New TGO - Backpacking in the Rain & Lightweight Waterproofs

The latest TGO (May issue) is in the shops now. The theme of my writing is rain with my backpacking column about hiking and camping in wet and stormy weather and my gear review a comparison of 15 lightweight waterproof jackets. Elsewhere in gear John Manning reviews 15 pairs of summer walking trousers and Cameron McNeish likes the lightweight GoLite down-filled Demaree Canyon jacket.

The rest of the magazine looks interesting, though I haven't had a chance to read much of it yet. Cameron McNeish enthuses over spring bird life in the hills and visits Malham Cove and the Yorkshire Dales, Roger Smith despairs of politicians' ignorance of and lack of interest in the environment, Carey Davies interviews comedian and activist Mark Steel about his walk along Israel's West Bank, Ed Douglas explores the Cambrian Mountains - another area threatened by wind farms, Tony Howard describes a trip to the mountains of Montenegro, Roly Smith looks at the past and future of the Peak District as the National Park celebrates its 60th anniversary and several authors describe Scotland's splendid islands in a special section.

One feature I have read is Jim Perrin's "A New Covenant for the Land", about his beloved Pumlumon in Wales and the threat there of ever increasing numbers of wind turbines. This is an excellent piece - passionate and intelligent - with echoes of Aldo Leopold's land ethic when Jim writes "the fundamental unit of eco-consciousness is respect for the land in all its resonance and character". Jim says it is time for a "new covenant to protect our land". I agree and would link this with the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifJohn Muir Trust's Wild Land Campaign.

The photo was taken at a wild camp high in the hills of the island of Rum as I was relaxing in the comfort of the tent with a hot drink and a book looking out at the rain and mist that had accompanied me all day.