Mark Horrell - What's New

Photo gallery: Oke Tor and Belstone Common

Tue, 07 Apr 2015 19:58:37 +0100

On the northern fringes of Dartmoor, grasslands and granite tors.

Photo gallery: Monte Orsello

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:12:43 +0100

Ascending a long snow-clad ridge with wide views north to Gran Sasso and south to Sirente-Velino, and many snow peaks on three horizons.

Photo gallery: Monte Sirente

Thu, 02 Apr 2015 20:32:51 +0100

Climbing through snow-laden forest; breaking trail through deep snow to cloud-covered summit ridge on a cold mountain day in the Apennines.

Photo gallery: Bignor Hill and Duncton Down

Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:20:17 GMT

A spring-like feel to the South Downs yesterday.

Photo gallery: Monte Aquila

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:23:37 GMT

Another attempt on Corno Grande is thwarted, this time because of avalanche conditions, but Monte Aquila is a nice consolation peak.

Photo gallery: The Pen y Fan escarpment

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 21:01:23 GMT

A glorious wintry Sunday in the Brecon Beacons with the Pen y Fan escarpment in full winter snow.

Video playlist: From the Atlas to the Sahara

Sun, 25 Jan 2015 11:03:34 GMT

Two weeks in Morocco ascending the two highest peaks in the High Atlas and a desert trek in the southern lowlands.

Photo Gallery: Gran Sasso

Sat, 17 Jan 2015 17:09:37 GMT

Exploring the northern side of Gran Sasso National Park in the Central Apennines, including an ascent of 2132m Monte San Franco and a winter reconnaissance of 2912m Corno Grande, the highest mountain in peninsula Italy.

Photo Gallery: Sahara Desert

Wed, 14 Jan 2015 17:40:23 GMT

A short desert trek south of the Jebel Bani mountain range near the Algerian border, including the spectacular sand dunes of Erg Chegaga.

Photo Gallery: Toubkal and Ouanoukrim

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 08:09:16 GMT

Winter ascents of multiple summits on the highest two mountains in North Africa: Jebel Toubkal (4167m), Toubkal West (4030m), Timesguida n'Ouanoukrim (4089m) and Ras n'Ouanoukrim (4083m).

Cholatse video playlist

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 20:49:47 GMT

An ascent of the striking 6440m peak in Nepal's Gokyo Valley.

Photo Gallery: Cholatse

Sat, 15 Nov 2014 20:44:27 GMT

A successful ascent of the 6440m mountain in the Gokyo Valley, which while classified as a trekking peak by the Nepal Mountaineering Association, is a difficult technical climb along steep knife edge ridges.

Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi video playlist

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 15:09:22 +0100

Waterfalls, wildlife and beautiful trekking across Southern Africa.

Photo Gallery: Sapitwa Peak, Mulanje

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 16:01:32 +0100

An ascent of the highest point in Malawi, 3002m Sapitwa Peak, an extraordinarily intricate scramble on the Mulanje Massif, a verdant, isolated plateau rising high above the lowlands of southern Malawi.

Photo Gallery: Mafinga Hills and Lake Malawi

Sat, 20 Sep 2014 20:24:41 +0100

Exploratory trek to a range of remote hills on the Zambia/Malawi border, locating and mapping the highest point in Zambia. Relaxing at Cape Maclear beside the third largest lake in Africa.

Photo Gallery: South Luangwa National Park

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 20:04:24 +0100

Four days of safari in one of Africa's top national parks for wildlife beside the Luangwa River, a major tributary of the Zambezi. Staying in a luxury tented camp with game drives or walking safaris every morning and evening.

Photo Gallery: Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 11:15:21 +0100

The Zimbabwean side of one of the most spectacular waterfalls on Earth, the 1.7km wide Victoria Falls on the River Zambezi bordering Zambia.

Photo Gallery: Livingstone and Victoria Falls

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 13:31:32 +0100

The Zambian side of one of the most spectacular waterfalls on Earth, the 1.7km wide Victoria Falls on the River Zambezi bordering Zimbabwe.

New travel diary: Denali Nights

Thu, 14 Aug 2013 12:12:13 +0100

My latest ebook is now available on Amazon and Smashwords, with more stores to follow. There had been an unprecedented spell of good weather on Denali, a peak notorious for its severe conditions and cold temperatures that trapped climbers in storms for days on end. Would the weather hold for our team or would we find ourselves fighting to survive in the teeth of a storm? This is my account of a commercial expedition to climb the West Buttress.

Cordillera Blanca video playlist

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:28:13 +0100

Exploring peaks in the Ishinca Valley near Huaraz, Peru.

Photo Gallery: Cordillera Blanca

Fri, 25 Jul 2014 20:09:12 +0100

Exploring the peaks of the Ishinca Valley near Huaraz, Peru, with ascents of Urus Este (5480m), Ishinca (5530m) and an attempt on Tocllaraju (6034m).

Everest Avalanche and Base Camp Trek video playlist

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 15:43:42 +0100

An expedition to climb Lhotse is aborted after a tragic avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall.

Photo gallery: Everest Base Camp

Sun, 02 Mar 2014 20:36:02 GMT

Photo gallery: King's Tor, Leeden Tor and Walkhampton Common Beautiful on top of Dartmoor yesterday with lots of youngsters out doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award training, and they could hardly have picked a better winter's day for it.

Cerro San Lorenzo video playlist

Thu, 16 Jan 2013 19:37:02 GMT

Attempting to climb the second highest mountain in Patagonia.

Photo gallery: Cerro San Lorenzo

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 21:31:59 GMT

Braving the infamous Patagonian weather for a doomed attempt on 3706m Cerro San Lorenzo, the second highest mountain in Patagonia, on the Argentine border near the town of Cochrane.

Photo gallery: Cosdon Hill

Sat, 07 Dec 2013 11:50:31 GMT

A walk on Dartmoor in glorious autumn sunshine, and a visit to an impressive neolithic stone row.

Travel diary: To the Top of Central America

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:29:51 GMT

My latest ebook is now available on Amazon and Smashwords, with more stores to follow. Guatemala has a chain of thirty volcanoes, four of which are active. It's not the sort of place most people think of spending their Christmas holidays, but that's exactly what I did. Accompanied by a disparate group of people, I set out to climb seven volcanoes in eleven days, including Volcan Tajumulco, the highest mountain in Central America.

Denali West Buttress video playlist

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 11:17:22 +0100

Footage from a commercial expedition to climb Mt McKinley by its standard route.

Photo gallery: Wey-South Path from Pulborough to Billingshurst

Sun, 13 Oct 2013 20:04:08 +0100

The Sussex countryside on a sunny October day.

Photo gallery: Snowdon via the Llanberis Path and Moel Eilio

Sun, 01 Sep 2013 23:53:11 +0100

The British tabloid press had a field day last week showing photos of the hordes of people walking up Snowdon on a sunny bank holiday weekend, and the way they talked about it you would think it was as controversial as the bombing of Syria. I was there myself this weekend, and although the Llanberis Path was busy it wasn't difficult to find parts of Snowdon where I was entirely alone, such as the gentle whaleback summit of Moel Eilio on a subsidiary ridge.

Photo gallery: Denali (West Buttress)

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 19:06:32 +0100

Pictures from an unsuccessful attempt to climb Denali (6194m) in Alaska by its standard route, the highest mountain in North America, also known as Mount McKinley.

Photo gallery: Mardale, Mosedale and Swindale

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 19:28:43 +0100

Backpacking weekend in the East Cumbrian Fells. Three very different valleys - one flooded by Haweswater Reservoir, one a grassy bog, and one a haven of pleasant rural farms - separated by a climb up High Street and a jaunt across remote moorland.

Photo gallery: The Mynydd Du Hills

Wed, 29 May 2013 22:12:07 +0100

Backpacking and wild camping in a range of hills on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, South Wales. A dramatic escarpment falls away gradually in gentle grasslands on the southern and western sides.

Photo gallery: The 1066 Country Walk from Battle to Pevensey

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:06:27 +0100

Has spring arrived at last? The trees are still leafless and there was a chill wind across Pevensey Levels, but the sun was shining as I hiked another stretch of the 1066 Country Walk across the hills and plains of East Sussex.

Photo gallery: The Bridge of Orchy Hills

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 20:00:16 +0100

My Easter weekend in a winter wonderland, climbing five Munros east of Bridge of Orchy in the Central Highlands, with Scotland's mountains at their most beautiful.

The Volcanic Highlands of Guatemala

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 09:29:56 GMT

Photos and video from my two weeks of trekking in Guatemala's central highlands and ascending several active, dormant and extinct volcanoes, including the highest mountain in Central America, Volcán Tajumulco (4220m).

Photo gallery: Darent Valley Path

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:47:31 GMT

A crisp and sunny autumn day, I barely left London for my walk today. The Darent Valley Path crosses through the North Downs right on the southeast fringes of the city, but has a pastoral feel to it.

Photo gallery: Stoke Common and Burnham Beeches

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 18:57:12 GMT

Today was all about autumn colours as I went for a walk through Burnham Beeches Nature Reserve in the Chilterns. No sign of ash dieback, but that was because I couldn't see the ashes for the beeches.

Photo gallery: Snowdon via the Snowdon Ranger Path

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:49:42 GMT

I don't know how many people have climbed Snowdon on a day walk from London, but that's exactly what I did yesterday. Getting up very early, I drove up and started my walk before 9am, ascending via the Snowdon Ranger Path. Although it was clear, it was also very cold and windy, with an icy wind blasting into my face on descent, which didn't tempt me to linger. Back at my car at 1pm I found the area extremely busy because of the Snowdon Marathon which was taking place yesterday, so I decided to return to London.

Photo gallery: Dunkery Beacon and Porlock Hill

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:29:13 +0100

I went up onto Exmoor to try and see the stag rut last weekend with my father and his wife Catherine. Not much sign of any rutting and the deer were hard to get near, but plenty of roaring stags on every hill. Instead we had a nice walk across the moors, down through woodland to Porlock on the North Somerset coast, and up the steep trails of Porlock Hill.

Photo gallery: Snowdon via the Watkin Path and Bwlch Main

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:18:41 +0100

It's not often you get great weather on Snowdon, but such was the case on Sunday. I ascended the surprisingly quiet Watkin Path and sampled a beer in the (relatively) new Hafod Eryri summit visitor centre for the very first time.

Photo gallery: The New Forest near Burley

Sun, 30 Sep 2012 15:58:32 +0100

The original derivation of the word 'forest' comes from the Latin 'forestis silva' meaning outside the common law. The royal forests of mediaeval times were areas of unenclosed countryside containing woodland, heaths, hills and even wetland, where the deer could roam freely and the king could hunt. This explains why much of the New Forest is heath rather than trees. But enough of that crap; it was a nice day for a walk yesterday and here are my pics.

Photo gallery: The Yorkshire 3 Peaks

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:01:01 +0100

Another circuit of the busy but picturesque 25 mile walk across Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales, this time completed in nine hours.

Photo gallery: Chiddingfold and Hambledon

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:39:12 +0100

The Surrey Hills isn't a place you would expect to find a taste of the Himalayas, but Surrey County Council tried their best. Among woodland sprinkled with Himalayan balsam was a footbridge over a river condemned as unsafe, and a hill so steep it was considered necessary to erect a warning sign.

Photo gallery: The Thames Path from Maidenhead to Marlow

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:22:08 +0100

The River Thames at Cookham was the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame when he wrote The Wind In The Willows. Not much sign of Ratty and Moley these days, but lots of walkers, cyclists, sunbathers and luxury barges on a sunny Saturday in September.

Photo gallery: Elbrus

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 18:07:23 +0100

Photos and video from an ascent of both the West Peak (5642m) and East Peak (5621m) of the highest mountain in Europe, a dormant volcano in the Caucasus Mountains. A variety of means were used to ascend from the south side, including cable car, chairlift and snow cat, but we completed a full traverse to the north side of the mountain purely on foot.

Photo gallery: Moscow

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 17:47:41 +0100

A sightseeing tour of the historic buildings, squares, parks and gardens of Russia's capital city.

Photo gallery: Ardingly Reservoir and Woods

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 17:34:25 +0100

Summer has well and truly arrived with a heatwave this week in Southeast England. A day at the cricket on Sunday meant I was nursing a hangover on Monday morning, so what better thing than a pleasant walk in the country. Among the quirks of this walk in West Sussex was a footpath lined with rhododendron on one side and bamboo on the other - briefly I felt like I was back in the Himalayas again!

Photo gallery: The Black Mount, Scottish Highlands

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:53:14 +0100

Three days of high level backpacking in an area of remote and grassy hills in Central Scotland, covering 3200m of ascent and 7 Munros along broad ridges and wide valleys. At times wet and gloomy, at times clear and bright. Typical Scotland then.

Photo gallery: The North Downs Way from Wye to Dover

Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:38:41 +0100

Last week I walked a 24 mile stretch of the North Downs Way thus completing the 124 mile trail over a 15 year period in a series of day walks from London. It was a great day for it, with lots of wild flowers out in bloom.

Cocuy Sniffing in Colombia

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 19:53:49 +0100

When I'm solicited to buy cocaine within minutes of arriving in Colombia, it's easy for me to assume the country's reputation as a lawless den of drug barons and kidnappers is well deserved. But since President Álvaro Uribe came to power in 2002 and embarked on a policy of zero tolerance, Colombia has become safe and opened its doors to tourism. What I find is a green and pleasant land of mountains, lakes and glaciers inhabited by strange plants and sociable people, and threatened not by drug lords and terrorists, but an unseen danger from the world outside.

Amberley Wild Brooks

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:30:16 +0100

A lot of people have been complaining about the weather in the UK at the moment, with the old jokes doing the rounds: 'Downloading British summer. 44% complete. Error: Contact your system administrator.' You know the sort of thing. But here's proof positive there have been some sunny days this June with pics from a stroll through a Sussex wildlife reserve last Sunday.

Brede Level and Hastings Country Park

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:10:42 +0100

Down to earth with a bang: from the top of the world to a windy day on the Sussex coast. Photos of a walk from Winchelsea to Hastings.

Everest: the pics and videos

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:00:04 +0100

Somehow I made it to the top of the world last month with my two drinking buddies Mark and Ian and the rest of the team of Altitude Junkies. Here are the pics and videos from the climb, with special thanks to my summit push tent mate Grant 'Axe' Rawlinson for providing some amazing photos of the North Ridge.

The Ascent of Manaslu

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:13:33 GMT

The diary of my expedition to the world's 8th highest mountain with Dickson and Cartwright in Autumn last year is now online (and also on Kindle). A more luckless trio of wannabe mountaineers would be hard to find. Between us we had made no fewer than eight attempts to climb an 8000 metre peak without success, and I was on my fourth attempt alone. Would it be any different this time? This is the story of our climb with Altitude Junkies.

Photo gallery: Box Hill and Tyrrell's Wood

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:01:03 GMT

Winter's in the air at the moment, with lots of snow on the ground and an icy chill in the air. But we've had a few crisp, sunny days. Yesterday I headed out into the Surrey Hills for a short walk before getting to the boozer at lunchtime for an afternoon of sport: the Man Utd-Liverpool game, and England-Italy in the Six Nations.

Photo gallery: South Bucks Way

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:59:47 GMT

Shortly before the snow spread across Southern England yesterday, we enjoyed a lovely crisp clear morning. I took advantage of it for a brisk walk in the Chilterns before settling down with beer in hand for an afternoon watching the Six Nations rugby.

Sierra Nevada del Cocuy

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:22:34 GMT

Photos and videos from one of South America's classic treks, the Cocuy Circuit in Colombia, around a compact range of mountains, glaciated on the western side and sheer rock on the west, followed by an ascent of its highest peak Ritacuba Blanco (5410m).

Yes Tor and High Willhays

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:22:54 BST

Dad and Catherine have been in training for their trek to the Annapurna Sanctuary in Nepal, and they were the fittest I've seen them in a while when I went walking with them on Dartmoor this weekend. Here are the pics from our visit to the highest point in Devon and various other granite tors.

The ascent of Manaslu

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:29:19 BST

Photos and video footage from our mountaineering expedition and successful ascent of 8163m Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world. The expedition included a trek in along the impressively narrow Budhi Gandaki gorge, beginning at Arughat (600m) and following the start of the Manaslu Circuit trek.

Aconcagua by the True Peruvian Route

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:19:37 BST

Phew, marathon typing session over. Finally I catch up on my last year's diaries just in time for my next expedition. This is the story of my second (rather more successful) attempt on Aconcagua by the False Polish Glacier Route, or as it should more properly be called, the True Peruvian Route. Thanks, Augusto!

Photo gallery: South Downs, Vanguard Way and Cuckmere Haven

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:26:58 BST

The Artistic Frenchman and I go for a walk on the South Downs and along the coast near Cuckmere Haven on a glorious Sunday afternoon. Highlights include dramatic coastal scenery, marshland, downs, a white horse, a giant cheeseboard, and a vicar trying to sell us phallic vegetables. Thierry reveals a secret penchant for churches.

Baruntse expedition diary

Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:46:17 BST

I've just finished another marathon typing session, this time to convert my scribbles into electronic format for my expedition to Baruntse in Nepal with regular climbing buddy Mark Dickson last autumn. I'd just come off a big group expedition on Cho Oyu with Jagged Globe. By contrast this was a less formal affair: just the two of us accompanied by a great team of Nepali staff and an ever-shrinking army of porters.

Photo gallery: Cwmdeuddwr Hills

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:26:23 BST

They may be completely unpronounceable, but these hills in the Welsh Cambrian Mountains are worth talking about. Cut apart by a series of picturesque reservoirs in the Elan Valley, sweeping grasslands stretch for miles, and their remoteness make them a great area for backpacking and wild camping.

Photo gallery: The Rollright Stones

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 11:40:42 BST

It was a beautiful morning in the Cotswolds, but my attempts to photograph this bronze age stone circle were somewhat marred by a pair of ancient hippies lounging in the middle on deck chairs, so I ended up photographing wild flowers instead. What king of big girl's blouse am I?

Photo gallery: The Rhinogs

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 22:16:15 BST

A two-day backpacking adventure among some unspoiled Welsh gems. A traverse of the the ridge from Diffwys to Rhinog Fawr in southern Snowdonia, across some of the British Isles' most rugged terrain, the Irish Sea an ever-present companion.

Photo gallery: Thanet Coastal Path

Mon, 30 May 2011 12:32:52 BST

From the sublime to the ridiculous: when an unpromising weather forecast causes them to abandon a plan to head for the hills, two mountaineers instead spend a day out in Margate. Some great chalk cliffs and rock formations, though.

Photo gallery: Black Down, Sussex Border Path and the Hambledon Hills

Sat, 21 May 2011 20:51:01 BST

A glorious spring day in the Sussex hills, heaths and woodlands. Lots of big walking groups on top of Black Down, but managed to escape from them onto quieter footpaths.

Cho Oyu expedition diary

Sun, 08 May 2011 19:19:47 BST

Well, it's taken a little while, but finally I've got round to putting last year's Cho Oyu expedition diary online. Read how events unfolded in one of the least successful climbing seasons the world's 6th highest mountain has ever seen, as blizzards battered the mountain and many climbers were caught in avalanches. It's more exciting than lying in a tent waiting for a weather window!

Photo album: Coniston and Ullswater Fells

Wed, 04 May 2011 20:14:12 BST

A long weekend avoiding Royal Wedding fever by escaping north to the Lake District for my father's 70th birthday. Beautiful if windy weather on some very different Cumbrian hills, from the classic ridges around Fairfield, to the rolling downs of Great Dodd.

Photo album: Arrochar Alps, Scottish Highlands

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:34:36 BST

Easter bank holiday weekend spent climbing Munros in an accessible area of the Scottish Highlands just west of Loch Lomond. Typical topsy-turvy hillwalking weather: by turns glorious, somewhat hazy, and downright miserable.

The Pen y Fan Escarpment

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 20:23:12 BST

Spring is here, the sun is out, and it's time for everybody to head for the hills to enjoy the fine weather. For me this meant a camping trip to the Brecon Beacons, and a fantastic walk along the red sandstone clifftops.

Ashdown Forest and Pooh Country

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:45:43 GMT

Chapter Five: in which Mark goes out walking in Winnie-the-Pooh Country, and passes several Pooh landmarks, such as the Pooh Sticks Bridge.

New Forest: Amberwood and Abbot's Well

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 12:04:51 GMT

Walkers, cyclists and horse riders taking advantage of Forestry Commission woodland and heathland trails the government wanted to sell to private companies. A beautifull sunny day and spring is in the air.

Tintagel Coastline

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 12:09:09 GMT

A beautiful day on the North Cornwall coast, on a very muddy cliff path to the birthplace of King Arthur.

Cranborne Chase

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 11:17:17 GMT

A walk through the fields and downs of rural Dorset. A beautiful day, but footpaths very muddy after all the rain we've had recently. Somebody should invent anti-balling plates for walking boots!

Aconcagua, False Polish Glacier Route

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 19:05:31 GMT

Photos and video from a successful ascent and traverse of Aconcagua (6959m), the highest mountain in South America and the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere, via the False Polish Glacier Route after an approach along the Vacas and Relinchos Valleys, and leaving along the Horcones Valley.

Baruntse

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:36:42 GMT

Photos from an attempt on the 7129m hump-backed ridge of a mountain south of Everest, trekking in up the Barun valley past Makalu, crossing the Baruntse Plateau over East Col (6180m) and West Col (6143m), and leaving over the Mera La and Zatr La.

Cho Oyu

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:57:02 GMT

Photos and film from an attempted ascent of Cho Oyu (8201m), the Turquoise Goddess, and 6th highest mountain in the world, in what turned out to be one of the worst seasons on record. Heavy snow for three weeks followed by a sudden drop in temperatures produced a great many avalanches and only two successful summits.

Glen Shiel

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:22:54 BST

Photos and film from a three day backpacking adventure in the highlands of Scotland encompassing 34 hours of walking, 14 Munros, 4500m of ascent and 73,400,053 midge bites. Phew! Unusually the weather was good for two whole days.

In the footsteps of Whymper

Sun, 01 Aug 2010 22:26:17 BST

The diary of my journey in Ecuador. In 1879 the Victorian explorer Edward Whymper set sail across the Atlantic bound for the high Andes of Ecuador, where he ended up making first ascents of nearly all of the country's highest mountains. He described the peaks he climbed as hilly rather than mountainous, citing the fact that it's possible to get a donkey up one or two of them as evidence of their inferiority over the mountains of the Alps. But this doesn't bother me. Whether heaving yourself up with an ice axe or straddling a donkey, the views are just as good, and I resolved to follow him and have a go at a few of them myself.

Nare Head and the Veryan Coastline

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 17:54:17 BST

Returning to the South West Coast Path near Portloe to walk a different section of coastline, and to visit a different pub for lunch so that Catherine didn't have to be reminded about having a pint tipped over her by her husband.

Wealdway and the Long Man of Wilmington

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:49:09 BST

Despite his name, this well known chalk hill figure in Sussex lacks the particular body part you expect him to have. However, when I passed by yesterday, evidence of a childish student prank was clearly visible.

North Downs Way: Canterbury to Dover

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 18:01:21 BST

The final stretch of the North Downs Way in Kent, through apple orchards, corn fields and poppy fields on a scorcher of a Saturday in June.

Leith Hill and the Greensand Way

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:57:52 BST

The highest point in the southeast of England stands 965 feet above sea level, so in 1766 its lord of the manor, a chap called Richard Hull, decided to sneak it over the 1000 foot mark by building a 64 foot tower at the top.

Langdale

Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:16:04 BST

It's a rare treat if you're able to traverse a dozen of the Lake District's highest peaks without having to put on a rain coat, and there aren't many times you have the opportunity to see Scafell Pike, the highest point in England, under blue skies at close quarters. Here are my pics from a full two day horseshoe around one of Cumbria's most picturesque valleys.

Yakking with the Thunder Dragon

Sun, 06 Jun 2010 20:24:24 BST

The diary of my journey in Bhutan last year, a remarkable land of no plastic bags, people with comical red tongues, an economy measured by a concept called Gross National Happiness, a surfeit of stray dogs, and some of the most dangerous bovines in the world.

Hangers Way and Shoulder of Mutton Hill

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:10:35 BST

A fine spring day walking in the Hampshire Hangers with celebrated photographer and mountaineer Thierry Levenq.

The Black Mountains

Sun, 09 May 2010 14:51:07 BST

A weekend in the Welsh borders shagging shee ... I mean backpacking in the wide open spaces of the Black Mountains, an area of sweeping moorland and steep escarpments.

Gloucestershire Way and the Forest of Dean

Sat, 01 May 2010 18:09:32 BST

Ancient forest of oak, ash and pine, criss-crossed by a maze of pathways and cycle tracks. Easy to get lost if you decide to plunge off the path into undergrowth. Only a fool would do that, but luckily I had a compass.

The Thames Path

Sat, 01 May 2010 17:58:41 BST

Spring is here. Time for a gentle stroll along the banks of the Thames in Oxfordshire with Ratty and Moley. How terribly English, what.

Infant Fowey Valley and Moors

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:38:12 BST

A walk on the northern stretches of Bodmin Moor near the unfortunately named Brown Willy, the highest hill in Cornwall, and a visit to Jamaica Inn, a pub I always find strangely disappointing now the parrot that used to say 'bugger off' whenever you walked past it with a round of drinks is no longer there.

South West Coast Path: Caerhays to Portloe

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:22:25 BST

A beautiful spring day on the Cornish Coast is ruined when Dad spills a full pint of Tinners Ale over Catherine at the Ship Inn, Portloe.

Ben Lawers, Scotland

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 17:29:49 BST

A fine Easter weekend in the Central Highlands of Scotland climbing a clutch of Munros overlooking Loch Tay after fresh snowfall.

North Wolds Walk

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:44:37 BST

A brisk ramble with Tony Simmonds through the villages and dales of the Yorkshire Wolds, the land of my youth (well, near enough. OK, I'm from Hull, but I do remember playing a football match at Bishop Wilton when I was in primary school).

Lambourn Downs and the White Horse of Uffington

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:24:05 BST

A walk in racehorse country and a visit to White Horse Hill, the site of perhaps Britain's most disappointing archaeological tourist attraction, only fully visible if you happen to be flying past in an aircraft.

Ditchling Down and the South Downs Way

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:46:21 GMT

A grassy stretch of the South Downs near Brighton on a crisp and bright winter morning.

On Bodmin Moor

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:07:31 GMT

Walking among the granite tors, abandoned quarries and disused engine houses on the high hills of Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.

Follow my tweets

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:24:18 GMT

It's taken a while, but I'm now finally on Twitter.

In the Cornish jungle

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:22:22 GMT

Exploring the tropical and temperate domes of the Eden Project.

Avenue of the Volcanoes

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:43:27 GMT

A journey in Ecuador's high altitude paramo grasslands, with ascents of five of the country's volcanoes, including Iliniza Norte (5126m), Antisana (5753m) and Cotopaxi (5897m).

Thieves, Liars and Mountaineers

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:25:31 GMT

Chasing 8000 metre peaks in Pakistan's Karakoram. This is the tale of my not-so-nearly ascent of Gasherbrum in Pakistan; of how one man's boredom and frustration is conquered by a gutsy combination of exhaustion, cowardice, and sheer mountaineering incompetence.

Wessex Ridgeway

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:06:17 GMT

Walking the 130 mile long-distance footpath from Marlborough in Wiltshire to Lyme Regis in Dorset. This is not one of the UK's classic trails in late autumn with its heavy rain and gale force winds - thick mist and muddy fields are the prevailing memory!

Ivinghoe Beacon

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:49:02 GMT

Walking the last few miles of the Ridgeway and parkland in the Chiltern Hills with my friend Huw.

Everest North Col videos

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:57:37 GMT

Video footage of my ascent of Lhakpa Ri and climb up to the North Col of Everest in May 2007 is now available on the site courtesy of expedition team member Bunter Anson.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:29:09 GMT

A stroll around old 19th century gardens in southwest Cornwall, carefully restored from their overgrown state 15 years ago.

Bowerman's Nose

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:32:41 GMT

A walk across Dartmoor to see an unusual natural rock formation in the shape of a man resembling an Easter Island statue looking out across the moors.

Snowman Trek

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:42:13 BST

A remote and beautiful trek through the whole northwestern area of the Land of the Thunder Dragon, across 10 high passes including 5326m Rinchen Zoe La, and many different villages, climate zones and log bridges.

Purbeck Coast and Corfe Castle

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:01:38 BST

A walk along the Dorset coast and a visit to the dramatic ruins of a castle built during the reign of William the Conqueror.

Islands in the Snow

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:39:09 BST

Trekking and climbing in Nepal's Solu-Khumbu as a warm up for climbing Gasherbrum in Pakistan.

Gasherbrum photos and film footage

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:48:32 BST

Two months in the Karakoram attempting to climb Gasherbrum I (8068m) and Gasherbrum II (8035m).

Gasherbrum expedition dispatches

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:47:52 BST

Keep updated on my attempt to climb the 11th and 13th highest mountains in the world, 8068m Gasherbrum I and 8035m Gasherbrum II in Pakistan.

Porthcurno and Logan Rock

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:34:21 BST

A walk along the coast near Land's End, Cornwall, past the open air Minack Theatre hewn into a sea cliff, and the interesting coastal rock formation of Logan Rock.

Mera, Island and the Gokyo Lakes

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 17:01:01 BST

A varied expedition in the Solu-Khumbu region of Nepal, embracing three valleys (Hinku, Hongu and Gokyo), three high passes (Mera La, Amphu Labtse and Renjo La), and three summits - Mera Peak (6476m), Island Peak (6189m) and Gokyo Ri (5360m).

The Trossachs

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:57:43 BST

Three Munros and nearly a Corbett in three days of Easter hill walking in central Scotland.

Nepal on film

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:48:14 GMT

Video footage of my autumn trekking and mountaineering trip to Nepal is now online.

Polperro Coast

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:27:49 GMT

A sunny afternoon marks the first day of spring on the south Cornwall coast.

Harting Downs and the South Downs Way

Sat, 28 Mar 2009 10:27:49 GMT

High on the South Downs ridge and in among forestry plantations near Midhurst.

Marlborough Downs, Barbury Castle and the Ridgeway

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:50:02 GMT

Spring like weather on the Wiltshire downs, an area rich with archaeological treasures.

Volcanic Activity

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:26:37 GMT

The travel diary of my Xmas ascents of Mexico's volcanoes and eating exploits is now online.

Clapham Wood and Cissbury Ring

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 11:33:44 GMT

Exploring iron age antiquities in the snowy South Downs

Wychwood Forest

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:01:01 GMT

A muddy January walk in the Cotswolds

Cordillera Neovolcanica

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:04:15 GMT

Ascents of extinct and dormant volcanoes Nevado de Toluca (4691m), Iztaccihuatl (5220m) and Pico de Orizaba (5611m), the 4th, 3rd and highest mountains in Mexico, and views of the active volcano Popocatepetl.

Mexico City

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 22:04:15 GMT

Tour of the pre-Mayan pyramids of Teotihuacan, New Year celebrations in Mexico City, and wanderings among the city's many cultural sites and historic buildings.

Around Zennor

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:18:42 GMT

A winter's afternoon on the North Cornwall coastal path.

The Summit Prince of Braga

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:43:12 GMT

My latest travel diary is now online. Join me as I trek among Buddhists, horses and high mountains in a remote part of Nepal.

Himalayan pilgrimage

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:00:23 GMT

Exploring remote hidden valleys and Tibetan Buddhist villages in a land of snow and desert in the Manang region, off the main Annapurna Circuit trail in Nepal, including an ascent of the trekking peak Chulu Far East.

Wardens' Way and the River Windrush

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:59:45 BST

A short sunny autumn walk through Cotswold hills and villages.

Cadair Idris

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:28:52 BST

A glorious sunny weekend traversing the highest mountain in southern Snowdonia.

London Wetlands Centre

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:32:31 BST

Ducks, geese, herons, swans and miscellaneous wildfowl at the London Wetlands Centre in Barnes.

Stok Kangri videos

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:39:32 BST

Some memorable video footage of my trek and ascent of Stok Kangri in Ladakh, India, three years ago has been provided courtesy of team member, Ken Robinson.

The Glen Lyon Quartet

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:58:43 BST

A soggy bank holiday Sunday spent bagging Munros in Central Scotland.

Schiehallion

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:33:47 BST

A quick run up the mountain in Central Scotland where contour lines were invented.

Site search engine

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:37:51 BST

Yes, that's right, you can now search this web site for interesting facts and photos.

The church on high and the devil in the deep

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 18:58:31 BST

Walking up to the church on Brent Tor, Devon, and descending through Lydford Gorge to the Devil's Cauldron.

A Scottish Soaking

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 11:57:45 BST

Backpacking and Munro twagging in the Knoydart peninsula. The full travel diary of my wet and blustery trip to remote northwest Scotland last winter is now online.

The Glyders and Carnedds

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:41:02 BST

Maila the Nepali gets a taste of a true weekend in the Welsh hills: wind, rain and clouds on Tryfan, the Glyders and Y Garn, and mist over the Carnedds, but he climbs seven of the Welsh 3000ers and is rewarded with fine views eventually.

Virgin Conquests

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 16:26:26 BST

First ascents of Himalayan peaks in Ladakh, Northern India. The full travel diary of my exploratory expedition last autumn is now online.

Shite weather on Snowdon

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:15:45 BST

A brisk run up and down the Rhyd-Ddu Path, with more enjoyable activities later.

Abergwesyn Hills

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:37:06 BST

Backpacking in a remote part of the Cambrian Mountains, central Wales, where steep valleys hide grassy moorland plateaus, blanket bogs and wide expanses of pine forest, with a bothy night and viewpoints at Gorllwyn and Drygarn Fawr thrown in.

Back o' Skidder

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:09:27 BST

Backpacking and wild camping in the quiet rolling landscape north of Skiddaw, Cumbria, with ascents of Skiddaw, Blencathra and several smaller peaks.

Lakeland ramble

Tue, 20 May 2008 19:44:44 BST

A typical day's walking in the Lake District: nice views down below but rainclouds and nothing to see but mist on top.

My travel high points

Sun, 11 May 2008 17:27:01 BST

Summits and high passes - there's nothing like 'em. A new feature listing my highs to date.

Jazz, beer and bluebells

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:45:57 BST

A walk through the Chilterns near Wendover, with a lunchtime bonus.

Cotswold hillsides and villages

Mon, 05 May 2008 16:07:28 BST

A walk along the Cotswold Way between Broadway Tower and Dover's Hill.

With the bearded rambler in the Wye Valley

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:16:53 BST

I join Tony again on a short stretch of Offa's Dyke Path during his epic walk from Land's End to John o'Groats.

Ice skating on Snowdon

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:14:15 BST

The big man and me on the knife edge ridge of Crib Goch, en route to the summit of Snowdon in spring snow.

North Cornwall coast

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:12:03 BST

Joining my friend Tony between Newquay and Treyarnon for an early stretch on his Land's End to John o'Groats epic.

Youtube channel launched

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:43:51 GMT

All my travel videos have now been collected together in one place on my new Youtube channel.

North Wessex Downs

Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:31:53 GMT

A walk across rolling English hills from Overton to Watership Down.

Chilterns in February

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 18:49:24 GMT

A sunny weekend walk in the countryside near Henley.

Snowshoes and Shipton

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:10:25 GMT

My third travel diary is now online. Come and see if I can reach the summit of Muztag Ata in China.

Lots more Everest photos

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:33:21 GMT

Hundreds more photos of my adventure across Tibet to the North Col of Everest have been added courtesy of Bunter Anson.

Tigers and Tamangs

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:40:37 GMT

My second travel diary is now online. Join me as I go off the beaten track in Nepal.

Winter walks

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:02:29 GMT

Photographs of December day walks on the Ebor Way in Yorkshire, and along the Cornish coast.

New Muztag Ata summit pictures added

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:48:59 GMT

My camera froze up on summit day, but I've managed to get summit pictures, as well as one of me standing on the summit, from a fellow expedition member.

Hozza's Horizons

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:08:29 GMT

The first instalment of my travel diaries is now online. Join me as I go in the footsteps of Mallory.

Knoydart in autumn

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:22:49 GMT

I've just added photos from my wet and windy week of backpacking on this remote peninsula in northwest Scotland.

Nubra summits diary

Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:54:56 GMT

Jagged Globe have published my diary for our exploratory expedition to northern Ladakh in September on their web site. You can also see my own photographs for the expedition on this site.

Photos of rock climbing in Snowdonia

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:13:08 GMT

I have just completed a course in rock climbing at the National Mountain Centre, Plas y Brenin in North Wales.

Muztag Ata photos

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 17:33:45 BST

I have recently returned from climbing Muztag Ata, a 7500m peak in western China.