What I've Been Reading Online No.26

View over Strathspey to the Cairngorms, October 20

Some more online reading I've enjoyed recently. Just two weeks since I last posted links!

HILLWALKING & OUTDOORS

Go Outside. Sit Down. Wait. 

Superb piece by zephr on why carrying enough gear is important in the hills. 

Hiker Claims Fastest Known Time For "Twiple Crown"

Humour! An old piece I hadn't seen before by Shane “Jester” O’Donnell on his wonderfully named Night Hiking to Mars blog. 

Scientists Weigh in on The Great Trekking Pole Debate 

An interesting look at recent research on trekking poles by Alex Hutchinson.

How much does a photo bring back memories? The remote Coire a’ Granda Beinn Dearg. The healing power of the wild places to help your well being.

Heavy Whalley on how the mountains helped him cope with illness.

Green Mind: Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man from Torver 

George Kitching on the lockdown, environmentalism, and a walk in the Lake District.

Swallows, Amazons and Adventure Part 1 & Part 2

As a boy the stories of Arthur Ransome had a big effect on me. They are still favourites. In this long fascinating essay Jon Sparks looks at themes of  exploration, independence and freedom in the books. I must read them again with his ideas in mind.

Autumn colours, Strathspey, October 22

NATURE, CONSERVATION & THE ENVIRONMENT

Make a difference for wild places with Wanderlust Europe, Alex Roddie, Chris Townsend, and the John Muir Trust

 Alex Roddie on his fundraiser for the John Muir Trust. Bid for a copy of Wanderlust Europe and a walk with Alex and me.

Langholm - a landscape of hope 

David Lintern visits Langholm in Southern Scotland to learn about an inspiring ambitious community-led ecological restoration project. There is still a day left to contribute to this. 

We Need A Smarter Approach To Mountain Travel 

Alan Rowan - Moonwalker - says we need to get away from cars for travelling to the mountains. 

Open landscapes and closed minds 

Ecologist Gus Routledge looks at opposition to native woodland expansion. Why do people think this and how valid are their views? 

The Wolf: Too Wild For Scotland? (Part 1)

The Highlands could support 500 wolves, says Hugh Webster in this informative, well-argued piece. 

 The lynx effect: Iberian cat claws its way back from brink of extinction

Sam Jones tells the heartening story of how the lynx is expanding in Spain and Portugal.

What Victorian era seaweed pressings reveal about our changing seas

Collections of beautiful seaweed pressings made by Victorian ladies are helping scientists learn how the oceans have change says Laura Tretheway. 

The radical aristocrat who put kindness on a scientific footing

Historical novelist and biographer Lydia Syson tells how Russian anarchist Prince Peter Kropotkin showed how mutual aid is key to evolution.