Tabla de contenidos para September 2023 en Trail

WELCOME TO TRAIL I can’t remember the first time I went scrambling, but it was probably on one of the giant boulders or dark crags that scattered the hillsides where I grew up in the Calder Valley. I was never much of a hillwalker as a kid, but I lived for those stolen moments after school when we would take a sneaky detour on the way home and claw our way up something we knew our parents wouldn’t approve of. The Cambridge online dictionary defines scrambling like this: ‘To move or climb quickly but with difficulty, often using your hands to help you.’ And almost everything about that sentence sums up why it’s my absolute favourite way to move in the mountains. It’s exciting, it’s challenging, it’s hassle-free, and most…

MOUNTAINS FOR THE MIND On 1 July 2023, despite being treated to a typically less than ideal dose of north Wales weather, a group of fundraisers unlike any other reached the 1085m summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). This very special challenge was organised by the UK charity Back Up, with the aim of getting 12 wheelchair users who have all experienced life-changing spinal cord injuries up to the summit of Wales’ highest mountain. The group battled strong winds on a mountain famed for being the wettest place in Britain, but we’re delighted to report that all 12 participants, along with their teams of friends, family and supporters, completed the challenge and have so far raised over £80,000 for Back Up’s vital services. “I have been utterly terrified of heights for…

My inroduction to the mountains came courtesy of high school field trips to Eryri (Snowdonia)and the Isle of Arran. Except, they weren’t called ‘field trips’; they were ‘expeditions’. This might have been a ploy to make them sound more enticing to kids raised on 1980s action and adventure films, but to us they felt like expeditions. We were heading somewhere unknown (to us anyway), unsure of what we’d find. There would be adventures. It was with this in mind that plans were formed to explore Ben Avon. It might not be of Everest proportions, or home to an undiscovered mountain city like Machu Picchu, and I was fairly sure that one or two people might have been there before us. But the important thing was I’d never been there. I…

Personally, I’m rubbish at football, have no interest in gaming and am hopeless with music. But I do love the outdoors and sharing those experiences with my children, from wild camping and mountain biking to climbing and scrambling. Scrambling is so much fun: it makes climbing a mountain seem so effortless and easy when compared with walking. And children are natural climbers, so scrambling seems such a natural way to get your kids up a hill or mountain. It is potentially the most dangerous mountain pursuit though. If you’re not sure about which route to choose for that day, or you’re not sure about how to find it or how to follow it, you can end up on dangerously steep ground that you’re unable to escape from. So taking your…

One hot summer day, after a long walk along the northern escarpment of Kinder Scout, a friend and I stopped by a lake for a dip. Sticky with dust and sweat, we stripped down to our underwear and waded in. It was late in the season and the water swilling about our legs could barely be described as cool. I took a few steps in, tilted forward on my toes, and, stretching out my arms, slid into the water. The world of bright sunshine vanished into a dim, muted green-brown. This was only one parr of our day. A day made up of a stiff climb, a skyline traverse, and a long lunch break spread out on a giant gritstone boulder, eyes closed, baking in the sun. To slip into…

Alpkit Numo £47 Alpkit is synonymous with good gear at low prices. The Numo is a case in point. For less than £50 you get 8cm of sleeping mat thickness, enough comfort for even the most pea-sensitive princess. Plus, it only weighs 350g and packs down to a modest 8×21cm tube. Could it get any better? Well, it comes with Alpkit’s 3 Year Alpine Bond warranty and a repair kit for on-the-spot patching (although the 210T nylon TPU fabric seems reassuringly puncture-resistant). The only downside is that, with an R-value of 1.7, it’s not the most insulating, but for use in warm summer conditions this shouldn’t pose a problem. BEST FOR the warm nights of summer. Highlander NAP-PAK with Primaloft £70 Air mats aren’t always the warmest option, so to…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District 1 MOUNTAIN HORSESHOE The classic Newlands Horseshoe - a high-level circuit of Newlands Beck via several summits including Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and others - has a reputation as one of Lakeland’s most scenic walks. But sadly this route often ruins the allure of Hindscarth and Robinson. Depending on the exact route taken, hikers may reduce Hindscarth to a boring out-and-back, or miss it out altogether, or opt to descend Hindscarth and thus miss out Robinson. It’s a travesty, because these two fells should always be climbed together. Hindscarth and Robinson are a duo - two fells with an everlasting close connection. Alfred Wainwright labelled them “twins” which “go hand-in-hand down to Newlands”. Together they form a neat horseshoe, with parallel ridges…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Snowdonia ULTIMATE WEEKEND ▲ 3 ROUTES I’ll always remember an autumnal night when, just a few miles from the bustling little town of Bala, we pulled up to check our bearings. Something suddenly caught our eye and, shimmering above a distant valley, strobes of orange and indigo danced into the pitch black sky. This unexpected aurora was a memorable way to begin a weekend in north Wales! You’ll be lucky if you get a repeat performance but, lightshow or not, the hills and moors above Bala guarantee great walks with great variety. The first couple of these weekend routes explore wild country to the north and south of Llyn Celyn, while the third begins half a mile east off the high street. This heads up into little-known hills…

NORTHERN HIGHLANDS Arkle “Arkle? Isn’t that a racehorse?” To save their blushes, we won’t tell you which member of the Trail team uttered those words, but they’re probably not the first person to demonstrate ignorance of this magnificent mountain. At 787m Arkle’s not high by Scottish standards, but there are two key factors which set it above most hills of its stature. Firstly, it’s a long, long way away from nearly everybody on the British Isles. It sits in Sutherland in the far north of Scotland, and only a handful of lumps and bumps that can properly call themselves mountains can be found further north. Arkle is on an almost identical (albeit slightly more southerly) latitude to Ben Hope, the most northern Munro, and the summits of Ben Loyal, Foinaven,…

"ALTHOUGH PARKHOUSE HILL APPEARED LIKE A COMPLICATED & DANGEROUS SCRAMBLE, IT FELT LIKE JUST THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CHALLENGE" We’d picked a perfect June afternoon; the sky was clear, and the sun was shining. My husband, Shahid, and I pulled into the small lay-by parking area in the village of Hollingsclough. I stretched my arms out wide as I got out of the ear and exhaled deeply, almost like greeting the view ahead with a giant hug. I pointed out to Shahid the unique, jagged faces of the two hills we were set to climb. The landscape was impressive. He was busy changing into his hiking trainers, a little disgruntled from the 2-hour drive in the sticky heat. I, on the other hand, had quite happily slipped in and out…

Cat Bells, Lake District For your very first family outing to get hands on rock, Cat Bells is a great way to see how they’ll deal with a bit of steeper terrain without things getting too serious. It’s easier than a Grade 1 scramble, but it will keep them entertained without the big walk in. Do bear in mind that the world and his wife also know what a fab climb this is though, so don’t expect to have it to yourselves. Crowden Clough, Peak District I love this route. It must be my favourite way to ascend Kinder Scout too. And once you’ve climbed to the top you can have a picnic with fine views ahead, explore and find aircraft wrecks, or just amble off down Jacob’s Ladder or…

[HOW TO] WALK WITH YOUR DOG DO get a well-fitting harness. Make sure they can’t wriggle out of it, and also consider fitting a GPS tracker in case they get lost. DO risk assess your route for your pooch. Can they manage any river crossings or scrambles, and are you able to lift them if they can’t? Might they need to be on a lead near sudden drops? DO pop a bit of suncream on their nose or other places where fur is thin, on hot days. Use SPF30 pet/child-safe lotions like Aniwell Filta-Clear Sun Block. DO bring plenty of snacks and water for your bestie. Don’t forget a collapsible bowl. DO build their fitness - just like you would for yourself. If they haven’t done much hillwalking before, start…

Climb up into scrambling terrain and you enter a realm with real consequences to a simple slip. The very best way to safeguard against this, and to move smoothly and efficiently through steeper terrain, is through good movement. With people who are new to scrambling I focus on a fewskills which remain applicable whatever the grade. These are based on good balance and footwork - the foundations of moving well on scrambling terrain. FOOTWORK All upward progress should come from pushing through your legs, not pulling on your arms as you might when rock climbing. Legs are considerably stronger than arms, so let’s use them for momentum. There are three main styles of foot placement: SMEARING - This is using the friction of your boot against smooth, angled rock surface…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Eryri (Snowdonia) 2 LINEAR RIDGE TRAVERSE It’s difficult to get excited by the Dyfi Hills, “The what, the where?” I hear you say. Climbed by many as a ‘mopping up’ exercise, these steep, grassy mountains lack the height and cragginess of near neighbours Cadair Idris and Aran Fawddwy - qualities which are highly sought after. These deficiencies, nevertheless, are made up for by miles of undulating ridge walking, unencumbered by technical difficulties and untroubled by the masses. But for a few stile crossings and a tricky descent here and there, hands can be left in pockets and the mind switched to stand-by mode. Uninspiring? You might be forgiven for thinking so, however a linear traverse of the Dyfi Hills is a thing of beauty and freshness. Afforested slopes…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District 5 HIGH-LEVEL WALK Any walk which starts from Sadgill at the head of Longseddale feels remote and adventurous. Just to get to this point requires a long drive on the narrowest of lanes, and once you arrive you feel as though you are in the middle of nowhere. The fells to the east of Longsleddale are quiet and remote, and you can often walk for hours without seeing another person. These tops are more Pennine in character than Lakeland, and make for tough walking over rough and often wet ground. But the rewards in terms of solitude and views are many. This walk takes in three summits - Grey Crag (638m/2093ft), Tarn Crag (663m/2176ft) and Branstree (711m/2333ft). For those who like quiet fell walking, this region…

The Sutherland Mountains - Foinaven, Arke and Cranstackie - are the most northerly in Britain. It’s safe to say that it’s a fair old trek to even get to them, but if you do you will be rewarded with an adventure that won’t be soon forgotten. The mountains are rough - some of the roughest I’ve ever walked - so you’ll need to bring your legs with you for this one. Probably a map and compass too, as there’s not really many paths to use once you’re ‘on the hill’. So why bother? The solitude alone is as good a reason as any, but their character is also quite special. The mountains are very picturesque to look at. Catch the views on a good day and you’ll be blown away.…

VIEW WITH A PUB WEST ARMS COUNTRY INN, LLANARMON DYFFRYN-CEIRIOG Nowhere does country inns like Britain, and hidden away in the foothills of the Berwyn mountains is this little gem. With fantastic views to these underrated hills of north Wales, and a gorgeous pub garden from which to enjoy it when the weather is nice, this is a great stop for walkers. Inside it is all flagstones, beams and all the unmistakeable character of a 16th century building. There’s a range of dog-friendly rooms and some rather nice food on offer too. We’re off to discover a quieter part of Wales… thewestarms.com Time to get outside? Anyone who loves mountains knows that being outside in nature is good for us. But it seems not everyone has caught on. Forest Holidays…

Ben Nevis West Highlands “Here’s a pic from the summit of Ben Nevis. It was the first time I’d made it up here and I was totally blown away. I left at 4am to beat the 28°C heat. Not a bad first Munro, and my first logged hike working towards becoming a Mountain Leader. Can’t wait to hike more of Scotland in the future.” Adam Harris Cneifion Arête Snowdonia (Eryri) “On my first Grade 3 scramble, the Cneifion Arete. Perfect summer weather, so swiftly followed by the Dolmen Ridge. My guide was Sam from The Mountaineering Company. Fantastic day!" Sara Clark Pillar Lake District “Beginning of June and a perfect day to walk from Wasdale Head, over Black Sail Pass and on the high-level route with great views passing Pillar…

I wouldn’t call myself an old man but in the first flush of youth I most certainly am not. And recently, in the midst of a mid-life cgsis, I’ve been wondering how long it might be until I have to hang up my boots. 10 yehrs? 20? I find it difficult to imagine a time when I can look at, but no longer touch, the mountains. For the past two decades, walking and climbing in the British hills has been an all-consuming passion, providing immense joy when things are going well, and great solace when the slings and arrows of life are aimed in my direction. My love of ancient lumps of rock and my need to be around them was so strong that 10 years ago I moved to…

For as long; as humans have had to carry stuff, baekpacks have been the most convenient way of doing it. So could be forgiven for thinking that rucksacks must be at the peak of their evolution, and that there can’t possibly be any more to say about backpacks. Outdoor shops and websites are bursting with backpack brands, so do we really need any more? Built To Send clearly thinks so. Whether it spotted a void in the market or simply thought it could do a better job of what was already there, in 2014 a group of climbers began making packs to fulfil their own high demands. Nearly 10 years later, we’ve had a chance to get our hands on one of the highlights of the range the X1 Alpine…

YOUR TESTER James Forrest The record breaking UK peak bagger and author spends a LOT of time in the rain. Ever felt like you need to win the lottery or re-mortgage your house to buy outdoor kit? We know the feeling. With the UK’s cost of living crisis in full flow, the price tags of high-end waterproof jackets can seem astronomically high and impossible to justify. Rab’s top-tier Khroma Latok costs £530, for example, and Mountain Equipment’s Changabang will set you back £550. Gulp. But do you really need to splash out so extravagantly for a reliable hard shell jacket? Some would argue ‘cheap and waterproof’ is an oxymoron and, of course, for the most part you do get what you pay for. A cheap jacket may shed light rain…

Ultimate poles Leki Ultratrail FX.One trail running poles £185 Poles can transform your experience on steep and uneven terrain. They'll power you uphill, aid your balance on the downhill and take the strain off your knees. For me, they are indispensable I never head for the trails without them. My favourites at the moment are the Leki Ultratrail FX. One poles, particularly when I’m trail running, taking on an ultra marathon or simply hiking with a fast ‘n’ light approach. They are incredibly lightweight, only 182g per pole, thanks to the ultralight carbon materials used. They pack down super small, collapsing into thirds in a Z-style with a 36cm length. This makes stowing them in a backpack or race vest very easy, and a handy storage bag is included too.…

TRAIL MAGAZINE Lake District 6 CLASSIC FELL ROUTE Stand atop Buckbarrow or Middle Fell’s classic Lakeland terrain, and indulge in their mix of grassy, rocky outcrops and craggy profiles. Mix this with magnificent views across Wastwater to the Central Fells and you’d be forgiven for thinking these two accessible summits were the only objectives worth reaching out for, from the valley road. But, looking further inland, discover the remote valley of Nether Beck and upland terrain of Nether Wasdale Common, forging links to other notable Lakeland summits of Seatallan, Haycock and Caw Fell, whose characters tend to hide behind the charismatic mountains that sing louder from this famous Lake District valley and lake. With a few ‘cross-country’ sections to link higher ground and test some navigation skills, this route feels…

LONG-DISTANCE TRAILS Sweden’s King’s Trail (or Kungsleden) embodies a diverse and unique walking experience, whether it is taken in its entirety or just in part. For those visiting Sweden, Lapland and the Arctic for the first time the Kungsleden will be a grand adventure and a step into a new world. And for many it will be the start of a long and rich association involving many repeated visits. The Kungsleden is as varied as the Arctic wilderness is vast, traversing snow-topped mountain ranges, expansive open fell, verdant forests and crossing lakes both large and small. For half its length the Kungsleden lies within the Arctic Circle and consequently a large measure of the summer walking season takes place in 24-hour daylight. Lapland is home to a remarkable group of…