What's social media for? 📱
I like taking photos and videos but I'm hugely mediocre at it. There's lots to learn, experience to gain, tech to be figured out and processing / editing tried and tested.
The end result is ultimately for my own viewing pleasure and a kind of journal of stuff I've done. If other people enjoy then it's a bonus!
Instagram is a social thing, I'm trying to be more engaging with it. It's great to have real life friends, a lot of which are on here. It's also good to connect with new people that enjoy the same outdoor life and gain from others experience. It's reciprocal right?
Now lets stop doom scrolling and get outside and make some memories...
📸 : @loubles10
#fortheadventure #ukhiking #mountaineering #trailrunning #rockclimbing #outdooradventure #socialhiking #outdoorphotography
Easter weekend with the girls – took on a stretch of the West Highland Way.
We headed up to Tyndrum where we were camped in the van. Bit chilly overnight, but we got settled in and had a good rest ahead of the next day.
Saturday morning, we jumped on the Ember bus up to Bridge of Orchy and decided to go north to south, back down to Tyndrum – partly for the walk, mostly to earn our dinner.
Seven miles straight into the wind. A bit of drizzle, but nothing we couldn’t handle. Layers on, buffs up, and pushing on while most of the other West Highland Wayers were heading the opposite direction – we like to go against the grain!
By the time we got back to Tyndrum, we ducked into the Tyndrum Inn for some warmth. Ceremonial pint secured, then back to the van for hot dogs and chips in the air fryer – well earned.
Cold, a bit windswept, but a cracking weekend with my team.
I like to ask questions ❓🙋🏻♂️
It took me a while to figure this out, when I was younger I didn’t. I don’t know if I was too shy, thought I was going to be judged or maybe I was too embarrassed. Potentially it could have been a mixture of all three. My daughter, in the past, used to dread me asking questions at events. I think now she’s got used to it and might have also caught the question asking bug.
Whilst at a panel event this weekend at Fort William @mountainfestival I listened to a group of filmmakers & photographers, who I respect and admire (I am also fortunate enough to that I call them my friends) discuss their chosen field. How they ply their trade, the highs and the challenges of being a freelancer in the outdoor industry. It’s a topic that fascinates me, especially as so many of my friends are in this world. It was a great event and I hope lots of the audience learned something from the insight each of them was able to provide from their experience.
Another very talented friend, @alex_roddie captured these images. He’s another source of very valuable knowledge and you should check out his Substack.
I will continue to ask questions. In fact I’m still waiting for @hamishfrost answer to the question from Saturday 😃
Credit to @alex_roddie for the new profile picture and these images. Anyone who hasn’t been to Fort William Mountain Festival, it is highly recommended and goes from strength to strength every year.
This was a fun day! 🖤
Knee deep in water, in November, in Scotland! I was not in front of the camera, I was the person behind the person taking the photos! 🤣 And for good reason, I have friends who are both insanely talented and sickeningly good looking so I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The skills of @mattgreen_sfm capturing these and many, many other amazing images blows me away! Then add the handsome @itsadamraja and stunning @nikimerrilees and it was a recipe for success. Then there was the laughter and the craic , definitely a fun day I would do again in a heartbeat.
The reason for the shoot was to capture the @sutsu Blackout Collection they release once a year doing the usual Black Friday mania in a different way. They use a percentage of the profits to put towards conservation charities, this year they are supporting @rewildingb . Check out Sutsu’s profile to check out the range.
A WHW Taster 🍂🏞️
Now I have indoctrinated my daughter into liking the outdoors, it’s only taken me 16 years, I decided to take advantage of some nice October weather. We travelled up to @glencoemountain resort on Friday night, slept in the van then travelled back down to Bridge of Orchy by bus on Saturday morning. We travelled using the Ember coach, it’s fully electric and a new company trying to get to more remote areas of Scotland. A friend of mine has used them to access more remote areas than he has been able to before using public transport.
Fifteen minutes later we were at the hotel and set off north along the trail. A short initial climb out of the village led us to the first viewpoint over looking Inveronan, and our second leapfrog of a mother and daughter pair we passed and were passed by most of the day.
The section of the West Highland Way is around 12 miles. I may have been a little ambiguous with this info when selling the route to my daughter and said it was kilometres instead of miles. I had every confidence she would be able to do it, although I don’t know how keen she was when I woke her at half 7 in the am! Although it was cloudy, there was some sun trying to break through. There was also a nice breeze, altogether it was perfect hiking weather.
The miles just slipped by, between conversations, taking in the views and brief stops for hot drinks and snacks the trail carried us along. Our last chat with the initial mother and daughter pair started with me taking pictures of them using their mobile. They were from Maine, US and were over to take in the Scottish sights. They had travelled across the Atlantic to visit our beautiful little country. How lucky we are to have this on our doorstep.
As the Buachaille came into view on the last stretch of the path, and Charlottes feet were understandably aching, I noticed how long, or short, it had taken us to get there. We didn’t have a goal and weren’t pushing to get it done quickly but we made good time, and we had enjoyed it. A well deserved hot drink and pastry from the café, then back to Glasgow for some home comforts.
I wonder what the next hike will be, little one?
Autumn Light 🍂🌥️
I was a day early to catch the inversions everyone else found but the light around Loch Lomond was breath taking.
I opted for a quick hit up Ben Vorlich, the initial tarmaced feeder road to the dam is easy going but hard underfoot. Once you turn off on to the path the climb properly starts. There were no views from the summit, just a damp layer from the low lying cloud.
On the descent, the cloud filtered the sunlight and the glen looked beautiful. As the wind blew wisps of cloud down the channel between the Munro’s, the light changed almost every minute. All the flora and fauna has its autumnal coat, every time I looked up from making sure I didn’t put my foot in a bog the view had changed.
From the Loch to the summit and back it was an absolute pleasure to be on the mountain.
Lunch Tastes Better on a Summit 🥪
Hiked up Ben Chonzie for the first time. Bright orange trousers (hard to miss me), windproof softshell to keep the wind off me and good shoes for the mossy, rocky mix on the plateau leading to the summit. Lunch in the wind shelter never tasted so good.
👟 @salewa Wildfire NXT GTX : They have sticky @vibram Megagrip soles to cling to wet Scottish rock like a limpet, comfy enough to keep you going across trails & grassy paths, and tough enough for whatever the mountains have for them.
🧥 @pinewoodoutdoor_official Finnveden Sports Light Jacket : It’s ready when the wind tries to strip you of your comfort. The 4-way stretch lets you twist and scramble without feeling restricted, while the water-repellent finish puts light rain and breeze in their place. Packable, breathable, and perfect for those Scottish mountain walks when you want protection without the bulk.
👖 @pinewoodoutdoor_official Caribou TV trousers : Anyone who know me knows I’m partial to a bit of orange kit, so that gives these pants a missive thumbs up! They’re built with Scandinavian practicality — tough TC-Lite fabric plus stretch panels on the knees and back for freedom of movement. The side vent zippers mean you can dump heat without stopping. The cut is neat-ish / Alpine fit (not baggy, not skinny, just sharp enough), after I had been out in them it became very natural.
Very appreciative to be #gifted this kit. It makes my mountain adventures more comfortable and enjoyable
Thanks @gus_mckendrick // @mountain.blog.uk
And @compass_brands
Analogue 11 🎞️🖼️
It all came together for the opening night of the exhibition at @eleven41gallery , eleven talented photographers using only film photography in one beautiful place. The place was packed and there was lots of great chat, a few canapés and more wine than we’ll admit to.
Please go and visit if you are in Kingussie, or near by, the passion and creative input is mind blowing. Big respect for @edsmithphoto for cultivating this event. It’ll be on until 17th October, there won’t always be wine but there will be outstanding photography. The proceeds of the donations go to @medicalaidpal , so please give generously.
Everest The Hard Way 🗻
Visited the exhibition at @heatoncooperstudio in Grasmere, the 50 year anniversary of @chrisbonington 's led summit of Everest via the South West face in 1975.
There' s some really interesting kit and iconic images on display, including the summit photo of @doug_scott_archive
There is a 50th anniversary update to Sir Chris's book available from @vertebrate_publishing
The exhibition is supported by @berghausofficial and all donations go to @communityactionnepal
Check it out...
Here for the views 👀
How many times have you got to the summit and seen nothing? Or maybe just a glimpse? Then walked off the top, looked back and there were 360 views 😳🤦🏻♂️
And I fully blame @johnsummerton , as he was like a rocket going up the trail. I’m sure Wynter may have had something to do with it as she led the way and I sweated and panted behind them both 🥵
Did we consider turning round to go and see the views? Nope!
What we could tell the steady upward stream of hikers we talked to on the way down, was that they would get a view as the cloud had burned off and the blue of Loch Einich could clearly be seen. Instead of the fleeting peek I managed to capture in this image.
As ever, any day on the hill is worth it. Regardless of the dripping sweat, partial sunburn or the raw skin from my pack rubbing my lower back.
No really, it was worth it 🤣 Always great to spend time on the hill with friends, a crazy dog and a sane one! Can’t wait till the next one ⛰️
Cold beers and comfy seats 😎
For a while now I have religiously taken my Helinox chairs anywhere I might end up sitting on the grass / ground or in a fold out plastic seat, pfft! Recently, the Yeti cool bag has been its supporting companion. Together they make park / festival / loch side days out that much more satisfying!
🪑 The @helinox Sunset chair is genuinely one of the most comfortable folding chair I have sat on. It takes seconds to set up and fold away once you get the hang of it. It folds down to a small pack size and is amazingly light. Paired with the Helinox table one, you are set for a chill day in the outdoors with somewhere to hold your beer and put the snacks down. I have 2 chairs and with the table all 3 go into a 20 litre ruck sack and I can easily take them anywhere. The Sunset Chair has been given an update for next year and spoiler (I didn’t think it was actually possible) it is more comfortable!
🧺 The @yetieurope Hopper Flip 12 Cool Bag has been a recent addition. And how welcome it is, keeping beers and snacks cool during those heatwave windows. Allegedly the 12 relates to the litre size of the bag, I think it means the amount of cans I can fit in it! The Ice Sheet is a must to maintain the low temp in the cooler.
🐘 The elephant in the post: the cost! There’s no doubt all this kit is pricey. But, they are absolutely bomb proof. The chairs have been used for a couple of years now and they don’t show any signs of wear. The cool bag, will it’s Yeti, the material is solid, it works and it keeps my @brewdogofficial Punk IPAs cool. How is that not worth it?!
I have been lucky enough to have been #gifted this kit from @chrisjlines41 and @allconmedia Thank you 🙏🏻
