The Great Outdoors Latest Issue: Green Gear, Loch Lomond Camping Restrictions, Insulated Jackets

Camp in the hills high above Loch Lomond

The March issue of The Great Outdoors is in the shops now. In it I've written about environmentally friendly gear and the proposals to further restrict camping around Loch Lomond plus reviewed eight insulated jackets.

The theme of this issue is Winter and there's a big section on the Highlands in winter for which I've written the introduction and suggested some places for wild camping in the snow. Also in this section guidebook writer Dan Bailey chooses three top ridge walks, mountaineer Andreas Heinzl looks at climbing Ben Nevis, instructor Mark Chadwick gives safety tips, author Alan Rowan gives his favourite spot for night skies and wildlife expert and photographer Laurie Campbell suggests birds and animals to watch out for in the snow. And Andy McCandish has an exciting and challenging stormy cycle trip to Ben Alder.

The Winter Lake District is also covered in a big feature by Alan Hinkes. Further afield Alec Forss skis across the Muddus National Park in arctic Sweden.

Winter features in the Hills Skills and Gear sections as well. Terry Adby and Stuart Johnston give advice on how to walk on snow safely and Kirk Watson looks at essential winter gear. Also in Hill Skills Steve Long looks at navigation techniques that are essential year round.

The magazine opens with some splendid snowy vistas too - the Langdale Pikes by Stewart Smith, Helvellyn by Alan Hinkes and the Moine Mhor by David Lintern.

There's much more in this issue of course, Roger Smith looks at global warming and its consequences and pays tribute to conservationist Martin Litton; Ed Byrne experiences a climbing wall; Carey Davies reflects on why Blencathra is special; Jim Perrin praises the journals of Dorothy Wordsworth; and there are reviews of the Montane Axion Neo Alpha jacket and the Vivobarefoot Tracker boots by Daniel Neilson and James Reader.