walkhighlands

Yearly Archives: 2018

Team Heavy and the Big Rig ride out

Walkhighlands, or bikehighlands? This time it’s a temporary two wheeled takeover, as David Lintern and family take to their steeds to reach the parts that little legs can’t quite manage. Getting a young family out and about is harder than it should be. Mum is bone tired and the kids (aged 4 and 1) aren’t independently mobile as yet. Before the really cold weather came in last year, we enjoyed one wild camp, but carrying the volume of stuff needed for four means that moving from place to place becomes next to impossible without tantrums… and that’s just the adults.

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Posted in Features, Magazine

Wild swimming: Where have you been all my life!?

I always enjoyed messing about in water when I was younger but I’m not sure I ever truly enjoyed swimming in it. I certainly wasn’t a bad swimmer, in fact I took part in inter-school competitions, but I think it was more something that I HAD to do because it might save my life one day. And as I got older and completed the various levels of swimming proficiency awards, culminating in swimming up and down a large pool fully clothed and then treading water for what seemed like hours whilst simultaneously self-inflating my pyjamas (seriously!)… the interest waned. I

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Posted in Features, Magazine

Gear Review: Keen Evofit sandals

RRP: £100 Weight: 300g (per sandal size 5.5) Keen are no strangers to making comfortable footwear designed around the actual shape of people’s feet. The Evofit is no exception providing a high level of comfort and support making them suitable for longer walks in hot weather than you might normally associate with a sandal – think of them more as an trail shoe with extra ventilation. The Evofit has a substantial sole with a lot of arch support, fitted with Keen’s trademark rand going all round the front toe box. This means there’s less issue with grit and sand getting

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Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review: Rab Longitude Pants

Recommeded Price: £65 Weight: 232g (32″ regular) I’m not sure I’ve ever known such a long spell of hot, dry weather in Scotland, and with the clegs biting what’s been needed is long trousers to give some protection, but that are very lightweight and cool to cope with the heat. It’s pretty fortunate then that I’ve been testing out these summer trousers from Rab. The trousers are made from a single weave Matrix SW fabric (100% polyamide) which is soft to touch, very lightweight and quick drying. There’s a diamond gusset and articulated knees which aid freedom of movement, and

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Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Too hot for the hills? Experts warn of twin dangers

With the forecast remaining warm and dry for the coming week, hillwalkers in Scotland are facing an unusual challenge – not enough water! As well as meaning people should carry more water than usual to avoid dehydration, the dry conditions make it essential that extreme care is taken to avoid the risk of wildfires. Heather Morning, Mountain Safety Adviser with Mountaineering Scotland, said: “It has been great to see so many people inspired to walk and climb in our hills and mountains in this hot and dry spell. But sunshine brings its own problems. “In fact if you were out

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Posted in News

Gear review: Berghaus Fellmaster Active GTX walking shoes

Recommended Price: £125 Weight: 490g per shoe UK size 11 Trail shoes have become an ever more popular alternative to boots over the last decade, and it’s often said that every 100g saved on your feet is equivalent to 500g in your pack. Without a doubt trail shoes make it easier for many people to walk both further and faster, and in more comfort, with the downsides that they do not last as long as boots nor can they provide as much support (though this largely depends on the torsional rigidity rather than the ankle cuffs). Personally I wear trail

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Posted in Footwear

The wonder of natural beauty

ONE day a bear walked into a bar, sat down, and ordered a beer. The barman was amazed, and in a state of shock proceeded to pour the bear a drink. “How much?” said the bear. By this time the barman was getting over his shock and realising the bear, although obviously smart, has no idea of the price of beer, decided to overcharge him. “Twelve dollars sir”, said the barman. The bear paid him and slowly drank his beer. After a while the barman’s curiousity got the better of him, so he tried to engage the bear in conversation.

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Posted in Features, Magazine

Garbh Choire Refuge repairs complete

An historic mountain refuge has been restored by volunteers. The Garbh Choire Refuge is situated in one of the more remote climbing areas in the Cairngorms. Although usage has been light compared to other shelters in the area, it has played a significant role in the development of both rock and ice climbing in the area and is an important part of Cairngorm mountaineering heritage. It was originally built by Aberdeen University Lairig Club approximately 50 years ago. The refuge, built with a stone covering over a steel frame, was in a poor state of repair and without attention would

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Posted in Access issues, News

Miles from Nowhere

As I look out of the window onto the peaceful suburbs of Perth, the rain falls gently from an overcast sky, marking the end of one of the longest spells of dry, warm, sunny weather in recent years. While I’ve been largely desk-bound editing wedding photographs these past few months, my landscape photography kit has been gathering dust in a cupboard in my house at the other end of the A9, and my much-loved bike has been languishing in my shed since a mild day at the beginning of February. Along with my walking boots, running shoes, and gardening gloves,

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Posted in Features, Magazine

Gear review – Alpkit Arro wind shell

Price: £35 Weight: 140g (men’s large) I never really understood the point of windproof jackets – until I actually tried one in the hills. Can’t your waterproof hardshell jacket do the job of keeping the wind out when needed? Well, yes, it will… but when it’s not raining, a dedicated windshell is so much lighter, less restricting and more breathable – especially on warm summer days – that it makes a huge difference to your comfort. The Alpkit Arro is made from nylon and has an admirable simplicity of design. The jacket has been treated with a durable water repellent

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Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.