Notes made whilst away in memory: 11 August 2020. ~ an old photo, January on Kinder ~ the quietness of cold fog ~ alone ~ an isolation not imposed but freely chosen ~ running easily within a moving twenty metre cocoon ~ distant guback-gabuck grouse laugh ~ then silence, bar Read more…
A work in progress. Well, more play than work, and in several parts … … this being part one. An old piece found lurking on my Mac, an idea, … “As it’s ‘that’ time of year(surely the new year really started ten days ago, after the solstice?) a plan. Probably Read more…
(TL:DR I’m not sponsored, nor am I ever likely to be) A short, slightly ranty, explainer piece, to clear up a misconception, and a couple of snide, trollish* digs. Digs about my status as a punter who’s somehow become a sponsored athlete and influencer. To get that idea in Read more…
One of a short series of pieces, looking at what I carry/use on solo, self-supported jaunts. Though I hope folk find something helpful here, it’s just geekery really. The links are to help you find things you might like; I’d always encourage you to try local independent shops first This is Read more…
One of a short series of pieces, looking at what I carry/use on solo, self-supported jaunts. Though I hope folk find something helpful here, it’s just geekery really. Why carry a first aid kit? Well, habit for one. And more practically if I get injured, I can maybe fix Read more…
spacer Northern winter; at the turning of the year. At the turning of nature’s year, not the turning of our human year. Mistchill and windwhip swirl around the fell and valley blurring sound and sight. Reminders this place of aeons old fort and ritual may be within Sheffield’s city bounds, Read more…
spacer Car park; drop off, jump out; car door, shut. Wave K off, now; Run Mam Tor steps steep past scowling tourists. Quick, tap summit view guide then skedaddle fell shoes scarting on crumbling paving slabs where grass once grew. Run on Down now – more people; polite good afternoons Read more…
“Never go into the hills alone”, so say the sages. Now, I think a sage is best taken with a pinch of salt(especially good on tomatoes and new potatoes). I also think solo, self-supported is the best way to play in the hills. Ooh, such a rebel am I. A Read more…
FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT: I use a fair bit of Inov-8 kit. It’s simple, it fits, and it works well in the UK hills. I have neither been paid for this review, nor been given the shoes by either Inov-8 or Accelerate. Okay, so what am I reviewing here? The shiny new Inov-8 X-Talon Read more…
I’m not one of those folk who ascribe motives or emotions to mountains. A mountain, whether Kinder or K2, is just a lump of rock, maybe covered with slippery and/or squelchy bits. Any treachery, cruelty, intimidation, or indeed welcoming friendliness, is our human projection; nothing more, nothing less. A mountain Read more…