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UNIQUE LANDSCAPES TO ADD TO YOUR BUCKET LIST, FROM ACTIVE VOLCANOES AND ARID DESERTS TO GLACIERS AND THE SEA BED
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DAVE CORNTHWAITE TALKS TRAVEL WHY WE LOVE WILD CAMPING OUR GEAR HIGHLIGHTS NORWAY WEEKENDER FOCUS ON: GREEN GEAR
RIDGE WALKS
OUR PICK OF THE UK’S BEST TO EXPLORE
THE KNOWLEDGE: ENDURANCE TRAINING
Sean Conway shares his tips on training for big challenges and staying motivated
WEEKEND WARRIOR: BRECON BEACONS
Sian Lewis camps, hikes and wild swims in the spectacular peaks of South Wales
INTERVIEW: LAURA KENNINGTON
We get the lowdown on Laura’s toughest challenges and what drives her
KESTREL & KYTE OFF THE GRID
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WELCOME
A warm welcome to a wilder way of life! In our latest magazine, we’re celebrating epic adventures of all shapes and sizes. Since 1933, we have lived and breathed the outdoors life, and we wanted to share some of that passion with you. By the time you’ve thumbed through these pages, you’ll want your boots on, and your bag packed, ready for the great outdoors. Adventurers Dave Cornthwaite and Ellis Brigham Ambassador Laura Kennington are here to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone. Then we’re challenging you to Britain’s finest – and gnarliest – ridge walks, where you can walk the line in our most majestic mountain ranges. We’ve got the ultimate weekend adventure itineraries in the Welsh hills and the Norwegian fjords from travel writer Sian Lewis, plus ten incredible landscapes to see before you die. Once you’ve got your appetite for adventure, keep it fuelled with regular advice and inspiration over at ellis-brigham.com/ discover and don’t forget to tag us so we can share in your adventures. #livebreatheoutdoors
CONTENTS
Mark Brigham
4 WACKY RACES
20 ENDURANCE TRAINING WITH SEAN CONWAY
6 GEAR HIGHLIGHTS
22 TEN INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE LANDSCAPES
Scooting, skateboarding and SUP-ing - adventurer Dave Cornthwaite The bearded adventurer shares his tips for training hard so reckons the wilder and weirder a challenge, the better. you can go the distance on your next active challenge.
Ten of our favourite bits of gear in store now for your next adventure, wherever it may be!
Get the bucket list ready – these are the ultimate weird and wonderful landscapes to explore in your lifetime.
8 EPIC RIDGE WALKS
28 NORWAY’S WILD SIDE
13 IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
30 HOW TO GET INTO CLIMBING
14 FIVE REASONS WHY WE LOVE WILD CAMPING
32 LAURA THE EXPLORER
16 WEEKEND WARRIOR – BRECON BEACONS
34 HAPPY FEET
Walk the line – these six iconic British mountain ridges will test your hiking mettle.
How are eco-conscious outdoor brands shaking up the world of ethically-made gear?
Why you should leave the crowds behind and set up a tent in the back of beyond this weekend.
Travel writer Sian Lewis packs mountain hikes, lake swims and the perfect camping spot into one weekend in Wales.
Sian Lewis heads to Geiranger to see how many outdoor adventures she can cram into just three days in the fairytale fjords.
The experts at Scotland’s Glenmore Lodge outdoor training centre will have you ready to hit the rock.
Adventure athlete Laura Kennington on the joys of a wild life of cycling, paddling and running around the globe.
Keep your feet hiking-ready with advice from Ellis Brigham’s experts on common foot problems and how to solve them. ellis-brigham.com
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FOREWORD
IN PRAISE OF WILDER ADVENTURES DAVE CORNTHWAITE
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Since I quit a job in 2005 after realising my cat enjoyed life more than I did, I’ve spent my life travelling the world in search of adventure. I came up with a project called Expedition1000, 25 1,000-mile journeys on different kinds of non-motorised transport, and so far I’ve completed 14 trips over 1,000 miles – 11 left to go! I like seeing how many weird and wonderful modes of non-motorised transport I can use, and so far I’ve stand-up paddle boarded the Mississippi River, ridden a tandem bike from Vancouver to Las Vegas, scootered across Japan’s mountains, skateboarded Australia and even pedalled a Schiller water bike along the Norwegian coast. What I’ve learned about adventures big and small is this: they are both a joy and art. Plan enough to be safe but not so much that your adventure suffers; surprises make memories. Don’t race against anyone else or the clock. Pick interesting ways to travel – it’s so important to have fun and really enjoy what you’re doing. Travel slow – that way you can soak up your
surroundings and really see the world you’re exploring. It’s wonderful to wake up without knowing where you’ll lay your head that night. Let instinct – rather than Google Maps – guide you, whether it’s 20 minutes from your house or the other side of the world. Good adventures are about balancing appreciation with risk, trust with sense and replacing a fear of the unknown with a love for newness. Whatever your adventure, packing the right gear to keep you warm, dry and exploring for longer is key – head to your local outdoor store and an expert can kit you out with everything you’ll need. Explore the world one yes at a time, and whatever you do, don’t forget where you went.
JOIN THE YESTRIBE
When Dave isn’t globetrotting he runs the YesTribe, a growing community of 15,000+ adventure lovers who love to Say Yes More. Join them at sayyesmore.com
DAVE’S KIT BAG MUST-HAVES Can help compress clothing and keep a bag tidy, and when you fall in a river, your gear is protected.
DRYBAG SACKS
Once I hit 30 I fell out of love with resting my head on a creased hoodie. If sleep matters, a travel pillow is a keeper.
Buffs are super versatile. Headwear, balaclava, sweat band, even a sling! Dip them in cold water for a bespoke neck cooler.
BUFF
BATTERY PACK
DAY PACK
SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL DRY SACK 20L £14.99
THERM-A-REST COMPRESSIBLE PILLOW £21.99
BUFF ORIGINAL £15.99
GOAL ZERO VENTURE 30 RECHARGER £99.99
OSPREY ULTRALIGHT STUFF PACK £27.99
Code 253145
TRAVEL PILLOW
Code 230040
Code 226342
A rugged, waterresistant and versatile way to keep your phone, camera or GoPro fully functional.
Code 604230
When biking or paddling I always pack a lightweight, foldable rucksack. Perfect for short hikes into town for supplies.
Code 292645
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SCARPA MEN’S R-EVO GORE-TEX BOOT £199.99
If you’re planning to spend the autumn outdoors, choose the durable and protective R-Evo GORE-TEX boots. Comfortable and secure, they excel on technical terrain and long-distance trips. Code 244162
HELINOX CHAIR ONE £89.99 If you want comfort without a weight sacrifice, then choose the Chair One. It features an innovative DAC aluminium frame which is light, durable and incredibly easy to assemble. Code 265552
WILD ADVENTURES
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS Our pick of some of the best adventure gear, available in-store and online at ellis-brigham.com
PATAGONIA WOMEN’S CALCITE GORE-TEX PACLITE PLUS JACKET £249.99 Be prepared for the worst with one from the best. Patagonia developed the Calcite Jacket for hikers wanting reliable wet weather protection when out in the hills. Code 217750
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MSR POCKETROCKET DELUXE STOVE £69.99
Equipped with simmer control, robust pot supports and a pressure regulator to maintain fast boil times, the PocketRocket Deluxe achieves a consistent, precise cooking experience. Code 272012
HYDRO FLASK STANDARD MOUTH 21oz (621ml) £31.99
Hydro Flask’s TempShield Technology sees this double wall, vacuum insulated bottle keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for 24. Code 606008
RAB MEN’S LADAKH GORETEX JACKET £349.99 With supple GORE C-Knit technology, the Ladakh Jacket brings comfort to the fore while still providing reliable waterproof protection, perfect for hikers and climbers alike. Code 213377
OSPREY KYTE 46 £139.99
With a women’s specific fit and fully adjustable AirScape back panel, Osprey’s Kyte 46 ensures outstanding comfort to help you perform across a range of conditions. Code 292537
RAB WOMEN’S SKYLINE TIGHTS £59.99
MERRELL WOMEN’S ZION GORE-TEX SHOE £129.99
Designed to take you from your doorstep into the great outdoors, Merrell’s Zion provides surefooted traction and wet-weather protection for unforgettable adventures, every day. Code 291591
These comfortable and highly mobile mid-weight leggings feature reinforcements on the high wear areas; they’re ideal for the demands of steep, technical, rocky terrain. Code 213374
THE NORTH FACE MEN’S THERMOBALL ECO HOODY £179.99
A versatile outdoor all-rounder made from 100% post-consumer recycled ThermoBall Eco insulation, this versatile hoody achieves reliable warmth with less harm to the planet. Code 205658
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BEST BRITISH RIDGE WALKS Tick off some of the UK’s finest mountains with our pick of the best British ridge walks for epic views
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1. STRIDING EDGE AND SWIRRAL EDGE, HELVELLYN, ENGLAND LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate – advanced HOW TO GET THERE: Park in the car park
opposite Patterdale Hotel at the southern end of Ullswater The fact that you’re unlikely to get this walk to yourself underlines just how good it is – any hillwalker worthy of the name will have Helvellyn’s two edges on their ‘to do’ list. It’s a bit of a slog to get to the first of them, Striding Edge, but it’s worth it – this is in places a literally hands-on ascent, passing as it does along a narrow arête that requires a good head for heights. You’ll eventually find yourself on the 950 metre summit of Helvellyn, where you can stop to take in the surrounding peaks before continuing on to Swirral Edge for more thrilling, exposed scrambling as you retrace your steps around Red Tarn down in the cwm below, and eventually an easy walk down Grisedale.
ESSENTIALGEAR LIFESYSTEMS EXPLORER FIRST AID KIT £26.99 When heading to the hills, don’t forget your first aid kit! With 36 items, it will help you manage common outdoors injuries. Code 274035
ARC’TERYX MEN’S BETA LT GORE-TEX PRO JACKET £419.99
The best-selling hip-length Beta LT is made from GORE-TEX Pro to provide increased protection in harsh conditions. Code 233360
MEINDL WOMEN’S TERENO MID GORE-TEX £174.99
The Tereno combines wet weather protection, underfoot grip and comfort you can rely on for those long distance routes. Code 211407
OSPREY TALON 33 £99.99
A favourite within the outdoor community, the Talon 33 sits comfortable and stable, with a versatile design for all-season use. Code 292481 ellis-brigham.com
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3. 2. CRIB GOCH SNOWDONIA, WALES
3. RING OF STEALL, MAMORES, SCOTLAND
4. ARAN RIDGE, SNOWDONIA, WALES
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Advanced HOW TO GET THERE: From the car
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Advanced HOW TO GET THERE: Start at the car park at
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate HOW TO GET THERE: Park in the village of
park at Pen-y-Pass above Llanberis
Glen Nevis
Llanuwchllyn near Bala
Crib Goch (Red Ridge) is one of many routes to the summit of Snowdon, and certainly the most challenging and exciting. At its narrowest, 923 metre-high Crib Goch is just a couple of metres wide, with drops of hundreds of metres on either side. This may make it sound more hazardous than it actually is, but put it this way, you won’t be doing this ridge with your hands in your pockets. There’s steep scrambling both at the start of the ridge and at intervals along the way, and you can make your day in the hills into an even more challenging undertaking by continuing over Snowdon’s 1,085 metre summit to 898 metre Y Lliwedd and then back to your start point at Pen-y-Pass, thus completing the rightly famous Snowdon Horseshoe.
The Ring of Steall provides all that’s great about Highland hiking – a tough but rewarding ascent, incredible views and a bit of excitement along the way in the form of the ridge between 982 metre high An Gearanach and 975 metre An Garbhanach, along with the infamous Devil’s Ridge between 1,001 metre Sgorr an Lubhair and 1,099 metre Sgurr a’ Mhaim. And there’s also a thrilling start to the walk – you’ll have to cross a bridge before the An Steall waterfall that consists of just three wires, one for feet and two for arms - scarier than your average river crossing. From here there’s a long, steep climb up An Gearanach, after which the worst of the hard work is over and you’re rewarded with several miles of glorious, high level walking.
The Aran Ridge to the south of Bala is a nine mile linear route along a 900 metre-high ridge that remains relatively untrodden. Rising gradually from the start point, the Aran Ridge eventually tops out on the 905 metre summit of Aran Fawddy, where you’re rewarded with some of the best views in Wales, including the peaks of Snowdonia, the blue-green waters of Cardigan Bay and the remote, rolling hills of the Cambrian Mountains. Then there’s a thoroughly enjoyable tramp along the tops for a couple of miles before you descend to the delightful, unspoilt Cywarch Valley, above which the hills rise steep and imposing. Chances are you’ll see no more than a handful of other walkers along the way.
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5. THE MARDALE
HORSESHOE, LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Moderate HOW TO GET THERE: Park at Mardale Head at the southern end of Haweswater
You might just spot a sighting of a golden eagle as you clamber up onto the trail known as High Street, so keep your eyes peeled. Despite a not inconsiderable elevation of 829 metres, an ancient Roman road threads its way across High Street’s broad shoulders, where there are views on a clear day of huge swathes of the Lakes as well as stretching as far as the Howgill Fells, the Pennines and the Scottish Lowlands. As you set off on the second leg of the walk you’ll find yourself back into more solitary territory, taking in the summits of Mardale Ill Bell (760 metres) and Harter Fell (774 metres). Enjoy the wild and lonely atmosphere up here as the sun draws down before descending down the old packhorse route alongside Gatescarth Beck after a day well spent among some of England’s finest mountain landscapes.
5. A day well spent among 6. CUILLIN RIDGE, some of England’s finest ISLE OF SKYE, SCOTLAND mountain landscapes LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Advanced HOW TO GET THERE: Forestry car park at
north end of Glen Brittle (north-south) or Glen Brittle campsite (south-north.)
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Is this the Holy Grail of scrambling in Britain? The epic Black Cuillin Ridge is a once-in-alifetime 7.4 mile challenge, climbing over 22 peaks of black volcanic gabbro rock that soar high above the Isle of Skye. Be warned - this ridge is a challenge even for experienced mountaineers, and is notoriously tough both to hike and to navigate. The ridge is best attempted with a local guide, and includes 11 Munros and 16 smaller summits – the highest is Sgurr Alasdair at 992 metres. The route across them includes plenty of grade three scrambling sections and 4,000 metres of ascent and descent. A route only for experienced scramblers and climbers, who often attempt its boulder hills, scree slopes and knife-edge ridges over two days. ellis-brigham.com
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ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GRANGERS The science of protection. grangers.co.uk #withgrangersyoucan
IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN
How are eco-conscious outdoor brands shaking up the world of ethically-made gear?
For years the outdoor industry has been one of contradiction. A community built on people’s love of green spaces, untouched landscapes and a thirst for the wilderness – yet one where the high-tech gear we all wear for our adventures has been full of harmful materials and processes that are damaging for the very environments we love to explore. Patagonia has long recognised the importance of protecting our planet with an environmentally-focused ethos encompassing all they do. Other brands are also making rapid strides towards a more sustainable future and it’s clearly time we got behind the ones who are striving to care for the environment. But being an eco-friendly consumer can be pretty confusing when you’re navigating the jargon-filled world of what is truly ethical and what’s just greenwashing. What’s bluesign® gear? What are PCFs? And how can sheep help to save the planet? When it comes to brands built on good principles, Fjällräven (ellis-brigham. com/fjallraven) is a shining example. The clothing company was founded
with the ethos to ‘act responsibly towards nature, animals and people’, and focuses on using sustainable and recycled fabrics. Their ReWool scheme even takes sheep wool from the meat industry destined for landfill and refashions it into warm, eco-
ADVENTURERS HAVE THE POWER TO PROTECT THE OUTDOORS THEY LOVE friendly insulation. In 2015, Fjällräven declared war on pesky PFCs (which stands for perfluorocarbon) – chemical compounds widely used to make fabrics water repellent, at nature’s cost. Fjällräven’s Eco-Shell garments prove that brands can offer waterproofing without impacting on the environment. It’s not just your outdoor gear going green – it’s how you care for it, too. Grangers (ellis-brigham.com/grangers) is an eco-responsible aftercare brand whose cleaning and re-waterproofing products have been around for decades,
even helping Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay summit Mount Everest. They were the first aftercare brand in the world to receive bluesign® partner status (a standard for environmental health and safety) for their totally PFC-free products. And we wish all companies had the ambitions of market leading backpack brand Osprey (ellis-brigham.com/ osprey), who have announced their goal to be the ‘most progressive, transparent and sustainable outdoor hardgoods brand in the world’, aiming to become completely PFC-free by 2022 as well as switching to recycled materials. By choosing to buy gear from brands like these, adventurers have the power to protect the outdoors they love for future generations to enjoy. Here at Ellis Brigham, we are also working hard to improve our environmental credentials. Our 2nd Life scheme takes donated clothing and gear and gives it to homeless charities, helping those in need while reducing the amount of kit that goes into landfill. For more information, head to ellis-brigham.com/2ndlife ellis-brigham.com
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FIVE REASONS WE LOVE
WILD CAMPING Our five favourite reasons to pitch your tent in the back of beyond and wake up in a pocket of nature that’s all your own
EXPLORE BRITAIN
ESSENTIALGEAR MSR HUBBA HUBBA NX £444.99
This ultralight, three-season backpacking tent has a unique pole configuration, maximising head room for comfort. Code 259001
RAB WOMEN’S NEUTRINO 400 £334.99
The Neutrino 400’s plush 800 fill down has a hydrophobic treatment, for improved performance in damp conditions. Code 212272
THERM-A-REST PROLITE APEX £124.99
Therm-a-Rest’s warmest ProLite ever, the self-inflating Apex provides comfort you can rely on year-round. Code 230261
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Wild camping isn’t legal everywhere in the UK, but luckily the corners of Britain where it is allowed are some of the country’s most wild and beautiful landscapes. You can wild camp in some parts of Scotland and on Dartmoor National Park, provided you follow certain rules and leave no trace of your visit – how about pitching your tent on a Hebridean beach or remote moorland on your next camping adventure?
ESCAPE THE CROWDS
We boast thousands of glorious campsites in Britain – but they aren’t very peaceful when droves of cars and campers descend on them each year, especially during the school holidays. Wild camping lets you escape far from the madding crowds, and if you hike into a wild camping spot you’ll often find you have a glorious untamed landscape all to yourself for the night, even in the height of summer.
BUILD YOUR SKILLS
Wild camping does require more planning than an impromptu trip to a local campsite, but sleeping in remote places is also a great way to brush up on key outdoor skills such as route navigation, hiking in challenging terrain, packing the right kit and provisions for multi-day adventures and cooking on compact stoves. It’s also brilliant for practising leaving no trace when you explore the outdoors.
TRY A BIVVY
Bivvying (from bivouac, a temporary shelter) is the hardcore, no frills version of wild camping. Essentially, it’s just wrapping your sleeping bag in a waterproof bag, known as a bivouac or bivvy, and sleeping out in the elements. We love it because it’s also a great way to feel a lot closer to nature – the last thing you’ll see before you shut your eyes are the stars and the first thing you’ll see in the morning will be sunrise.
GET BACK TO BASICS
Wild camping means you’ll often have a glorious untamed landscape all to yourself
Sick of the sheer amount of kit you seem to need for a camping holiday in a campsite? Try sleeping wild instead. There’s no hefty tent or caravan awning to erect, monster stove to try to ignite or folding chairs to catch your finger in – wild camping is as minimalist as it gets, and it’s a great reminder that all you really need is a tent (or a bivvy bag) to spend a night in amazing wild places.
+ F or more information about Wild Camping, visit ellis-brigham.com/wildcampguide ellis-brigham.com
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WILD WEEKENDER
BRECON BEACONS
Ready to escape to the mountains? Travel writer Sian Lewis plans the perfect hiking, camping and wild swimming weekend in the peaks of the Brecon Beacons
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WEEKENDER ESSENTIALS
n Britain we’re tremendously lucky to have beautiful wild spaces that are protected and accessible to everyone on our doorsteps. Most of us live within an hour of a National Park, so even if you live in a city, like me, you can quickly escape to breathe in fresh air in an iconic landscape. When I need to escape for a weekend I always head to the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales, 520 square miles of craggy mountains to summit, cold, clear pools to swim in and hidden campsites to bed down in after an adventure. My recipe for the perfect Welsh weekend starts at Cwm Llwch campsite, near Brecon. It’s a wonderful place to pitch your tent if you’ve ever wanted to
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try out wild camping, as there are zero facilities on offer - just a beautiful little glade by a brook where you can camp, light a fire (campfires are permitted) and spend a night in the great outdoors. I like getting here on a Friday night, pitching my trusty MSR Hubba Hubba tent by the stream and waking up with the view of Pen y Fan’s distant peak on the horizon. Pen y Fan. It may not be Wales’ tallest or toughest mountain, but it’s one of its best loved, and I think the perfect way to climb it is from this side of the mountain, rather than the traditional route beginning at the Storey Arms. Here the trail is far less crowded, and rewards the hiker with the chance to catch a breather on the shores of Llyn
JETBOIL FLASH 2.0 £119.99
With a fast boil, strainer lid and simple connection, the Flash 2.0 enables quick and convenient cooking, anytime, anywhere. Code 288113
Cwm Llwch, the deep lake hidden under the summit in the valley that the campsite is named for.
Walking wild
When you set off from your tent you’ll follow a wide, stony track through shady trees. Here there are wildflowers in spring and summer and golden leaves littering the path in autumn. I love how the landscape changes as you climb, leaving behind gentler countryside, the path getting narrower and steeper as you hike above the treeline. The tall ferns next to the path are home to curious wild ponies and indifferent sheep, and every step you
MSR TRAILSHOT MICROFILTER £46.99
Fast to deploy and easy to operate onehanded, this pocket size microfilter lets you drink directly from the water source. Code 272303
The view behind you opens up - a patchwork of fields, towns and mountains take, the view behind you opens up – a patchwork of fields, towns and far-off mountains spread below like a map. Halfway up to the summit, you’ll stumble across the lake. I always stop here and make coffee in my Jetboil stove, sitting under the brooding peaks of Corn Du and Pen y Fan and watching tiny hikers slog up to stand triumphant on their summits. The scoop of land between the two peaks is known as Cadair Arthur, or Arthur’s Seat, and it’s the perfect perch for a king, looking down on their domain below. I’ve swum in Llyn Cwm Llwch a few times, too - the water can be icy cold (this is a glacial lake, after all) but it feels deliciously cool when you’re hot
LOWE ALPINE ALTUS ND40:45 £139.99
This versatile all-season, all-mountain performer includes an expandable lid that provides five extra litres of space. Code 200303
RAB WOMEN’S CIRRUS FLEX HOODY £119.99
Stay warm without overheating thanks to the synthetic Cirrus Featherless insulation and Thermic fleece side panels. Code 213370 ellis-brigham.com
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and sweaty after the climb up. I wouldn’t swim here on May Day though – legend has it that on that on the 1st May each year the barrier between the human and the magical worlds come down, and you can accidentally pass into a fairy realm by walking on the lake’s stony shore. From the lake it’s a steep walk up to the ridge, then a bimble all the way to stand proud on Pen y Fan’s 886 metre summit, where on fine days you’ll have views all around you of far-off peaks and gentler rolling countryside. That said, I’ve been here plenty of times when you can’t see a thing, just grey swirling fog enveloping the summit. Pen y Fan means ‘the mountain’s peak’ or ‘top of the place’ in Welsh, a fitting name for the tallest point in South Wales, where you feel like you’re standing with all of the country mapped out below you. If your legs haven’t gone to jelly by this point, you can carry on to the top of Corn Du at 873 metres, where you can stand by the Bronze Age burial chamber and try to spot the summit of far-off Cadair Idris before turning back. There’s something very satisfying about hiking back down the flank of
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You can pass into a fairy realm by walking on the lake’s stony shore the mountain and spotting your tent through the trees in the valley below, and once night begins to fall, Cwm Llwch is one of the cosiest camping spots I’ve ever stayed in. Paddle in the river, cook dinner over a campfire and then see how many stars you can spot in the sky – the National Park is an International Dark Sky Reserve with little light pollution, and you might see the Milky Way glimmering above your tent.
Secret swim
Ready to refuel? Head to Abergavenny, South Wales’ foodie capital. The streets are lined with tempting cafes, delis and independent suppliers, and if you’re exploring the Brecon Beacons
in autumn you might catch the town’s annual food festival, when the streets explode with stalls, demos and tasty things to eat. I like to grab a coffee at Fig Tree Espresso or a pint at the Hen and Chickens, then buy locally made goodies at Marches Deli – the perfect place to stock up for a hiking picnic or slap-up camping dinner. Before heading back to reality, cool off from a weekend of adventures in the Punchbowl, a lovely little lake tucked under The Blorenge mountain, close to Abergavenny. Walking here the long way round over seven miles is a great leg stretcher after Pen y Fan, with views of the peaks you conquered the day before in the distance. The pool itself is hidden by a ring of trees and feels like a secret
FOOTNOTES NAVIGATION
Ordnance Survey OS Explorer Brecon Beacons National Park OL12 and OL13
GETTING AROUND
A car is the easiest way to get around the National Park, or you can catch a train to Brecon and hike to Pen y Fan, or to Abergavenny and hike to the Punchbowl lake. nationaltrail.co.uk
FOOD AND DRINK
Brecon Cat Soup Kitchen Fuel up before your hike at Cat Soup Kitchen, which serves up tasty Asianinspired dishes plus great coffee and cakes. Scoff them on the café’s bright deckchairs overlooking the river. Abergavenny Marches Deli Stock up for the perfect hiking picnic at the Marches Deli, where shelves groan with Monmouthshire produce and there’s a salivation-inducing cheese and charcuterie counter. marchesdeli.co.uk
spot, with a small island in the centre. A local once told me it’s actually called the Devil’s Punchbowl, but it’s such an idyllic spot that that doesn’t bother me – it’s the perfect swimming hole, with still water that in late summer and autumn is delightfully warm. I always keep my eyes peeled for the peregrine falcons that have been spotted in the 200 year old trees on the shore. I may only get to spend a few days in Wales’ wild landscapes, but driving home to Bristol with hair wet from a wild swim, knackered legs from a hefty hill climb and wood smoke still clinging to my clothes, I feel like I’ve really escaped. A weekend in a place as magical as the Brecon Beacons is a true breath of fresh air.
WHERE TO STAY
Cwm Llwch campsite The perfect campsite if you’re heading up Pen y Fan. Cwm Llwch is a semi-wild site with no facilities, and the farmer comes round once a day to collect a few pounds from campers. Ynysfaen campsite Families, bigger groups or travelling in a campervan? Stay at lovely Ynysfaen in Trecastle near Brecon, a camping field hidden in woodland with friendly owners and great facilities. £10 per person. campingatynysfaen.co.uk Follow Sian’s adventures at @sianannalewis and thegirloutdoors.co.uk ellis-brigham.com
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THE KNOWLEDGE
ENDURANCE TRAINING Adventurer Sean Conway has swum the length of Britain, completed the world’s longest triathlon and holds the speed record for cycling across Europe – so he knows a thing or two about endurance training and racing. His tips will have you in tip-top form before your next challenge
1. PREPARATION IS KEY
Successful endurance training is all in the planning, and mileage makes champions. There are no shortcuts for endurance, like there are in HIIT (high-intensity interval training) or cardio – you’ve got to get out and do the miles. Don’t overthink it – if you put in the distance in preparation, you’ll succeed on the day.
2. FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Eat, eat, eat and eat… and more importantly, eat before you’re hungry. If you’re feeling hungry in an endurance situation, it’s already too late. Remember the key three categories for good nutrition: energy, recovery and health. Get a good balanced diet and follow a nutrition plan that incorporates all three.
3. STAY HYDRATED
When you’re pushing hard on long days you can need up to one litre of water per hour to keep hydrated. You’ll also need to take in more salt than usual, to help your body absorb it. So it’s simple: drink a lot and take in more salt. Energy gels and drinks are good, and I also like snacking on salty crisps.
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4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
The wrong amount of sleep can make you lose focus and energy during a multi-day race. Too little and you don’t recover fast enough, too much and you can’t catch up with people. If you’re not doing a multi-day race, make sure you sleep as much as possible - it’s in recovery that you get stronger.
5. MANAGE YOUR MUSCLES
Keep on top of muscle management throughout your training regime. Stretch, warm up properly (but not too much, to avoid taking away the elasticity in your muscles) and warm down after a workout. Self-massage and ice baths will also help with keeping your muscles in tip-top shape.
6. FIND YOUR MOTIVATION
To follow Sean’s adventures go to
@seanconwayadventure | seanconway.com
I think this is the most important factor of all when it comes to endurance. Keeping motivated is hard, but often if you’re feeling fit then your motivation will be high anyway. Experiment to see what helps you keep going - I find that raising money for charity is really effective for keeping me from quitting when I hit a wall.
ENDURANCEESSENTIALS INOV-8 MEN’S TWIN SHORTS £89.99
The ultimate 2-in-1 short for endurance athletes, with a supportive inner and loose outer for comfort and mobility. Code 295366
ULTIMATE DIRECTION MOUNTAIN VEST £139.99 From ultra-marathons to endurance training days, this 13 litre vest will accommodate all your running needs. Code 644012
HYDRAPAK ULTRAFLASK 500ML £17.99
A 500ml soft flask that can be used with or without the tube, it will shrink as you drink to minimise water movement. Code 605030
BLACK DIAMOND DISTANCE CARBON FLZ £149.99 An ultralight carbon construction and Z-Pole technology make these folding poles ideal for fast and light endeavours. Code 222150
INOV-8 MEN’S TRAILROC 280 £139.99
Featuring G Grip graphene-enhanced rubber, this is Inov-8’s toughest, lightweight, long distance mountain running shoe. Code 290097
CHIA CHARGE FLAPJACK BANANA £1.75
Chia Charge flapjacks do good and taste great. Easy to eat on the go, they give energy, omega 3 and antioxidants in one. Code 289281 ellis-brigham.com
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TOP TEN UNIQUE LANDSCAPES TO EXPLORE
Discover ten of the world’s most extraordinary places on your next adventure, from wild deserts to salt flats and active volcanoes
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JORDAN: Wadi Rum desert If you pictured the desert of adventure storybooks and Lawrence of Arabia films, it might look rather like Wadi Rum, a sprawling sand-clad wilderness in southern Jordan. At a huge 278 square miles in size, this is a more varied landscape than you think – here you’ll find rolling dunes, sandstone mountains loved by climbers and scramblers and vertigoinducing stone arches such as the Burdah Bridge to hike across. It’s surprisingly easy to get lost in this arid wilderness, and a guide is essential, especially for scrambling. The Bedouin people who have lived here for centuries now act as walking guides and open their remote but comfortable desert camps to visitors, where you can stargaze of an evening with a traditional glass of mint tea.
ICELAND: The Landmannalaugar valley You can’t create a list of otherworldly hiking landscapes without including Iceland. And on this bizarrely beautiful island, home to black sand beaches, glittering glaciers and fermented shark for tea, the Laugavegur trail stands out as a feast for the eyes. This 34 mile-long route begins in Landmannalaugar, a geothermal rainbow-coloured wonderland of a valley where the mountains are striped by obsidian and rhyolite in every hue you could imagine. Hike towards the south, staying in remote mountain cabins, and you’ll end up in Thorsmork, a green valley named for the Norse god of thunder and capped by the Eyjafjallajökull glacier. ellis-brigham.com
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SCOTLAND: Old Man of Storr It’s hard to miss the enormous and iconic pinnacle that crowns the Isle of Skye in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides. The ‘Old Man’ seems to act as a guardian of the island’s Trotternish Ridge mountain range – and according to local legends, it’s the gravestone of a giant. The pinnacle was created in a colossal ancient landslide, and now stands 50 metres high. It was first climbed in 1955, and is said to be as ‘unstable as porridge’! It’s a two-mile walk to reach the Old Man, rewarding hikers with panoramic views of surrounding Skye and over the Sound of Raasay.
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USA: Autumn in Vermont Get ready to find your inner leaf peeper - that’s the name given to those who flock to New England in autumn to catch the elusive changing colours of fall. The state of Vermont is three-quarters forest and becomes ablaze with brilliant reds, oranges and golds as its native sugar maple trees turn with the season each year (usually between late September and early October). Climb up to Smuggler’s Notch, a mountain pass from which you can take in a blaze of fall colour.
BOLIVIA: Salar de Uyuni Nowhere does the word ‘dreamscape’ apply as well as to Bolivia’s huge Salar de Uyuni. These snow-white salt flats stretch for miles and miles in a valley surrounded by the Andean mountains. In the rainy season the salt reflects the sky, mirrorlike; in dry weather it forms a strange expanse of hexagonal craters where you’ll quickly lose your ability to judge distances. You can walk, drive or cycle across this sea of salt, and hike to little ‘islands’ of rock covered in huge cacti. For a more challenging hiking trip, add on treks to the top of the dormant volcanoes of Tunupa (5,190 metres) and Acotango (6,052 metres) in Sajama National Park. ellis-brigham.com
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USA: Monument Valley, Arizona Drive into Monument Valley on Highway 163 and you’ll feel like someone has turned the saturation way up, so crimson-bright are the iconic mesas and rocks that rise up to 350 metres high from the red sand floor. The remote Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, located within Arizona and Utah in the Navajo Reservation, is home to big rocks, big sky and very little else. Hike here at dawn to see the harsh colours softened by the emerging sun in what is perhaps the grandest desert on earth.
CHINA: Zhangjiajie Mountains Fans of fantasy film Avatar may recognise these incredible peaks – they were the inspiration behind the floating mountains of the fictional world of Pandora. The real Zhangjiajie National Park in Hunan, China is no less impressive, with soaring pillars of quartzite sandstone covered in dense
foliage rising up from the valley floor, often wreathed in fog. Visitors flock from around the globe to see this unbelievable landscape, but with 3,000 pillars sprawled across the UNESCO-protected park there’s still plenty of space to hike and explore – keep an eye out for the resident macaques.
CORNWALL: Sea bed, Scilly Fancy a walk on the bottom of the sea? It’s easier than you think. Head to the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, where five subtropical islands are surrounded by clear turquoise waters home to plentiful shipwrecks. At certain times of the year, when the changing tides ebb just low enough, it’s possible to walk across the sea bed between the islands of Bryher and Tresco, and the two communities meet in the middle of the sea bed for a fleeting seafood feast. Other islets such as Gugh can be reached daily when the tides reveal sunken walkways. Four of the five islands also have lovely campsites with some of the best coastal camping views in Britain.
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TURKEY: Cappadocia Ever seen a fairy’s chimney before? That’s the local name for the incredible natural formations of Cappadocia, an otherworldly place in the heart of the Anatolian hills. Tall cream-coloured hills and strange rock formations cluster in the valley, and beneath them are man-made
caves, caverns and a grotto church – you can even stay in a cave hotel. The very best ways to see Cappadocia are by foot, hiking among those magical hills, or by taking a dawn hot air balloon flight, joining hundreds of other travellers suspended high above this surreal landscape.
ETHIOPIA: Danakil Depression
Welcome to the hottest place on earth. Ethiopia’s vast desert plain is where three tectonic plates meet in the Horn of Africa and create a truly otherworldly landscape in technicolour hues. Make the long expedition to the Mars-like desert of the Danakil Depression, which sits at 100 metres below sea level, and you’ll find gurgling active volcanoes, living lava lakes, acidic pools, huge salt pans and Crayolabright yellow, green and orange rocks tinted by iron and sulphur. Walking here is like stepping onto an alien planet.
Explore an otherworldly landscape painted in technicolour hues
ESSENTIALGEAR
THE NORTH FACE BASE CAMP DUFFEL LARGE £119.99
The iconic Base Camp Duffel, with a 95 litre capacity and comfy straps to make moving kit across the globe easy. Code 204112
ICEBREAKER WOMEN’S TECH LITE LOW S/S CREW £59.99
The number one adventure tee, made from a lightweight merino blend for comfort, breathability and odour resistance. Code 239273
SALOMON MEN’S OUTLINE GORE-TEX £114.99
Explore more with the Outline, a waterproof walking shoe with an athletic design that’ll keep you feeling light and nimble. Code 243117
LEKI KHUMBU LITE – PAIR £74.99
With Leki’s Speed Lock+ system, these poles are quick and easy to adjust, and the CorTec grip gives reliable comfort. Code 685214 ellis-brigham.com
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WEEKENDER FJORDS Sian Lewis heads for Norway to see how many outdoor adventures she can pack into three days in the fairytale fjords Photos by Mike O’Dwyer
TRAVEL TIPS GETTING THERE
Norwegian fly from London to Ålesund from £106 return. norwegian.com
GETTING AROUND
Rent a car in Ålesund or travel the fjords in style by hopping on a 7-day active fjords P&O cruise departing from Southampton, from £799 pp. pocruises.com
FOOD AND DRINK
Meeting the locals
My first glimpse of Norway’s western fjords is from the air, flying into Ålesund above a pirate’s treasure map of green islands and indigo ocean, and the landscape proves just as magical on solid ground. Our first stop on the way to the fjords is at Herdal Farm. This remote meadow was once a summer pasture where local goat farmers brought their herds to graze - now you can hike to the farm to meet the resident goats and sample the surprisingly tasty goat milk sweets made here. This is the last of the gentle weather we’ll have on our action-packed weekend – storm clouds are looming as we drive to UNESCOlisted Geirangerfjord, a huge body of water fed by cascading waterfalls tumbling down from the mountains that rise steeply above it.
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Out on the water
The very best way to see the fjords up close is by kayak. We carry ours to the water’s edge and paddle out - it’s raining lightly, but that no longer matters once we’re well wrapped in waterproofs and busy gazing up at the astonishing cliff faces that tower above our tiny kayaks. This landscape is on an epic scale - the fjord is 260 metres deep and the lofty mountains rise 1,700 metres above its surface. We paddle in their shadow to the rushing waterfalls known as the Seven Sisters, where huge arcs of water tumble down the cliffs to meet us. Out of the kayaks, we hop straight onto bikes and head up to the summit of Dalsnibba mountain, where the change in temperature is palpable it’s only September but my damp jacket quickly hardens with frost. The vertiginous view across
Norway’s freshlycaught seafood is a highlight.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Alexandra in Loen is cheery, old fashioned and comfortable. alexandra.no The Hotel Union in Geiranger is the perfect base for exploring the nearby fjord. hotelunion.no
LOCAL HEROES
Three must-dos in Geiranger, from kayaking to cuddling goats.
the mountain tops and far down to Geirangerfjord is awe-inspiring. From the summit, we follow the Nibbevegen road. Known as Norway’s most ambitious building project, it’s so exposed to the elements that it has to be closed each winter. We careen back down to the valley below, squeezing our brakes around its sharp hairpin bends. Next we hop on the Loen Skylift, a shiny new cable car that whisks visitors up Hoven mountain. We share the journey with some adrenaline-buzzed base jumpers carrying their parachutes – they’ve just catapulted themselves off the mountain top, and are heading up for another go. The angry clouds finally part at the top of Hoven, and we
A landscape where tall mountains and deep waters rub shoulders see distant peaks wreathed in swirling mist as we lace up hiking boots - from the summit a network of walking and trail running routes criss-cross through Jostedalsbreen National Park. There’s time for one last adventure - a rain-sodden hike to the icy waters of Briksdalen glacier. Even in a storm, this landscape where tall mountains and deep waters rub shoulders is one of the most exciting I’ve ever explored. I’d come back to Norway’s fjords in any weather.
ESSENTIALGEAR THE NORTH FACE WOMEN’S HEDGEHOG FASTPACK GORE-TEX £119.99
This technical hiking shoe offers all-day comfort and stability thanks to the impact absorbing Cradle Guide midsole. Code 206378
BRASSERIE POSTEN
The very best of hearty Scandinavian cuisine is served up at this smart modern bistro in what was once Geiranger’s post office. brasserieposten.no
VISIT HERDAL FARM
If ever there was a fairytale version of Norway, it would look like this farm. Meet the herd of friendly goats and try the tasty goat milk sweets (yes, really). herdalssetra.no
FJÄLLRÄVEN WOMEN’S KEB JACKET £259.99
The refined Keb Jacket was built to last. Ventilated, comfortable and with repairable features, it’s a superb outdoor all-rounder. Code 258187
FJÄLLRÄVEN ULVÖ ROLLTOP 23 £139.99
Made from durable, waterproof Bergshell, the Ulvö Rolltop is a sleek, streamlined day pack perfect for all season use. Code 642016
KAYAK GEIRANGER
Grab a paddle - Geiranger Kayak offer guided or solo kayaking under the iconic Seven Sisters waterfalls. geirangerfjord.no
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HOW TO GET INTO
CLIMBING
Fancy getting to grips with climbing but not sure where to start? Jon Jones, head of Rock & Mountain at Scotland’s Glenmore Lodge, shares his tips for getting started and progressing to real rock Chances are you’ve already heard and read about the health and fitness benefits of rock climbing. Whether you hit the wall indoors or outdoors, climbing is a fantastic physical workout that you can pitch at the right level for you – and when you go climbing you treat yourself to a mental holiday from everyday life. For a few precious hours, nothing else exists besides you, your pal and whatever you have chosen to climb that day, be it plastic holds indoors or the real tough stuff outdoors. Getting into climbing can feel a bit daunting,
DON’T LET ANYTHING HOLD YOU BACK
My first and most fundamental tip for anyone wondering if they could be a climber? Don’t let any doubts about yourself hold your back. Anyone of any age or fitness level should be able to get into climbing – there’s no ideal age, weight, body type or fitness level needed to start and progress. So there’s no excuse!
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though. How do you meet people to climb with? How do you build confidence and experience? What equipment do you need? And how do you progress to climbing outdoors? Working as head of Rock & Mountain at Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, Glenmore Lodge, means I’ve seen hundreds of people progress from complete beginners learning the ropes indoors to confident climbers on outdoor crags, and these are my recommendations for anyone who wants to get the skills to transition to outdoor climbing.
GET THE RIGHT KIT
Your indoor gear, such as your harness and rope, will work outdoors, but you’ll need additional equipment when you progress to trying trad climbing, including a basic ‘rack’ of gear (this usually includes a range of wires, camming units, longer extenders and some slings). Pop to Ellis Brigham to get advice from experienced staff.
TOTAL BEGINNER? START INDOORS
Never touched rock before? Get lessons aimed at beginners at your local indoor climbing wall. Climbing centres are great places to get a taste of what it is like to climb and brush up on your skills in a safe learning environment. A beginner’s course is also the perfect way to meet others interested in climbing.
Learn climbing and mountaineering skills at Glenmore Lodge Ellis Brigham’s official training partner; Glenmore Lodge is the Scottish National Outdoor Training Centre. Located in the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands, they run outdoor activity courses and holidays all year round. The Lodge offers climbing courses to suit all levels, from Discover Rock Climbing, a two-day course aimed at total beginners that will get you climbing outside, to guided climbing holidays in the Highlands and climbing instructor qualifications. glenmorelodge.org.uk
FIND THE CONFIDENCE TO GET OUTSIDE
Already happy climbing indoors and want to head outdoors? Getting your hands on real rock is what climbing is all about. I recommend finding out if your climbing wall can suggest outside climbing courses in your area - at Glenmore Lodge, we offer courses tailored to suit first time outdoor climbers.
GET STARTED WITH SPORT CLIMBING
A good stepping stone to outdoor climbing is to try sport climbing outdoors first. You’ll be climbing on bolted routes and the ropework and gear are the same as indoors, so you’ll gain experience and confidence that will help you hugely if you then want to progress to trad (from ‘traditional’) rock climbing.
CLIMBINGESSENTIALS BLACK DIAMOND MOMENTUM PACKAGE £84.99
Featuring the climbing essentials, this great value harness package is ideal for those looking to upgrade from hire kit. Code 133011
LA SPORTIVA WOMEN’S TARANTULA £74.99
The Tarantulas offer superb comfort and moisture management to keep feet happy however long you climb for. Code 135509
PETZL BOREO £58.99
Compact and head-covering, the durable, versatile Boreo is suitable for climbing, caving, mountaineering, and more! Code 134516 ellis-brigham.com
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LAURA THE EXPLORER
We sat down for a cuppa with adventure athlete and Ellis Brigham ambassador Laura Kennington to chat about finding confidence for epic challenges Photos: Ben Arthur and Raphael Rychetsky
Meet explorer, athlete and Keen footwear ambassador Laura Kennington – she’s cycled across continents, swum between islands and kayaked wild rivers in the name of adventure, and you’re likely to find her thoughts on getting out of your comfort zone pretty inspiring… What first drove you to become an adventure athlete? I reached a point in my early twenties where I had everything I was meant to have: a good job, a steady income, nice clothes, etc. – and none of it was making me happy. In fact, I was desperately miserable and I had a nagging feeling that I was completely wasting my potential – and my life! I wanted to find out what I was capable of and I wanted to spend my days doing something that I felt had value, so I set myself my first adventure challenge.
ADVENTURE ESSENTIALS
What advice would you give to someone who wants to try their first adventure challenge? It’s really important to remember that absolutely everyone was a beginner at some point. Figure out where your knowledge gaps are, and how you can improve them. There are so many blogs packed full of helpful information, and where those fall short, there are experts
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Confidence is like a muscle - it gets stronger the more you use it and instructors you can reach out to directly. And remember that confidence is like a muscle, it gets stronger the more you use it.
out a life full of purpose for myself. And ultimately, I wrote it to give people a reminder that humans are able to do extraordinary things.
Tell us about your new book, Kairos, and the ethos behind it. Kairos is an Ancient Greek word that means “the opportune moment”, which I thought was the perfect fit for a life of adventure – people can waste years waiting for the ‘right time’ to begin a challenge, but I think that the right moment is the one you seize! I wrote Kairos to share my story; my first tentative steps away from a conventional life and all the steps (and stumbles) that followed as I carved
How do you train before a challenge? My first priority is always a strong base fitness and injury avoidance, so I plan in plenty of strength and conditioning work and yoga sessions. Then it’s just a case of getting plenty of miles in whenever possible.
SUUNTO 9 BARO £539.99
A multisport watch built to last, with a stainless steel bezel and achieving up to 120 hours of continuous exercise tracking. Code 681250
What bit of kit do you always pack? My trusty Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite camping mat (£159.99 from Ellis Brigham, ellis-brigham.com) has been with me for years and is still going
CICERONE TOUR OF THE LAKE DISTRICT £11.99 Explore Laura’s favourite British destination with this Cicerone guide, covering the best of the area in a circular trek. Code 192006
Timeline Caspian Challenge, Russia:
2015 kayaking the Volga River.
Atlantic Ride, Ireland: 2015 Wild 1,615 mile cycle. Islands Triathlon: swimming, 2016 Channel cycling and kayaking across the islands.
2017 2017
Fuerteventurun, Fuerteventura: 100 mile run along the island. LK500 (first attempt), Scotland: cycling the North Coast 500.
2018
L K500 (second - triumphant attempt), Scotland.
2018 strong. It’s super comfy, packs down small and is very lightweight. How do you cope mentally with tough days on endurance challenges? A big part of my mindset is making myself find things to appreciate – especially on the tough days. Every night I make myself a list of three things that I can feel grateful for – even if it’s something as basic as having a hot cup of tea after a day in the elements. Which of your challenges was the toughest to complete? My Caspian Challenge (in which Laura kayaked the entire length of the Volga River in Russia, a whopping 2,300 miles)
Great North Ride, Europe: cycling 3,728 miles Scotland - Norway.
holds this title – there were so many unexpected curve balls and it was my first big solo challenge.
visit, I stayed in a camping barn on Low Bridge End Farm (campingbarn.com), which was the perfect base for exploring.
Which was the most rewarding? I’ll pick the Great North Ride (cycling 3,728 miles from Scotland to Norway), because it was my biggest challenge yet, and rolling into Bergen in Norway having triumphed against fatigue and self doubt was magical.
What’s the next adventure you have planned? I’m afraid this is top secret… for now!
What’s your favourite destination to explore in Britain? I’d have to say the Lake District - it’s one big adventure playground! I love wild camping there, but the local camping barns are also fantastic. On my last
KEEN WOMEN’S TARGHEE III LOW WP £99.99
For comfort and support mile after mile, the Targhee excels. An all-season performer, it’s a top pick in mixed conditions. Code 287247
Follow Laura’s adventures @laurakairos and at lauraexplorer.com. Kairos is available now from Amazon. Laura will be signing copies of her new book and speaking at Ellis Brigham stores this autumn. Visit ellis-brigham.com/laurakennington to reserve your place.
THERM-A-REST WOMEN’S NEOAIR XLITE £159.99 The ultimate in comfort and compactness, ThermaCapture technology provides greater warmth in a superlight package. Code 230257
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HAPPY FEET! ‘Look after your feet and the rest will look after itself’ is a mantra in the outdoors world, and for good reason – keep your feet healthy and problem-free for lifelong hiking with Ellis Brigham’s guide to common foot problems and how to solve them
Wearing walking-specific socks and lacing your boots up properly helps
ESSENTIALGEAR SMARTWOOL WOMEN’S PHD OUTDOOR LIGHT CREW £19.99
Featuring Indestructawool technology, these soft merino socks will outlast your greatest adventure. Code 219081
SUPERFEET TRAILBLAZER COMFORT MAX £39.99
Designed specifically for hiking, these insoles feature an EVOLyte carbon fibre cap to stabilise and support on uneven terrain. Code 704019
SIDAS FOOTCARE KIT £24.99
From silicone Toe Caps to Anti Friction cream, use this kit to protect and soothe your feet before, during and after sport. Code 704655
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BLISTERS
METATARSALGIA
BRUISED TOENAILS
BUNIONS
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
ACHILLES TENDONITIS
Blisters are one of the most common complaints suffered by walkers. They are friction injuries, in which pockets of fluid form to protect a hot spot from further damage. Being blisterfree is all about picking the right boots. The heel should fit snugly to avoid slippage, and make sure that the fit is good around your toes, forefoot and ankle to minimise excessive movement and reduce friction.
Painful ‘toe bang’ is often experienced by hikers when going downhill, as the weight of the body pushes the foot forward in the boot. This can be a symptom of boots being too short or too loose. To avoid bruised toes and damaged toenails, the boot shape and size must be right - get your boots fitted by an expert. Wearing walkingspecific socks and lacing your boots up properly also helps.
The symptoms of this condition are pain in the heel, arch and bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is caused by prolonged tension and inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament, often due to excessive pronation (the natural side-to-side movement of the foot) and a lack of flexibility in the leg muscles. Wearing shoes that offer good support will improve comfort by relieving stress on the plantar fascia.
There are many causes of pain and tenderness felt in the soft tissue beneath the forefoot. The basic problem is an uneven distribution of weight through the forefoot due to a host of different factors, and people with high or low arches tend to suffer more from metatarsalgia. Using footbeds to support the whole foot and create a more balanced platform inside the boot will help.
Properly known as hallux valgus, bunions are inflamed bumps on the outside of the big toe joint (the first metatarsal). The big toe may also point inwards slightly, with decreased range of motion. They are caused by irritation when the big toe joint pushes into the side of footwear. Ellis Brigham’s shoe range offers a variety of fit options that are designed to stabilise the foot, reducing pressure in the forefoot.
This is an overuse injury caused by excessive stress on the Achilles tendon above the heel. What may begin as a mild ache in the back of the leg can develop into debilitating stiffness and discomfort. It is most common after a rapid increase in exercise, especially involving significant ascent. A footbed will support the arch and raise the heel, reducing pressure on the Achilles while providing good shock absorption.
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nature is waiting Fjällräven award winning Keb Range
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