A Look At The May Issue Of The Great Outdoors

The May issue of The Great Outdoors has a wild camping theme. I review eleven two-person tents in the gear section and consider tent weight in the latest Hilleberg sponsored better backpacking guide. Alex Roddie tries three backpacking meals and Plas Y Brenin instructor Iona Pawson has a general look at food for the mountains. For those beginning James Forrest answers common questions on wild camping.

To whet your appetite Helen Iles goes comet-spotting on a camp in the Rhinogydd mountains while Andrew Terrill describes an ascent and camp in Italy during his 7000 mile walk through Europe in an excerpt from the first of his two books on the walk, The Earth Beneath My Feet. Both features are illustrated with stunning photos by the authors.

There's further superb photography in a piece by Alex Nail on the Fisherfield Forest area of the Northwest Highlands. And the opening spread in this issue is a wonderful photo of dawn on the Cuillin ridge by James Roddie.

Also in this issue TGO contributors, including myself, talk about their plans for the mountains post-lockdown, Hanna Lindon talks to female walkers about how safe they feel in the outdoors, Jim Perrin describes his affection for little Win Hill in the Peak District, and Roger Smith calls for positive action on the management of the countryside as it opens up after lockdown. Roger also reviews Cameron McNeish's latest book, Come by the Hills.