Pexels – CCO Licence As amazing as road trips can be, those hours on the road can be a bit of a slog if you’re not prepared. So, before you hit the open road, why not make your journey a bit more efficient (and a lot more enjoyable)? Here’s how to get the most out
For me, this summer was spent in The Alps with occasional climbing but mostly a balance between running and flying. Despite having flown paragliders in various guises since 2014, 2023 has marked a high point with more flights than any year previous and a lot more variation. I’ve not flown paramotors this year, but I
During the week, I came across this article by Nick Bullock on the future of winter climbing. Normally I’d skip over such rantings but on this occasion, the writing was so utterly shit it began to awaken in me a hatred that’s been brewing for some time. The article in summary was “[why I stopped
Since finding my love for flight, I’ve explored as many facets of this incredible mode of transport from the perspective of paragliding as possible. Free flight, paramotoring, speed flying, speed riding, and mini-wing mountain descents. I love all forms of this sport but this year, I came back to the reason I started flying in
Why oh why, of all the possible activities you could (legally) choose in 2021, would you opt to climb Mount Everest during a global pandemic of a respiratory disease? You wouldn’t. Because if you did, you’d enter the realm of self-loving egocentric individuals living atop the sad peak of human thoughtlessness. The funny thing though
The outdoor industry is systemically racist. It now, more than ever, needs to have a very uncomfortable conversation about why this is so. You may be shocked to see that I, along with the DEFRA 2019 Landscapes Review, have levelled such an accusation toward an industry which provides joy, freedom, and countless benefits to so
In the autumn of 2016, I made a quick decision to head out to the Alps in order to have a week of flying, and possibly some climbing. I didn’t have a defined scope, but I just made sure I had booked the essentials (flights, transfers and accommodation), and then wrote the all-important kit list.
*Caution – this is long read for those looking for a van conversion guide.* For the past year, I have been travelling up and down the country in my campervan. “Campervan” is a broad term for a vehicle used for both travel and rest, and so given that the quality of rest I get in my van
Recently, I’ve been searching for a challenge which would really test me, force me to push a few limits, and take me back a little way to a particular test I’ve dealt with on some Himalayan mountains, namely, self-reliance. To be able to look after yourself in challenging situations is both satisfying and rewarding, but
As a Climber I’m often asked “What is the Best Training for High Altitude?” Regardless of the intended extremity of the altitude, whether it is Mera Peak (6,476m) or Everest (8,848m), people are always surprised by my response that to train for high altitude, swimming is the key. Initially, this doesn’t seem like an intuitive
© Matthew Thornton
