I once spent four hours in a bivvy bag on a ridge in the Cairngorms, listening to a group of “prepared” hikers argue about whether …
Beyond the Hype and the Views: How to Prepare for Long Distance Treks Before Your Optimism Becomes a Liability.
Hiking
Crossing a Field of Cattle With a Dog
I remember a Tuesday in late October, mid-way up a ridge in the Lake District, when a group I was leading decided that a cluster …
Where You Can Actually Walk and Why
I remember standing in a sodden sheep pasture three years ago, staring at a hand-painted sign that effectively told me my presence was a crime, …
Leave No Trace, Interpreted Honestly
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching a group of perfectly geared-up hikers stare blankly at a darkening sky, …
Breaking a Long Trail Into Days That Work
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms, watching a group of hikers stare blankly at a map while the sky turned the color …
Preparing for Four Days on Your Feet
I was standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching a group of hikers huddle under a single, overpriced ultralight tarp while …
Training for the Hills Without a Gym
I’ve spent twenty-two years watching people crumble on steep ascents, and most of them weren’t lacking “spirit”—they were just following the wrong advice. You don’t …
The One Optimistic Decision That Goes Wrong: Navigating Wilderness Trails Without a Map
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms, watching the mist swallow the valley whole, while a group of “expert” hikers argued that their …
Don’t Let Optimism Be Your Only Survival Strategy: the Unglamorous Essential Gear for Day Hiking Beginners That Actually Keeps You Safe.
I spent most of my morning looking at a sales page for a “smart” hydration bladder that costs more than my first car, and frankly, …
Stop Betting Your Ankles on Optimism: the Unglamorous Truth About Choosing the Right Hiking Boots for Terrain.
I remember a group I led in the Cairngorms three years ago—it was mid-October, the kind of day where the mist doesn’t just sit on …