All Posts

Exactly one year after completing all 214 Wainwrights, I found myself on my 18th Wainwright of Round 2, on 18 October! Entirely unplanned! A glorious autumn hike above Ullswater took me over Heughscar Hill, Arthur's Pike and Bonscale Pike, with spectacular views, a steep descent to Howtown and an unexpected rainbow. Four hikes in two days, a Wainwright anniversary and a coincidence even I struggle to believe. A rather special ending to my Lake District adventures of 2026!

Striding Edge by Torchlight, an unforgettable October adventure on Helvellyn in the Lake District with Lakeland Mountain Guides. From Glenridding via Birkhouse Moor and Striding Edge to Helvellyn's summit, descending Swirral Edge under a spectacular night sky. A breathtaking sunset, complete darkness, the Milky Way, Mars, countless stars and even a shooting star! Nine months of expecting terrible weather turned into one of my most extraordinary mountain experiences. A night I

A little leg stretcher in the Lake District turned into an unexpected adventure! Revisiting Wainwright's Gowbarrow Fell and Aira Force brought spectacular autumn colours, sunshine and views towards Helvellyn and Striding Edge, where I'd be heading later that night. A spontaneous detour to Dunmallet added another Wainwright Outlying Fell and an unforgettable encounter with a very vocal red squirrel! Two lovely walks, a lesson in basic manners and a squirrel I forgot to film!

A two-hike Peak District adventure ticking off Ethel #90 in the 95 Ethels Challenge on Croker Hill and Trig #80 in the Peak District 88 Trig Point Challenge on Ladder Hill. The day takes in Ratcliffe Wood, Bosley Minn, Bosley Reservoir and the Macclesfield Canal, before a spontaneous second hike from Combs Reservoir to finally reach Ladder Hill after three failed approaches six months earlier.

Scafell via Lord’s Rake, West Wall Traverse and Deep Ghyll, followed by Foxes Tarn Gully, Mickledore, Scafell Pike and Lingmell. This Lake District route took in some of Scafell’s most dramatic scrambling, with steep scree, loose rock, exposed ledges and spectacular views. Starting from Wasdale Head, I tackled Lord’s Rake and the West Wall Traverse before climbing Deep Ghyll, then continued over Scafell and back via Foxes Tarn, Scafell Pike and Lingmell.

Muratov Peak in Bulgaria’s Pirin Mountains is one of the most spectacular hikes near Bansko. Starting from Vihren Hut, the route passes the beautiful Muratovo Lake before climbing steeply through Banderitsa’s Gate to the 2,669 m summit. The hike offers incredible views of Pirin’s glacial lakes, dramatic cirques and Vihren, Bulgaria’s second-highest peak. Nine years after a terrifying thunderstorm on my first ascent, I returned to Muratov for a very different experience.

Explore the spectacular Glen Lyon 4 Munros route in the Scottish Highlands, taking in Carn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Meall a' Bharr, Carn Mairg and Creag Mhor (Meall na Aighean). Battling gale force winds but rewarded with endless mountain views, blooming heather and complete solitude, this unforgettable Munro hike showcases some of Scotland's finest scenery. Includes route details, photos and my experience hiking these stunning Perthshire peaks.

Schiehallion Munro hike in Perthshire, Scotland. A walk from Braes of Foss through heather-covered slopes to the rocky summit, featuring mountain weather, strong winds, boulder fields, parking information, route details and the famous peak where contour lines were first developed.

Follow my Ben Lawers Traverse adventure in the Scottish Highlands as I bag Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh, An Stuc, Creag an Fhithich, Ben Lawers, Beinn Ghlas and Meall Corranaich. Read about hiking seven Munros in one day, navigating hours of clag, tackling the An Stuc scramble, discovering Ben Lawers' glittering mica schist, meeting fellow hikers and completing one of Scotland's most rewarding Munro routes.

Join me on my hike up Meall nan Tarmachan, a Munro near Killin in the Ben Lawers National Nature Reserve. After three cancelled Scotland trips, the adventure finally begins with breathtaking Highland views, a windy summit, and an unexpected hitchhiker on the drive back. Follow my first intentional Munro journey and discover why this mountain was the perfect introduction to Munro bagging.

Discover the Dovedale Little Dipper, a stunning circular walk in the Peak District. Starting from Hartington, this route passes through Sheen, Warslow, Wetton, Alstonefield and Milldale before following the River Dove through the beautiful Wolfscote Dale to Beresford Dale. Read my honest route guide, including terrain, elevation, highlights and tips for one of the White Peak's most underrated long-distance walks in Derbyshire.

The Matlock Skyline Challenge takes in a fantastic mix of Derbyshire landscapes, from the Limestone Way to the villages of Bonsall and Winster, the heather and bilberries of Stanton Moor, the woodland around Darley Dale and the views above Rowsley and Riber Castle. Typically, I couldn't leave the route alone and added diversions to Peak Tor, Bumper Castle trig point and Farley Moor trig point, creating my own extended version of this already challenging Peak District Skyline

The Derwent Valley Skyline is a demanding Dark Peak circuit in the Peak District National Park, linking Ashopton, Crook Hill, Alport Castles, Alport Moor, Bleaklow Stones, Bleaklow Head, Featherbed Moss, Margery Hill, Outer Edge, and Back Tor. A 46–50 km moorland expedition with relentless navigation, bogs, peat hags, groughs and featureless terrain, it tests endurance across one of the UK’s most remote-feeling upland landscapes.

Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge in the Lake District, starting from Glenridding and climbing Birkhouse Moor before tackling one of the most iconic ridges in the UK. A perfect sunshine day taking in Helvellyn, Catstye Cam, Red Tarn, High Crag and Nethermost Pike, with time to pause, scramble, and soak in the views. A relaxed finish with a stop at Red Tarn and a scenic descent via Glenridding Common.

A day in the Wasdale valley exploring Scafell Pike and its surrounding fells. Fog forced a change of plan as Lords Rake vanished into cloud, redirecting the route through Mickledore. From there the day unfolded across Scafell Pike, Broad Crag, Ill Crag and Great End, blending quiet boulder fields with busy summit mayhem. Unexpected company, clear skies, and shifting conditions turned a planned scramble into a full mountain wander through some of the most iconic terrain in the

A wild day in the Lake District starting from Wasdale Head taking in Pillar, Scoat Fell, Steeple and Red Pike, including a turned-back attempt on a High Level Route near Looking Stead. The day ended with an exciting descent via the steep and loose Dore Head Screes and return to Wasdale Head Inn.

A 20 km journey through the far North Peak District starting at Dovestone Reservoir, climbing Alphin Pike (Ethel and trig), crossing Saddleworth Moor to Saddleworth Trig, and sweeping past Raven Stones Brow and the dramatic rock formation of The Trinnacle. From Ashway Moss ethel to Dean Rocks and Great Dove Stone Rocks, with constant views over Greenfield and Dovestone and Yeoman Hey Reservoirs. Finished with an unplanned bonus Ethel at West Nab, completing the Far North regi

Circular hike from Crowden taking in the ethels Featherbed Moss, Black Chew Head, Black Hill, White Low. Also bags 3 trigs including Hey Edge. A summer-like day in April in the far north of the Peak District.

The Dambusters Challenge was long, committing, and intimidating, mapped in winter for “maybe June.” Nine hours later, 37 km and 1180 m of ascent done. From steep climbs to calm reservoirs, quiet moors and shaped tors, what sticks isn’t the distance or climbs but the feeling: exploring new areas, sunshine on my skin, endless views, and that sense of being fully alive. That is what I remember most.

Edale Skyline in March - The coldest Skyline I have done, and somehow one I will never forget. I started the day giving directions to lost runners and ended it fighting a snowstorm straight to the face. Somewhere in between, the Peaks decided to throw everything at me, and my brain is still pretending it was fun.