I was standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms last October, watching a peregrine return to a ledge that had been stripped of its natural …
The Complete Guide to Leaving No Trace
Walking Alone: the Precautions That Actually Matter
I remember standing on a ridge in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching the light die behind a wall of grey mist, realizing my “fail-safe” …
Power Banks: Capacity Versus Weight in the Cold
I remember standing on a scree slope in the Cairngorms three years ago, watching the light fail faster than the forecast had promised, while my …
Turning Sightings Into Data Somebody Uses
I was standing on a sodden ridge in the Cairngorms back in 2012, my fingers so numb I could barely grip my pen, trying to …
Midges Will End a Trip Faster Than Weather
I remember sitting in a damp tent in the Cairngorms three years ago, listening to the relentless, rhythmic thwack of a heavy-duty fly swatter against …
The Complete Guide to Where You Can Walk
I remember standing in a sodden, waist-deep peat bog back in 2014, trying to explain to a very frustrated group of walkers why we couldn’t …
The Complete Guide to Leading a Group
I once spent four hours huddled under a granite overhang in the Cairngorms, watching a group of “highly prepared” hikers stare blankly at a map …
Camping When the Tent Is an Oven by Seven
I remember a night in the Cairngorms three years ago when the temperature didn’t drop a single degree after sunset. I was tucked into my …
Plb or Satellite Messenger: Which and Why
I was standing on a granite ridge in the Cairngorms, watching a group of hikers realize that their “smart” device was nothing more than a …
Hiking With Children Without Anyone Crying
I once spent four hours in a damp valley near the Cairngorms, watching a father try to navigate a steep scree slope while his six-year-old …