ROUTE STATS (including map) Martindale Expedition The rain, accelerated by the strengthening wind, stings my face like hundreds of tiny pin pricks. Ominous clouds have gathered throughout the morning, jostling for position before choosing their moment to move in on the ridge. I pass a pair of fell runners. We don’t speak a word but the looks on their faces tell me they won’t be hanging around either. Sometimes there’s no need for a weather forecast to tell you to…
Car Camping Accessories Since we’ve been allowed out and about again, I’ve had quite a bit of interest in my car camping setup. It seems more people than ever like the idea of having more four-wheeled adventures but can’t quite commit to a proper camper van! The good news is the solution might be closer than you think. With a little imagination, there’s no reason you can’t accessorise your bog-standard family SUV, MPV, estate or even large hatchback to use…
ROUTE STATS (including map) The Northern Fells The light is fading. I am cocooned in my sleeping bag. Alone, yet surrounded by old friends. My belly is full of warm pasta as I lay gazing at the inky-blue sky. I have completed the ritualistic tasks of collecting water, cooking a meal and erecting my shelter. There is nothing more to do. My phone is switched off – the only thing requiring power now is my head torch. Everything else I…
Robens Pathfinder Lite and Observer Camping Chairs When packing for a family trip under canvas, camping chairs are one of the bulkier items of equipment you’ll need to factor in to your game of car boot Tetris. I tried for many years to do it on the cheap with a couple of unbranded fishing chairs. They weren’t particularly comfortable to sit in, leaving your arms hoicked up like a puppet, your shoulders pinched together and your bottom hanging precariously between…
Making Plans Making any sort of plans at the moment seems futile. Lockdowns, new variants and ever-changing rules and regulations beat back our objectives with the stick of disappointment. Many of us are resigned to taking each day as it comes, while living our lives takes a back seat. It’s why I’ve held off posting my aspirations for 2021. But despite the potential for knock backs, it’s still important to make plans. Having a focus for when this miserable period…
Pretend Vanlife With 2021 not having the best of starts when it comes to getting out and about, I’m super excited to share some happier news. After years of talking about it, I’ve taken the plunge and bought a van! OK, it’s not really a van. It’s more of a big car – technically a Multi-Purpose Vehicle, or MPV. Vanlife aficionados might well scoff but my pretend van could be the perfect vehicle for everyday adventurers who find themselves with…
While having an immensely bright head torch is undeniably cool, strapping six D cell batteries to your noggin isn’t. When it comes to head torches, it’s not simply a case of brightest is best. Choosing the perfect head torch means finding that sweet spot between brightness, burn time, weight and cost. There’s often a trade-off somewhere, but perhaps not if you go for the Petzl Actik Core 450L … Here’s the lowdown: Brightness The Petzl Actik Core 450L has three levels of…
CLICK TO ACCESS THE FAMILY CAMPING CHECKLIST GUIDE I’m feeling pretty smug. It’s taken some gentle persuasion but my family now has the camping bug. This is the holy grail for many an everyday adventurer. Getting the family on board means you’ll be spending much more time outside. Every spare weekend becomes an excuse to get some fresh air. Not to mention the benefits for the kids – connecting with nature, being free range, inspiring a sense of wonder plus…
Barely a month has passed since “Operation Get The Family Into Camping” began. In that time, I’ve gone from sneaking in quick trips to the mountains on my own whenever I can (and feeling guilty for leaving the family behind) to having the troops practically begging to take the tent out every weekend. It’s the dream for every working parent craving more outdoors time. The kids love it. My wife wasn’t cold. And we now spend our evenings planning the…
Today’s a big day in the Highs and Lows house. I’m expecting a large delivery from Winfields Outdoors which marks the first phase of transitioning from solo-and-slightly-smelly wild camper to master-of-the-campsite family camper. Wild camping was always my thing. Sleeping out amongst the fells when everyone else has gone home is a wonderful feeling. Waking up at the crack of dawn with only the mountains for company is a real privilege. Starting a proper job put a stop to this….