Tabla de contenidos para November 2023 en Trail

WILD SLEEPS Bla Bheinn Sgurr Alasdair Sgurr Dearg Sgurr nan Gillian TRAIL 100 BIVVY COUNT 56/100 The Black Cullin on the Isle of Skye are a source of inspiration, a challenge to conquer, a summit to reach. I'd imagined the four Trail 100 peaks on the Isle of Skye to be hard and solid, but they are loose, fractured pieces of rock and no more so than in places lightning has struck then exploded the metallic rock so it crumbles underfoot. I'd also imagined being smothered by blue sky, but the reality was suffocating white clag. However, nothing was going to spoil the best Father's Day present I could have wished for, a week climbing and bivvying with my daughter, Annie. To whet our appetites we start with Bla Bheinn,…

A vast 130km2 landscape of blanket bog, lochans, rivers, and rocky outcrops occupying the space between Glen Coe in the west and Glen Lyon in the east, Rannoch Moor can be both spectacularly beautiful or frighteningly inhospitable, changing its appearance and character with the seasons and weather. Regarded as one of the last remaining wildernesses in Europe, it supports a wealth of plants, insect, bird, and animal life, including curlews, grouse, and roe and red deer. Once sitting at the heart of the last significant icefield in the UK, the retreat of the glaciers removed a huge weight from the landscape. Unburdened of this pressure, the land began to rise, and continues to do so at an estimated rate of around 2-3mm per year.…

PEAK DISTRICT Greed – from time to time, it gets the better of even the most saintly. So when the number-hungry beast comes banging at your door, go with it, get it out of your system. The sooner you do, the sooner you'll re-enter the world where walking is ‘just’ a delightful way to G spend a day. On one such occasion, I was on my way to the Peak District, daydreaming about where to walk and reminiscing about past glories, when I had the usual thoughts about why it's called the Peak District, when peaks aren't really a prominent feature of the area. I've never thought of a convincing answer and always joke that it should have been called the ‘Edge District’ instead. Yep, you've guessed it, that's when…

CONSTRUCTION Garment patterning and design can make a huge difference to comfort, as well as freedom of movement. Look for flatlock stitching and offset seams to reduce chafing or irritation. BREATHABILITY This depends on various factors, including fabric type and quality, weight and weave. But lighter base layers are generally more breathable and therefore better suited to high-output activities. THUMB LOOPS A useful but often overlooked feature, thumb loops help to stop sleeves riding up and exposing your wrists in colder conditions. FIT A base layer should be close-fitting for maximum performance. But a roomier, relaxed fit can be more versatile for use as a standalone, long-sleeved tee. WEIGHT Base layers are generally classed as lightweight, midweight or heavyweight. Fabric weight is sometimes expressed in gsm (grams per square metre).…

Lake District 8 HIKE OF PIKES DAY 2 6 NY289077 Ignoring the more prominent path up Pavey Ark, take the lesser-trodden path heading north-east away from the tarn. Follow the path all the way, as it veers north and then north-west to the domed top of Sergeant Man. Descend north-west, negotiating some flat boggy ground before picking up a good, gently-inclining path to pass a tarn and reach the 762m top of High Raise, which has a trig pillar and large wind shelter. 7 NY280095 Turn left and descend south to a col. Climb gently and fork right to summit Thunacar Knott. Turn sharp left and head east over wet, mostly pathless ground for Pavey Ark. Beyond a wall, climb easily to the rocky outcrop marking the summit. Descend west,…

10 Lake District ROCKY HORSESHOE 1 NY306009 Climb the steps at the south end of the Tilberthwaite Gill car park. Having passed several quarry entrances on the left, ignore the path dropping right into the gill. About 900m into the walk, the path swings south-west and passes the last of the trees in the gill. Take the faint trail on the right here, soon fording Crook Beck. 2 NY299006 Bear right (roughly north) on a trail that, in 160m, nears a footbridge. Don't cross, but instead head west-north-west, climbing beside an old mining level on a bracken-swamped trail. Stepping on to a clearer path about 70m beyond the bridge, turn right (north). After a few strides, bear left (north-west) along a lesser trail. Having passed beneath a line of bare…

EXPLORE A STAR OF THIS ISSUE P22 GO THERE Unless you have a certain set of walking skills that, as far as we know, only one person has ever been able to demonstrate, you'll need a boat for this. Once out on the water that covers the soggy bottom of Rannoch Moor, the world (or at least this damp corner of it) is your oyster. Go where desire or the wind takes you. Explore the nooks and crannies that are now accessible to you. Soak up the views. Spend the night. Take your time. That's how this paddling business is best enjoyed – at a leisurely pace. Just you, the gentle lapping of the water, and, possibly, the midges. THE FACTS LOCATION A coarse-sanded cove on the outer edge of…

COMPETITION OFFICIAL PARTNERS FUJIFILM We launched the search for the 10th winner of our annual mountain photo award back in May, this year as part of the wider Outdoor Photo of the Year competition. And we’re now delighted to announce that Martin Hornsey (below) takes 2023’s top prize in the Mountain category with this dawn cracker from Side Pike, overlooking Great Langdale and the Langdale Pikes. In a very close contest between first and second place (runner-up revealed on the next page), Martin’s image came out on top after impressing our judging panel and receiving a huge chunk of the votes in our online poll at livefortheoutdoors.com “Honestly I’m blown away,” Martin told Trail. “I hoped this pic may get noticed amongst the hundreds of other entries, but I never expected…

Midweek retreat, Lake District 21-23 November Two days of walking and talking in Wasdale, home of England's highest mountain and deepest lake. Festive wellbeing walk, Peak District 9 December Walk from the village of Hartington into Dovedale on a route packed with great views of the White Peak. Weekend retreat, Dartmoor 26-28 January A New Year reset immersed in Dartmoor's tors, moors and wildlife, with inspirational speakers to listen to. More info: mindovermountains.org.uk SUPPORTED BY OUR OFFICIAL PARTNERS…

HOT TOPIC “I didn't discover youth hostels until my twenties, but then they played a major part in me discovering the great outdoors and finding a whole new world,” says Anne Brunger, from Durham. She's in her 70s now and favours Alpine huts or hotels these days, but credits the cheap, friendly accommodation for supporting her early love of adventure and the outdoors – a love that has lasted her whole life. She's not alone. Since Pennant Hall, Britain's first youth hostel, opened in 1930 in north Wales, youth hostels have provided low cost, communal accommodation to people of varying means, all over the country. Pennant Hall closed the very next year due to contamination of the water supply but 73 more opened in 1931 and by 1950 there were…

OUTDOOR LIVES Have you felt it? Maybe it was while you were walking under trees in summer, sunlight streaming through the leaves, turning them lime green. Or at the edge of a lake, dipping your toes in the icy water and feeling the pebbles massage your feet. Perhaps you were high up in the hills, looking at a beautiful view and watching birds surf on the wind as you caught your breath from the climb. It's that feeling of your mind emptying. Your body loosening and relaxing. The fizziness of excitement or joy in your stomach. Being in that moment in nature and not wanting it to end. It's hard to know exactly how the outdoors makes each of us feel, and sometimes words can't describe it. But what we…

■ HOW TO SPOT: ATLANTIC SALMON SALMO SALAR SIZE: Large. Adults can be 1.2-1.5m long and weigh up to 40kg – more than you'd want to stuff in a rucksack. ABOUT: Their name comes from the Latin salio, meaning, ‘to leap’ and it's for their formidable life journey that salmon are most known. Hatching in the gravelly upper reaches of a mountain river, they go through several moults before heading out to sea, eventually returning to their natal waters to spawn. For the best chance of witnessing the return journey, visit clean, cold mountain streams in Wales, Scotland and north and south-west England, from Nov-April. ■ PUB QUIZ A: Which bird's name is corrupted from ‘white arse’? B: Which mountain is the highest Corbett? (clue: there are actually three) C:…

9 Lake District LANGDALE'S CRINKLES DAY 3 12 NY248060 From Three Tarns col, it feels like a long and steep climb heading southwards up Crinkle Crags’ northern flanks, but a well-trodden path guides you past craggy excrescences and over wild, rocky terrain. An initial hump with a spot-height of 815m is passed before you reach the series of Crinkles (Crinkle Crags’ succession of five craggy domed tops, which are numbered in the Wainwright guidebooks). Skirt past the fifth (Gunson Knott), fourth and third Crinkles, before veering right and climbing south-west up to the summit of Long Top, the second Crinkle and highest point of Crinkle Crags. 13 NY248048 Confident scramblers may wish to descend south-east and south to take on the Bad Step scramble (a rocky gully with a distinctive…

11 Lake District RIDGES GALORE 1 SD303975 Leaving the main village car park, turn left along the residential road and immediately left again along the B5285. At the A593, turn right and left after the Black Bull pub. After this lane becomes a rough track, you'll see a bridge over the beck on your left. Don't cross it; instead, in a further 140m, turn right along a gently rising track. Keep right at the next fork. 2 SD292984 As the main track then bends right, turn left, later passing through the old Red Dell mine workings. The path passes the waterwheel pit for the Old Engine Shaft, dug in the 1830s. The prominent tower carried the launder which brought water for the wheel. 3 SD287990 Cross the footbridge over Red…

In the uplands, what fish there are get little rest from the likes of otters and ospreys. But it seems there's another creature out there too, seizing the opportunities that the others miss. The grey heron is a familiar bird to many of us, common as it is in lowland and coastal areas – basically anywhere with water. If you'd asked me a few years ago if herons frequent mountain habitats, I'd have said no. But for some reason, I now notice them in our uplands on a regular basis. Heron numbers are at their highest since recording began, this being largely down to legal protection. But the heron's real skill is its adaptability in habitat choice. This nearly always involves water, choosing to reside everywhere from lakes, rivers, ponds,…

The canoe slides effortlessly into the loch and glides smoothly across the water for a few feet before grinding to a halt on unseen rocks. Even loaded with packs the fully inflated boat sits high in the water, and we've left the keel detached to maximise its clearance, but the lack of summer rain has left the loch low and the rocks high. We step into barely shin-deep water and lift the canoe up and over the obstacles. With the boat in one hand and paddles in the other for support, we waddle and wade out to deeper water. Clear of the rocks – for now – we climb in, point the canoe out into the loch, and begin to paddle. Loch Ba is dotted with islands and, as is…

YHA Patterdale, Lake District A Scandi-style whitewashed retreat at the foot of Arnison Crag, Patterdale has served as a base for many people climbing the Eastern fells – including perhaps the most famous, Helvellyn. £650,000 YHA Hathersage, Peak District Right on the trainline between Manchester and Sheffield is this gothic-style Victorian villa, walking distance from Stanage Edge and three stops from Edale and Kinder Scout. £500,000 YHA Dufton, Eden Valley A long-established base for Pennine Way walkers, YHA Dufton sits right on the trail, between High Cup Nick and Cross Fell. A welcome break for weary feet. £450,000 YHA Mankinholes, West Yorkshire Also on the Pennine Way is this hostel within a former 16th century manor house. Currently only available for exclusive hire. £375,000 YHA Rowen, Eryri At the north-eastern…

WEATHER PROOF The main materials in the Terra XTs are Montane's Granite and Granite Hydro fabrics. These have been given a DWR (durable waterrepellent) treatment which is free from PFCs (perfluorocarbons) for boosted weather proofing. While not waterproof – you'll still want a pair of overtrousers for that – they will shrug off a little drizzle and keep the worst of the wind out. REINFORCED An extra layer of fabric adds reinforcement to high-wear areas of the trousers, including the knees, seat (your bum) and inset (inside leg near the ankle). This extra toughness means the Terra XTs can handle more abrasive mountain activities, such as scrambling or winter mountaineering. ARTICULATED Thicker, tougher trousers are often more restrictive than lighter-weight alternatives. The design of the Terra XTs includes pre-articulated knees…

Berghaus Men's Deluge 2.0 Pant £70 In the mountain environment – particularly during the colder, wetter months of the year – it's essential that waterproof trousers are tough and reliable. But it's also possible they may spend a lot of time in your pack, so value for money is also important. Berghaus’ Deluge pants are tried and tested classics, with Hydroshell 2-layer fabric for dependable protection, ¾-length zips for venting and ease of use, and an elasticated waist for comfort. Alpkit Parallax Trousers £115 Alpkit states that the Parallax “weigh about the same as your average sandwich”. It doesn't stipulate the filling, but at 195g for the size medium they certainly are light on weight, although not on protection. The 2.5-layer fabric has a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating and excellent…

DAY 1 1 NY283053 From the lay-by, walk south-east up the road. Just before a cattle grid, turn left through a kissing gate and pick up a footpath marked ‘Side Pike ¼ mile’. Ascend north, go through another gate and continue north. Turn right as the path climbs eastwards through craggy terrain. Several trods appear but they all lead eastwards up an initial hump. Descend briefly, sticking to the right of a wall, and fork right at a junction to skirt around the southern flanks of Side Pike, bypassing the summit which has impassable steep ground to the east. As the path skirts left, squeeze through a rocky gap known as Fat Man's Agony and trend left, climbing briefly to the eastern base of Side Pike. At a col, go…

12 Lake District BUSY SUMMIT & QUIET 1 SD289970 From the pay & display car park at the eastern end of the Walna Scar Road above Coniston, walk back to the fell gate, but don't go through it. Instead turn left along the broad, stony track – signposted Coniston Old Man. Just after the first uninterrupted view of the Coppermines Valley, a stony path comes up from the right. 2 SD284980 About 50m beyond this, turn right along the contouring path. Rounding a craggy corner, you're confronted by the steep south and east faces of Raven Tor. It's important now to locate the grassy rake that is the key to the ascent… Look to the highest visible point on Raven Tor, imagine a line coming straight down the east face…

OUR EXPERT SAY S … “One of my favourite Grade 3 scrambles. It maintains interest throughout, never too hard but always entertaining, and is found in a beautiful, untrodden corner of Yr Wyddfa.” If you've ever sauntered across Crib Goch enjoying the exposure and airy view, you may have spotted a steep rocky arête jutting out in a north-easterly direction from Garnedd Ugain into Cwm Glas. And, if you're the sort of person who is able to saunter across Crib Goch enjoying the exposure and airy view, you may well have thought to yourself ‘Ooh, that looks like fun!’ Well, you'd be right. This is the Clogwyn y Person arête, also known as the Parson's Nose arête. It's a Grade 3 ridge scramble and, according to people who know about…