Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2021 i The Great Outdoors

Share your views, your experiences and your favourite photos tgo.ed@kelsey.co.uk Postal address The Editor, The Great Outdoors, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL. Please include a phone number and postal address. Deer estate managers are playing their part I write on behalf of the Association of Deer Management Groups (ADMG). We represent deer managers across the Highlands with a wide variety of land management objectives. I read with interest David Lintern’s opinion piece [published on The Great Outdoors website with the headline ‘How the shooting industry is exploiting the legacy of the clearances’; also published in the January print edition with a different headline]. I have also watched the film The Cull, which provided a balanced and generally well-rounded debate on the challenges…

RHIANE FATINIKUN Black Girls Hike AS THE FOUNDER of the Black Girls Hike group, Rhiane Fatinikun is passionate about breaking down barriers, broadening people’s horizons and empowering women to get outside their comfort zone. “She’s inspiring and a much-needed voice for underrepresented groups” wrote one voter, while another praised Rhiane for “increasing diversity in the outdoors, which is so important”. Others described Black Girls Hike as a “fabulous group, bringing women of all backgrounds together on great walks across the UK”. Of her award, Rhiane said: “It means a lot to be recognised and I’m really proud of the work we’re doing to highlight the lack of inclusion in the outdoors. I’ve noticed a positive change though this year, which I hope can be sustained.” Alex Staniforth Mind Over Mountains…

GREAT LANGDALE CAMPSITE Lake District LOCATED IN THE SHADOW of the Langdale Pikes with dramatic mountain views in every direction, this National Trust-owned campsite is a Lakeland favourite. For hillwalkers, it’s the direct access to classic peaks such as Pavey Ark, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell that make the site a real winner. For others it’s the way the campsite marries stunning remoteness with serious creature comforts, like a newly upgraded shower block, children’s play area and glamping pods. Jo Haughton, National Trust marketing manager, said: “We’re thrilled to win. The team have worked so hard to make campers feel safe, and it’s heart-warming to know their efforts are appreciated. We want to say thank you to all who voted and camped with us this year – your continuing support means…

YHA BLACK SAIL HOSTEL Lake District BILLED AS THE YHA’S most remote hostel, Black Sail is a former shepherds’ bothy offering back-tobasics accommodation with a real mountain hut atmosphere. Its setting is truly majestic, at the head of Ennerdale and encircled by iconic peaks including Great Gable, Pillar and Steeple. For a Lakeland getaway, this is as tranquil and isolated as it gets without taking your tent. Black Sail was opened in 1933 and has welcomed climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers ever since. In 2013 a major £250,000 revamp began, including improved weatherproofing and energy-saving measures.“Just an awesome location run by great people” said one voter. Others called it “simply the best”, “an amazing off-grid experience” and “remote yet welcoming”. Torridon Youth Hostel Torridon Home to a trio of sandstone behemoths,…

OUTSIDE Hathersage AFTER WINNING SILVER in 2019, this family-run Peak District retailer has gone one better in 2020 by securing top spot in this highly competitive category. Readers deemed it worthy of the Gold award for its friendly service, excellent café and great range of products. One voter said “there’s excellent product stock, very knowledgeable staff, fair pricing and a brilliant location”, while another explained “real bargains can be found amongst the good selection of stock – and I also love the second-hand book shelves”. Arran Active Arran Located at the foot of Goatfell, Arran Active has an aptly adventurous setting – and it is clearly well-regarded by TGO readers. Voters heaped praise on the shop for “service that’s always second to none” and “great stock at very reasonable prices”,…

RAB RAB IS A CONSISTENT FAVOURITE amongst readers of The Great Outdoors – it has won this category for four years in a row. The fit, quality and reliability of Rab gear featured highly in voters’ comments, with one going so far as to say “I am in love with my Rab winter and waterproof gear – I trust it to keep me comfortable, whatever the weather”. Another praised Rab for “its focus on sustainability, fantastic customer service, and brilliant kit – what’s not to love?” while another summed it up as “With Rab, waterproof means waterproof Patagonia It was the ethical and environmentally friendly approach of Patagonia that catapulted the brand into Silver position this year. “Their ethical stance is trailblazing” said one voter – and the brand’s recent…

Swedish sports eyewear brand Spektrum is launching a range of sustainable ski goggles, which look good for winter hillwalking and mountaineering. The goggles are made from plant-based plastics derived from corn starch and castor oil plus recycled materials. Spektrum says the Ostra goggles are light, durable and flexible, and provide the highest quality comfort, enhanced vision and full visual clarity. There are five models, ranging in price from £146 to £215. spektrumsports.com…

The North Face has introduced a new approach to down insulated clothing, the 50/50 range, attaching a series of down-filled baffles to a highly air-permeable face fabric. This results in what the company claims is a very breathable down garment that “enhances temperature regulation during aerobic activity in extreme environments”. The Summit Series L3 50/50 Hooded Down Jacket is available in men’s and women’s fit and costs £470. thenorthface.co.uk…

Start/Finish Achnashellach Station GR: NH003484 1 Follow the clear forestry track uphill towards Coire Lair, and soon turn left onto a narrow path through the woods. 2 Follow the path alongside the River Lair. It breaks out of the forest and passes near beautiful ancient pines before zigzagging steeply uphill to a crossroads. 3 Take the left fork, crossing the River Lair (may be deep after heavy rain) and continuing on a good stalkers’ path to the broad Bealach Mor. 4 Strike N (no path) through complex terrain towards Loch a’ Bhealaich Mhoir. Pay careful attention to navigation here. 5 Walk between the loch and the small lochan to its left and climb the steep slope ahead, slanting NE where possible to reach easier ground. On the plateau, veer W…

Start/Finish National Trust Stickle Ghyll car park GR: NY293063 1 Follow Stickle Ghyll path for about 800m. 2 About 270m after a stile, watch for pair of stone slabs forming bridge over tributary beck. Just before slabs, climb pitched path on R. Follow this for 280m then bear R along grassy path. This zigzags, but general direction is NE at first, on slender tongue of land between two becks. This later swings NNW. 3 Reaching clearer path, turn R. Higher up, cairns guide you ENE across damp ground. 4 On open ridge, terrain becomes more complicated with trails splitting regularly, but stick to high ground as much as possible as you head generally SE. 5 At Swinescar Hause, follow path to R of damp ground. Just before sharp bend L…

Ben Lerwill Ben is a writer, walker and children’s author. He began 2020 with a three-day hike across Kenya’s Maasai Mara conservancies and ended it with a loop around Gloucestershire’s wintry Slad Valley. He has big (but still half-formulated) plans for 2021, all of which involve spending as much time as possible outdoors. His books for children mainly focus on wildlife and the natural world; the latest, Wild Cities, is published by Puffin and explores urban wildlife around the globe. He has a weakness for good music, train journeys and remote pubs. Anna Richards Anna is a writer, outdoor adventurer and travel specialist from Cornwall. With travel restrictions in place, she has swapped Patagonian peaks for pasty-fuelled adventures along the Cornish coastline. She has been paddleboarding at sunrise and sea…

Walking in the North Lakes, Alfred Wainwright experienced “days of absolute freedom, days of feeling like the only man on earth… just me, and the sheep, and singing larks overhead-all of us well content.” While we can’t promise it’ll be that quiet, the North Lakes still serves up huge doses of Lakeland charm and mountain drama for 21st Century hikers. From gnarly scrambles to dinky hills, here are our top 10 walks to get you started. 1. SKIDDAW The “affable and friendly giant” of the Northern Fells, as Alfred Wainwright put it, Skiddaw rises majestically above Keswick. Viewed across Derwent Water from the south it forms a symmetrical massif with its outliers. The common ascent is direct from Keswick via Latrigg and Skiddaw Little Man. It’s a bit of a…

“If you look away to the far side of Fox Tor Mire you might just make out in the distance a stone cross standing on a granite plinth. This is Childe’s Tomb. Childe was a hunter who died in a terrible storm and blizzard crossing Dartmoor and, trying to shelter, he killed his horse and crept into the still warm carcase but it was no good. Before he died he wrote in blood on a sheet of parchment that whoever gave his body a Christian burial could have all his lands. …Monks from Buckland Abbey crossing the moor days later found the body and buried it …. There are people who have been walking [here] in thick, dead white mist who have been suddenly aware of … distant plainsong chant…

In the second instalment of a three-part series on winter skills, Mountaineering Instructor Rebecca Coles details the skills required while you’re out on the hill – the use of crampons and ice axe, navigation, and considering avalanche hazard – using a route to the top of Bidean nam Bian as an example… IN THE FIRST PART of this series, we looked at the process of planning and preparing for a winter mountain walk: the change in mindset, clothing and equipment you need to deal with this unforgiving environment. For this instalment, we move outside, to the journey itself, and look at the significant extra skills and knowledge you need to move through the winter mountains. As previously, to make this advice as concrete as possible, I will describe the skills…

THE CLACHAIG Glen Coe NESTLED IN A GLEN of impossibly craggy peaks and razor-toothed ridges, The Clachaig is a hillwalking institution – it’s almost sacrilege to be in Glen Coe and not pay the inn a visit. With Bidean nam Bian and Aonach Eagach on its doorstep, it’s the perfect post-adventure watering hole – and you’re sure to see climbers, scramblers and hikers galore sharing tales of the day’s epic adventures. From roaring fires and foot-tapping live music to hearty meals and cosy accommodation, not to mention a huge array of malt whiskies and craft beers, there’s something from everyone at The Clachaig. “It’s a place of pure mountain heritage and culture,” said one voter. Another put it eloquently as follows: “It doesn’t try to be something it’s not, and…

OS MAPS POPULAR AMONGST VOTERS for its “ease of use” and “excellent value for money”, the OS Maps app has achieved a hat-trick, bagging the Gold award for the third year in a row. For a small subscription, users receive access to all 607 OS Explorer and OS Landranger maps. Top-notch features include route plotting, walk tracking, grid reference pinpointing, 3D route viewing, augmented reality mode, and the option to print out your own custom-made map tiles. “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded Gold for OS Maps by the readers of TGO”, said Nick Giles, managing director of OS Leisure. “Any award that is voted for by customers is always extra special. We have worked hard to continue to improve OS Maps, and it is fantastic to see the…

SWIMMING WILD IN THE LAKE DISTRICT by Suzanna Cruickshank WHETHER YOU’RE an experienced wild swimmer or just dipping your toes into the water for the first time, this book by wild swimming guide Suzanna Cruickshank will inspire you to pack your trunks or swimsuit on your next Lake District holiday. Part guidebook, part personal account of the joys of wild swimming, Swimming Wild in the Lake District explores secluded wild swimming locations in Windermere and Derwent Water and takes you to the tranquil hidden gems of Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water and Devoke Water. Illustrated with stunning photography and featuring overview maps, the book has all the practical information you need to plan your wild swimming adventure. “It’s an amazing book, providing a different perspective to such a beautiful area” said…

CAPTAIN SIR THOMAS MOORE DURING A DIFFICULT YEAR defined by a global pandemic, Captain Sir Thomas Moore united the country with his inspirational fundraising challenge. Aged 99, the former British Army officer began walking laps of his garden in aid of NHS Charities Together. His initial aim was to raise a modest £1,000 before his 100th birthday, but – after catching the media spotlight – he went on to raise a staggering £33 million and was knighted for his efforts. TGO readers were certainly inspired by this heart-warming and inspirational tale. Many voters called the centenarian a “true inspiration”, a “role model for us all” and an “absolute legend”. One fan put it as follows: “A truly inspirational gent who proudly represents all of his colleagues who never made it…

ORDER ONLINE AT: SHOP.KELSEY.CO.UK/TGOMAR21 CALL NOW ON: 01959 543747** QUOTE REF: TGOMAR21 Terms & Conditions: Terms and conditions apply. You should receive your copy around January 22 if you order before January 11 and as soon as is possible if you order after that date. *Delivery is included in the cover price for UK customers only. An additional £1 will be added to any overseas addresses. **Lines are open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm. Calls charged at your standard network rate. Front cover is for illustration purposes and subject to change.…

This review is the first in a new format for our comparative reviews: from now on they will involve two reviewers and be split as evenly as possible between men’s and women’s gear. FFOR LOWLAND rambles in winter, and hillwalking where no snow is present, ‘ordinary’ three-season hillwalking footwear is just fine. But with the addition of snow and ice, hillwalking suddenly blurs into mountaineering, requiring additional skills, clothing and equipment. The most (literally) fundamental of these is footwear. This test is specifically about footwear for more demanding terrain covered in snow and ice, where boots with stiffer soles than three-season footwear become much more useful. Winter Mountain Leader Lucy Wallace says, “From a teaching point of view, it’s impossible to impart good footwork skills in bendy boots.” In David’s…

Start/Finish Linn of Dee parking area GR: NO063897 1 Leave car park and walk E on road for 1.5km before branching off on track running ENE. Follow this for 3km until it runs out. 2 Turn NW over open ground to reach minor top pt. 657, then continue W to Creag Bhalg. 3 Continue W to pick up path into woods of Doire Bhraghad until you reach track. Turn right (N) to reach bridge then follow track and path back to start. 4 Alternative: From Creag Bhalg summit, head NW over two minor heights and then drop SW to pick up path coming down from Clais Fhearnaig before turning S on track to reach bridge and previous return route. Gradient profile Metres above sea level Alan Rowan finds a perfect…

Start/Finish Tal-y-bont, on B5106 south of Conwy GR: SH767689 1 From Tal-y-bont take lane to Llanbedr-y-cennin. Fork L at first junction and go L at next minor junction. Continue to end of lane and open hillside. 2 Fork R through gate to good track and walk ahead to gate with ladder stile. Continue on rough track through more gates and descend to sheepfold by Afon Ddu. Cross ladder stile and river, and fork R over next ladder stile. Veer R, uphill, to cross another ladder stile; turn R to climb steep slopes with fence on R. 3 Join broad ridge and turn L with fence on R. Cross next ladder stile and keep ahead, with wall on L, to trig point on Foel-fras. Keep SW along ridge to Carnedd Gwenllian;…

LOSING DOUG SCOTT and Hamish MacInnes within a fortnight leaves a huge hole at the top table of mountaineering. Both lived extraordinarily full lives, both spent much of their time pushing the boundaries further than often seemed possible, and neither of them suffered fools gladly. Hamish MacInnes was not only a climber of the very highest rank; he also used his skills in a series of truly splendid adventures, which he then wrote about to give the rest of us vicarious pleasure. His leadership enabled Clint Eastwood to perform on his own in The Eiger Sanction, and he helped with the dramatic swordfight on the Cioch pinnacle on Skye for Highlander with another big man who has recently left the scene, Sean Connery. In between all this he was constantly…

A FEW YEARS AGO I lived in Boston for a while. One Saturday I took the train out to Concord, seat of the American Revolution and home to writers galore: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Thoreau. I hiked from the train station into town, and from there to Emerson’s house. A newly-made route linked Emerson’s home with Walden Pond, where Thoreau famously lived in a log cabin he built, and I took the opportunity for a proper wild walk in America. The woodland was delicious, with spring foliage full of birds I didn’t recognise. But when I arrived at Walden Pond I realised it was less than a mile from town. Thoreau had built his ‘wild’ cabin 20 minutes from his parents’ home, and popped…

Congratulations to all our award winners! THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC has made 2020 a strange year for outdoor enthusiasts – a year of cancelled trips, limited horizons and more time spent indoors than out. But Covid-19 doesn’t appear to have quashed enthusiasm for The Great Outdoors Awards. More than 12,000 votes were cast – the highest total ever, since the awards began in 2012. Social media buzzed with praise for the nominees, and there was a tangible excitement around the whole process. It was wonderful to see. Coronavirus has upended many aspects of our lives, but clearly it will never defeat your passion for the hills, mountains and wild places. What makes these awards different – and gives extra kudos to the winners – is that it’s you, our readers, who…

MOEL SIABOD CAFE Capel Curig A PERENNIAL WINNER of the Gold award in this category, the Moel Siabod Café is without doubt a favourite of TGO readers. But why is it so popular? Perhaps it’s the location but a stone’s throw from the Skiddaw massif, Glyderau and Carneddau. Maybe it’s the friendly, hill-savvy staff and outdoorsy vibes. Or possibly it’s just down to the ludicrously tasty food and drink. Readers referenced “outstanding mugs of tea”, “delicious cakes” and “cracking breakfasts” in their comments, while the “amazing portions” were universally appreciated – good fuel for the mountains, evidently. One voter summed it up as “superb food, brilliant service and lovely staff”. Little Chamonix Café Keswick Laid-back and friendly, this cosy chalet-inspired cafe in the heart of Keswick is perfect for morning…

QUINTIN LAKE LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER Quintin Lake walked 11,000km around the coast of Britain in sections between April 2015 and September 2020, a project he dubbed ‘The Perimeter’. Along the way he captured stunning images, which he shared on his blog and social media channels. Hundreds of voters praised his “breathtaking” photography and “amazing walk”, with one describing it as a “very inspiring journey with so many wonderful insights”. Another voter, who described themselves as “vulnerable”, said Quintin’s journey “kept me going through lockdown with daily reminders of the beauty of our island”. Zahrah Mahmood “She’s an inspirational and fantastic ambassador for inclusivity in the outdoors” wrote one voter. Other voters praised her “cheerful and positive” personality and labelled her “walking proof that the outdoors is for everybody”. Best-known for her…

COTSWOLD OUTDOOR PERENNIALLY RATED the best chain retailer by TGO readers, Cotswold Outdoor has scooped the gold award yet again. Despite undeniably tough trading conditions in 2020, the company – which has over 70 stores across the UK – was praised for employing “staff who really know the outdoors” and providing “a vast array of stock for all outdoor activities”. The retailer’s excellent after sales support, generous returns policy and bespoke boot-fitting service were also singled out by appreciative readers. One voter described the Cotswold Outdoor shopping experience as “knowledgeable staff, great products and good prices”. Go Outdoors A consistently popular choice in The Great Outdoor Awards, readers appear to love Go Outdoors for two main reasons: its big stores with a huge range of stock, and its competitive prices…

ALPKIT.COM SECURING yet another Gold in this category, Alpkit is TGO readers’ go-to website when it comes to a spot of online retail therapy. The brand’s philosophy of providing high-quality, functional outdoor gear – but at reasonable prices – appears to have struck a chord with the outdoors community. “Fantastic products that are very well designed, a good ethos and an easy-to-use website – it’s the complete package” said one voter, while many others praised the retailer’s “reliable, well-made kit” and “top drawer service”. One happy customer said “the quality, design and affordability of the products, coupled with the company’s ethics and excellent service, make them a clear winner.” trekitt.co.uk Established in Abergavenny at the foot of the Black Mountains in 1986, Trekitt is a family-run online retailer with an…

Our walks this month 1 Wester Ross Sgorr Ruadh 2 Cairngorms Creag Bhalg 3 North Yorkshire Wharram Percy 4 Lake District Blea Rigg 5 Snowdonia Carnedd Llewelyn, Foel-fras & Carnedd Llewelyn 6 South Downs Old Winchester Hill & Brecon Hill CONTRIBUTORS Alex Roddie Vivienne Crow Alan Rowan Roger Butler Joly Braime Fiona Barltrop…

Start/Finish Wharram Percy car park GR: SE866644 1 From car park, follow signposted path down to the deserted village, crossing a footbridge. After exploring the site, pass old church and turn L at pond, looking for a gate and a path up the hillside. 2 Follow the Yorkshire Wolds Way round the edge of Deep Dale. When Wolds Way turns off L, keep straight on (Centenary Way). 3 Turn R (signed for Birdsall), passing Toisland Farm. Coming over Birdsall Brow, descend until you pick up a road, then follow it round into the village. 4 Turn R at estate office and follow road past church. Take R fork shortly after a dilapidated phone box. 5 At red-brick bridge over Mill Beck, look for green-topped signpost directing you through a gate.…

Start/Finish Parking area at N end of Church Lane, near junction with A32 GR: SU617212 1 Cross A32 just beyond parking area and follow South Downs Way (SDW) footpath to a footbridge over the River Meon. 100m further on turn L to continue on SDW to old railway line. Continue along SDW bridleway, which bends R. Now clear of trees, the SDW follows fence line round edge of fields. At junction with Monarch’s Way (which turns L), SDW footpath goes along L edge of hedge while bridleway keeps to R-hand side. Follow latter for better views. 2 Where SDW bridleway turns R, go through gap in hedge on L and turn immediately R to continue on footpath into nature reserve. When path emerges on grassy open summit slopes. Keep straight…