Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i The Great Outdoors

DAN FOX has been crafting spectacles in nature since he was a kid. He grew up as part of a travelling theatre company, Welfare State International, and recalls being part of their shows as a young boy – once as “an angel on horseback wearing a large pair of goose wings and riding slowly through Burnley with a group of musicians on a frosty winter morning”. The company settled into showman’s caravans in Ulverston when Dan was 10. Since, Cumbria has become the home where he now takes his own kids out on walks, bike rides and for swims. These natural places are so special to Dan, he made a film in homage to the River Crake using a mixture of visuals and field recordings of its environmental sounds –…

When news broke that Joss Naylor MBE had died, aged 88, an outpouring of grief from his Cumbrian home and beyond was palpable as the British outdoor community came together to pay their respects. Known as the ‘King of the Fells’ Joss was a sheep farmer, born and bred in Wasdale, who set many long-distance running records and became one of the most celebrated fell runners of all time. He was also a dedicated patron of the Brathay Trust youth charity. Here, we look back on a life lived at one with the landscape. BORN 10/02 1936 TOOK UP RUNNING IN 1960 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> aged 24 1971: THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE IN UNDER 12 HOURS 1976: COAST-TO-COAST ROBIN HOOD’S BAY TO ST BEES IN 41 HOURS OTHER FKTs (FASTEST KNOWN TIMES) • Welsh 3000s…

“Subsequent movements of the earth’s crust, perhaps connected with the opening up of the Atlantic Ocean, have exerted lateral forces on the limestone beds, fracturing them in a system of vertical cracks of astonishing regularity, the major ones running south-south-westwards, the minor set at right angles to them. Flowing rainwater has enlarged these fissures of all widths up to two feet or so, sub-dividing the rock outcrops into rectangular slabs, or, where they are very close-set, a rubble of small rocks” The View from Errisbeg, Tim Robinson, from Setting foot on the shores of Connemara (Lilliput Press, Dublin, 1996) THERE IS NO FINER nor sounder rock for climbing than the carboniferous limestone of County Clare. Those daily batterings by thunderous Atlantic rollers have removed all suspicion of the fissile, smoothed…

MY HOT WATER BOTTLE had gone cold. I thought perhaps if I stayed very still the residual heat wouldn’t escape my sleeping bag, but I couldn’t help peeking out of my tarp cover to look up at the night sky. A peppering of stars stared back at me. I was camping with the campaign group The Stars Are For Everyone – and the slogan rang so true that evening. I turned my head to see a similar sparkle on my pillow, and in my sleep-deprived confusion I touched it – only to find my fingers covered in frost; it wasn’t stardust after all. A group of us brought together by our love of wild camping on Dartmoor had arranged a meeting point and hiked to a tor, where we would…

Fabric Breathable and quick-drying fabrics work best for active travel and hiking. Fabrics may have an antimicrobial or insect-repellent treatment. The fabric also provides sun protection, and the UPF rating may be included in the product description. The tighter the weave, the better the protection from sun and biting insects. Sleeves Long sleeves provide the best protection from sun and insects but can feel warmer in the heat. Some have tabs to help secure the sleeves when rolled up. Collar The deeper the collar the better the sun protection for the neck, especially when the collar is turned up. More casual sun shirts may instead have a lightweight hood. Cuffs These help keep insects out; adjustability is good for venting and the rolling up of sleeves. Fastenings Fastenings are placed…

10 varied routes in Scotland, England and Wales Is there any better way to feel grounded and connect with our landscape than through touch? But whilst tree hugging, river swimming and forest bathing lack the element of adrenaline many mountain goers crave, scrambling provides the perfect cocktail of technicality and lofty tranquillity. Our Wild Walks experts bring you some fine scrambling routes representing the most fun you can have in the mountains without ropes. A word of warning: even simple, unsustained scrambles require a head for heights, grippy footwear and a good level of fitness. If you’re a beginner or want to build confidence, we recommend hiring an experienced guide. Our walks this month 1 Suilven Sutherland 6 Helvellyn Lake District 2 Beinn Alligin Torridon 3 Sgor an Lochain Uaine Cairngorms…

27.9km/17.3 miles/9-11 hours Ascent 1398m/4587ft Alex Roddie scrambles in an area better known for plateaus than ridges SGOR AN LOCHAIN UAINE, sometimes anglicised as the ‘Angel’s Peak’, is a striking pyramidal mountain on the southern side of the great Garbh Choire, deep in the Cairngorms. This huge corrie, home to the longest-lasting snows in Britain, was ground out by an ancient glacier millennia ago; the same glacier also whittled the north-east ridge and made it such an exciting climb. The route described here climbs through the dramatic Lairig Ghru, makes its way into An Garbh Choire, then takes the very steep approach to the scramble (which ends at the summit). The scramble itself is Grade 1 with some exposure but no specific difficulties. With few convenient direct descents from Sgor an…

13.2km/8.2 miles/6.5 hours Ascent 935m/3070ft Ian Battersby takes a lonely dawn stride along Helvellyn’s classic scrambles STRIDING EDGE is doubtless the most famous scramble in the Lake District. It’s an easy Grade 1, and it would be difficult to top for newbies to this intrepid pursuit with its airy position reeling over the sweeping span of Red Tarn and the gaping jaws of Grisedale, paired with abundant quality and sufficient leeway to avoid stirring terror in all but a few. Having said that, it will find the wind, and such a day would certainly deliver a firm lesson to unwary souls. Seasoned scramblers will be equally impressed and thankful on their return from chasing ever greater trials of valour, for this ridge connects with Helvellyn, one of only four 3000-footers in…

6.5km/4 miles/4-5 hours Ascent 745m/2450ft Andrew Galloway scrambles back in time on a traverse of Bristly Ridge THE MOUNTAINS of Eryri (Snowdonia) owe their existence to a period of intense volcanic activity during the Ordovician period 450 million years ago. The craggy summits and frost-shattered boulder fields of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the Glyderau and Carneddau are built of the petrified remnants of lava flows and gaseous eruptions of ancient volcanoes. Thousands of years of erosion have left these tough igneous rocks exposed, often as elongated ridges. One such ridge – a scaly dragon’s back extending northwards from the shadowy flanks of Glyder Fach, known in English as Bristly Ridge – offers the aspiring scrambler a close encounter with ancient Welsh rocks. Officially designated in guidebooks as Grade 1***, the rocky pinnacles…

IN THIS ISSUE Meet some of the folk who made this mag… Fern Leigh Albert is a photographer living on Dartmoor. Her work is largely concerned with the land and low-impact living. Her photos have been published widely in the national press and exhibited abroad, often celebrating nature and our relationship to it. Fern is passionate about Dartmoor and her connection to the landscape. She likes to spend time hiking on the moor and sleeping out under the stars. Read her photo essay ‘Common Ground’ on page 32. Kalyani Lodhia is a wildlife filmmaker at the BBC’s Natural History Unit. Despite being based in London, Kalyani spends a lot of time in the outdoors and takes herself on solo adventures as much as possible, photographing trips from Ethiopia and Madagascar to…

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. New perspectives over three decades A regular reader, Carol Acutt recently reached out in response to a letter printed in an earlier issue of The Great Outdoors. In it, John Hooper mused on whether age was a barrier to enjoying the Cape Wrath Trail safely. Here is Carol’s take… I was inspired to get in touch, and share this photo, when I read the heading ‘How old is too old?’ on the letters page of the May 2024 issue of The Great Outdoors. I had determined to be on a mountain to celebrate my 80th birthday! I have been climbing mountains, mainly…

Gear News 66North updates Snaefell Jacket with new plant-based Polartec Power Shield Pro Icelandic brand 66North has launched an updated Snaefell shell jacket with a new version of Polartec Power Shield Pro that features a monolithic membrane made from a combination of plant-based and non-PFAS materials. 66North says the new material achieves an industry-leading combination of waterproofness, windproofness, long-lasting breathability and high durability. The fabric has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and a 20,000g/m 2/24h moisture vapour transmission rating. The Snaefell has two hand pockets situated for access when wearing a hipbelt, and an adjustable helmet-compatible hood. It’s available in men’s and women’s sizes. ■ RRP: £435 66north.com Robens launches lightweight rechargeable lanterns Two new rechargeable lanterns from Robens hark back to traditional styles whilst being technically very modern. The Munros…

Flysheet materials Silicone-coated fabrics are light and durable, whilst PU-coated nylon or polyester is heavier and less durable but cheaper. Traditional materials like cotton or canvas can be used, but they can absorb water, making them heavy and taking longer to dry. Inner materials Breathable nylon or polyester resists drips from condensation and keeps out breezes. Mesh inners are cooler and airier but not as warm, and condensation can drip through unless the mesh is very fine. Groundsheets Groundsheets should be made from heavier fabrics than flysheets and have a higher ‘hydrostatic head’ (the measure of how much water pressure can be applied before a material leaks). Inner dimensions The inner should be long enough that sleeping bags do not touch the end. Allow room for multiple mats as well…

TESTING CONDITIONS Lucy tested her shirts in Scotland in early spring in a mixture of mild and wet weather conditions, either worn on their own or under layers, walking and running in the mountains. Weights supplied are from her home digital scales. BEST IN TEST Páramo Women’s Socorro Shirt £90 156g (size M) lightweight, tough, cool fabric bulky cuffs Materials: 100% Polyester Parameta A Light Features: button front, hook and loop cuffs, button chest pocket, zipped Napoleon pocket Sizes: XS-XL Men’s version: no, although the Katmai has similar technology. paramo-clothing.com The Socorro is quite a low-key shirt, which meets the brief of being cool and practical with the minimum of fuss. The star feature here and the reason for the ‘Best Buy’ award is the fabric itself – Parameta A…

30km/18.6 miles/11 hours Ascent 1420m/4659ft Ian Battersby climbs a mountain of dreams lying far from civilisation THE PICTURES of Suilven are nothing short of iconic, a sharp crest of a mountain that surges up from a bewildering jumble of lowland bogs and lochs far from civilisation. This is a mountain that requires effort, stamina and courage: effort to make it this far north past the appeal of countless closer worthy massifs, stamina to reel in the mountain from the nearest road just to arrive at the base, and courage to clamber along the crest to its airy eastern summit, Meall Meadhonach. All this is commanded by a mountain that is not a Munro, not even a Corbett. Yet Suilven looks very much the part, and after a trip to its tops…

16.7km/10.4 miles/6-6.5 hours Ascent 995m/3264ft Vivienne Crow tackles a prominent Lakeland peak head on HIGH STILE (807m) is the loftiest in a line of peaks that rear up dramatically to the south-west of Buttermere’s dark waters. It’s usually climbed as part of a ridgewalk that links it with the neighbouring Red Pike and High Crag. This route, however, cuts to the chase by climbing this rugged peak directly from the lake – via its north-east ridge. Overlooking the crag-bound corrie of Birkness Comb (Burtness Comb on OS maps), it rises in stages from the valley and includes sections of easy scrambling and boulder hopping. The scrambling is confined to shallow gullies – without any sense of exposure – and some of it can be bypassed. Once on the summit, the route…

9km/5.7 miles/4 hours Ascent 688m/2260ft Norman Hadley stretches the limits in Lakeland on a Grade 3 scramble PINNACLE RIDGE is a unique opportunity for the Lakeland scrambler to get into positions of extreme vertiginousness without excessive rock gymnastics. For many people, this Grade 3 arête will be on the limit of what they can comfortably solo. The holds are reassuring but the situations are sensational. If you prefer the security of a rope it makes a fine outing, with plenty of suitable sling anchors, as the name might suggest. On seeing the ‘cannon’ from below, seasoned scramblers might get a sudden reminder of the cannon on the north ridge of Tryfan. The Welsh scramble is much more sustained, of course, albeit at a much easier grade. Both rely on providing…

10.8km/6.7 miles/5 hours Ascent 790m/2590ft Don’t rush by this steep, rocky Snowdonian spur, says Roger Butler IN THE RUSH towards Eryri/Snowdonia, many turn a blind eye to a knobbly pyramid just before the A5 swings down to Capel Curig. But it’s well worth pulling in: Moel Siabod stands alone and aloof, and it’s claimed all but one of the 14 highest peaks in North Wales can be seen from the top. And all without having to turn your head! There are added benefits too. You won’t meet hordes of hikers here, and you’ll enjoy a super thousand-foot scramble up a steep, rocky spur named Daear Ddu. It’s a bit like an escalator as it drops you off right next to the trig pillar. The descent follows the stony north ridge, where…

THE SALMON RUN ONE MIGHT most likely associate leaping Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) with the grizzly bears of North America. But you can witness this display of aquatic power here in Britain. The salmon run is the culmination of one of the greatest journeys in the natural world; an epic that sees mature salmon navigate back to the rivers in which they were born. Having spent five years growing to full strength in the Atlantic, these sea-dwelling creatures gather at the mouth of rivers on our coastline and, as river levels rise towards the end of summer, begin the journey upstream to spawn throughout Autumn – usually from late September into October and November. During the breeding season, females (hens) develop a rainbow colouration whilst males (cocks) display red bellies…

A FEW YEARS AGO I was filming a TV documentary in Tibet. The country’s high, dry plateau sits on average 4500m above sea level, and the series was all about how people survive – and thrive – on the ‘Roof of the World’. For one episode, we drove hours out of the capital city Lhasa to reach a yak herding camp on the high-altitude prairie. We rumbled alongside rushing ice-blue glacial rivers, under stretched banners of Tibetan prayer flags, past outcrops of rock daubed with painted symbols for luck and wisdom. It was cold, but the sun was high and bright, the kind that burns your eyeballs. We eventually reached the herders’ camp, where I would help my host family milk and manage their yaks, collect water, churn butter and…

Hello THE GREAT OUTDOORS is the UK’s original mountain magazine. We have been inspiring people to explore high places and equipping them with the knowledge they need for almost 45 years. Through compelling writing and beautifully illustrated stories, we convey the joy of adventure, the thrill of mountainous and wild environments, and the wonder of the natural world. We’re here to help you make the most of your time in the outdoors. As well as stunning photography and top-class writing, our gear reviewers are the country’s most experienced team – and we always ensure clothing and equipment is put through its paces in the right places. Our essential skills advice is reinforced by top outdoor instructors and guides. Plus, we have teamed up with trusted purveyors of premium head torches…

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Ombraz Viale $160 (£126) 22g (tester’s own digital scales) durable, lightweight, packable, extremely comfortable two-handed adjustment, expensive Materials: TR-90 Aerospace-grade nylon frames, 100% recycled marine-grade Japanese nylon cord Features: armless design, 100% UVA & UVB protection, built-in mini side visors (compatible side visors available for an extra $65/£51) Sizes: regular and narrow frame widths Men’s version: unisex ombraz.com This summer, Francesca Donovan loses her head over a pair of lightweight, armless sunglasses even she can’t misplace Armless sunglasses are the Marmite of outdoor kit. I was somewhat dubious, but after years of headaches caused by shades that pinch, I tested the narrow-fit Ombraz Viales, the smallest frames of six styles on offer. Ombraz claims its armless design ‘eliminates pressure points’. After months of wear, the claim holds up. The nylon cord…

TESTING CONDITIONS Peter used these shirts as a base or midlayer across a wide range of activities from the winter Munros to lower-level trail walks and ranger patrols in the Kilpatrick Hills, as well as days out away from the hills and regular day-to-day use. BEST IN TEST EDZ Merino Wool Plaid Flannel Shirt £110 398g (size L) comfort, durability, adaptability, fabric slightly small pockets, heavy Materials: 100% merino wool, corozo buttons Features: full-length buttoned front, buttoned cuffs, stand up shirt collar, two chest pockets Sizes: S-XXL Women’s version: no edz.co.uk EDZ uses the name flannel here to describe the nature of the fabric, and it fits the traditional look of its checked merino shirt, but it is very much a useful outdoor layer. The fabric is a thicker merino,…

10.5km/6.5 miles/7-8 hours Ascent 1238m/4062ft Here’s a perfect intro to Torridon ridge scrambling from Alex Roddie TORRIDON. It’s got a certain something, hasn’t it? Twenty years ago, when I first started dreaming about mountaineering in Scotland, my wishlist had all the usual suspects: the Cairngorms for snowy wild camps, Ben Nevis for winter climbing, and Torridon for summer scrambles. The ridges here are some of the finest in the land, and although they start from near sea level and the mountains are very steep this also translates to truly remarkable views. It’s a cliché to say that “Torridonian giants rise like spiny-back dinosaurs from the glens,” but it’s also true. The traverse of Beinn Alligin takes in two Munros via a scramble over the Horns of Alligin. The scrambling isn’t too…

13.7km/8.5 miles/4 hours Ascent 570m/1870ft Norman Hadley guides you on a stunning scrambling route for softies IF YOU FANCY the idea of scrambling, but you don’t feel ready for the exposed dragon’s back of Pinnacle Ridge or the scrabbly squeezes of Jack’s Rake, this route is a gentle introduction with an approach up the delightful Stonethwaite valley. Once up, nowhere is it a particularly intimidating affair, but the airy situations give it an adventurous feel. You’ll go zigging and zagging through improbably steep terrain and over a reasonably precipitous drop. Eagle Crag is a very common name in Lakeland but there’s no mistaking the noble profile of the Stonethwaite Eagle Crag, forming the corner of a mountain rampart splitting Greenup Gill from Langstrath. This summit, and neighbouring Sergeant’s Crag, follow the…

9.5km/5.9 miles/4-5 hours Ascent 680m/2200ft Rich Hartfield links a trio of scrambles to reach Seathwaite Tarn PEACE AND SOLITUDE can be found amongst the quiet fells of the Duddon Valley. Tucked away on the southern fringes of the Lakes, its crags and cascading becks offer plenty for novice and veteran scramblers. This route links three scrambles of contrasting style and difficulty, all of which can be made easier or bypassed completely. The journey begins with a friendly Grade 1 climb up a snaking spur of fascinating rock on Throng Close Buttress. Once established on the lower ridge, quartz-veined slabs and ledgy buttresses provide endless scrambling possibilities. From dry rock to gushing cascade, a narrow rib poised between waterfalls leads beside hidden pools on the gill scramble up Tarn Beck. For…

AUGUST 2024 COVER STORY British mountain challenges INSIDE Aonach Eagach, two-person tents, camping stoves, value sleeping bags, hut-to-hut JULY 2024 COVER STORY Make the most of summer INSIDE Bivvy skills, river crossing, heat stroke, one-person tents, camping meals, Dolomites JUNE 2024 COVER STORY Wales hikes, camps & more INSIDE Langdale Horseshoe, lightweight jackets & shoes, apps, midges, waterside walks, Caucasus MAY 2024 COVER STORY Misunderstood UK mountains INSIDE Solo GB coast walk, backpacking packs, 3-season boots, foot care, Jura, Nepal Himalayas APRIL 2024 COVER STORY See nature at home in the wild INSIDE TGO Reader Awards, fleeces & daypacks, Aonach Eagach, Cambrian Mountains, The Yukon MARCH 2024 COVER STORY Escape the city, head for the hills INSIDE Explore Dartmoor, avoid fatigue, Napes Needle, down jackets, Cairngorms, Saudi Arabia FEBRUARY 2024…