Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2025 i Trail

GET 50% OFF All first-time Trail Subscribers get 50% off OS Maps, the Ordnance Survey's digital mapping service. That's the equivalent of 607 paper maps in your pocket! PAGE 99 Sitting around a noisy table in a Kendal pub recently, one of our writers floated an idea past me. “I'm thinking of planning a Lake District hillwalk using AI, then hopefully writing an article afterwards pointing out why it wasn't such a great idea. What do you think?” I was immediately sold, and James Forrest's article on page 16 of this issue is one of my favourites in Trail for a long time. I'll happily confess I use Artificial Intelligence (AI), and ChatGPT in particular, quite a bit these days for a variety of personal and professional reasons; but I…

From within, the mouth of the cave has the appearance of a permanent yawn. Maybe in ‘mountain time’ the opening and eventual closing of a cave is just that? For 12 hours straight, daylight now fills the aperture of the cave entrance. A plantation of larch trees grows on the flanks of the mountain, softening the mouth with all the subtlety of a hipster's beard. Those extra hours of daylight trigger not just plant growth, but also prompt the normally secretive goshawks that have ownership of the forest to break cover from the canopy and ride the oceans of sky that press down on the earth. They're displaying to each other in the time-honoured act of courtship. Sometimes there's nothing more romantic than nature wooing nature. From inside, the pair…

Why is it so hard, as a mountain lover, to simply sit in a café and read a book? Or binge some TV show from start to finish? Or go on a little walk? Along a river perhaps, where there might be a café, where you can read a book. Why are mountain lovers so committed to grinding it out, wading through near knee-deep bog, trudging breathlessly up heathery hummocky slopes that might as well be cliffs? To cinching your jacket and plodding on, almost blinded by the rain? Why do we not just quit? There is a comfortable world down there beneath the cloud. Why don't we go and live in it? I dunno, but we don't. For some reason we drive hundreds of miles and spend hundreds of…

VITALS Name Michael (Mick) Fowler Born 1956 Highlights •28 expeditions to the greater ranges • 3x Piolet d'Or winner • One of the first to climb E6 rock and Grade VI in winter • President of the Alpine Club (2011-2013) Name Edward Thomas Bentley Jackson Born 1988 Highlights • Captained England U16 & U18 rugby teams • Started Millimetres 2 Mountains Foundation (2018) • Summited Yr Wyddfa (2018) • Summited Mera Peak, 6470m, Nepal (2020) • Summited Matterhorn (2024) When Ed Jackson climbed Mera Peak his left leg kept buckling under him. At almost 6500m, it's the highest trekking peak in Nepal, with less than half the oxygen saturation you find at sea-level. Climbing it with two fully functioning legs is tough but Ed is an incomplete quadriplegic, with limited…

■ DUAL PROTECTION A brolly's main job is to keep the rain off you, and the Decathlon ProFilter Umbrella does so admirably. But this brolly also has something to offer when the sun is shining. The fabric has UPF50+ sun protection, making it a more versatile piece of weather protection. Other sizes are available, but the 110cm diameter of the Small size offers the best balance of protection and portability. ■ STRENGTH TESTED The wind is probably an umbrella's greatest enemy, but Decathlon has done its best to ensure the ProFilter brolly won't fail at the first gust. Wind-tunnel tested at speeds up to 50km/h (30mph), the robust fibreglass frame won't break even if it gets turned inside out. And at higher wind speeds, common sense dictates that using an…

Mountain Equipment Mugi Grip Glove £30 Sometimes all you need is a pair of lightweight windproof gloves to keep the worst of the chill out and your fingers warm. These gloves from Mountain Equipment are just that. Their microgrid stretch fleece with hardface fabric makes them both warm and wind-resistant, but they're thin enough that little dexterity is lost. The use of a phone or GPS device is aided by the touchscreen compatible index finger and thumb, while the silicone print on the palm ensures a firm grip on whatever you need to hold onto. Montane Chonos Fleece Gloves £40 We've been using these gloves for a while and have even surprised ourselves with how much use they get throughout the year. Despite their simple appearance, the 100% recycled Thermo…

Shy and retiring Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) certainly isn't, but with a couple of exceptions its satellite peaks stand quietly in subordination, shunning the spotlight and attracting few suitors. This makes them excellent targets for walkers who enjoy the grandeur of the Snowdon Massif without the hustle and bustle of the main paths. In terms of quietude, chief amongst them are Llechog and Moel Cynghorion, and while the collection of these two peaks involves a couple of minor skirmishes with the Llanberis Path, this route is all about exploring rarely trodden corners of this fascinating range. The tough ascents are offset by miles of inspirational ridge walking and a pilgrimage to Llyn Du'r Arddu, a place that is unmatched in terms of savage beauty. For a walk that might appear contrived…

Castlerigg is “perhaps the most atmospheric and dramatically sited of all British stone circles”, according to the charity English Heritage. It's difficult to disagree. With Blencathra and Helvellyn painting a rugged backdrop, this Lake District historical site is a must-visit wonder – a Neolithic ceremonial sanctuary thought to have been constructed by pre-historic farmers in 3000BC. Formerly comprised of 42 stones (only 38 are left) up to 7½ft tall, with a total diameter of 30m, Castlerigg's precise function is not known. It was undoubtedly an important meeting place for scattered Neolithic communities – “but whether as trading places or as religious centres, or even both, is not known”, as English Heritage explains. This circular route starts and finishes in Keswick town centre and is perhaps the best way to experience…

1 SH627506 From the car park return to the A498 and turn left. Follow the road for a short section, crossing to the access road to the Hafod y Llan campsite and the slate stone marking the start of the Watkin Path. Follow the path up the stone steps into woodland and along the path until it swings right back to a larger track. Turn left and follow the track up the valley past some waterfalls into Cwm Llan. Continue up the path across a footbridge and past Plascwmllan – a ruined former mine manager's house – eventually reaching Gladstone Rock, which commemorates Prime Minister William Gladstone's opening of the path in 1892. Edward Watkin, an MP and railway entrepreneur after whom the path was named, was a friend of…

1 NH277742 Starting at a small parking area on the A835 north of the bridge over the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh, walk south-east over the road bridge and turn right onto the track that heads into the forest. The track is not visible on all maps, and even where it is, it is not entirely accurate. Follow the track through the forest for approximately 2.5km until it descends out of the forest to reach a bridge over the Abhainn an Torrain Duibh (also not on the map). 2 NH263721 Cross the bridge and follow the track ahead up the gently sloping hillside of Craeg Dhubh Fannich. The track peters out at around the 550m contour and from there you continue up on easy rocky mountain walking terrain to the summit…

I SPENT THE best part of my late teenagehood and early twenties skint. I'd sit behind lorries on the A9 to increase the fuel efficiency on my aged car. Anything that cost more than £3 at the supermarket was considered off-limits. And, living in Scotland, where the right to roam means you can pitch up almost anywhere you like with a tent, the thought of paying for a campsite also seemed like a mad waste of money. But now that I am older, wiser and approximately 35% less broke, I have rediscovered the luxurious joys of campsite camping. How fabulous it is to have hot showers. How nice to be able to store your sausages in a fridge, and to know you're not about to be shouted at by an…

PRIMUS Kinjia Stove, £180 Sturdy, stylish, well made and easy to clean, this ticks all the boxes for everything you'd want in a camping stove for everyday cooking. Sure, it costs a little more than your average two-ring burner, but you get a lot of performance for your money, as well as a lifetime guarantee of quality. We changed the coupling out for a hose that fits a Campingaz butane bottle rather than burning through smaller, more expensive canisters. primusequipment.co.uk VANGO Aurora Kingsize sleeping bag, £135 This king-size double sleeping bag offers duvet-level comfort and excellent temperature regulation, even when the mercury drops like a stone at night. With a comfort rating down to 1°C, the Aurora is suitable for all but the coldest of months, and it's good value…

OLIVIA-GRACE SMITH, OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER I've owned my VW T5 van, Ozzy, for five years, and he's been the most important part of my adult life (but don't tell my boyfriend). Through the summer months living full-time in him on Cornish beaches, to the freezing autumns sleeping in remote parts of the Scottish wilderness, to an even colder winter when I decided to drive to the French Alps and sleep on the side of the ski slopes, he's been the best home a girl could ask for. Named on day one, Ozzy feels like a cosy, adventurous companion, always inspiring new journeys while offering comfort wherever I may end up. ROBBIE TAYLOR, OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR I live in my Mercedes Sprinter full-time in the Scottish Highlands, including over winter. It's nowhere near…

OLLIE SMAJE, PROFESSIONAL SALMON HANDLER One spring I set out on a ski expedition through the Rockies with my then-partner and a friend. We laboured under heavy packs through a vast and fiercely beautiful landscape, carrying between us one tent, and a tarp which used a ski for a pole, with a bed dug into the snow. After six bitterly cold nights we made our final camp. I ate my emergency Super Noodles and lay down on my snowy bunk feeling like a kid the night before Christmas. I dreamt of burgers. EMILY BOWIE, MOUNTAIN LEADER “Do you fancy going for a snooze up a mountain tonight?” This was a spontaneous Friday morning text to a new pal. In a sign of the fruitful and intrepid friendship to come, Tabi…

THERM-A-REST NeoAir XLite NXT, £210 This is our absolute top pick for an all-season, super-lightweight, comfy sleeping mat that won't let you down. An industry award-winning design, the Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT weighs just 377g and has an R rating of 4.5, making it ideal for just about everything in the UK. It also packs down pretty small, and doesn't take a huge amount of lung capacity or patience for inflation. 10/10 from us. thermarest.com EXPED Lightning 60L, £185 This is a versatile backpack designed for multi-day adventures, excelling at taking loads under 15kg (which, let's be honest, your backpacking bag should be). Weighing just over 1kg itself, the Exped Lightning 60L offers an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio without compromising durability or comfort. It's made of a highly water-resistant fabric, and…

KATS JACKSON, OUTREACH SUPPORT WORKER One of my most cherished bothying moments took place at Abyssinia, west of Loch Lomond. I had gathered a small group of friends – each known to me, though not all to one another. As someone lacking musical talent, I'm fortunate to be surrounded by pals who possess it, and they brought their instruments along. Watching people who had never met before play the same tunes they'd learned as children, while strangers pulled up chairs to enjoy it all, was magical. We passed round whisky and talked and sang late into the night.…

CADDERLIE BOTHY, HIGHLAND Cadderlie lies on the north shore of Loch Etive, an easy 6km amble from the road-end at Bonawe. There are three rooms, two large and one small, and it shelters eight people in comfort. The nearby islet of Eilean Uisneachan is an exploration treat at low tide. GORTON BOTHY, HIGHLAND Gorton Bothy is 8km up a steepish track just south of Rannoch Moor on the A82, and is the perfect place to stay for a wiggle up Beinn Achaladair and Beinn a'Chreachain. Although the open fire isn't the most efficient, it's a lovely space, and offers fabulous open skies for winter stargazing. It's also a great access point for longer trogs over to Loch Rannoch and Loch Errich, both of which are surrounded by gorgeous hills. DUBS…

THERM-A-REST 0C Vela double quilt, £289 This double quilt is a godsend for bothy-life, as it allows far greater temperature regulation than a sleeping bag. Bothies can get chilly, but when the fire's lit and the room is crammed with people it can get super-hot too. The answer for sleeping comfortably, then, is this quilt, which can be used like a sleeping bag for colder nights, but can be opened up to function more like a duvet. Oh, and it packs down nice and small and weighs very little, so you can bring more whisky. thermarest.com CROCS from £25 No bothy trip for me is complete without my trusty Crocs (actual beloved Crocs pictured). Coupled with a pair of thick woollen socks, these are the shoes God intended for grubby…

■ SIGN UP, GET STUCK IN Why not join in on a Get Stuck In volunteer event? For the single-day events held in the Peak District, all you need to bring is a packed lunch. For the three-day events in the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia) you get free bunkhouse-style accommodation. For more details, see tinyurl.com/bmcgetinvolved ■ WALK REPAIRED PATHS Walk on a repaired footpath or restored bridge funded by the Mend Our Mountains campaign. Cross the new bridge at Cressbrook Mill in the Peak District, check out the new stone-pitched paths on the slopes of Roseberry Topping in the Cleveland Hills – or appreciate this team's efforts on the path up The Band on Bowfell in the Lakes. ■ DONATE TO MEND OUR MOUNTAINS “The mountain footpaths you love…

Sea to Summit Nylon Tarp Poncho £55 As well as offering almost total wet-weather protection for you and your pack (whilst still being more ventilated than a waterproof jacket), this roomy poncho from Sea to Summit also doubles up as a tarp for drizzly bivvies. It's not a look everyone will love though. Sealskinz Waterproof Hiking Boonie Hat £45 If all you need is something that will keep the worst of the rain of your face and shoulders, or you simply don't like the way a hood shuts you off from the world, a wide brimmed waterproof hat like this is ideal. It offers decent sun protection on brighter days too. Lomo 2-3 Man Emergency Storm Shelter £20 Remember, an emergency shelter isn't just there for the nasty things in…

This walk is just a stone's throw from Sheffield, yet sneaks in some lesser-known moorland walking on Rud Hill, Burbage Moor and Houndkirk Moor as a counterpoint to the popularity of Stanage's superb edge. Keep an eye (and ear!) out for ring ouzels – very rare mountain blackbirds with a white crescent on their chest. They nest along Burbage and Stanage Edges, so take special care to keep dogs under control and follow any nest avoidance signs during spring/early summer. Houndkirk Road was once a popular drovers track between Ringinglow and Hathersage; a stone gateway by a bridge marks the site of the former Oxdale Lodge drovers inn. Just off the byway, ‘God's Spring’ reputedly never dries up in summer, and you'll pass the unlikely site of a former WWII…

The water of Llyn Ogwen was a perfect mirror and the reflections were as sharp as scissors. The smell of sizzling bacon drifted from the lakeside lay-bys and, although the west face of Tryfan remained dark and eerie, light was already creeping onto the buttresses in Cwm Bochlwyd. But, by the time I'd wandered into Cwm Tryfan, a blaze of sunshine swept towards the rocky crest of the Glyerdau. Anticipation grew once I reached Llyn Caseg-fraith, with the stegosaurus-shaped summit of Tryfan rising beyond, and a full day on the Glyderau now beckoned. This high ridge, topped with its high points of Fach and Fawr, offers a grand promenade through spiky outcrops and boulders as big as buses. The views over to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) are nothing short of majestic,…

1 NN144763 From the North Face car park cross a bridge and head very briefly south-east on a forest track. At a bend turn right onto a gravel footpath which climbs through the woods – zigzagging quite steeply in places – to reach a junction near the Allt a’ Mhuilinn after about 1.5km. Turn left to follow the burn uphill, passing the entrance to a forest track on your left, to reach the ‘upper car park’ near the forest edge – it's a locked facility used only by guides on the mountain. 2 NN148749 Climb a large stile over a deer fence and take the path across open moorland, ascending gradually beside the Allt a’ Mhuilinn towards the northern crags of Ben Nevis. After roughly 1km cut off left to…

1 NH161761 The first two steps from this route are the same as for day one, up to the ford. From the lay-by on the A832, head the short distance on the road south-east and turn right onto the track towards the small forestry plantation. After approximately a kilometre the track reaches the boat house on the shore of Loch a’ Bhraoin. From here your day's objectives are visible across the loch, with the two ridges of Druim Reidh and Sron na Goibhre ending in steep buttresses that drop down towards the water. There are routes up these ridges, which you are welcome to investigate, but the path near the lake can be rough and hard to find. 2 NH156751 Turn left at the boat house to cross a bridge…

CLIMB A STAR OF THIS ISSUE P1 WALK IT After leaving the North Face car park before first light, it was mid-morning by the time I'd climbed very nearly 1000m to get the perfect angle on the mountain's North Face. It's the North-East Buttress which gives this end of Ben Nevis shape and definition. Being a photographer who relentlessly searches the hills for perfect angles and moments, this day had been several years in the planning. It just goes to show – all good things come to those who wait. The pic was taken at approximate grif red NN172729, just a few metres away from the path on the high south-west flank of Carn Mor Dearg. THE FACTS START North Face pay & display car park, grid ref NN145764 ASCENT…

KATY MINTER, MUSIC CHARITY WORKER I used to think you had to choose between going full Bear Grylls or refusing to go anywhere without your five-step skincare routine and a hairdryer. But for someone who does like their comforts, I've found a happy medium. I love a good campsite with luxuries like mirrors and showers. I still bring my suitcase full of clothes (and yes, my skincare products), but I also have an amazing time enjoying long walks away from it all during the day, then cosying up in my sleeping bag at night after an evening by the campfire. OLI REED, GROUP EDITOR My kids would be happy camping in pole-bending wind and horizontal rain (I know this because we've done it), but last summer we treated ourselves by…

IN 2022, MY PARTNER and I bought a 15-year-old VW T5, converted it to a camper, and set off around France in it, living in it for six months before it broke down and cost us thousands of pounds at the garage and was scrapped. While we certainly can't call it money well spent, we can call it an experience, and we sure as hell had a great time while living in our tiny home on wheels while it lasted. There's no getting around it, though: vanlife is expensive and time-consuming. Buying a purpose-built campervan outright will often cost far more than a DIY job, but conversion doesn't come cheap either – and that's before you consider maintaining, taxing and insuring a whole new vehicle. For those with deep pockets,…

PASSENGER Cabin Recycled Sherpa blanket, £90 We never thought we'd fall in love with a blanket, but this recycled sherpa option from Passenger has changed our minds. It features an unbelievably soft lining for cosy comfort (adding much-needed warmth on chilly nights), packs into its own pocket with a handle for easy transport, and includes snap buttons to function as a hands-free cape (!) or to connect with other blankets. Ideal for road trips, vanlife, and campfires alike. passenger-clothing.com TENTBOX Go, £995 The TentBox Go is the lightest model that TentBox makes – and as it happens, is also the lightest rooftent in the world. At 33kg, it weighs a full 17kg less than the TentBox Lite, which we reckon makes a hell of a difference in terms of fuel…

First up, bring a trowel – not glamorous, but necessary – and bury your business at least six inches deep, far from water sources. Burn your loo roll where you can, or pack it out. If you can't dig a hole, become your own dog and pack out your poo in a bag. Secondly, pitch your tent out of sight of roads and trails. Preferably, nobody should know you're there. Keep tents small and understated in a neutral or dark green colour. And fires? Lovely in theory, but they often leave far more than just a trace. Instead of lighting an open fire, use a contained stove, or better, a gas burner – and don't even think about lighting even a cigarette in the middle of a pine forest in…

JAMES FORREST, TRAIL & COUNTRY WALKING CONTRIBUTOR From a 700km trek across the Alps to a two-week mission to bag all 214 Wainwrights in a single walk, I've tackled some epic backpacking routes. What have I learnt along the way? 1) Focus on bite-sized goals rather than being overwhelmed by the enormity of the overall expedition. 2) Go ultralight and only carry a minimalist pack (ditch the spare underpants and chop your toothbrush in half!). 3) When it starts raining and you feel cold, wet and miserable, put on your favourite comedy podcast and eat Skittles. AMANDA VESTERGAARD, CLIMATE RESEARCHER & OUTDOOR JOURNALIST I have found that backpacking is one of the most joyous ways to travel across Europe. It's cheap, exciting and environmentally friendly. Moving slowly on foot allows…

FUR TOR Writer William Crossing, a famous authority on Dartmoor, memorably described Fur Tor as a “wilderness of stone”. It is the most remote tor on the moor, and there are many different routes to it, their pros and cons the subject of passionate debate. It's a walk of at least eight miles, there and back, involving leaving footpaths behind and crossing a lot of boggy, but epic, terrain – and also MOD training ranges, so check firing times before you set out. My favourite route starts from Tavy Cleave in the north – a magical place rather like a Scottish glen, where the magnificent River Tavy carves through the landscape, overshadowed by large tors which hang over it like battlements. The sense of isolation and adventure as you get…

DO review where you're at. Which routes have you most enjoyed and what currently holds you back? Fitness, fear, time, companionship, knowledge or something else? Identify the weak links and plan an attack. DO buy a guidebook and identify some inspiring projects. It might be helpful to select routes at the lower end of your comfort grade and work your way up. DO go out with someone more experienced – a skilled and willing pal, or a professional instructor. Their ease in the surroundings can be contagious. If you don't know anyone, book a course, join a local mountaineering club or try out a climbing gym. DO work on your balance, strength and agility at home. This preparation will make any route both easier and safer. DO stay adequately fuelled and hydrated. This might require a bit of…

The Highland peaks of Stob Coire Sgriodain (979m) and Chno Dearg (1046m) sit either side of Coire an Lochain, but not by any stretch of the imagination can this pair be called twins. While the ascent of Stob Coire Sgriodain via Sron na Garbh-bheinne's rocky nose is an entertaining affair, leaving walkers with smiles of smug satisfaction as the trail winds its unfailing way up through the crags, Chno Dearg's soggy northern slopes will leave you with tears of frustration. While Stob Coire Sgriodain's summit cairn perches precariously on the edge of rugged slopes overlooking Loch Treig, enjoying impressive views to the west, Chno Dearg's squats unceremoniously on a sponge-like dome. Don't let this description of Chno Dearg put you off continuing to this second summit though. Connected by a…

As the A9 sweeps north through Drumochter Pass into the Cairngorms National Park, a number of easily-reached Munros dot the high plateaus to either side. Meall Chuaich is the most northerly and highest of the three on the east side of the pass. It's unusual amongst its neighbours in that it stands alone and aloof, well back from the roadside and towering over a guarding loch. It may lack outstanding features, but its isolation gives it considerable presence, to say nothing of immense views in all directions. Its name, meaning Quaich Hill, derives from Loch Cuaich, situated in a deep trench at its foot (a quaich is a two-handled Scottish drinking bowl). The loch was dammed in 1961 and water now flows into it underground, through the mountain, from Loch…

1 NY235121 After parking responsibly (£5 at the campsite; if you park on the road make sure there is ample room for tractors!), head south through the farmyard and go through gate onto wide, rocky path. Ignore the footbridge on your left and continue south through another gate. Proceed ahead with a stream on your right. Cross a small footbridge and go through another gate. After 1.4km from Seathwaite, turn right and cross Grains Gill via Stockley Bridge. Go through a gate and climb west on a winding path. Pass through another gate and veer right as the path hugs the fence with woodland to the right. Loop south-west along Styhead Gill, which you cross at a footbridge, and continue south on the other side of the stream to emerge…

1 NH161761 From the lay-by on the A832, head the short distance on the road south-east and turn right onto the track towards the small forestry plantation. After approximately a kilometre the track reaches a boathouse on the shore of Loch a’ Bhraoin, though there is also a path directly through the forest to the second bridge. 2 NH156751 Turn left at the boathouse to cross a bridge and follow the path to cross another bridge over the substantial Abhainn Cuileig, the river that drains the loch. The path now heads south-east over rough ground, undulating until reaching the bank of Allt Breabaig. The path turns south to follow the stream for approximately 500m to a ford, which is indicated by cairns on both sides. 3 NH161741 It is important…

Hiring a campervan is a fantastic idea for many reasons. Firstly, if you're going somewhere for a week or two, you've got your transport and accommodation options sorted in one fell swoop. Secondly, it means you save on driveway space and maintenance costs in comparison to buying, especially if you don't know, really, how often you'll actually get to use a van of your own. Thirdly, it gives you a great try-before-you-buy option if you are seriously looking at a campervan. Companies such as IndieCamper offer great off-season rates, especially on smaller vans, and also offer city-to-city drop-offs all over Europe, so you can plan a road-trip at your leisure.…

WILD CAMPING IS the super-hyper-concentrated laundry liquid of spending time under canvas outdoors. As a feral outdoor enthusiast it is, perhaps unsurprisingly, my favourite iteration of the genre due to its comparative simplicity. At its core, wild camping is about good decision making – it involves choosing the best camp spot, carrying in everything yourself, undertaking simple but methodical tasks while you're there, and leaving no trace of your presence afterwards. Some of my most memorable wild camps include pitching up on the island of Hvar in Croatia in an abandoned olive grove, tent hidden by a crumbling stone wall. Another was last year in the Picos de Europa, watching the fog creep up the mountainside as dusk fell, enveloping our tent in its ghostly tendrils after a scorcher of…

SIMOND Makalu Light III, £290 The Simond Makalu III Winter Sleeping Bag offers exceptional value for every season of wild camping, featuring 1100g of 800 fill power duck down for impressive warmth. Its alpine mummy shape with a central half-zip provides a snug fit, keeping you toasty no matter where you pitch. Weighing 1814g and packing down to 40x27cm, it's slightly heavier than you'd want for longer, lighter backpacking trips but is guaranteed to keep you warm and comfy for shorter weekend wild camps. decathlon.co.uk VANGO Thermocore EXD, £140 A superb winter sleeping mat with 10cm depth, offering excellent comfort for side sleepers. Its silver thermal layer and R-value of 5.6 make it ideal for cold conditions. At 195x58cm (regular size), it packs down to 22x13cm and weighs just 740g.…

Packing smartly for a backpacking trip is like playing Tetris. Everything needs to fit, and everything needs a purpose. That ‘just in case’ fifth pair of socks? Ditch ‘em. Aim for two sets of clothes only: a clean, lightweight camp set, which you'll wear in the evenings (post wet-wipe shower), and a quick-drying, technical set, with lots of layers, for strenuous activities during the day. Air this smelly set out at night while you sleep. Save space by rolling said clothes instead of folding, bringing a pair of lightweight sandals for camp rather than trainers, and really investing in your sleep setup to cut weight. Dry bags are an important mention here too: anything you'd be sad to get wet should go in a sealable drybag. Pack heavier items at…