Outside Online

On September 26, 2016, I was on the fourth day of a walk from Yosemite Valley to Death Valley. This spectacular trip is one of my favourites. I crossed the magnificent High Sierra, climbed Mount Whitney, then crossed Owens Valley to the Inyo and Panamint Mountains where I climbed Telescope Peak before descending to Death Valley itself.The first part of the trip was very hot and sunny. The

 Two recent videos on bits of gear I find interesting. I hope some of you do too!

The steep slopes of Clais an Dunain below Grant's FortTwo years ago an exhibition at our excellent local museum had a sketch map of Iron Age hill forts in the area, one of which lay hidden in some woods not far from home so one autumn day I set out to visit it and see if I could make out any of the hill fort amongst the trees. I wrote about that trip here. The hill fort is called Grant’s Fort

The Abernethy-Ryvoan Fire Day1. View from CraigellachieOn July 15 I was driving to Aviemore when I saw smoke billowing up from behind Meall a’Bhuachaille. I was heading for Coire na Ciste and a walk on the long north ridge of Cairn Gorm, a favourite quiet place. Approaching Aviemore the smoke looked thicker. Stopping, I consulted the internet. A fire had broken out near Ryvoan Bothy. Going that

This issue sees the annual Gear Of The Year Awards, selected from twelve months of gear that impressed TGO's team of experts, including myself. I put together this year's feature and have been convinced to buy at least two of the winners!The main features see experts looking at the future and predicting what's in store for hillwalkers (I hope some of  them are correct and some aren't!);

Meall Tionail with Meall Buidhe to the leftSometimes revisiting a familiar place can bring something new, something that makes you think maybe you didn’t know the place as well as you thought after all. Such was the case on a late August walk from Glen Feshie to Sgor Gaoith. I’ve done this many times over the years. It’s one of my favourite Cairngorm walks and Sgor Gaoith one of my favourite

 A belated look at the September issue of TGO magazine. The last few weeks have been somewhat hectic and have flashed by so it's a little late I'm afraid.In the gear pages Lara Dunn and James Roddie each review four waterproof jackets and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three midlayers. In individual reviews Kirsty Pallas looks at the HeartHero Elliot AED and Fiona Russell

Tent pegs ordered as I'd choose them from one I wouldn't use on the left to my favourite on the right.Tent pegs are essential items you should be able to take for granted. Simple, functional, not particularly interesting. However, I’ve been irritated recently at how many of them are barely adequate, if that. Tent pegs only have one purpose, to secure a tent or tarp so it doesn’t fall down or

Loch an t-Seilich from the slopes of Meallach MhorOn the western side of the Cairngorms National Park is long Glen Tromie. It’s not as well-known or popular as the glens and passes to the east – Glen Feshie, Gleann Eanaich, the Lairig Ghru. No Munros rise above Glen Tromie, no cliff-girt corries. The hills are rolling and round heathery bumps, steep-sided but not dramatic. The glen has some fine

In this issue I review solo backpacking tents from MSR, Highlander, Weschel, and Big Agnes plus men's hiking shoes from Keen, Oboz, Danner, and Meindl. Lara Dunn reviews women's hiking shoes from La Sportiva, Helly Hansen, Aku, and Arc'teryx. In individual reviews Francesca Donovan likes the Helly Hansen Blaze 7/8 Tights and David Lintern likes the Sunski Ferrata Sunglasses and the Rab Force

 Last month I had a short trip in the Cairngorms with a tent I was testing for the first time. The weather was windy and cloudy with a few showers, which was good for the test but the reason I didn't go any further than my camp spot. I did make a video about the tent and the stove system I used - Robens Alta Via 1 UL and Primus Lite Ultra .I didn't write a blog post but I did take some

Last camp of the walk by the river SpeyThe weather on my week-long Moray Way walk in late May was pleasant. There was a strong wind the first four days but it wasn’t cold and although often cloudy there were only a few very short showers – my waterproofs never came out of the pack. The last two days were hot and sunny, making water and sunscreen the two most important items in my pack. I required

 

 

A belated look at the July issue of The Great Outdoors. A problem with the internet has stopped me posting for a while.In this issue I and Steph Wetherall each review an ultralight big pack and a standard weight big pack. Also in the gear pages James Roddie reviews eight outdoor apps, Steph Wetherall reviews Maier Sports Lawa Shorts, Fiona Russell reviews the Berghaus Rain-Motion Jacket, and

How to Purify Water Without Iodine Tablets: 5 Methods Ranked by What Actually Works Iodine tablets won't kill Cryptosporidium. Here are 5 water purification methods ranked by what actually works in the field — boiling, filters, UV, chlorine dioxide, and solar disinfection — plus what to carry as backup when your primary method fails. This Article How to Purify Water Without Iodine Tablets: 5 Methods Ranked by What Actually Works is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

How to Purify Water Without Iodine Tablets: 5 Methods Ranked by What Actually Works Iodine tablets won't kill Cryptosporidium. Here are 5 water purification methods ranked by what actually works in the field — boiling, filters, UV, chlorine dioxide, and solar disinfection — plus what to carry as backup when your primary method fails. This Article How to Purify Water Without Iodine Tablets: 5 Methods Ranked by What Actually Works is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Here's a link to the first of four videos I'll be posting about my Moray Way walk. One for each section of the walk and one on the gear I used.This video covers the Dava Way and my first camp.

Just back from this year's Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool. To my surprise this was the 20th show. I didn't think there had been that many. As always there was plenty to see and plenty of people to chat with, often the only time I meet them face to face each year.Three days in this vast hall with its temporary outdoor gear village.Amidst all the new gear it was good to see Keela promoting its

First camp, on Dava Moor on the Dava Way.The Moray Way is a 100 mile/160km walk linking the Dava Way, the Moray Coast Trail, and the Speyside Way. Forres on the coast is usually the starting point for the walk. However, as I live just a few kilometres from the Dava Way at Grantown-on-Spey it seemed logical to start there. Indeed, for the first time ever I set out on a long walk from my front door

The first of 517. On Ben More on Mull, May 18.Thirty years ago on May 18, 1996, I climbed Ben More on the Isle of Mull, the first summit on a walk over all the 517 Munros and Tops - mountains and subsidiary summits in the Scottish Highlands over 3,000 feet/914.4 metres in height. The walk ended 118 days later on Ben Hope, the northernmost Munro, after around 1770 miles/2850 km and some 575000

I have an unusual gear feature in the latest TGO magazine. Rather than a review of any particular product it's an opinion piece on packs and, in particular, what features I really don't like. More conventionally I also review the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Vest.Also in the gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each review three daypacks and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three

Jetboil Stash (left) and Primus Lite Ultra 0.8LThe Jetboil Stash, launched several years ago, and the new Primus Lite Ultra 0.8L are, as far as I know, the two lightest gas canister stove systems by a long way. By stove system I mean a pot and stove designed to work together and only available as a unit. Usually the pot and stove lock together when in use though this isn't the case with the Stash

On a sunny day in late April I decided to wander up to Cairn Gorm’s long north ridge and have a look at the abandoned El Alamein shelter, which lies on the steep bouldery slopes falling into Strath Nethy. I’d visited the shelter before and I remembered that it wasn’t that easy to find. It can’t be seen from the ridge, you have to descend a fair way down before it comes into view and even then

Loch AvonAfter weeks of changeable weather, the second half of April has seen day after day of fine weather. The first mountain camp of the year called and I climbed up to the Cairngorm Plateau. The sun was bright and warm but the east wind was chilly. Snowfield crossingThere were still large snowfields and I took out my ice axe to ascend one. The snow was sugary on top but hard and icy

The camp in Coire an IubhairIn response to the photo at the start of my recent post  about stove systems I was asked by Chris Sainty about the boots I was wearing. As I had no idea, the picture being 21 years old, and many boots having been tested since then, I searched through my files and discovered I'd written a trip report and gear review for this January 2005 trip for The Great Outdoors

Using the original Jetboil in 2005A lightweight backpacking stove system arrived for testing a few days ago, the third such new stove system this year, which set me thinking about the rise of these stove and pot combinations and why they are popular. A stove or cooking system is basically just a pot and stove that come as a package. They’re not new. The methylated spirits/alcohol burning Trangia

Tarp Shelters: The Best Lightweight Option for Backpacking, Hiking & Wilderness Survival A good tarp is both lighter and cheaper than the even the lightest of tents and has a number of advantages that make it much more attractive to light backpackers. This Article Tarp Shelters: The Best Lightweight Option for Backpacking, Hiking & Wilderness Survival is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Tarp Shelters: The Best Lightweight Option for Backpacking, Hiking & Wilderness Survival A good tarp is both lighter and cheaper than the even the lightest of tents and has a number of advantages that make it much more attractive to light backpackers. This Article Tarp Shelters: The Best Lightweight Option for Backpacking, Hiking & Wilderness Survival is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Buying a Survival Backpack: Military & Tactical vs Hiking & Hunting Backpacks A breakdown of the best survival backpacks. What to look for, what features to choose, and what style suits your situation. This Article Buying a Survival Backpack: Military & Tactical vs Hiking & Hunting Backpacks is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Buying a Survival Backpack: Military & Tactical vs Hiking & Hunting Backpacks A breakdown of the best survival backpacks. What to look for, what features to choose, and what style suits your situation. This Article Buying a Survival Backpack: Military & Tactical vs Hiking & Hunting Backpacks is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Kelvin 36 Urban Ultra-Tool Review The Kelvin 36 is a compact tool, unlike any other on the market, and features tools that you won't find in most traditional multitools. This Article Kelvin 36 Urban Ultra-Tool Review is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!

Kelvin 36 Urban Ultra-Tool Review The Kelvin 36 is a compact tool, unlike any other on the market, and features tools that you won't find in most traditional multitools. This Article Kelvin 36 Urban Ultra-Tool Review is an original article from OFFGRID Survival If it is appearing on any other site but OFFGRID Survival, that site does not have our permission to use our copyrighted content!