What I've Been Reading Online Recently

Hazy January Cairngorms

This is the first in an occasional series covering pieces I've read online that I think worth sharing. I've pinched the idea from Alex Roddie who's been running a regular 'What i've been reading this week' for some time now. I share pieces I like on social media already but it's occurred to me that posts there are often ephemeral. They should be a bit longer lasting here.

OUTDOORS

Warm baths and soggy underpants, and getting #AdventureSmart 

Entertaining and informative piece by Judy Whiteside about mountain rescue and the changes since the 1940s.

SUL Sub-3lb Winter Backpacking List 

A clever piece designed to make backpackers think by Paul Mags.

I Know Where I'm Going - but does anyone else? 

Following break-ins at the Glen Feshie car park Cameron McNeish looks at protecting your car and how to let people know where you are.

Unbalancing Act: Reflections on Thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

A realistic look at long-distance hiking and it's aftermath by thru-hiker Kara Kieffer. It doesn't have to be life-changing or bring revelations to be worthwhile.

Skills: Gaelic for Hillwalkers

Kevin Woods looks at how understanding the Gaelic names of hills and topographical features can enhance the enjoyment of hillwalking.

Britain's 44-mile walk where you won't cross a road - what's involved? 

Robin Wallace considers the recent claim that you can walk a 44-mile straight line across the Cairngorms without crossing a road.


BOOKS & MAPS

The Spellbinding Power of Reading Nature's "Lost" Words Aloud

An in-depth review of Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris's The Lost Words by Lila MacClellan looking at the amazing effect this wonderful book has had.

Off the chart: the big comeback of paper maps 

Stanfords travel bookshop can print any map you want and says paper maps are on the way back says Kevin Rushby.

Jonathan Franzen's Controversial Stance on Climate Action

Interview with the novelist by Serena Renner about his views on environmental issues and his new non-fiction book The End of the End of the Earth. 


CONSERVATION 

The New Wild 

Anna Tsing writes about 'invasive' species and how we react to them.

When the ice melts: the catastrophe of vanishing glaciers

Mountaineer Dahr Jamail on the disastrous changes climate change is having on the world's mountains.