The outdoors is an integral part of life for most Norwegians. A sparse population and some dramatic and accessible countryside means that many spend at least some of their free time hiking or skiing or hunting or just hanging out in the wild. There is a mountain hut in most families for indulging this passion. […]
Norwegian lifestyle – training for refugees Read More »
[click on any picture to get an enlarged view] Icy cold January winds on the slopes of the Brecons RMC is Reading Mountaineering Club. With a monthly program of trips for walkers, climbers, scramblers, and bikers there are members from far and wide. Last Friday a select group joined the queues on the M4 towards
The Beacons Beckon – RMC goes to Wales Read More »
In ancient times there were 4 native deer in the UK – elk and reindeer which disappeared around 10,000 years ago, and red deer and roe deer which remain. Because of over-hunting in earlier centuries (1300-1800) there have been several programs to reintroduce both red deer and roe deer. [In addition we now have 4
Reindeer on the Glomma Read More »
Someone calls Ballater their ‘secret weapon’ for the TGO. I’m not sure why, but it does seem counter-intuitive to head this way when wilder scenery of Lochnagar beckons to the south east. It is a pleasant town with a range of restaurants and other facilities and a campsite right by the centre. The route from Braemar is straight
TGOC 2014 #7: Braemar / Ballater to Ballochan Read More »
The Snake Pass Inn is in an excellent location between two of the highest masses in the Peak District – namely Kinder and Bleakhow. The room decor is bizarre, but people aren’t coming here a 4 star hotel experience. Several of my companions in fact decided to forego the room experience altogether and camped
Wrecks challenge the TGO ers on Shelf Moor Bleaklow Read More »
I bought the Harvey maps for Dark Peak and White Peak in 2012. I’m not sure why. I suppose I want to support this small company with just 8 employees as they compete with Ordinance Survey for our custom. The scale 1:40000 is better for walking than OS’s 1:50000. In most cases it is also
First peek at the Peak District – Kinder from Edale Read More »
Anti-blister kit My new anti-blister kit! Keeping feet in good shape is essential for a walking trip long or short. Blisters and foot pain comes from friction. Reduction of friction must be a priority – and is something Compeed and the newer specialist blister plasters do not address. Also a priority is to keep dressings
Begone Bad Blisters! (or Compeed is Not Enough) Read More »
What will set the limit? i) Two months after an arthroscopy, will it be the knee?, or ii) With no long walking for many months will (un)fitness by my undoing? or iii) as we approach the shortest day of the year will the number of hours of daylight? The route starts at Caversham Bridge in
Dawn to Dusk in December – A 50k walk in the Thames Valley Read More »
It is now nine weeks since the knee operation. There’s been remarkably little pain and I have been able to increase my walking distances without incident. At the 8-week check I was given the all-clear to increase distances while ‘listening to your body’. Time for a trip to the mountains! A trip to North Wales
Knee test: 3 walks in Wales! Read More »
What is the best GPS for the backpacker and walker? It is hard to find a definitive answer to this – I’ve been looking for more than a year. Without great conviction I’ve settled on the Garmin GPSMAP 62s in the knowledge that it is at least better than some. My first GPS was the
New Generation GPS? Some thoughts on GPS for mountain walking .. Read More »