The Great Outdoors August issue

The latest issue of The Great Outdoors is out now. In it I look at the new gear I've liked at recent outdoor trade shows I've been to and review a dozen backpacking stoves.

This issue has two pieces that really stand out. The first is Stuart McIntyre's photo spread of the Scottish hills and wild places at night. Of the many mouth-watering pictures I especially like the stunning one of the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

The other feature that really impressed me is Colin Ibbotson's account of his recent continuous backpack in the Lake District over all 330 Wainwrights and Outlying Fells. This sounds the ultimate Lakeland walk.

There's plenty of other good stuff in this issue too. The lovely opening spread of a misty Tryfan by Dave Fieldhouse is subtle and evocative. Andrew Galloway marks Emily Bronte's bicentenary with a walk across the Yorkshire moors that inspired Wuthering Heights in an interesting piece that also touches on Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath. Jim Perrin praises a scrambling route on Moel Siabod in Snowdonia. Roger Smith looks at the problems of 4x4s using historic tracks and green lanes. Judy Armstrong visits the isle of Mull on a trip combining walking, kayaking and a campervan. Phoebe Smith describes twelve small hills with superb views for short days out, including one of my local favourites, Craigellachie above Aviemore. Far from small hills and Britain Gavin Mcfie describes a mountaineering expedition in Kazakhstan, which looks and sounds wonderful. Skills advice comes from Bill Turnbull of Glenmore Lodge in a good piece on the fundamentals of navigation.