The Great Outdoors August 2022

If you’ve just picked up this magazine for the first time: thank you, and congratulations on discovering the original mountain magazine. We’ve been publishing the best content on hiking, hillwalking and backpacking for 44 years, and you join us as we embark on an exciting new stage in our long-distance trek across the decades. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll probably have spotted that we look a bit different. After a good while in development, we’re proud to unveil our new cover style and logo. With both, we’ve aimed to strike a balance between continuity and change. Our new logo is not a million miles away from our old one, but we think it does a better job of conveying what we’re all about: open spaces, wild places, and soul-restoring adventurous freedom.…

Vivienne Crow An award-winning outdoor writer and photographer, regular The Great Outdoors contributor Vivienne has spent much of the spring working on enviable projects in Cornwall and the Yorkshire Dales. She has particularly enjoyed the vibrancy of the latter’s wildflower meadows. On p32 of this edition, she takes us on a bus-to-bus traverse of the Helvellyn range, stealing a slice of solitude amidst the summmer crowds. Harrison Ward Perhaps more widely known as the ‘Fell Foodie’, Harrison is a fellwalker and cook who combines both pastimes, preparing gourmet-quality food on the summits of Lakeland mountains using self-carried camping equipment. On p42, he joins our editor Carey Davies for a wild camp above Ullswater, cooks a mouthwatering mountain menu, then shares three delicious recipes inspired by the food of high-altitude regions. Francesca Donovan Francesca, better known…

“This view greeted me early one July morning as I made my way up towards Devil’s Kitchen along the well-trodden footpath through Cwm Idwal. I had to stop; the conditions were simply breath taking, with low-hanging mist hovering over the southern section of Llyn Idwal and swirling around cliffs at the base of Glyder Fawr. “The lake has a particular clarity at this time of year, and to demonstrate this I filled the foreground with vibrant aquamarine water from its outflow. “Cwm Idwal is easily accessible, and one of my favourite locations. This spectacular glaciated valley became the first National Nature Reserve of Wales back in 1954 and has hanging valleys, rare plants, polished erratics and spectacular rock formations to discover.” alannovelli.co.uk…

RUTH BODEN Mountaineering musician THERE IS MUSIC to be heard in the mountains. The percussive crunch of boots, the trills of birdsong and the mighty wind section when a gale is blowing. But for Ruth Boden, the music is literally present. To the few who have encountered her on the trails, she is known as the ‘cello lady’. Ruth’s nickname is inspired by her habit of hiking with her cello slung onto her back so she can perform concerts in the mountains. To date, Ruth has hiked just shy of 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail including Mount Washington and Katahdin, as well as sections of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), the pre-Alps of Italy – “gorgeous playing for the sheep” – and some German trails. Her cello was a “lifesaver” for an often-bored…

3 ISSUES FOR £5 Discover secret beaches and hidden coves, the best restaurants with a sea view, fresh ideas for fantastic staycations and learn more about the fascinating culture and history that surrounds us. From stunning seascapes to foodie trails and wildlife encounters – coast provides an immersive travel experience. Thinking of moving to the seaside? Not only do we feature the top coastal properties for sale every month, but you can learn about up-and-coming locations and the top tips for making the most of a coastal life. Every issue is bursting with inspiration. GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE Save 66% on your first 3 issues | Never miss an issue | Continue to save 30% after your trial Free delivery to your door | Complete control – manage your account online Sent out in…

Postal address The Editor, The Great Outdoors, Kelsey Publishing Ltd, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL. Please include a phone number and postal address. Oliver is top boy! Clair Tinnion wrote to us about her son Oliver, who climbed the National Three Peaks in three weeks – aged just three. Oliver raised over £600, which he donated to a new school playground for all of the children to enjoy. We’re delighted to share here an abridged version of Clair’s letter… Oliver’s journey began during a holiday to North Wales. The intention at the time of climbing Snowdon was not to complete the Three Peaks. It just fell into place by a stroke of luck. With no expectations, we set off from Pen-y-Pass and took the Pyg Track to the…