I was halfway up a scramble in the Cairngorms, soaked to the bone and shivering, when I heard that unmistakable, sickening rip of my hardshell …
Repairing a Jacket Instead of Replacing It
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, …
Storing Kit So It Is Ready in March
I once watched a group of relatively experienced walkers reach for their hardshells halfway up a ridge in the Cairngorms, only to find the waterproof …
The Complete Guide to Identifying Trees and Plants
I remember standing on a sodden ridge in the Cairngorms back in 2012, trying to explain to a group of hikers why we couldn’t use …
What a Designation Actually Protects
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching a group of hikers scramble over a delicate patch of lichen-covered granite …
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 …
The Complete Guide to Tracking and Field Signs
Most people think a “complete guide to tracking animals” involves buying a high-end thermal monocular or spending three months studying ancient woodland patterns, but that’s …
Rewilding: the Practical Version, Not the Argument
I spent three years as a ranger watching people stare at a patch of scrubland and call it a “success” just because a few brambles …
Buying Used Kit Without Buying Someone Else’s Problem
I’ve spent twenty-two years watching people make expensive mistakes, but some of the worst ones happen before they even leave the house. There is this …
Hammock or Ground: What Each Requires
I remember a night in the Cairngorms back in 2014, huddled in a tent that had become a damp, heavy-duty sponge because I’d misjudged the …