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 …
Keeping a Phone Alive for Four Days
October 2026
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 …
The Complete Guide to Maintaining Your Kit
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching a client realize their “waterproof” shell was actually acting like a sponge. …
Why Your Estimated Time Is Always Optimistic
I once spent four hours in a freezing, sodden hollow on the edge of the Lake District, watching a group of very bright, very capable …
Reading a Gear Review and Spotting What Is Missing
I once watched a group of hikers freeze on a ridge in the Cairngorms because they’d bought a “top-rated” hardshell that was essentially just a …
The Small, Unglamorous Errors That Ruin Your View: Common Mistakes in Backyard Bird Watching.
I spent nine years as a ranger watching people treat wildlife like a decorative garden feature rather than a living, breathing ecosystem. Most people think …