The view towards Styhead: Lingmell Beck valley.
Sadly its been a while since I have been hiking in the Lake District. Last week my absence from the Lakes ended when some friends, who were staying near Lake Windermere on holiday, invited me to join them in an ascent of Scafell Pike. With the weather forecast to be sunny for most of the week there were sure to be excellent views from the summit to make the hard slog up worthwhile.
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The new Snowdon Summit Cafe under contruction, on a miserable day. Source: Flickr by Haversack.
the highest slum in Wales
to some its demolition in 2006 must have come as a relief.
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Ouch Charlie!! At least your body isn't sunburnt thanks to your UV protective clothing!
Source: Flickr by A.M. Kuchling.
Read on for some helpful advice on the ratings used for sun protection clothing, and enjoy the sun this summer if you are camping, hiking, climbing or even just in the garden relaxing.
The days grow longer as we enter June; July and August fast approach. With baited breath the UK waits for the advent of the British Summer. Will it be hot, cold, dry or wet? Will we have biblical floods, hurricanes or snow? The Met Office has predicted a “Barbecue Summer” with temperatures above average and highs above 30°C (86°F) we wait to see if this prediction is taking the precipitation!!
Related camping and outdoor news, reviews and advice:If you were preparing a trip up Mount Everest you would probably want to take with you a few pieces of chocolate to keep your energy and spirits up. But you probably wouldn’t take 200 kg of fine Belgian chocolate up to Mount Everest Base Case and then hand it out to everybody there. Just to get this in perspective, 200 kg is equivalent to 3200 Mars Bars. Or 51 and half The North Face Mountain 25 tents.
Related camping and outdoor news, reviews and advice:One of the most unlikely places that you would consider going to for a hiking holiday must be Afghanistan. Plagued by conflict and totalitarian governments for the past 35 years, Afghanistan is not likely to be on your top 10 places to visit. However, the now democratic government have started taking steps to make Afghanistan a tourist destination. The creation of the Band-e-Amir National Park could open the way to adventure travel and hiking holidays in the spectacular and remote countryside of central Afghanistan.
Stunning scenery in the Band-e-Amir National Park. Photo credit: Alex Dehgan/Wildlife Conservation Society
Now that summer is fast approaching so are the dreaded midges, which have to be one of the most annoying creatures on this planet. While they’re hardly dangerous, they can be annoying and leave you with a few nasty bite marks.
Midge close up: source imarsman - flickr
The term Midge doesn’t refer to a specific insect it is a general term for very small (about 3mm) flies. There are about 40 midge species in the UK but very few which bite humans. The most common of these biting midges is the Culicoides Impunctatus or the infamous highland midge.
Related camping and outdoor news, reviews and advice:Not many of us can say that we have been to either the Arctic or the Antarctic, but for Dixie Dansercoer the sub-zero climates of the poles are a passion. Dixie Dansercoer is the ultimate polar explorer and extreme sport expeditionist, he makes regular polar trips and has crossed both polar regions on foot.
Born in 1962 in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, Dixie has spent most of his life travelling the world, taking on many challenges across a wide range of outdoor activities. From mountaineering to mountain biking, from running to powerkite-skiing and from sailing to wind- and kitesurfing, Dixie will use any method to explore the extremes of our planet. A list of Dixie’s adventures and achievements is shown at the bottom of this post.
Related camping and outdoor news, reviews and advice:The latest Irish bouldering guide was released last week and contains 115 pages, packed full with almost 1500 problems and about 200 maps and topos.
Related camping and outdoor news, reviews and advice:This guide is intended to be reasonably definitive but just because something has been climbed doesn’t mean it is worth documenting so I haven’t detailed every variation, elimate, lowball sitstart or squeezed in micro line. From a personal point of view I attach the highest value to logical, independent lines with good moves and good landings and every problem that fits this criteria is described. Though I welcome other opinions on omissions and inclusions.
The third annual Chesterfield Walking Festival will be taking place from the 20th – 28th of June 2009.
Located in south Derbyshire, Chesterfield is the border country where the Peak District meets Robin Hood Country. With rolling hills and market towns there is plenty of beautiful countryside scenery in this part of England. It is a perfect for area for walking, which is just as well since no less than 40 organised walks will be taking place during the week long Chesterfield walking festival.
Chesterfield and Surrounding Countryside. Source Flickr by John's Pics
There are many opportunities for mountain biking in Wales. If you’re looking for some inspiration, one place to start looking is “mountainbikingWales“. This website provides links to 6 purpose built mountain bike centres and 7 mountain bike trail bases, including Coed y Brenin.
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