The Great Outdoors May Issue: gear for leaders, walking trousers, PFC-free waterproofs.

The latest issue of The Great Outdoors is bigger than usual as it includes a 50 page Gear Guide. For this guide I've written a piece on the PFC DWR controversy and what companies are doing about it, with some examples of those who are taking the lead. In the main magazine I review 13 pairs of walking trousers, look at the gear a group leader should carry, review the Fjallraven Abisko Friluft 35, and tell the story of the classic Primus stove.

The theme of this issue is overnight adventures. TGO Editor Emily Rodway meets Geoff Allan, author of The Scottish Bothy Bible. Hannah Lindon goes scrambling, swimming and wild camping in the Langdale Pikes. Alan Rowan sees the sunrise from Braeriach. Graham Bradshaw watches the Northern Lights from a camp on the summit of Stac Pollaidh. Roger Butler calls for support for two remote hostels in Mid Wales. And Hamish Brown recalls long treks in Morocco and how they inspired the TGO Challenge.

Access rights are important for overnight trips of course and there is controversy surrounding these in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park due to a byelaw that makes wild camping in some areas illegal. David Lintern went out to test this and describes what happened in a very interesting article.

David Lintern also goes for a walk on Hadrians Wall with a team from the LD Mountain Centre in Newcastle; Carey Davies considers time in the hills on a trip to Snowdonia;  Roger Smith wonders why increasing woodlands seems so difficult; and Jim Perrin praises Kilvert's Diary.

Books to read, review .... and to write

This year looks like being an excellent year for outdoor books. I'm currently reading the three above (the last one was published last year but I've only just got around to it!). I'll be reviewing them soon, either on here or for The Great Outdoors.

The book on the left arrived today. I've met the author, seen his excellent one-man plays, and read his entertaining blog. I'm really looking forward to reading and reviewing this book.
















Along with these physical books I've a couple of e-books that look good too. These will come on overnight trips.

As well as reading I'm writing, a book on my Scottish Watershed walk with much about what moving to and living in Scotland means to me. That won't be out for a year though.

Book Review: The Red Squirrel: A Future In The Forest by Neil McIntyre & Polly Pullar

Red Squirrels have long been one of my favourite animals. I watch them most days on the bird feeders in our garden. I grew up with them too as my childhood was spent in Formby where they were could often be seen in the pinewoods (now a National Trust reserve). I've known for many years that they are a threatened species and that I'm privileged to see them so often. So I was delighted last year when I heard there was going to be a photographic study intended as a rallying call for the expansion of the forest on which the squirrels and so many other creatures depend. The book was a crowdfunded endeavour and I was happy to contribute, feeling this was a book that really needed to be published.

A few days ago the book arrived and I've been trying to tear myself away from it ever since. It's packed with wonderful photographs of the squirrels and the forest by Neil McIntyre along with an informative text by Polly Pullar. It covers every aspect of the life of the red squirrel and also conservation measures and progress.

The book is published by Scotland: The Big Picture, a conservation body well worthy of support, and can be purchased from their website. I highly recommend it.

Winter Returns: April Snow, Magical Forests, Blizzard Mountains.

The snow began softly two evenings ago, tiny flakes floating down to vanish on touching the wet ground. By morning though the snow was thicker and arriving on a strengthening wind. Slowly it defeated the warm earth and began to settle. The world turned white. The snow continued, heavier and heavier, a blizzard now, blasting through the air, swirling through the trees.

Late Afternoon and the snow stopped, briefly. Underfoot it was deeper than at any time during the last winter. Driven by the wind it had plastered the trees, leaving them looking more white and wintry than they did in the winter months. A magical coldness, the birches a tracery of thin white lines. All was silent, a deep, penetrating silence. It felt as though nature was waiting. Spring on hold, winter returned.

That night the snow began again, falling into the morning and then the afternoon. I was due to take people for a walk in the Cairngorms, the day out a reward for supporting the British Mountaineering Council’s Mend Our Mountains campaign last year. Where to go in a blizzard? Meall a’Bhuachaille, a relatively easy, relatively safe hill. First we walked through the forest in a gentle snowfall. Wind rippled the waters of Lochan Uaine. Once out of the trees we felt the bitter wind. Ryvoan Bothy was a welcome shelter for a snack before the climb began.

Over the years I’ve been up Meall a’Bhuachaille many, many times. Probably well over a hundred. But never before in conditions as arduous and challenging as this. As we climbed into the cloud and driving snow visibility vanished. The snow was often knee deep, sometimes more. Post-holing up Meall a’Bhuachaille was not something I’d ever imagined doing. 

 

The summit was a blur of snow. We didn’t linger and were soon plunging through the snow down towards the forest and the shelter of the trees. For my companions this was their first visit to the Cairngorms. What an introduction! Full winter conditions.

In the glens the snow is now slowly thawing. On the tops more is falling and the forecast says this will continue for several days. Maybe I’ll go skiing soon.

Windshirt or Fleece. Are they alternatives?

Windshirt and fleece worn together at a camp on the summit of Ben Nevis

Windshirts are one of my favourite and most worn pieces of outdoor clothing. I’ve taken one on every long walk I’ve ever done. I’ve always felt they were under-valued and under-appreciated so I’ve often promoted them. I like fleece too but not as much and I haven’t taken a fleece on every long walk – sometimes I’ve taken a light insulated top instead.

Polycotton windshirt on the Continental Divide Trail in 1985

 

I was surprised then to read a recent piece on the layering system by very experienced backpacker Alan Dixon in which he says that a fleece is better than a windshirt. Now I take Alan’s carefully considered thoughts seriously and the article is excellent (I recommend his blog as a whole) but on this I cannot agree with him. He says that a light fleece has a far greater temperature range for comfort than a windshirt. I find the opposite. He says a thin fleece doesn’t trap moisture in the same way as a windshirt. I get sweatier much more quickly in a fleece. He says windshirts are not that ‘breathable’. That depends on the fabric. Some are easily breathable enough that I can wear them all day while walking and stay dry underneath. Alan also says that inexpensive fleeces are more densely woven than expensive air permeable ones and so better at keeping out the wind. I’ve tried many fleeces in all price ranges over the years and none have kept out more than a light breeze except those with windproof linings or membranes. The best was a fairly dense fleece called Karisma or Ultrafleece that was around in the 1980s but even that was no more than slightly wind-resistant. 

Fleece for warmth at a camp in the Scottish Highlands

 

Overall I don’t consider windshirts and fleeces as alternatives. For me they have different functions. A windshirt is to cut the wind and provide a tiny bit of warmth (don a windshirt over a damp base layer when there’s even the slightest breeze and the difference it makes is noticeable). A fleece is to provide warmth – in summer I often only carry a thin fleece for warmth and only usually wear it in camp.

Windshirt cutting the wind on Telescope Peak in Death Valley

 

When it’s cold and windy enough to justify a windshirt Alan suggests you can just wear your waterproof jacket. Well, yes you can but you’ll shorten the life of your waterproof and you won’t be as comfortable or stay as dry inside – no waterproof is as breathable as windshirt. I also find that a light waterproof and windshirt combination is often all I need for protection in cold, wet weather outside of winter conditions. Change the windshirt for a fleece, even a thin one, and I overheat. And on cold windy days a fleece under a windshirt is a more breathable combination than a fleece under a waterproof. 

Fleece for warmth at a camp on the Arizona Trail

 

Now clearly for Alan Dixon a windshirt doesn’t work well enough to justify carrying one. For me a windshirt is essential. What works for him wouldn’t work for me. I can’t imagine doing without a windshirt. This might be because much of my walking is done in the windy Scottish Highlands where a fleece on its own is rarely enough. Outside of winter my commonest clothing combination is a base layer or hiking shirt and a windshirt. However even on walks in much more sheltered and less windy places I’ve often worn the same two garments when a cool wind picks up. Sometimes on a slightly chilly morning a windshirt can be just enough to keep me warm in camp. In rain a windshirt and waterproof combination is excellent and more versatile than a fleece and waterproof as it’s comfortable over a wider temperature range. A windshirt and light waterproof combination gives the same protection as a heavier waterproof too, again being more versatile as you can wear the garments separately.

Windshirt at a breezy camp on the Pacific Northwest Trail

Just in case I’d forgotten what fleece was like in the wind I’ve been out for a few short walks in dry windy weather in some fairly dense fleeces recently. I got cold quickly! And was glad I had windshirt with me.

John Muir Day

                     "Do something for wildness and make the mountains glad."  John Muir

Today is the 179^th anniversary of the birth of John Muir, naturalist, conservationist, mountaineer, writer, and campaigner. Muir revelled in the beauty and glory of wild places and turned his feelings into a series of books designed to help preserve the places he loved. 

There are many events marking John Muir Day. But Muir’s legacy shouldn’t be celebrated on just one day. He founded the Sierra Club, today the USA’s leading environmental organisation, and spent many years campaigning for nature. I think the best way to celebrate his birth, life and work is to continue the struggle for the wild by joining and supporting organisations like the John Muir Trust (half price membership for the next few days!). 

The Merced River, Yosemite Valley

With increasing threats to wild land and nature both home and abroad we need Muir’s words and example more than ever. 

You can read more about John Muir here.

North West Highlands Geopark Funding Appeal

Ben Stack & Loch More

The North West Highlands of Scotland contain some of the most spectacular, unusual and important landscapes in Britain. It’s an ancient land of rock and water with wild lochs and tremendous mountains like Foinaven, Arkle, Quinag, Suilven and Stac Pollaidh plus a long and magnificent coastline including beautiful Sandwood Bay. Studies of the very complex geology here led to breakthroughs in the understanding of earth movements.

Quotation from geologist James Hutton at Knockan Crag

 

In 2004 the area was awarded UNESCO geopark status because of the outstanding geological features and landscape.  The aim of a geopark is to conserve and enhance the local geological heritage and also provide learning opportunities. 

Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt & Quinag

 

This is the most sparsely populated part of Europe. Since its creation the geopark has been valuable for local communities and has provided a wonderful service for visitors as well as helping conserve and protect the landscape. However there is now a funding crisis and the Geopark has made a crowdfunding appeal, Love the Geopark - http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/love-the-geopark. 

Arkle rising above Loch Stack

 

The North West Highlands are a favourite area of mine and I’ve spent much time there. The Geopark has added to my enjoyment and I’ve been impressed by the work and commitment, as can be seen by the excellent website and by all the information on the ground – if you’re up there The Rock Stopvisitor centre, café and shop in Unapool is well worth a visit. I think it’s essential for the area for the Geopark to continue its work and urge anyone who loves the area to support it – even if you haven’t visited yet!

Suilven