I remember standing knee-deep in a peat bog outside of Glencoe, shivering in a relentless drizzle that had soaked through my supposedly “waterproof” trousers, trying …
Finding Reptiles by Understanding Basking
Groups Move at the Speed of Their Slowest Decision
I remember standing on a narrow col in the Cairngorms, watching a group of eight people try to navigate a technical descent in a sudden, …
The Difference Between a Great Day and a Dangerous One: the Essential Gear for Day Hiking Trips You Actually Need.
I’ve sat on many a damp ridge watching a group of “prepared” hikers realize that their expensive, lightweight gadgets are useless when the wind is …
The Complete Guide to Buying Outdoor Gear
I’ve spent twenty-two years watching people make the same mistake: they walk into a shop, see a shiny new shell with a high-tech Gore-Tex rating, …
Keeping a Phone Alive for Four Days
I remember sitting in a damp tent in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching a group of hikers stare despondently at a dead GPS unit …
The 7 Best Pieces of Essential Gear for First Time Solo Campers
I’ve spent more than a decade watching the weather turn on a dime, usually while standing on a ridge with a group of people who …
Fires: Where They Are Allowed and How to Do It Properly
I remember a night in the Cairngorms, about ten years ago, where the wind wasn’t just blowing; it was screaming through the heather. I was …
Approaching Wildlife From the Water
I remember sitting in a low-profile kayak on a glass-calm loch three years ago, watching an osprey dive just twenty yards away. The silence was …
Forget the Pinterest Aesthetics: How to Start a Vegetable Garden That Actually Survives the Reality of Your Backyard.
I spent twenty-two years reading weather patterns on ridges and watching how a single misplaced step can turn a walk into a recovery operation, so …
Stop Choosing Gear for the Summit and Start Choosing the Right Hiking Boot Type for the Descent.
I’ve spent twenty-two years watching people make the same mistake: they walk into a shop, see a sleek, lightweight boot that looks great on a …