tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:03:32 +0000CairngormsScottish Highlandsbackpackingwild campingsnowwinterThe Great OutdoorshillwalkingTGOoutdoor gearhill walkingoutdoor writingconservationwritinglong distance hikingphotographyScotlandnaturebooksStrathspeyweatherlong-distance hikingbook reviewsoutdoor booksPacific Crest Traillong distance trailsgear reviewsski touringoutdoor magazinesfilmautumnoutdoor gear reviewsTGO ChallengeTerry Abrahambirdsbackpacking gearmountainsMunroslong distance walkingwinter campingwildlifeMeall a'BhuachailleScottish watershedwinter hillwalkinghikingCairngorms National ParkGlen FeshieLake DistrictPacific Northwest Trailigloosstormsautumn colourscampingtreeswild landJohn Muir Trustlong-distance trailswind farmswoodsBen MacduiCairn GormtentsCairngorms In Wintersunsetcamerasforestoutdoor photographytalksforestsrewildingcloudshiking gearlong-distance walkingnature writingContinental Divide Traillandscape photographyJohn MuirMonadh 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for hikingfood for wild campingfootwearfront packsfuel transferfuniculargarden wildlifegas canistersgear testinggeologygin. spiritsglovesgoatsgorsegranolagreenfinchhatshead lampsheadnetsheat exchangerheat exchanger potsheatwavehiking bootshiking pictureshiking quiltshiking shirtshiking techhiking trailshill fortshill listshill pathshillwalhillwalkhillwalkihillwalkinhillwalking gearhillwalking videoshillwalkinhhillwalklinghip flaskice axeinterviewlakeslandslipslapwinglapwingslayering systemleave no tracelectureslenseslightweightlightweight backpackinglightweight hikinglogginglong diststance walkslong-distance walkslong-dustance hikinglong-tailed titslynxmalt whiskymap canvasmap decorationsmappingmegapixelsmemoriesmidge netsminimum impactmistsmoon & Jupitermountain campingmountain climbingmountain haresmountain literaturemountain safetymountain sheltersmountain writingmountaineeringmountaineering booksnature photographynature writersnight photographynoctilucent cloudsnoticesnstional parksottersoutdoor Xmas presentsoutdoor accessoutdoor blogsoutdoor gear testingoutdoor phoneoutdoor pocastsoutdoors writingovergrazingphone mastsphoto editingphoto processingphotograohyphotographic gearpine martenplayspower banksptarmiganpublishingquad copterrain clothingrain jacketsravensrecordingrecyclingred deerreindeerright to roamriver fordsroute-findingrowan treesrugged phoneruined houseruinssandalssatellite communicatorsscanned slidesscience fictionsea birdssealsseasonsshelterssignssilversmithskysky racessmartphonesnow meltingsnow travelsolsticespring snowstar photographystealth campingstorytellingsun protectionsunshinesustainabilityswanstent reviewtent reviewsthawthawsthe Cuillinthe Dava Waythe Speyside Waythe layer systemthru'hikingthunderthunderstormstrad musictrail foodtrainstrapstripodsultralight gearurban landscapewaist packswalking footwearwalking gearwalking gear reviewswalking gear testingwalking trouserswaterwater for hikingwaterproof notebookswaterproof/breathablewhooper swanswild camping gearwild campswild land areaswildcatswilderness signswilderness walkingwildfireswindwindswindshirtwinter camping. camp stoveswinter climbingwinter clothingwinter gearwinter hikingwinter landscapewinter landscapeswinter mountain safetywinter skillswinter woodswoodwoodlandBackpacking, hiking, camping, mountains, natural history, wilderness, book reviews, conservation, writing, photography, arts, politics and anything else on which I have something to say.http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/noreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)Blogger2229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-6288357912763718676Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:03:32 +00002026-07-11T19:03:32.674+01:00backpacking tentsCairngormsScottish Highlandswild camping Last month I had a short trip in the Cairngorms with a tent I was testing for the first time. The weather was windy and cloudy with a few showers, which was good for the test but the reason I didn't go any further than my camp spot. I did make a video about the tent and the stove system I used - Robens Alta Via 1 UL and Primus Lite Ultra .I didn't write a blog post but I did take some http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/07/a-windy-tent-test-in-cairngorms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-331887611574858136Mon, 06 Jul 2026 23:37:11 +00002026-07-07T00:37:11.148+01:00backpacking gearlong-distance hiking gearLast camp of the walk by the river SpeyThe weather on my week-long Moray Way walk in late May was pleasant. There was a strong wind the first four days but it wasn’t cold and although often cloudy there were only a few very short showers – my waterproofs never came out of the pack. The last two days were hot and sunny, making water and sunscreen the two most important items in my pack. I requiredhttp://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/07/the-gear-i-used-on-moray-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-7653347099457795932Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:53:22 +00002026-06-30T21:53:22.579+01:00 http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/06/the-moray-way-third-of-three-videos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2464347010796170778Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:19:41 +00002026-06-24T14:19:41.564+01:00long-distance hikingthe Moray Coast TrailThe Moray Way http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/06/the-moray-way-second-of-three-videos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-5196009108329066725Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:13:21 +00002026-06-24T14:13:21.973+01:00TGOThe Great OutdoorsA belated look at the July issue of The Great Outdoors. A problem with the internet has stopped me posting for a while.In this issue I and Steph Wetherall each review an ultralight big pack and a standard weight big pack. Also in the gear pages James Roddie reviews eight outdoor apps, Steph Wetherall reviews Maier Sports Lawa Shorts, Fiona Russell reviews the Berghaus Rain-Motion Jacket, and http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/06/a-look-at-july-issue-of-great-outdoors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2315143465712999438Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:02:08 +00002026-06-24T14:17:53.597+01:00Dava Waylong distance hikinglong distance trailsMoray WayHere's a link to the first of four videos I'll be posting about my Moray Way walk. One for each section of the walk and one on the gear I used.This video covers the Dava Way and my first camp.http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/06/moray-way-videos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-3731550715707626365Sun, 07 Jun 2026 22:52:38 +00002026-06-07T23:52:38.556+01:00outdoor gearOutdoor Trade ShowJust back from this year's Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool. To my surprise this was the 20th show. I didn't think there had been that many. As always there was plenty to see and plenty of people to chat with, often the only time I meet them face to face each year.Three days in this vast hall with its temporary outdoor gear village.Amidst all the new gear it was good to see Keela promoting its http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/06/the-outdoor-trade-show-2026.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-5953172133231636481Sun, 31 May 2026 22:35:45 +00002026-05-31T23:35:45.569+01:00long-distance trailslong-distance walkingScotlandthe Dava Waythe Moray Coast TrailThe Moray Waythe Speyside WayFirst camp, on Dava Moor on the Dava Way.The Moray Way is a 100 mile/160km walk linking the Dava Way, the Moray Coast Trail, and the Speyside Way. Forres on the coast is usually the starting point for the walk. However, as I live just a few kilometres from the Dava Way at Grantown-on-Spey it seemed logical to start there. Indeed, for the first time ever I set out on a long walk from my front doorhttp://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/05/the-moray-way-some-thoughts-pictures.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-3761016020872786149Mon, 18 May 2026 08:00:00 +00002026-05-21T14:26:10.585+01:00long distance walkingMunrosScottish Highlandswild campingThe first of 517. On Ben More on Mull, May 18.Thirty years ago on May 18, 1996, I climbed Ben More on the Isle of Mull, the first summit on a walk over all the 517 Munros and Tops - mountains and subsidiary summits in the Scottish Highlands over 3,000 feet/914.4 metres in height. The walk ended 118 days later on Ben Hope, the northernmost Munro, after around 1770 miles/2850 km and some 575000 http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/05/thirty-years-ago-i-walked-over-all.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-1371941479900298701Mon, 11 May 2026 23:12:27 +00002026-05-12T00:12:27.804+01:00TGOThe Great OutdoorsI have an unusual gear feature in the latest TGO magazine. Rather than a review of any particular product it's an opinion piece on packs and, in particular, what features I really don't like. More conventionally I also review the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Vest.Also in the gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each review three daypacks and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/05/a-look-at-june-issue-of-great-outdoors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-1418750967178191697Mon, 11 May 2026 21:37:39 +00002026-05-11T22:37:39.191+01:00backpacking stovesJetboil Stash (left) and Primus Lite Ultra 0.8LThe Jetboil Stash, launched several years ago, and the new Primus Lite Ultra 0.8L are, as far as I know, the two lightest gas canister stove systems by a long way. By stove system I mean a pot and stove designed to work together and only available as a unit. Usually the pot and stove lock together when in use though this isn't the case with the Stashhttp://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/05/a-video-comparing-two-lightweight-stove.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-7952177312926162319Sat, 02 May 2026 16:08:31 +00002026-05-02T17:08:31.143+01:00CairngormsEl Alamein shelterhikinghillwalkingOn a sunny day in late April I decided to wander up to Cairn Gorm’s long north ridge and have a look at the abandoned El Alamein shelter, which lies on the steep bouldery slopes falling into Strath Nethy. I’d visited the shelter before and I remembered that it wasn’t that easy to find. It can’t be seen from the ridge, you have to descend a fair way down before it comes into view and even then http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/05/a-visit-to-abandoned-el-alamein-shelter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-1483976149320785039Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:17:15 +00002026-04-29T23:17:15.216+01:00Cairngormshikingwild campingLoch AvonAfter weeks of changeable weather, the second half of April has seen day after day of fine weather. The first mountain camp of the year called and I climbed up to the Cairngorm Plateau. The sun was bright and warm but the east wind was chilly. Snowfield crossingThere were still large snowfields and I took out my ice axe to ascend one. The snow was sugary on top but hard and icy http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/a-walk-and-camp-on-cairngorm-plateau-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-8813422942380788457Sat, 25 Apr 2026 20:55:55 +00002026-04-25T21:55:55.605+01:00backpackinghikingwild campingThe camp in Coire an IubhairIn response to the photo at the start of my recent post  about stove systems I was asked by Chris Sainty about the boots I was wearing. As I had no idea, the picture being 21 years old, and many boots having been tested since then, I searched through my files and discovered I'd written a trip report and gear review for this January 2005 trip for The Great Outdoorshttp://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/from-archives-wild-camp-and-mountain-21.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-8102777509872010044Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:12:00 +00002026-04-25T14:44:36.180+01:00backpackingcamping stoveshikingUsing the original Jetboil in 2005A lightweight backpacking stove system arrived for testing a few days ago, the third such new stove system this year, which set me thinking about the rise of these stove and pot combinations and why they are popular. A stove or cooking system is basically just a pot and stove that come as a package. They’re not new. The methylated spirits/alcohol burning Trangiahttp://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/a-look-at-stove-systems-for-backpacking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-5786795029512641728Mon, 13 Apr 2026 22:21:00 +00002026-04-13T23:21:11.247+01:00TGOThe Great OutdoorsThe May issue of TGO has a big feature on gear for wild camping. My contributions are reviews of four stoves - Fire Maple Petrel Titanium Ultralight, GSI Pinnacle Four Season, Alpkit MyTiBurner, & Robens Fire Wisp Solo Cook Set UL -, the Gregory Baltoro 65 pack, and the Alpkit Radiant sleeping mat. Another mat is reviewed by David Lintern - the Highlander Nap Pak Arctic.Also in this section http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/a-look-at-may-issue-of-great-outdoors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2026818134239456347Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:24:00 +00002026-04-07T00:24:25.738+01:00backpackinglong-distance hikingPennine WayBelow Rakes Rocks. My first camp on the Pennine Way, April 7On April 7th, 1976, I set out on my first long-distance walk, a journey that was to set the pattern for the rest of my life. In the previous few years I had done plenty of day walks in the hills and a few one or two night backpacking trips. Now I wanted to find out what a longer trip felt like and whether I could complete one. I chose http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/fifty-years-ago-i-was-on-pennine-way-my.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-3568732310193100427Sun, 05 Apr 2026 22:50:00 +00002026-04-06T00:18:02.025+01:00hikingScottish Highlandswild campingCamp in the forestWith a big storm approaching and unsettled weather already here venturing into the high mountains didn’t seem a good idea so I decided on an overnight trip in my local moorland hills. There were places I’d still never visited despite living here for over thirty years. This seemed a good time to go and see them. The field of young pines with the Cromdale Hills in the http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/04/a-local-walk-camp-in-stormy-weather.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-3111692346118584425Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:23:00 +00002026-03-31T22:44:56.904+01:00backpacking stovesJetboilTrailCookJetboil TrailCook 1.2LMy most used stove and pot combination for winter camping for more than a decade has been the Jetboil MiniMo as it has a regulated burner and a wide pot with a heat exchanger. I’ve long thought this by far the best of Jetboil’s stove systems so I was  excited to hear that a successor was being launched featuring some of the new features that appeared in the revamped http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/a-first-look-at-new-jetboil-trailcook.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2438619187427057531Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:50:00 +00002026-03-29T15:36:07.703+01:00Cairngormshikingwild campingBeautiful sunshine in Glen FeshieA sunny forecast for the equinox suggested a walk to welcome the spring. Glen Feshie and the Moine Mhor beckoned (it always does). I hadn’t been there since last August – far too long. The sun was indeed shining and the air was warm as I set off down the glen. High above I could see remnants of a recent snowfall edging the rim of the Moine Mhor plateau. The Allt http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/an-equinox-walk-camp-in-cairngorms-glen.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-2994379218914452422Sat, 14 Mar 2026 23:35:00 +00002026-03-24T22:55:48.805+00:00backpacking gearcampingsleeping matsWith my old Therm-A-Rest Ultralite and a tent full of mats ready for making a videoI started thinking about mat and tent combinations for the first time last year. The idea had never occurred to me before because it had never been necessary. Why would the two items affect each other? Until fairly recently they didn’t but now some mats are thick enough to reduce headroom and end space in a tent, http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/sleeping-mat-thoughts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-5324842066980016931Mon, 09 Mar 2026 23:49:00 +00002026-03-09T23:49:41.833+00:00TGOThe Great OutdoorsThe theme of the latest issue of The Great Outdoors is doing more with less, whether that's keeping gear in good repair so it lasts well or finding budget and second-hand gear. Peter Macfarlane combines the two, finding used items of clothing (Gore-Tex jacket, fleece jacket, fleece salopettes, baselayer) and a  daypack for a grand total of £53 and describing how he returned them to working http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/a-look-at-april-issue-of-great-outdoors.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-527112961012367507Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:55:00 +00002026-03-08T22:37:52.208+00:00camping stovesweatherwoods A breezy, sunny day in early March. The sun warm, shaded areas cool, the wind chilly out in the open. The distant mountains shining with fresh snow, their summits in and out fast-moving clouds.The first buds are just appearing on birches, rowans and willows, only noticeable from close up. The grasses are still mostly faded yellow but again a close look reveals tiny spurts of fresh green in http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/a-walk-in-woods-first-use-of-new-stove.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-681649492412407662Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:08:00 +00002026-03-05T00:08:49.842+00:00CairngormshillwalkingLate afternoon lightOne afternoon a few days ago I headed up into the Cairngorms in the hope of seeing the sunset. The day was sunny and quite warm for the last day of February but the forecast was for cloud coming in from the south-west on strong winds. I hoped this wouldn’t arrive too soon but at just the right time for the setting sun to colour the clouds red and gold. My favourite times in http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/03/in-search-of-changing-light-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7063908328061898266.post-3465995528761811835Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:44:00 +00002026-03-08T22:34:23.360+00:00backpacking stovescamping stoveFire MapleI'd just finished a comparative stove review for The Great Outdoors magazine (to appear soon) when another stove arrived, this one the Fire Maple Star X1 Pro Cooking System.* This follows the familiar pattern of a heat exchanger pot that fits on top of a canister stove. There are a few interesting features on this version of the design though. Note that this is just a first look. I haven't used http://www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2026/02/a-new-stove-system-from-fire-maple.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Chris Townsend)0