Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2022 i The Great Outdoors

KATIE TUNN seeks to capture the beauty of our wild coastal spaces within the confines of circular canvases using ink, paint, ocean spray and found objects from the sea where she lives on Skye. Her ‘Blue Planets’ collection reconstructs moments of connection with the landscape, recalling nebulous starry skies, stormy seas and crystal-clear bathing pools using countless blue hues. Katie grew up inland but developed a curiosity for the world’s oceans and the creatures that dwell within. In adulthood, she began to comprehend the threat to our waters. She devoted time to marine conservation whilst in London, but yearned for the sea. The artist told TGO, “We forget that we impact the oceans even when we can’t see them or live far from the coast.” Seeking adventure and purpose, she…

Thunder Road – Voices from the Cape Wrath Trail by David Lintern Published by Dusk Press, £14, hardback THIS LITTLE BOOK is a real gem. It’s about the Cape Wrath Trail, which the author walked in 2021 with two companions; but it doesn’t resemble most other accounts of long-distance walks. David Lintern is a regular contributor to this magazine, so I may be biased; but I think this is an important book giving an important and unusual perspective on the Scottish Highlands. The book consists of many photographs and few words; but those words are important as they come from the people that David Lintern met along the way, both locals (new and old) and visitors. There are portraits of them alongside their words. Other photographs show the landscape, both…

START/FINISH Coire Cas ski centre, Cairn Gorm GR: NH989059 Distance: 19km/11.8 miles Ascent: 1518m/4989ft Time: around 30 hours over 2 days Richard and David combined a backpacking route with two lower-grade winter mountaineering routes of different characters – a ridge and a gully. It’s worth approaching these with caution, especially if you are new to winter conditions, for they are very different propositions and require different skills. As always, money spent on a course to help you improve your skills and confidence is never wasted.…

START Winchester City Mill FINISH Eastbourne Distance: 160km/100 miles Ascent: 4000m/13,100ft Duration: Andy hiked the whole route in five days, but it can be tackled over more days or in several visits Maps: Harvey offers a 1:40,000 map of the full route, number XT40. The Ordnance Survey sheets needed are: OS 1:25,000 Explorer sheets OL32 Winchester, OL03 Meon Valley, OL08 Chichester, OL10 Arundel & Pulborough, OL11 Brighton & Hove and OL25 Eastbourne & Beachy Head. Getting there: National rail services run to and from Winchester and Eastbourne from central London via Clapham Junction. The return rail journey to either trailhead takes around 2.5 hours. Long-stay car parking around Clapham Junction can be booked through justpark.com Accommodation: Accommodation options include YHA hostels at Truleigh Hill and Southease. The Sustainability Centre at…

Looking forward to 2023, the TGO Challenge should return to a more traditional format now the threat of Covid-19 restrictions is behind us. For the last two years the co-ordinators have had limited places for new entrants due to the backlog from those unable to participate in 2020/21. But first-time Challengers are the life blood of the event, so the organisers are delighted to be able to welcome more new faces again. Do you want an adventure in 2023? Visit www.tgochallenge.com for more details and to enter Apply between 19 September and 23 October 2022 Cost £95 per person Event dates 11-26 May 2023…

It’s called the Challenge for a reason. Day one came and went in a frenzy of driven rain, cold, buffeting wind and clothing in a state of beyond wetness. It was a harsh start, especially for the uninitiated. Why can I no longer feel my fingers? This glorious misery was reinforced on day two by rather too much of the same. The tops were out of the question and the river crossings required careful contemplation of one’s own mortality. Hard times, wonderful views, part glory, part misery; but, looking back now, it’s never a done deal and we made it across. For me, a 15th crossing, and another 14 days of madness and joy. Did I have bad days? Probably. Did I have a wonderful time again? Absolutely! My highlight…

Given that the word ‘Challenge’ appears ‘on the tin’ so to speak, it shouldn’t surprise me to be faced with obstacles; however, I am continually surprised! 2022 proved no different and in fact ended up being challenging for everyone. My husband and I began from Calgary, Alberta, with a delayed flight due to a snowstorm. We cleared Customs and began a wait for our backpacks and gear that would ultimately last four days. With our packs enjoying an unplanned city break in Toronto, we booked hotels and enjoyed our own in Glasgow. We had tremendous support from Sue at Challenge Control, who pulled up a previous route that we could potentially finish in our new timeframe. “Scotland and its people are inspiring; and blisters, wind, rain and insects are not…

Is it possible to not see anyone for a whole day in the crowded UK? Not seeing another human, or any evidence of a person. Knowing there is unlikely to be another soul within a few miles. A soulless day. It’s not a planned event, but it happened on my Challenge. I’d headed east from the A9 near Drumochter to the derelict Sronphadruig Lodge, and then north for a few miles on a path before turning east up a glen to camp. The following day, I saw no one at all. I cannot think of another time in my life when I’ve gone without meeting another human being for that length of time. The path soon disappeared, and it was wilderness of peat haggs, tussocks and heather to the Minigaig…

RECOMMENDED £450 447g (size M) excellent hood, technical features expensive Materials: 3-layer H2NO shell with 30D recycled nylon face Features: 2 x chest pockets, 2 x torso pockets, pit zips, RECCO reflector Sizes: XS-XL Men’s version: yes eu.patagonia.com Made from Patagonia’s proprietary H2NO fabric, the Dual Aspect is lighter-weight and less durable than some, but it does have plenty of winter-friendly features. Firstly, this is another jacket with a fabulous hood that includes both stiffening and a wire to the peak. The main pockets are waterproof with water-resistant zips, and just about roomy enough to take a laminated OS map. Underarm zips are in place to dump heat and moisture. The alpine credentials are secured by the inclusion of a RECCO reflector, which is useful for locating buried avalanche victims;…

£210 1042g (size 12) good value, tough, full-featured heavy, warm Materials: shell: 100% nylon w/PU coating. Liner: 100% polyester w/PU coating Features: 6 pockets, waist drawcord, removable snow skirt, wicking lining, pit zips Sizes: UK8-20 Men’s version: yes keelaoutdoors.com Keela doesn’t make its two flagship jackets (the Pinnacle and Status) for women. This is a shocking oversight (is this still the 1990s?!); but I was keen to test something from this reputable UK-based company, so I opted to try the Munro, which has long been the staple of many mountain rescue teams. Even at first glance, it was obvious to me why it’s been such a core product for so long. The design is very traditional (going with the 1990s theme again here), with a lining and a detachable snow…

£300 539g (size M) quality fabric, fully wired peak. pocket placement, single hood adjuster Materials: Gore-Tex 3L, 100% polyester, ePFTE membrane, PFC-free DWR Features: wired hood, YKK zips, 5 big pockets Sizes: XS-XXXL Women’s version: yes berghaus.com This hillwalking-orientated jacket gives oodles of protection at a fair price. Standard 3L Gore-Tex provides an excellent balance between waterproofness and breathability. A single rear hood adjuster and a fully wired peak allow the face to be fully protected. But it’s not really designed to take a helmet and doesn’t move well with the head. The jacket is slightly long, with five roomy pockets: two Napoleon, two handwarmer and one internal. It is very roomy in the chest area but does at least allow for plenty of layering. The main zip is one-way…

5 varied routes in Scotland, England and Wales For this scramblingflavoured issue, our contributors tackled knife-edge ridges and towering buttresses to profile some of Britain’s finest scrambling routes. From beginner grades in the Peaks to challenging days out in the Scottish Highlands, there’s something for everyone. Francesca Donovan Editorial and online assistant Our walks this month 1 North-west Highlands Liathach (Meall Dearg) 2 West Highlands Lagangarbh Buttress 3 Lake District Blencathra via Hall’s Fell 4 Peak District The Trinnacle, Dove Stone 5 Snowdonia Daear Dhu Ridge, Moel Siabod…

1 Start/Finish Rough parking at end of Blease Road, Threlkeld GR: NY302256 Follow trail parallel with road (on N side) back towards Threlkeld for 650m. 2 Swing away from road, climbing NNE on permissive path. Reaching wall, walk with it on your right. After gate, ford Blease Gill. 3 Continue beside wall on right and through gate. Cross two enclosures. At far end of second one, come away from wall slightly to reach gate providing access to Gate Gill. Cross beck. 4 Soon after crossing, bear left at fork to begin climb onto Hall’s Fell. Follow ridge line. Some, but not all, scrambling on crest can be avoided by bypass paths (to R at first). 5 From Hallsfell Top (Blencathra’s summit), bear left along edge of high ground, later descending…

Lucy Wallace It’s been a busy season for Mountain Leader and regular The Great Outdoors contributor Lucy at home on the Isle of Arran, working solid days in the hills with young people on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and on wildlife and conservation residentials. With the weather veering from biblical to tropical, there’s never been a dull moment. But there has been plenty of scope to test women’s waterproof jackets – read her verdict on p90. David Lintern The Great Outdoors contributing editor David’s return to international travel this year was to Sweden, alongside Mark Waring and packrafting pal Debra, on a ten day expedition to paddle the wild river Kaitum in Arctic Lapland. David’s photos accompany Mark’s words on the trip on p64, plus Richard Hartfield’s trip across the…

‘…hours from the entrance, they are heading for the distant end of the cave where they hope to find new passages. Next comes the infamous Far Marathon. Still, spirits are high. They are making good time. Some of them at least have been here before. They laugh, they tease each other. The omens look good for making a discovery. Then one perhaps mutters – is it a joke? – “Eh, what’s that rumbling? Not the stream going up?” It is every caver’s nightmare – lying flat-out in water, not a joke that cavers like. But now everyone hears it. Unmistakably, sickeningly, the water is surging; the draught whistles like a gale…’ Ray Kershaw, ‘What Lies Beneath’, The Independent, 15 March 2008 LANDSCAPE carries such a charge of associative meaning and…

DON’T USE ADULT TIME ESTIMATES When I’m planning a mountain route with kids, I take a normal adult time and double it. Then I add in extra for wee breaks, snack stops, picking up and examining unusual rocks, exploring secret caves, getting soaked through in ghylls and all the other weird and wonderful things that children get up to when you let them loose in the hills. DON’T BE AFRAID TO TURN BACK Drifted off the line? This is not the time for impatience. Retrace your steps, get back on track – and, of course, never scramble up anything you can’t easily scramble down. That’s right: do as I say – not as I did! DON’T TAKE MORE THAN ONE CHILD For exposed or harder sections, you’ll really want to…

WHY DO WE set ourselves challenges? A challenge invites us to imagine a version of ourselves that’s tougher, stronger, braver than the one we currently inhabit, and then forces us to grapple with discomfort, self-doubt and the temptation to give up on that vision. When we take on a challenge, we allow it to become the organising centre of life for the months leading up to it, aware of the risk we take in pinning our present efforts to a future point. The stakes can be high, the reward huge. It’s hard to imagine a greater challenge than the Montane Dragon’s Back Race. It runs from north to south along the spine of Wales, taking in over its six days a distance of 380km (236 miles), plus 17,400m (57,086 feet)…

First-time adventure Dominique Drewe Martin from Ballater, Aberdeenshire This was my first Challenge, and I was so excited. The prospect of two weeks off in May, child-free, work-free, when all I had I think about was walking and camping. I. Could. Not. Wait! Taking the full 15 days (I was on holiday after all), I planned to walk from Dornie in the west to Dunnottar Castle in the east – around 200 miles in total. I confess I had pre-walk concerns. Would people judge my large pack? Would solo camping be scary? If I joined someone for part of the walk, would I be too slow? All this was pushed to the back of my mind as I stepped off the bus and the rain began right on cue. The…

As a complete novice to the TGO, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d completed several long-distance walks so understood what I was getting myself into physically, but I had never planned my own route. It’s a daunting thing, to sit at a map and plot your own crossing - after all, if things go wrong, you have no one to blame but yourself. Thank heavens for the gentle guidance of the route vetters. I began on Knoydart peninsula, straight off the boat from Mallaig, and was on my own for the first three days. But as the days and miles passed, inevitably my path crossed with other Challengers, likeminded individuals who all wanted to know; “Where did you start?” “Where are you finishing?” and “How many crossings have you…

As the start of the Challenge approached, I found myself in a high state of anxiety. To be fair, this isn’t unusual. Despite this being my 11th start, I still have a healthy sense of trepidation and nerves before setting off every year. I never assume all will be well, I know there will be the odd curve ball, but usually these can be negotiated and overcome with little difficulty, so I plan and research my route thoroughly. Surprises can be pleasant as well as a pain, but I like to have a contingency. This year, I was feeling quite prepared until Monday evening, when I saw the weather forecast and my heart sank. Heavy rain and high winds were predicted for the first few days, and I knew I…

Mine was a walk of three parts: the western, coastal fringes to Fort William; an empty middle; and a bustling Cairngorms. It was my third crossing and the longest of all three, largely because of that westerly start. Ardnamurchan is wild and wonderful, and I half expected to meet Celtic missionaries or Viking invaders. There are very little in the way of hills but some amazing coastal scenery. It was a shock to the system to catch the ferry across the loch to Fort William. Hordes of people, lots of shops and motorhomes by the million, but the crowds were soon left behind. Now I passed huge gothic castles, memorials to the landed, shooting gentry, sometimes on well-maintained stalkers’ paths, sometimes wondering why the map showed a path at all.…

Vango and Trakke recycle old tents into new kit In an exciting new collaboration, Vango and Glasgow-based backpack manufacturer Trakke are making packs and bags from old Vango cotton tents. The Past Tents Collection includes the 21-litre Wester Roll-Top Backpack. It weighs 1.1kg and costs £195. Similar in design but much smaller is the 11 litre Canna Backpack (650 grams, £120). Other products include the tiny 3-litre Wee Yin Micro Backpack (330 grams, £120), the 0.75-litre Zero Waste Sling, made of offcuts (135 grams, £35) and the 17-litre Force Tote bag, made from orange Force Ten tent fabric (100 grams, £35). vango.co.uk / trakke.co.uk Keen launches new range of hiking boots Available in mid and low styles, the new Circadia boot has Keen’s classic original fit, with a roomy toe…

Hood A full hood that covers your entire head and stays where you want it, in severe weather, is essential. Not all of us need to be able to wear it over a helmet, but some will. All of us will want to put a variety of hats underneath, whilst others will have hairstyles to be considered. Look for a rear adjuster and a strengthened peak as a minimum. More fully featured hoods will have a wired peak and further adjusters at the neck or face. The latter should be secure in the event of high winds, lest whiplash occur. When the hood is properly adjusted, it should move with your head so that the hood does not obstruct your field of view. It should also not cover your eyes!…

RECOMMENDED £250 350g (size 12) light weight pockets not waterproof Materials: recycled nylon 40D Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Features: 2 x torso pockets, chest pocket, pit zips Sizes: UK8-16 Men’s version: yes montane.com This is the lightest jacket that I tried, and I had some doubts as to whether it could be classed as an all-season waterproof; but having had it on extended test all through the winter season, I’m happy that it is more than substantial and waterproof enough for the job. Made from 100% recycled Gore-Tex Paclite Plus, it’s tough and packable, whilst being fairly breathable. The hood is well shaped and large enough to fit over a helmet or ponytail, and the cut is an active shape that allows good freedom of movement. Despite the low weight it…

BEST BUY £200 436g eco credentials, a great all-rounder, cost, weight. could use one more pocket. Materials: 3-layer Pertex Shield recycled polyester ‘Revolve’, recycled inner, PFC-free DWR Features: part-wired 3-way adjustable hood, 2 large pockets Sizes: S-XXL Women’s version: yes rab.equipment The Arc Eco won Gold in last year’s TGO awards in the sustainability category, and it is the standout jacket in that capacity here, too. The jacket’s face fabric, membrane and backer are all made up of a single polymer, which makes it much easier to recycle at the end of its life, whilst the impacts of production are also reduced. I’ve been using it since that initial test in autumn last year, and I am still really impressed. The fully recycled fabric has so far resisted wear and…

£550 484g good hood, great cut, durability cost Materials: 3-layer Gore-Tex, recycled nylon outer, bluesign-approved Features: stiffened hood, 6 pockets Sizes: S-XL Women’s version: yes (£450) mountainhardwear.co.uk Mountain Hardwear does alpine-orientated gear extremely well, and this is no exception. The fabric is 3-layer, bluesign-approved Gore-Tex Pro, which is very effective at keeping wet out, and moving sweat out too. The outer face fabric is 100% recycled. The hood has only a single adjuster and a stiffened (not wired) peak, but it still works well when cinched down. The hem is adjustable with two simple cinch lock ring pulls, and the cut is A-shaped and roomy, but not baggy. There are two big, well-placed Napoleon pockets, and two ribcage handwarmers, all with big-glove-friendly pulls. Inside, there’s an open mesh pocket and…

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1 Start/Finish Car park in Glen Torridon GR: NG958568 Take path heading N up Coire Dubh Mor, which curves W to reach cairned junction. 2 Take left branch of path for short distance before striking off over open terrain on S curve climbing towards Loch Coire na Caime. 3 Go to right of loch and follow stream high into corrie, aiming for prominent nick on right corner of headwall. 4 Climb steep and loose ground to reach ridge, then turn right for airy walk out to summit of Meall Dearg. Return by reversing route. Gradient profile Metres above sea level Always take a map and compass with you. ©Crown copyright 2022 Ordnance Survey. Media 051/19 Alan Rowan seeks solitude amidst chaos THE JAGGED crest of mighty Liathach is wellknown to…

1 Start/Finish Greenfield train station GR: SD991047 Turn R out of station and follow hairpin, taking A669 for 1.6km to The Clarence Pub. Cross roundabout onto Holmfirth Road (A635) and after 20m turn right onto Waterside to take footbridge over Chew Brook. Follow footpath along Chew Brook heading E, to car park at Dove Stone Reservoir. 2 Follow NE path alongside Dove Stone Reservoir to Yeoman Hay Reservoir. Following treeline of Bill o’Jacks plantation, take footpath on reservoir’s W. 3 At fork, take higher footpath to base of Greenfield Reservoir. Follow this to the base of Greenfield Brook. Take footpath for 800m to base of Birchen Clough. 4 Starting on L of Birchen Clough, begin climb up to the waterfall for about 500m, where you cross over clough. 5 Follow…

After a summer of wild camping adventures, we take a look back at reader responses to Chris Townsend’s defence of wild camping in Dartmoor – and everywhere else. In his article, Chris responded as a landowner tried to get wild camping banned on Dartmoor. He argues that this integral part of hillwalking and mountaineering, aligned with Leave No Trace values, must be supported. Let’s hear our readers’ perspectives… Nick Lord (@NickLord57, Twitter) “On Kinder, I pick up over two bags of rubbish every day. I’ve lived and worked as a mountain instructor here for many years and the last few years have seen a massive increase in rubbish left on the moors. I’ve filled bags with BBQs, bottles, nappies, used toilet paper, three tents and two chairs.” Peter Judd (@aimhigh09,…

MOUNTAIN Culture Stargaze at Exmoor’s Dark Skies Festival WALK AMONGST the stars on Exmoor this October during a series of events hosted by the national park’s Dark Skies Festival. With over 50 outdoor and indoor events on offer from 13-30 October, suitable for all ages and experience levels, there’s every opportunity to stargaze. From night hikes guided by Exmoor rangers to moonlit meadow runs, you can enjoy some adrenaline under the night sky. Or for those looking to relax, Exmoor is hosting dusk wildlife safaris and owl watching, storytelling events and workshops on stargazing and astrophotography. You can even learn how to see the Aurora Borealis with one of many talks hosted by night sky experts, or be inspired to enter the festival poetry competition. Many of the walks are…

The Great Outdoors has been linked with the famous Scottish coast-to-coast walking event from the beginning, over 40 years ago – so much so, it’s even named after the magazine! Here, we take our annual look back at this year’s challenge, hearing from several hardy ‘Challengers’ to find out what makes it so special, and what to look forward to next year This year’s The Great Outdoors (TGO) Challenge lived up to its name, one participant summarising it perfectly as “wild, wet, windy and wonderful”. Recent years have been blessed with benign weather but this year’s Challengers, especially the early starters, got a reminder Scotland’s climate is not to be underestimated. As they walked from west to east coast, they faced day after day of torrential rain, high winds, waterlogged…

I have managed 30 crossings without ever needing to retire or finish later than planned; and I have accumulated well over 6000 miles, 636 Munro and Corbett ascents with a total climb of over 230 miles! To ensure I made it across this time around, I slightly reduced my planned daily miles and ascent; although one still has to get from one side to the other. I even booked my celebration meal a day after my planned finish, to give a margin for delay – something I do not normally allow for. This crossing was notable for the lack of other Challengers encountered. I met just one at a camp site, who was about to withdraw. The other notable feature was the generally windy weather, which – along with extra…

Each Challenge is different, and 2022 was certainly that. It will be remembered for so many good things, but sadly it was my last Challenge together with Les, as he died a few weeks after. We loved to explore new routes, and even with 13 Challenges under our belts, beginning from Portavadie meant we were able to cover new ground, apart from a couple of small sections. Our journey was much enhanced by the good company of Allen and Fran Mellors, who joined us for the first five days. The Cowal Way offered three days of varied landscape and terrain before we reached Arrochar, taking a boat across Loch Lomond and joining the Trossachs Way for a couple of days. Loch Katrine on a tarred road (in hot weather) turned…

1 BE FLEXIBLE On the first day of this year’s Challenge, the weather was wet and windy in Knoydart. I’d planned to wild camp near a high lochan, but with a midday start to my walk (following the ferry crossing from Mallaig), I arrived at Sourlies bothy at sea-level by late afternoon, with the hills above socked in. I opted to cut the day short, pitch on a perfect spot near the bothy, and enjoy the fire and chat within. 2 WET FEET ARE OK It’s not possible to have dry feet when the trail is streaming with water. No matter. I always kept a dry pair of socks to sleep in, and that knowledge gave me confidence that at the end of the day I would be comfortable. 3…

RECOMMENDED £140 1.88kg (M-L) stability, cost, recycled fabrics not that light, hipbelt shape Capacity: 65 litres Materials: 50% recycled 420D dobby, 100% recycled 600D PW / HydroShield Closure: lid with twin buckles Back system: adjustable, injection-moulded nylon back panel, lightweight steel frame Hipbelt: slightly shaped, padded Pockets: 1 lid, 2 mesh side, 2 hipbelt, inner hydration sleeve Features: two compartments, front elastic, side & base compression straps, ice axe/trekking pole loops, rain cover in base Sizes: 2 men, 1 women Lowe Alpine has launched a new range of packs called Sirac in 35, 50 and 65 litre sizes and in women’s and men’s fit. I’ve been trying the biggest model, the Sirac 65. This is a fully featured pack that Lowe Alpine says is for multi-day trekking and heavy loads.…

BEST BUY £270 516g (size 12) excellent hood, tough no frills Materials: 3-layer 75D/recycled 50D Gore-Tex, PFC-free DWR Features: internal and external chest pocket, torso pockets, pit zips Sizes: UK8-16 Men’s version: yes mountain-equipment.co.uk As a gear reviewer I get to test some fantastic gear, but it’s always very pleasing when the best item in the test is not the most expensive. Sure, £270 is still a sizable wedge for quite a simple garment; but you do get a waterproof with tried and tested features plus strong build quality that means it should last several seasons. It's made with standard Gore-Tex – not the highest-specification fabric in the Gore-Tex quiver, but nevertheless reliably waterproof and durable in all conditions. The main body is 100% recycled 50 denier, with tougher (presumably…

£300 500g (size M) big pockets, generous fit oversized hood/chinguard Materials: 3-layer standard Barricade, 100% polyamide with PU membrane Features: 2 external, 1 internal pocket, pit zips Sizes: S-XL Men’s version: yes rohan.co.uk The headline feature with the Ventus is the generous length, which will suit many people who like a waterproof to cover their hips and bum. I have to admit that I feel that way when trudging along boggy footpaths in a heavy downpour, although I do prefer something shorter when scrambling about in the mountains. Rohan’s proprietary Barricade membrane performs well and has a very durable DWR treatment that has withstood many months of heavy use – it’s been my go-to for local walks on wet days for some time. Rohan doesn’t say whether any of the…

RECOMMENDED £260 573g (size M) durability, cost weight, breathability Materials: 3-layer, nylon inner and outer, PU membrane, PFC-free DWR Features: 3-way adjustable wired hood, 4 large pockets, tailored tail and sleeves, venting zips Sizes: S-XXL Women’s version: yes (£209) alpkit.com The Definition is the brand’s mountaineering shell, and it’s exceptionally well thought out; in fact, from a features point of view, pretty much every box is ticked. Sleeves are tailored to wear under or over gloves; there’s a lower cut tail to prevent ride up under a harness, the three outer pockets are simply huge and stay well out of the way of harness or hipbelt, and the hood has a wired peak. There’s enough room for a helmet underneath; but, even without, the three-way ‘cordlock’ adjusters mean it doesn’t…

£300 412g fair eco credentials, quality components could use at least one more pocket, no pit zips Materials: 3 layer Gore-Tex, 75D, 100% recycled Polyester, ePFTE membrane, PFC free DWR Features: Stiffened hood, 2 handwarmer pockets. Sizes: S-XXL Women’s version: yes (at £210) haglofs.com Haglöfs considers eco-impact, and this bluesign-approved 3-layer Gore-Tex jacket is simple but well-made with quality components. It uses a low-impact dying process, 100% 75-denier recycled polyester and a PFC-free DWR on the face fabric. The hydrostatic head is an impressive 28,000 (no figure for MVTR). The material is quite thick, and seems tough so far, but is perhaps less breathable than some others. It lacks pit zips. There are two decent-sized handwarmer pockets (no stormguards), nicely positioned. I’d like a third pocket. The hood is stiffened,…

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1 Start/Finish Altnafeadh layby on the A82 GR: NN220562 Leave the road and take the clear path towards the Buachaille, crossing a footbridge and passing the SMC climbers’ hut, which also bears the name Lagangarbh. Continue onwards and upwards towards the hill until you meet a streambed or gully with much boulder debris. 2 Using this as a ‘handrail’ guide, clamber up through the heather or on the boulders to meet the first of the buttress slabs. These are smooth but the rock is superbly grippy. Continue upwards to meet a wide platform backed by a wall. If you haven’t done so before now, this is the time to ‘gear up’ with helmets, rope and harness if you feel the need. 3 The slabs now steepen considerably but there are…

1 Start/Finish Lay-by on A5 opposite Bryn Glo Guest House GR: SH736570 Walk W along the A5 for 200m and take the minor road to the left, crossing the bridge at Pont Cyfyng. 2 Continue along the minor road for 200m then take the first right turn towards the farm buildings at Rhôs. 3 At a sign indicating no access for walkers, take the footpath to the left that dog-legs around the farm buildings. 4 Pass through a gate by a holiday cottage, then follow the old quarry track for 1.2km to a small lake. 5 Continue along the quarry track for 700m as it passes alongside the lake and ascends to the disused quarry. 6 Take the footpath to the left of the quarry pool and follow it across…

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