I remember a Tuesday in late October on the Cairngorms plateau, standing in a gale that felt less like wind and more like a physical …
Because the Wind Doesn’t Care About Your Optimism: Mastering the Art of Setting Up Tents Before the Light Fails.
Camping
Forget the Dehydrated Packets: How to Cook Delicious Meals Over Campfire Without Turning Your Backcountry Dinner Into a Survival Chore.
I’ve spent more nights than I can count sitting by a dying ember, staring at a charred, unidentifiable mass that was supposed to be dinner. …
The Optimistic Mistake You Can’t Afford: the Essential Gear for Beginners in the Woods That Actually Keeps You Alive.
I’ve spent twenty-two years watching people walk into the treeline with a thousand pounds of shiny, high-tech kit they clearly read about in a glossy …
The Mistake That Turns a Scenic Hike Into a Survival Situation: Real Tips for Staying Safe Around Wild Animals.
I remember a Tuesday in late October, standing on a rain-lashed ridge in the Cairngorms, watching a young hiker freeze mid-stride because a golden eagle …
The Unglamorous Truth About How to Manage Waste While Camping: Because Leaving a Trace Is a Decision You Can’t Undo.
I remember a Tuesday in the Cairngorms, about six years ago, standing in a horizontal downpour that felt more like being hit by a pressure …
The Optimism Gap: Why Navigating Forest Trails With a Group Is Easier Said Than Done
I remember a Tuesday in the Cairngorms, mid-November, when the light didn’t just fade—it vanished. I was leading a group of six, and we were …
The Difference Between a Core Memory and a Total Meltdown: the Unglamorous Reality of Choosing the Best Campsite for Your Family.
I once watched a family of four try to pitch a high-end, lightweight tent on a patch of ground that looked like a lush meadow …
Campsite or Wild: Choosing for the Trip You Want
I remember a Tuesday in late October, somewhere in the Cairngorms, when the wind was coming off the plateau with enough force to strip the …
Camping Well Without Spending Hundreds
I spent most of my twenties watching well-meaning hikers walk into a mountain gear shop and walk out three thousand pounds lighter in the wallet, …
A First Overnight Close to Home
I remember a group I led back in 2014, a couple of bright-eyed lads who had spent a small fortune on the latest ultralight titanium …