I remember a group I led back in 2014, halfway up a scree slope in the Cairngorms, when the leader decided he could “power through” …
Going Uphill Slowly Enough to Keep Going
Filtering, Boiling or Chemicals: Choosing a Method
I remember standing on a sodden ridge in the Cairngorms, watching a client stare at a perfectly clear stream with a look of pure, misguided …
The Local Patch Beats Travelling Every Time
I spent most of my nine years as a ranger standing perfectly still in freezing rain, not because I was waiting for a miracle, but …
Bottle or Bladder: Convenience Versus Reliability
I once spent four hours in a freezing downpour on the Cuillin ridge, trying to squeeze a frozen, half-empty hydration bladder through a tiny straw …
Reading a Landscape to Predict What Lives There
I remember standing on a scree slope in the Cairngorms, teeth chattering and visibility down to ten metres, watching a group of hikers stare blankly …
Keeping Food Away From Animals and Away From You
I once spent a night in the Cairngorms listening to the rhythmic, heavy breathing of a pine marten that had decided my boot bag was …
Foot Care on Day Three of a Long Walk
I’ve sat in too many damp tents listening to the rhythmic, miserable whimpering of people who thought they could “tough out” a hot spot. There …
The Complete Guide to Outdoor Emergencies
I remember sitting in a sodden bivvy bag three years ago, watching a client try to follow a laminated “emergency checklist” while the wind stripped …
Foraging Rules, Legal and Ethical
I was standing on a damp, wind-scoured ridge in the Cairngorms last October when I watched a group of well-meaning hikers strip a patch of …
Planning Food by Weight and Calories, Not Meals
I once spent three days in the Cairngorms during a late September freeze, watching a group of well-meaning hikers slowly lose their morale because they …