Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2018 i Trail

Ben Weeks finds that it’s not always those that shout the loudest that offer the most mountain fun p28 Twitter @GingerheadBen Jake Kendall-Ashton heads deep into Whinlatter Forest and finds a ridge hiding in plain sight... p38 Twitter @KendallMintJake Sarah Ryan becomes a Mountain Leader and promises a whole world of adventure for those seeking the qualification! p66 Tom Bailey puts down his camera, climbs up into a tree and puts pen to paper on his (rather polarising) hammocking experience... p48…

We’re not really fighting over this. Sherpa wouldn’t approve – it’s more about the peace, love, and doing good things way of life. Take this 21.5-litre pack, for instance. Firstly, the retro styling looks great. Then there’s the robust Cordura fabric, roll-top closure, padded laptop pouch, two large front brass-poppered pockets, two side slip-in pockets, ventilating AirMesh-backed shoulder straps and a padded back, which all ensure the pack functions brilliantly. And the icing on the cake? For every pack sold from the Yatra range (which also includes the £50 Everyday pack, £40 Tote bag and £20 Travel bag) Sherpa, in collaboration with www.roomtoread.com, will donate a book to a Nepali child. > WE SAY Looks good, does good, and is good. www.sherpaadventuregear.co.uk…

Send us your 400 words on ‘The Day A Mountain Changed My Life’ and every month we will publish the best. Your story could be one of inspiration, revelation, an epic adventure, or a near-miss! Every published entry will receive a year’s membership to the John Muir Trust (the charity that manages mountains including Helvellyn and Ben Nevis), plus £100 credit to redeem on Mountain Equipment clothing. The author of the best story of the year will win the grand prize of a day of tailored adventure on a John Muir Trust-managed mountain with a Mountain Equipment expert guide, some Mountain Equipment kit and the opportunity to write a full-length feature article for Trail.…

With unprecedented exposure, this year litter and plastic awareness reached a new peak. And September 15 saw the biggest litter-picking event in history: World Cleanup Day. The latest figures aren’t in yet but the infographic here shows just how involved the world is getting in the fight against litter – 13 million people in an incredible 155 countries took part in local litter-picking events to get us closer to a waste-free world. But don’t stop! Join Trail and the Outdoors Guide’s campaign to get our little country looking sparkling… and don’t forget your free bag to get yourself started. Why the mountains need our help! Litter picks in the hills aren’t as easy (or common) as litter picks at lower levels. At higher altitudes even compostable rubbish takes even longer…

Alfred Wainwright knew a thing or two about walking in the rain. The legendary guidebook author spent 13 years roaming the Cumbrian mountains while researching, writing and illustrating his Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells. Wainwright walked at all times of year, in every type of weather, but it never dampened his love for the Lake District landscape he adored so much. Old Alf knew the value of a decent set of waterproofs too, and as he so famously put it: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” And Wainwright wasn’t the only one. William Wordsworth, the famous English Romantic poet, was inspired by the British countryside and the weather that defined and shaped it. His poem How Beautiful is the Rain eulogises about everything from clattering…

Men’s Vertex Overhead Jacket £249 This durable, hard-wearing, waterproof jacket is built to withstand the toughest conditions. Made from Rohan’s 3-layer Barricade™ with taped seams and zip guards for extra water-resistance, the smock-style design can trace its origins back to the very early days of outdoor adventure and exploration. Perfect for walking in all types of weather and terrain, with a deep chest pouch that’s large enough to hold a full OS map. FEATURES • Waterproof 3-layer Barricade™• Tough polyamide fabric• Long rear panel for extra protection• YKK Aquaguard zip opening• Fixed hood with adjustable peak• Fully adjustable cuffs• Adjustable hem• Large drop-in chest pocket• Two internal pouch pockets• Also comes in full zip alternative Men’s Icepack Jacket £145 Stuffed with Rohan’s Insuloft™ synthetic insulation, this jacket – unlike those…

Q Please can you tell me why my nose constantly runs when I’m hillwalking in the cold? Toby Harrison, Ipswich Trail says If you always have a stream of snot pouring out your nose as you’re struggling up a hillside in the autumn and winter it’s likely you have cold-induced rhinitis. This condition, aka skier’s nose, is fairly common, and those with asthma, eczema and hay fever may be more likely to experience it. The major function of the nose is to warm and humidify the air we breathe in, so it does not irritate cells when it reaches the lungs. When air is cold and you are inhaling more as you exercise, your nose has to work harder. Thus the nerves are stimulated to increase blood flow to the…

ANKLE CUFF The ankle cuff helps prevent mud and grit from entering the boot. It also protects the ankle against scrapes on rocks. Stiffness in the ankle cuff reduces the strain on the ankle on slopes and scrambling by adding extra support, which makes it less tiring to wear on rockier ground or snow. But on easier ground, smooth paths and moorland, ankle support is less important. Some also prefer the freedom and easier ankle movement of boots with lower or softer ankle cuffs. CRAMPON COMPATIBILITY Not all boots are designed to be used with crampons, due to the stiffness of the sole and flexibility of the upper. Crampons are not generally recommended for 3-season boots, but flexible crampons rated as C1 can be fitted to 3-4 season boots, while…

Anna Humphries: “My compass. I’ve had it for 15 years and it’s never failed me. It’s the only method I use for navigation when the cloud drops and the weather turns. It’s saved me many a time on zero-vis days!” Seb Smith: “My beloved one-pint Aladdin Stanley flask bought in 1993. It’s been dropped down nearly every vertical surface in the Lakes, Snowdonia and beyond. It’s kept me warm in blizzards and motivated after hours of slogging. It may be dented and show signs of nearly 30 years of use, but still keeps a pint of tea warm for 12 hours plus! I worked at Cotswold Outdoors a few years after buying it, and the only one we ever had returned belonged to a squaddy, and he’d had it run…

Just down the road into Borrowdale from the Causey Pike route you’ll find Honister Via Ferrata. Trail tried and tested, the Xtreme is the more demanding and thrilling of the two options available, and an instructor will take you up Fleetwith Pike in a way you’ve never been before, namely via iron ladders and cables and following the old slate miners’ routes. This is a great way to test your head for exposure if you’re thinking of pushing your limits, or just for something different! www.honister.com/via-ferrata/…

Trail has partnered with Ordnance Survey's OS Maps to bring you the ultimate interactive routes experience. Subscribers to Trail get free access to OS Maps, where you can view and print 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 OS maps at no extra cost, plan your own walks and view this month's routes online. In addition, the free OS Maps navigation app for smartphones and tablets turns this online tool into a powerful navigation aid. Subscribers can upload their own routes, download the routes from the magazine and browse more than 1000 more from previous issues. See page 72 for details of how to subscribe, or visit www.LFTO.com/routes…

13 km/ 8 miles 4-5 hours Sitting near the craggy Arrochar Alps, and overlooked by the ever-popular Munro of Ben Lomond in the Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park, the Luss Hills are vastly underrated but grant superb walking with wonderful far-reaching views. Bounded by Glen Fruin in the south and Glen Douglas to the north, this lovely range of hills reaches its high point of 713m on Beinn Chaorach. Glen Luss is perhaps the most scenic of the local glens, its name from the Gaelic ‘lus’ meaning herb. A long but scenic road leads through Glen Luss to the base of the 703m Beinn Eich. The glen has close links to one of the most lamentable chapters in Scottish history. In 1747 the blackface sheep was introduced to…

Distance 14.5km (9 miles) Total ascent 630m Time 6 hours Start Poldhu ( SW666200) Finish Lizard village ( SW703125) Nearest town Helston Terrain Undulating clifftops – part of the South West Coast Path Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 103, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 203 Accommodation Excellent self-catering at YHA Lizard Point, 0345 371 9550 Public transport Bus 37, operated by Kernow, provides a regular service between Lizard village and Poldhu.See www.firstgroup.com/cornwall for timetables – the last bus leaves around 6.30pm Guidebook Walking on the Lizard by David Chapman, pb by Alison Hodge GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

17 km/ 10½ miles 5½ hours They are regularly labelled the ‘Boring Berwyns’, but is that fair? The Berwyns are an often-ignored mountain range of high moorland east of Bala, lying just outside Snowdonia National Park. Most of the rounded tops are covered in thick, energy-sapping heather – enough to turn off all but the most dedicated of peak-baggers like me. I’ve climbed 23 peaks in the Berwyns and much of it was an exhausting battle against the deep heather, as if I was vaulting over thousands of purple-flowered hurdles. But, in truth, the ‘boring’ label applies more to the northern and western sections of the range. In the middle the heather relents, good paths abide, and an enjoyable high-level horseshoe walk is possible from Cwm Maen Gwynedd, bagging the…

Distance 16km (10 miles) Total ascent 1160m Time 6 hours Start/finish Small car park, else on street parking in Braithwaite village ( NY227238) Nearest town Braithwaite Terrain Well-defined paths almost all the way. The plateau at the top of Crag Hill can cause confusion in low visibility. Slightly exposed on tops, particularly if the wind is up Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL4 Accommodation Coledale Inn, Braithwaite, 017687 78272, www.coledale-inn.co.uk Royal Oak, Braithwaite, 017687 78533, www.royaloakbraithwaite.co.uk The Old Farmhouse, Braithwaite, 017687 78234, www.oldfarmhousemews.co.uk Public transport Braithwaite is connected to Keswick and Penrith by the X5 bus Guidebook The North Western Fells by Mark Richards, pb Cicerone Tourist info Keswick TIC, 017687 75738 Best pub Royal Oak, Braithwaite GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

Strenuousness Navigation Technicality Wainwrights Trail 100s Distance 9.5km (5½ miles) Total ascent 725m Time 4½ hours Start/finish Junction of the Coppermines valley road with Yewdale Road, Coniston ( NY302976) Terrain Easy graded scrambling over lovely grippy slabby rocks with plenty of holds, becoming more committing and exposed on upper part of scramble. Novices may like a confidence rope, but if it is really needed you’re off-route! Rough moorland, boggy, steep and trackless in places Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL6, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 89 or 90 plus either 96 or 97, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Lake District West GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

29.5 km/ 18 miles 8-9 hours 1 NN286962 From Laggan Locks begin by heading away from Loch Lochy in a northerly direction along the nearside of the canal past a large floating pub barge called The Eagle. Continue along the canal-side path sloping up into a narrow gravel path and enter into pine trees. Ignore the path on the right-hand side and continue to cross over a footbridge. Keep to the canal-side route, which is marked by Great Glen Way markers, as the path leaves the trees and eventually emerges on to the A82, near Laggan swing bridge. 2 NN299981 Cross straight over the A82 and follow the minor road signposted for ‘Great Glen Water Park’ on the shores of Loch Oich. Branch right off the road and head up…

• GOOD SOCKS The potential for trekking in Jotunheimen is huge – you’ll be lured off on one or more of the many stunning backcountry trails whilst there. So take comfy socks that are as good on the flat as they are on the mountain. Consider the Lorpen T3 Mid Hike. • 3-4 SEASON BOOTS These will make the ascent and descent down the snowline easier on your feet, and give you the option of fitting crampons if you decide to do anything more technical. Trail’s top test-winning 3-4 season boot is the Scarpa SL Active. • SNACKS FROM UK Norway is horrendously expensive. You might find yourself contemplating a bank loan if you find yourself in need of a four-pack of Mars bars. Take stuff with you!…

Apparently I have some Nordic blood (so that’s what’s in that little old bottle! Only joking). This comes up in conversation around the turn of the season usually when I’m explaining why my wardrobe is 90% warm weather gear and 10% summer gear. I shrug and say, ‘Hey, I have Nordic blood. I like winter.’ Never mind the obvious flaw here that if I really was Nordic I’d still be wearing T-shirts in -12°C, there do seem to be folks who swing one way or the other. Some people live for the winter. And some really struggle with its darkness. It’s as the season turns that the outdoors becomes really important. So don’t close the shutters: find wonder in that dark, starry sky. Seek out animals in their winter coats.…

David Dowling “A walk up Wetherlam and around Tilberthwaite from Coniston is a magnificent day out. Coniston Old Man is a sensational dark ale.” Will Rogers “The museum is worth a visit once you’ve been for a hike, and the lake is perfect for a swim. Great town to visit, with great walks.” Nicky Metcalfe “The road East of Lake is beautiful. Little beaches and sheltered bays where you can get a really great view of The Old Man.” Emily Woodhouse “There’s a lovely ice cream shop in the town. That’s pretty cool...” Adammitcheson “Go up Wetherlam. You can see the entire Lake District peaks on a clear day. Absolutely incredible and an experience you’ll never forget.” schaefersworld “Don’t miss Kelly Hall Tarn and its…

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you can’t have escaped the news that plastic is bad. In fact, even if you have been under a rock, there’s probably been an old drinks bottle wedged under there with you. But check this out – Eider’s Mission Hoodie is made from Polartec Thermal Pro fleece, which is itself made from 100% recycled plastic woven into fleece-like fabric. This is good, but the incredible news? To date, Polartec has upcycled over one billion plastic bottles and saved them from simply becoming landfill. Wow. > WE SAY A use for old plastic? Now that’s a mission we can get on-board with.…

KESTREL The windhover, as it used to be known, is a common bird of prey in our hills. They primarily prey on rodents, and as there is no better habitat for voles et al than rough, rank grassland, even if it is on a steep angle, this is where you will spy kestrels all year round. Hovering is its speciality, and it can spot prey from 60ft up in the air. Next time you see one, take a moment to watch how dead still the head remains in a hover. In the mountains, they are often viewable from above, giving you a bird’s-eye view onto them. JUNIPER The most important fact about juniper is that it is used to give gin its flavour. Now you’re interested! It thrives in the…

Mobile phones are great, but the network can’t be relied upon everywhere. That’s why it’s useful to have an analogue back-up to signal for help in this increasingly digital world. The Hurricane whistle is Lifesystems’ loudest ever and tri-toned to help the sound carry further. It’s lightweight (15g), tough, will float in water, and with a maximum volume of 122 decibels, louder than a chainsaw, a car horn, or your average heavy metal concert. > www.lifesystems.co.uk…

Expectation is a funny thing when it comes to climbing mountains. Whether it’s as part of that annual hillwalking trip with mates, a special summer holiday getaway with the family or a weekend’s escape with a loved one, a jaunt to the hills is likely to have been penned in the diary for months – so you want it to be perfect. Which area should we explore? Which peak should we climb? Which route should we do? All of these things have to be considered with care if you have any designs on making a success of your trip. Well, I have a little golden nugget to share with you. Hopegill Head is an unpretentious fell that resides in the north-western slice of the Lake District, roughly five miles west…

Battling the elements ■ It’s character building and a great sense of achievement, as you feel like you’ve conquered the world when the weather is awful. Tracey Parnell ■ I prefer walking in extreme weather. Give me a good storm, rain or snow and I’m a happy bunny! Simon Bullough ■ I find a windy walk energising and invigorating, but if I can put one foot in front of the other then the weather is irrelevant. Zena Jaggard Changing landscapes ■ You see things differently in ‘bad’ weather. The colours, smells and knowing there’s a hot meal in the slow cooker and a fire in the hearth when you get back makes it all the more satisfying! Paula Fraser Layering up ■ It means you get to wear the very…

TELL US YOUR STORIES… We’ve got three Rohan Vertex waterproof jackets to give away – perfect for exploring the wettest, wildest and most remote corners of Britain. All you need to do to enter is tell us about a time you got truly battered by some bad weather. It could be getting soaked walking round your local park, trudging through waist-deep snow drifts in the Yorkshire Dales, or clinging to a wind-blasted ridge in Snowdonia. We’ll pick three winners at random in our prize draw, and a selection of our favourite stories will appear in a future issue of Trail . Enter at www.lfto.com/badweatherstories SEND US YOUR SELFIES… Whipping your smartphone out of your pocket to take a selfie in a torrential downpour isn’t advisable (disclaimer alert!) but we’ve all…

Q If I need to convert an eight- or 10-figure grid reference to a six- figure reference, should I round up or round down the surplus digits? Ian Morris, via email Paul says You should always round down a grid reference. Remember, a grid reference indicates the bottom-left corner of the grid square it references. The area size the grid square represents is determined by how many figures compose the reference, so a four-figure grid reference indicates a 1km square, a six-figure grid reference indicates a 100m square, an eight-figure grid reference indicates a 10m square, and a 10-figure grid reference indicates a 1m square. Grid references also always include a two-letter descriptor at the start, indicating the particular 100km square area of an OS map in which the reference…

Q When would waterproof socks be more appropriate to wear than gaiters, and vice versa? Neil Gibson, via email GT says Gaiters are the most common lower leg protection used by hillwalkers, and their benefit is they keep mud, grit and other debris from entering the top of the boot and prevent your trousers from getting muddy or torn. They don’t generally keep all the water out of your boots though, so when crossing a river, for example, you can expect water to get into your boots. Gaiters are, however, ideal for walking through bracken, long grass, mud and snow, as they generally provide enough protection for your feet and lower legs. There is one gaiter, the Berghaus Yeti, that does totally enclose the boot so no water can get…

1 Take a strong magnet, such as a 10x10mm neodymium disc round rare-earth magnet, which work well and are cheap to buy online. 2 Hold the compass flat and horizontal, with the needle floating freely. 3 Take your magnet and, using the south end of the magnet, flick it outwards along the north red needle of your compass. 4 Repeat until your red compass needle points to magnetic north again. 5 Test the accuracy of your compass against another working compass (keeping them 500mm apart).…

Asolo Lagazuoi £210 • Men’s 6-13 • Women’s 4-9 • Weight 1722g (size 11) IT'S GOOD This is a very well-priced boot for what you get, and it’s also lighter than others. The upper is 2.2-2.4mm nubuck leather with a Gore-Tex waterproof lining, and this is protected by a full rubber rand for more durability. Underfoot you get a Vibram sole unit with deep, well-spaced lugs and a deep heel breast for grip in soft terrain. Sole stiffness is also good both laterally and toe-to-heel, so this makes the boot great for scrambles and edging on snow. The ankle cuff is slightly softer than some other boots, so you get slightly more comfort when walking below the snowline than stiffer boots. So all that for less cash and less weight…

SUUNTO SPARTAN SPORT £340 USED BY Simon Ingram, technophobe and editor USED FOR 1 year I don’t like fiddly technological things, mainly because 1) I’m not clever enough and 2) I prefer the analogue aesthetic. I’ve had techy watches before and usually end up defaulting to a battered thing that actually ticks. But I like this watch a lot, and it now stays on my wrist for all of my hill time and a lot of the rest. I like it because it’s light and it doesn’t look like a dinner plate on my arm. It’s the Wrist HR model which means it measures my pulse rate and comes loaded with exercise modes, biometrics, all that jazz – none of which I use. What I do use (a lot) is…

When the two famous spaniels started their challenge, owner Kerry Irving wasn’t to know that Max was to need major orthopaedic surgery on his elbow just weeks into the venture. So just as Max helped Kerry through his rehab all those years ago after a road accident, Kerry had months of rehabilitation to help Max through. The odds of completing the challenge were stacked against the trio, with walks limited, doggy stomach bugs and the heat soaring over summer. Through gradual walks up easier, grassier fells, Max slowly improved and their latest hill, Bleaberry Fell, smashed through their 8848m target. In reality, however, the dogs probably reached their Everest a long time ago. A walk around Mungrisdale was 9.8 miles for Kerry. Paddy meanwhile clocked 24.9 miles on his Garmin…

Right at the start of the Great Glen Way Ultimate Weekend (Routes 10-12) you’ll find a barge pub-restaurant at Laggan Locks. You’ll need to be prepared though: they only take cash, and you’ll have to pre-book and order your food before 3pm on the day if you want to dine in the evening. But pass it by and you’ll be missing a real treat. With ales on tap, plus seafood and curry specialities, all served up on a lovely little spot on the Caledonian canal, there’s a great atmosphere on-board. If the midges aren’t biting, there’s also an outside seating area to be enjoyed. A bar menu is available which can be eaten at the bar or outside if there’s no room in the restaurant. www.eaglebargeinn.weebly.com…

9.1 km/ 5½ miles 4 hours When it comes to mountains some of us have a taste for the esoteric, a yearning for solitude and a perverse penchant for difficult ground. These predilections usually manifest themselves after an apprenticeship on the ‘classic’ mountain circuits where hill skills are learnt (often by trial and error), and legs are honed into muscular perambulation machines. Before long there will come a time when you feel that you know old favourites like the back of your hand, and one fine day whilst scanning the horizon from a much-loved summit your gaze will fall upon a distant lump which captures your imagination and sparks an exploratory urge not felt since those first forays into the high places – terra incognita. Hebog, the Nantlle Ridge, the…

Distance 13km (8 miles) Total ascent 766m Time 4-5 hours Start/finish Luss Car Park ( NS359931) Nearest town Balloch Terrain From Luss a section of peaceful minor road rises through Glen Luss to reach the base of Beinn Eich. The path onto Beinn Eich is generally clear, although it can be faint at points and underfoot can be boggy on the lower slopes Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) 38, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 56 Accommodation Loch Lomond Arms, Luss, 01436 860420, www.lochlomondarmshotel.com Glenview B+B, Luss, 01389 528878, www.glenview-luss.co.uk Global B+B, Luss, 01436 860343, www.globalbandb.com Public transport Buses 914, 915 and 916 from Glasgow, Fort William and Uig to Luss Guidebook Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Vol 1 – West by Tom Prentice, pb Mica Publishing Tourist info Balloch, 01389 753533 Best…

22 km/ 13½ miles 6 hours If you spend any time at all thinking of horseshoe walks, your mind may drift off to the Lakeland Fells where they are ten a penny. Snowdonia, you might think, is less endowed with those lovely circular routes that trace the skyline of a glacial cwm before dumping you back at the start to enjoy a decent pint of ale. You would, of course, be wrong... In north Wales there are ‘pedol’ walks aplenty, in form if not in name. One of my favourites is a route that will take you on a remote mountain journey. Embarking from a nondescript village you’ll enter an enchanted woodland replete with a sea-bound stream before emerging into an austere valley, the scale of which not becoming apparent…

Distance 17km (10½ miles) Total ascent 849m Time 5½ hours Start/finish Parking is very limited in Cwm Maen Gwynedd, but there is space for a few cars by the bridge over the stream ( SJ118306) Nearest town Llangollen Terrain Generally good mountain paths throughout, with a few peat groughs to negotiate on the wide, boggy ridge. Steep descent to Moel yr Ewig, and rough and pathless over Godor Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) 255 Accommodation The Hand, Llanarmon, www.thehandhotel.co.uk (also best pub) Various cottages in surrounding villages Public transport None Guidebook The Mountains of England and Wales Volume 1: Wales by John and Anne Nuttall, pb Cicerone Tourist info Llangollen TIC, 01978 860828 GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

9.5km/5½ miles 4½ hours Coniston is deservedly popular, and can become a bit of a honeypot centre in the summer. Many people, having done the Old Man once, eaten an ice cream and drunk a beer or few in the village will think they’ve ‘done’ Coniston. But there’s plenty more to explore. There’s a lovely rugged scramble, almost from the doorstep, with fabulous views over Coniston Water. It does get more sustained and exposed as you climb higher, but there’s plenty of grippy holds, so take your time and pack a good head for heights. Then there’s a rough and little-trod ascent from the village up the southern ridge of the Old Man, and a lower-level wander over the Yewdale Fells which has a surprisingly high mountain feeling. Oh and…

Strenuousness Navigation Technicality Distance 7.5km (4½ miles) Total ascent 340m Time 3 hours Start/finish Centre of Coniston ( SD302975) Terrain Very steep ascent through bracken and on ‘ballast-like’ scree. In low visibility route finding is surprisingly challenging! Scrubby moorland, then lanes and road-avoiding woodland paths Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL7, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 96 or 97, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Lake District West GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

“This route passes through some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer” “In certain light and from certain locations you could easily think you are peering at a towering Himalayan giant” 11.8km/7¼ miles 6 hours Snowdon has always been a big draw to tourists. Its majestic form, defined by symmetrical and steeply inclined ridges, combined with deeply cupped corries and wildly carved crags, convey a majesty well beyond its modest height. In certain light and from certain locations you could easily think you are peering upon a towering Himalayan giant. Victorian tourists following the picturesque tradition flocked to Snowdon’s flanks and would be conveyed by ponies or by guides on paths established from numerous hotels and villages at its foot. All the main paths up Snowdon owe something…

Pinnacle Ridge is a route for all seasons – summer, spring and autumn for scrambling, and then winter for snow and ice climbing. Maybe it is its wild location off the beaten track, or maybe it is its setting amongst a myriad complex of crags and gullies, but either way climbing its crest will treat you to an adventure par excellence. To unlock its course you will need good route-finding skills, and in places the protection of a rope, and to tackle it you’ll need prior scrambling experience and be comfortable dealing with exposed Grade 3 ground. The crux, and the highlight, of the ridge is negotiating the prominent pinnacle on the upper-third of the ridge. It can be a touch unnerving but the holds are good and there are…

SCOTLAND / 986m Not the highest peak in Scotland, on Skye, or even on the Cuillin Ridge where it’s perched, the Inaccessible Pinnacle on top of Sgurr Dearg though is the most technically challenging Munro in Scotland, which means it’s one of the hardest summits to reach in the UK. Reaching the top requires a moderate rock climb and getting back down necessitates an abseil. You could do it as a relatively simple day out, or as part of the entire Cuillin traverse – a worthy mountaineering project for anyone who loves airy ridges and engaging scrambling. In terms of a true mountain experience, the peaks on the Cuillin bear more likeness to an Alpine expedition than a Lake District walk. Precipitous, spiralling, confusing, made of rock that can demolish…

Rob Johnson www.expeditionguide.com What’s it like? “The Inn Pin is a fairly straightforward rock climb in an amazing location with some awesome exposure. It is accessible to anyone who is fit enough to climb a Munro and also game enough for a bit of easy climbing at its summit. It has a short side (down which people usually abseil) and a long side which is the normal route of ascent. You can expect there to be other people about as it is always popular and that usually makes the climb sociable with much friendly banter to be had. The ascent is normally done in two pitches – you climb the first half to a ledge and then the second half to the top.” What skills do I…

We might choose our footwear based on comfort, support, and yomp-ability, but in 2018 fashion’s elite were seen rocking the look on catwalks, rather than Catbells. And you thought your last pair of boots were expensive... Proenza Schouler Lace-up Hiking Boot £480 Least likely to be seen… scampering up Tryfan’s north ridge. www.proenzaschouler.com Viberg Hiker Brown Oiled Calf $720 (£559) Least likely to be seen… in the depths of a Cairngorm winter. www.viberg.com Moncler Geoffroy $995 (£773) Least likely to be seen… descending the nose of Kirk Fell. www.moncler.com Jimmy Choo Hillary Flat £950 Least likely to be seen… wading through the boggy groughs of Kinder Scout. www.jimmychoo.com Louis Vuitton Outland Ankle Boot £2240 Least likely to be seen… in any youth hostel drying room, after a sodden day on…

We make no apologies for featuring another product that makes use of recycled plastic – it’s a good thing to do. This time it’s the PrimaLoft insulation made entirely from recycled bottles as featured in the Isbjorn (a decidedly eco-conscious brand) Frost Jacket (£90) for kids and teens. The jacket works as either an outer layer on chilly days, or an insulating mid layer in really cold conditions – all while helping to reduce plastic in the environment. www.isbjornofsweden.com…

BOOK TO SEE… BEN FOGLE LIVE TOUR After climbing Mount Everest earlier this year, adventuresome broadcaster Ben Fogle is embarking on a 26-date live UK tour. Tales from the Wilderness is an evening of inspirational storytelling from the much-loved TV presenter, which will see him recount his most intrepid ventures. From rowing across the Atlantic to swimming with crocodiles, Ben will deliver his tales with his usual humour, warmth and veracity. GET TICKETS AT www.benfogle.com GET WRITING… TRAIL WRITING COMPETITION Every month since April we have handpicked a winner for our outdoor writing competition, ‘The Day a Mountain Changed My Life’. Each of the nine monthly winners so far have received a year’s membership to the John Muir Trust and £100 of Mountain Equipment kit for their 400-word mountain…

As a child my family used to make a yearly escape to the Lakes, each year walking up a slightly bigger mountain. I couldn’t wait to be old enough for my dad to sit down and plan a route which would see the two of us tackling one of the Lake District’s ‘big three’. It finally happened when I was 14, and it was Helvellyn. I remember that day vividly – waking up so full of anticipation, the burning of the first 40 minutes, the tarns and the views. However, just as we were approaching the final slog heavy clouds descended. Unfortunately, we were in the worst possible position, with sheer drops either side. We sat in a sheep shelter, shovelled down cheese rolls and a mouthful of tea, with…

As served at... The Bothy, Braemar “Nestled in the charming mountain village of Braemar is The Bothy café. Their full English breakfast (or a lighter version – pictured – if you’re being ‘good’) tastes even better outside on the large, dog-friendly decking with a view of the picturesque Clunie Water. The café is perched on the rocky riverside, and serves proper coffee, with excellent breakfasts until noon, lunches after that and yummy home-made cakes all day long. If the weather is typically Scottish, there’s a viewing window with an equally gorgeous view. Located near to the Balmoral Estate it’s the perfect start point for the southern Cairngorms.”…

It used to be thought that Pen yr Ole Wen translated as ‘Head of the White Light’, although nobody was entirely sure why the mountain was so called. Then in 2004 a chap called Bill Hughes pointed out that there was a problem with this. You see, it was previously thought that ‘Ole’ came from the word ‘Golau’ meaning light, and the ‘Wen’ was a mutation of ‘Gwen’ meaning white. “Ahh,” said Bill, “but Golau is a masculine noun, and Gwen is the female form of the adjective, so the two don’t match”. Subsequently, Professor Hywel Wyn Owen at the Place-Name Research Centre at Bangor University did some digging and determined that ‘Ole’ actually derives from ‘Goleddf’ meaning slope or hillside, making the new and current translation of Pen yr…

With the prize at stake being an all-expenses-paid seven-night trip to Germany's highest places, it was no surprise how many entries poured in for outdoor gear manufacturer Deuter’s online mountain photography competition. The jackpot of an ultimate trek to climb the 2962m Zugspitze mountain, visit the highest German lake, the Futensee, and tour the fantasy Neuschwanstein Castle, lured hundreds of entrants. With so many quality outdoor adventure images submitted, the competition’s judging panel had a difficult task whittling down the entries to just two winners. But after hours of deliberation, we’re excited to announce the winners are Marcin Dobrowolski from Scunthorpe and Greg Gibson from Aviemore. Congratulations! As well as the trip of a lifetime, Marcin and Greg’s winning shots bags both of them the chance to tour the company’s…

“YOU CAN WEAR IT IN THE ALPS OR IN AMBLESIDE, THE HIMALAYAS OR HATHERSAGE, THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS OR ROTHIEMURCHUS FOREST” Outdoor adventure and wet weather go hand in hand. Especially on our little islands where, if you hadn’t already noticed, it rains a lot. A hell of a lot, in fact. The leafy Borrowdale valley in Cumbria once got more than 12 inches of the stuff in just 24 hours, so don’t let the summer 2018 heatwave fool you. If you’re heading out this winter, you’re pretty much guaranteed to get soaked. It’s not just rain, either. Climb to the summit of Ben Nevis and you’ll often find deep snow patches and overhanging cornices even in the height of summer, linger too long in the sub-arctic wilderness of Scotland’s Cairngorm…

Q What is the purpose of the elasticated loops I have on two fingers of my walking gloves? Russell Marshall, via email A number of full-on winter gloves feature a single loop on the outside of two of the fingers and these are for... hanging the gloves. These often-elasticated bands, otherwise known as carabiner loops, are usually found on the ring or little finger of each glove. The idea is by hanging the gloves from these loops, such that the finger-tips are left facing, up eliminates the risk of each glove filling with rainwater or snow as they might if tethered from the wrist. So there you have it. What a delightfully ingenious little invention, we say!…

Imagine designing your ideal boot. Most importantly it would be moulded to fit your foot to perfection, right? Tecnica, better known in snow sport circles, has taken exactly that concept and using some interesting technologies from its ski boot design, applied them to its new high-end 3-season walking boot, the Forge. Although these boots are anatomically moulded in men- and women-specific designs, and can be worn straight out of the box, they are only available in four selected specialist retailers, where a 20-minute customisation process takes place to personalise the boot to your foot. The Forge therefore takes a firm stride away from internet shopping, and brings footwear fitting firmly back to the boot shop. Thermo-forming My fitting of the new Forge took place at Whalley Warm and Dry in…

Sprayway Santiago / Atlanta £90 • Materials 2-layer hydrodry with loose mesh lining• Men’s XS-XXXL (Santiago)• Women’s 8-20 (Atlanta)• Weight 606g (M) This jacket is made with 2-layer Hydrodry fabric. Although on paper this is not the most breathable fabric, the mesh lining on the inside very effectively managed condensation and kept me drier from condensation than the other lower-priced jackets. There are two handwarmer pockets and a map-sized chest pocket. The foldaway hood has face drawcords and rear volume adjustment. Compared with the other lower-priced options there’s a good length to the jacket and it felt warmer owing to the air gap provided by the mesh lining. However, although the hood protected my face it did not turn well with my head. The handwarmer pockets were also not easy…

...A LIGHTER, MORE FLEXIBLE BOOT? Salomon X Alp MTN GTX £200 • Men’s 6.5-12 • Women’s 3.5-8.5 • Weight 1438g (size 11) Crampon-compatible, this boot is far more flexible than others with higher price tags, but there is enough stiffness to use the edges on scrambles. The weight and flexibility make walking more comfy, but stiffer boots are more secure and less tiring on more uneven ground or snow. 76% ...A LIGHTER, MORE VERSATILE BOOT? Mammut Kento High GTX £219 • Mens 6.5-12 • Women’s 4-8.5 • Weight 1514g (size 11) If you don’t need the best performance on snow or when traversing slopes, this boot is ideal. It is lighter than others with a softer upper and a more shallow heel breast on the sole. Great performance when scrambling…

Marmot Featherless Hybrid jacket (men’s and women’s) £140 Featherless and feather-light, #EverestAnywhere sponsor Marmot has produced an insulating jacket that packs down into a pocket, weighs a tiny 255g and is water-resistant. Ideal for popping in your rucksack for when the temperature drops, but breathable and wicking enough to be worn while climbing your own personal Everest. The athletic cut is designed for ease of movement, to fit under waterproof layers, or simply to look good both on and off the hill. BEST BUY £126 www.gooutdoors.co.uk Trail #EverestAnywhere badge £2 Whether you’ve completed your first Everest, or are still on the way to climbing 8848m, get your badge and wear it with pride! BEST BUY www.liveforthe outdoors.com/everest-shop Scarpa Manta Pro boots (men’s and women’s) £320  If you’re buying a new…

Dragons. Myth. Legend. Wales is full of mystery and intrigue. Journey up a dirt track, through an arched gateway into the Nannau Estate of southern Snowdonia and you’ll discover a gothic lodge more than fitting for a magical walking weekend in Wales. Built as a folly between 1794 and 1818, it’s named after Hywel Sele, who in the 12th century was murdered by his cousin Owain Glyndwr, the last native Welshman to hold the title of Prince of Wales. It’s said that his body was hidden in a hollow oak tree on the Nannau deer park. Off the beaten track and on the lower slopes of Foel Offrwm, you’ll find a perfectly quirky sanctuary for exploration of the quieter hills of Snowdonia. There are walks from the door, including the…

Nick Livesey Acclaimed Snowdoniabased photographer and rarely off the hills. Keith Fergus Author of 15 guidebooks to Scotland’s isles and coastline walks. Roger Butler Roger likes to tick off remote Hebridean islands as well as mountains. James Forrest Former newspaper journalist turned adventure travel writer. Emily Woodhouse Mountain leader, intrepid adventurer and writer, Emily aims to inspire! Chiz Dakin Award-winning writer, photographer and film-maker. Avid traveller. Jonathan Cook He’s hiked and climbed all over, but his passion for the Lakes remains. Jeremy Ashcroft Trail’s mountaineering editor and a veteran of every classic UK route. BEFORE YOU GO... If you’re likely to encounter snow or ice on your walk you need to take precautions. You MUST have ice axe, crampons and the skills to use them and navigate in winter, and…

Distance 9.1km (5½ miles) Total ascent 560m Time 4 hours Start/finish The abandoned cottage at the head of Cwm yr Allt Lwyd which is accessed from Bronaber ( SH794287) Nearest town Dolgellau Terrain Forestry track, grassy hillside, tussock, bog and heather Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL23 Accommodation Cae Gwyn Farm B&B/camping, 01766 540245, www.caegwynfarm.co.uk Public transport This location is very remote and not served by public transport Guidebooks A Pictorial Guide To The Mountains Of Snowdonia: Vol 3 , John Gillham, pb Francis Lincoln Tourist info Dolgellau TIC, 01341 422888 Best pub Rhiw Goch Inn, Bronaber, 01766 540374 GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

14.5 km/ 9 miles 6 hours The Cornish coast is wild and windswept, raw and rugged. Yes, there are plenty of popular beaches – and any number of hidden coves – but a breezy walk along the jagged clifftops of the Lizard Peninsula creates abiding memories of crashing waves, classic geology and cavorting choughs. The glossy black chough, with its distinctive red feet and hooked bill, was once known as the Crow of Cornwall and still appears on the county crest. But by the early 1970s the birds had departed the cliffs and close-cropped headlands of its former West Country stronghold. Thankfully, they found their way back in 2001 and the Lizard’s coastal paths are now one of the best places to spot this rare playful acrobat. But there are…

Distance 22km (13½ miles) Total ascent 920m Time 6 hours Start/finish Car park in Tal y Bont ( SH589218) Nearest town Barmouth Terrain Woodland path, surfaced road, grassy ridges. Areas of bog in the Ysgethin valley. Navigation is very simple with linear features followed throughout the route Map OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL18 Accommodation Bunkorama Bunkhouse, Barmouth, 01341 281134, www.bunkorama.co.uk Public transport Buses and trains stopping at Tal y Bont run between Barmouth and Porthmadog, 08457 484950 Guidebook A Pictorial Guide to the Mountains of Snowdonia Vol 2 , John Gillham, pb Francis Lincoln Tourist info Barmouth TIC, 01678 521021 Best pub The Ysgethin Inn, Tal y Bont GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/TRAILROUTES In association with…

16 km/ 10 miles 6 hours I spent four years trying to complete the Coledale Horseshoe. Every time I set out from Braithwaite towards Grisedale Pike, I held a hope of making it round. Every time, for reasons like poor weather or slow groups, I had to turn down the valley instead. On the fourth year, I gave up and planned the route clockwise instead. This route, including several interesting peaks (that happen to be Wainwrights), beats Grisedale Pike hands down. The most difficult navigational challenge of the walk is getting out of Braithwaite. Once on the open hill, there are clear paths up to Causey Pike and along the edge of the ridge to Sail and Crag Hill. Grasmoor can be tacked on as an extra, for those so…

1 SD302976 Walk up the Coppermines road to a cattle grid just beyond the end of the tarmac. Turn right up an awkward rocky bank onto steep but bracken-shrouded fellside (not at an earlier public bridleway towards Yewdale). 2 SD300979 Rise up slabby broken rock towards a gap between a single oak tree and a gorse-covered outcrop. Go around the base of the oak, then uphill with it on your right over broken rock, taking your choice of route among the lovely small ledges for hands and feet to a band of gorse. Leave the gorse-covered scree on your right, re-join a more solid section of rock just right of a lone holly tree, then bending left to avoid a steeper section. This is broken by a short grassy ledge…

Strenuousness Navigation Technicality Wainwrights Trail 100s Distance 8.5km (5¼ miles) Total ascent 780m Time 4 hours Start/finish Coniston village, outside the Yewdale Inn ( SD301975) Terrain Rough pasture, open rough moorland which is little walked, popular pitched/slabby descent path, former quarry tracks. Route-finding challenging off popular tracks in poor visibility Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL6, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 96 or 97, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Lake District West GET THIS ROUTE ON YOUR PHONE! LFTO.COM/ TRAILROUTES In association with…

This walk offers the perfect introduction to walking in the Highlands of Scotland, and samples the finest and most challenging parts of the Great Glen Way. Day one begins at Laggan Locks on the peaceful Caledonian Canal towpath, before later tackling the first of two new high alternatives which were officially added to the Great Glen Way and opened in 2014. Day two takes walkers over the second new high alternative to Drumnadrochit. This section passes through some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland has to offer and crests the highest point on the route offering unsurpassed views down Loch Ness. A long final day passes through remote moorland and forestry tracks offering spectacular views of distant Munros before descending into the bustling regional capital of Inverness. TRANSPORT Train Several…

30.5 km/ 19 miles 8-9 hours 1 NH507299 Leave Drumnadrochit via the A82 heading in the direction of Inverness. Follow the road round passing the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition centre on the left hand-side. Keep to the left and follow the road eastwards along Loch Ness. Turn left up a signed track opposite Temple Pier. Take the steps up to the left, go through a gate and follow the path around the back of a house. After a section above the road, head through another gate and then uphill and then through two more gates before entering woodland. Continue across a grassy slope where views of Urquhart Castle are visible. A gate now leads into dense forest, follow the path uphill and over a bridge before a sharp left and…

Distance 11.8km (7¼ miles) Time 6 hours Start Snowdon Ranger ( SH564551) Total ascent 1050m Nearest town Beddgelert Terrain Access track, moorland, rough mountainside, narrow crests, exposed cols, scree, rocky summit, stony bridleway, steep zig zags, hanging corrie, and busy road Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL17, OS Landranger (1:50,000) 115, Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Snowdonia North, Harvey BMM (1:40,000) Snowdonia Accommodation YHA Snowdon Ranger, 0345 771 9659, www.yha.org.uk Tourist information 01286 672232, www.visitwales.co.uk Public transport Buses: Traveline, 0871 200 2233, www.traveline.org.ukRail: 0845 748 4950. The Welsh Highland Railway runs trains between Caernarfon, Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd-Ddu and eventually will connect to the main line at Porthmadog. Until this connections from the main line can be made by the regular bus service that operates between Bangor and Caernarfon, 01286 677018, www.festrail.co.uk Guidebooks…

How high will you go this year? It could be higher than you ever dreamed. This guide is made of mountains which – with the injection of cash, time and training – most of us could probably rise to without being a world-slaying mountaineer. That doesn’t mean they‘re easy though – they’re just hard enough. And we’ve enlisted some of the top experts in international guiding to give you an idea if your next challenge really does await in the next 24 pages. Enjoy! ROB JOHNSON Trail expert and international mountain guide based in north Wales, Rob’s adventures have taken his clients all over the world. www.expeditionguide.com SIMON YATES Famous for having the book Touching the Void dedicated to him for his role in Joe Simpson’s survival in the Andes,…

• 30L RUCKSACK A rugged hillwalking sack with a slim profile and decent capacity for a daywalk with some extra layers is a must. The Deuter Futura 30 is one of the best we know of. • DRY BAG Skye is no stranger to rain, and you’ll need something to protect your gear if a hoolie blows in. Sea To Summit’s dry bags are excellent – and can be used as water carriers in an emergency. • SCRAMBLING BOOTS Climbing is generally easier in boots with a narrow profile, and the Cuillin’s rock is very coarse and rocky, so a protective rand and good support are a must. Scarpa’s Marmolada Pro are ideal.…

NORWAY / 2469m The highest mountain in Scandinavia has a café on top. But that’s ok – because it’s the highest mountain in Scandinavia, and that means something. Scandinavia is the north country – the land of clean air, thick boreal forest, skies as wide as the world and people who live in villages of wood that twinkle in the midnight sun. The mountains cluster spellbindingly over fjords, or poke out of glacier-blanketed wilderness, old and angular – and not as high or as hard as you’d expect. An ascent of Galdhoppigen gives you a fine slice of this experience. Located in Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park, an ascent of this mountain gives you several things – experience of mild altitude, some moderately high-end walking to a snow-capped summit in summer…