most interesting peak is called Tre’r Ceiri – the Town of the Giants. They are all connected with rough tracks through the heather and the area feels more adventurous than you might imagine. While…

The West Highland Way was the first long-distance route to be officially designated in Scotland. The idea originated as long ago as the 1930s, but it was in the aftermath of the success of the Pennine Way that it began to develop to maturity. The trail was approved for development in 1974 and opened on 6 October 1980. It runs, officially, for 153.2km (96½ miles) from the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William, and visits an enormously wide variety of landscapes. It is listed by National Geographic as one of the world’s top 10 best trails, and was the first European route to become part of the International Appalachian Trail. It is now also one of 26 long-distance routes designated as Scotland’s Great Trails. There is a great association between…

TIME TO EXPERIENCE THE WORLD FROM 4000M ABOVE SEA-LEVEL FOR THE FIRST TIME? CLIMB IT If you’ve never been to 4000m before, Allalinhorn is the perfect Alpine beginner mountain. Climbed by the Feejoch route in summer, it’s one of the easiest 4000m mountains due to its proximity to the Mittelallalin station, which whisks you up to almost 3500m – so all that you’re left with is a manageable, non-technical trek to the summit. Due to the altitude and the glaciated terrain, it’s not to be underestimated though, and the route is constantly adapting to accommodate the moving crevasses – sometimes using ladder bridges, other times weaving around them. At this altitude you’ll undoubtedly feel the effects of lower air pressure too, making uphill climbs seem much more physical than normal,…