What I've Been Reading Online No.8

Backpackers in the Cairngorms, June 27

Here's the next selection of items I've enjoyed reading online, covering the last two weeks.

OUTDOORS

The Longest Straight-line Walk in the World
A fascinating mathematical exercise works out the longest you could theoretically walk in a straight-line is 11,241km from China to Spain.

A revisit: The PCT Hiker's Handbook
Paul Mags looks back at a seminal book of the modern lightweight backpacking movement.

The Case for Hiking with a Heavy Pack  
A somewhat controversial piece. Interesting but I think makes generalised and inaccurate assumptions about lightweight backpacking.

Time to retire 
Jörgen Johansson looks at how an old faithful lightweight pack has stood up to thousands of kilometers of use. And what pack he's replacing it with.

Barefoot Walking Gives You Calluses That Are Even Better For Your Feet Than Shoes, Study Suggests
We didn't evolve to wear shoes. Calluses are good for you!

Another Afghanistan: Trekking in the Wakhan Corridor
Yes, you can go walking in Afghanistan. Sounds good too.

Common Spotted Orchid, June 23

NATURE & CONSERVATION

Can planting billions of trees save the planet?
Patrick Barkham looks at TreeSisters and its work on reforestation. A heartening story.

Trophy hunting 'imperial' and 'unsustainable' 
Well-argued piece showing elephant trophy-hunting is not about conservation.

The weight of the law?
A powerful piece by Guy Shorrock of the RSPB about traps and snares catching non-target birds and animals.

'We are losing the web of life': why the global nature crisis is as dangerous as climate change. 
A worrying analysis.

Connections on Cairngorm
Peter Cairns of Scotland:The Big Picture describes the important and encouraging work of Cairngorms Connect to restore and revitalise wild nature.

Utopia isn't just idealistic fantasy - it inspires people to change the world
Why utopianism matters.

What Does Climate Change Really Mean for Cumbria? 
Excellent look at climate change in general and its effect on Cumbria in particular by environmental scientist Sir Martin Holdgate.

The legalised persecution of wildlife in our National Parks and the Protecting Scotland's Wild Mammals bill   
Nick Kempe of Parkswatch Scotland looks at the problem of wildlife persecution, especially of mountain hares, and questions whether proposed new legislation will work.

The Psychology of Wolf Fear and Loathing 
An interesting look at why people are so scared of wolves.

Welcome to the fastest-heating place on Earth  
On the Svalbard archipelago global warming is taking dangerous hold. 

The Voices of Birds and the Language of Belonging  
Lovely piece on bird songs and calls and us.

Global beef trade 'destroying the Amazon'  
The destruction of the Amazon rain forest speeds up as the demand for beef increases.

One of the Wells of Dee, high in the Cairngorms, June 28

  
The Unseen World Beneath Us: Places of Beauty, Danger and Wisdom
A wonderful review of Robert Macfarlane's Underland by Terry Tempest Williams.

'The Underland is A Deeply Human Realm' Getting Down with Robert Macfarlane
A fascinating interview with Robert Macfarlane about his new book.

 

After sunset, June 19

COMMUNITY
  
Strì an Fhearainn: Story of the Land
The importance of the land and who owns it in Scotland's culture and community.
   
Communing with the Dead: I followed the Grateful Dead to escape and ended up finding home
Social psychologisty Amy Cuddy finds a community with Grateful Dead fans.