Despite the rigorous demands of our sport and the amount of energy we expend doing it, many trekkers and hikers tend to have a fairly lax approach to nutrition when on the trail. Compared to other sporting enthusiasts – cyclists, long-distance runners, and weightlifters, for example – we tend to

In the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in northern Italy, a roughly sewn scrap of deer, bear skin and lime tree bark takes pride of place in the museum’s prized collection of Stone Age artifacts. Dating all the way back to 3,500BC, this curious assemblage of materials was worn by

Telling a thru-hiker, die-hard backpacker what they should or should not carry is rarely advisable. Chances are, they will not look favorably upon any attempt to deprive them of something they’ve already spent days, maybe weeks in their own heads pondering whether or not to add, remove from their already

Accumulating all the necessary kit for serious mountaineering adventures can be a costly business. With ice tools, crampons, cams, clothes, helmets, ropes and various other bits and bobs on the non-negotiable list, most of us find our chances of experiencing moderate poverty rising in tandem with our stash of gear.

I stroll into my Monday morning lessons, my fingers well and truly shredded from a Sunday climbing sesh. Again. My students, as always, greet me with ironic and knowing smiles – in the few years that I’ve known them, they’ve come to expect little else. “I just don’t get why

Italy is known to its inhabits as ‘the beautiful country’ (la bel paese), and for good reason. While famed for its ancient monuments, delicious cuisine, stunning coastlines, colorful politicians and beautiful people, many are unaware that the la bel paese also possesses some of the most outrageously stunning camping spots

One of the greatest gifts Mother Nature has granted lovers of the outdoors is our planet’s wealth of alpine lakes. Blessed with fascinating colors and scenic mountainous backdrops, the vast majority of these high-altitude jewels come with a ‘must see’ quality not shared by many of their lower-altitude cousins. National

Choosing a hiking destination in Italy can be like choosing a ‘coffee’ bar in Amsterdam, a castle to visit in Scotland or a sauna in Sweden – with so many options, it can all get a little bit overwhelming and you’re likely not to be disappointed with your choice! Luckily,

The Pacific Crest Trail runs 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada and boasts an incredible variety of landscapes. Almost every day thru-hikers enter a new environment and experience the stunning natural diversity that exists. From the dry and windy deserts of Southern California to the lush and forested slopes of

Viewing the summit-shots of successful mountaineers, we could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much to the art of mountaineering other than healthy levels of strength, stamina, fitness, courage and, of course, a good beard. Above, however, we have chosen our words very carefully, for mountaineering is indeed an ‘art’