25.11.11 The Malvern Hills

(West Midlands, England)

A day off work and an itch to scratch. I didn't fancy traveling for long on the roads on a friday but where were the closest substantial hills? From my house The Malverns are only a 2 hour drive. Yes! 2 hours is close for me :(

We parked up in Great Malvern close to the Clock Tower and zigzagged our way up to the top of North Hill. From here it was clear to navigate our way by following the line of summits, Worcestershire Beacon, Summer Hill, Perseverance Hill, Jubilee Hill, Pinnacle Hill, Black Hill, Herefordshire Beacon, Millennium Hill and down Hangman's Hill. At the bottom of the hill is an Old Priory (check your map) and from the roadside here, we intended on getting the bus back to Great Malvern. These times aren't too frequent and we just missed the bus. We actually saw it!!

07.09.11 Goat Fell (Isle of Arran)

A trip to the Isle of Arran isn't complete without completing the slog up Goat Fell. Fortunately there was a small good weather window where we managed to escape the comfortable nearby hotel resort and headed out for much needed mountain walking. Fortunately it held off. We set off from Brodick and made our way up through Cnocan Wood to the moorland plateau before the finial ascent of the Goat Fell ridge to the summit. We took a good battering from the wind at times but made it back down relatively dry. Goat Fell is a stunning looking mountain and certainly the most memorable image of Arran.

05-09.09.11 Isle of Arran (Scotland)

4 days on miniature Scotland. Strange stones, waterfalls, beaches, mountains and rain ...and some more rain.

My friend Dave, at work has been going on about Arran for years. He's been telling me how beautiful and diverse it is and how it is like a miniature Scotland.

A walking trip in the Highlands was long long overdue so I figured it would be nice to see what he had been harping on about. I can now say that the island didn't disappoint...but the weather did!

01.07.11 St Govan's to Elegug Rocks (South Pembrokeshire)

During a family break in Pembrokeshire me and Noah managed to sneak out one evening for a little adventure. I'd recently seen some pictures of the sea stacks and cliffs in this area and i felt the need for a walk that was a little different than my usual trips. It certainly was the flatest!

This walk is actually on an MOD firing range. You must contact 01646 662367 for the days firing schedule as the roads may be closed due to military training. The roads opened at 4:30pm so we set off a little later and parked at St Govan's Head. First stop was St Govan's Chapel, a 14th century chapel built into a sea cliff. We then headed east either following the cliff edge or the path towards Elegug Stacks. During our journey we came across some really impressive bays, blow holes, sea stacks and arches. Apart from a couple of climbers and cyclists it seemed very remote and wild. It was probably the nicest evening so far this year even though Noah ended up on my shoulders for the return journey.

07.04.11 Cadair Berwyn

(The Berwyn Range)

A friend of mine from work decided to come along on a mid week amble to the Berwyn Range. I think I may have to do some more investigating into what other walks are in this area but today decided to revisit a route I did back in 2009.( If you know any other walks, please share!) Great thing about this route is it really packs a punch from the start point at Pistyll Rhaeadr. Not only is this incredible waterfall impressive from the bottom but Andy soon realised it was just as fantastic from the top aswell. He was full of ideas which involves us wild camping on the top sometime. I might just have to take him up on it. From here we chose a steep ascent up Trum Felen to the summit of Moel Sych and stopped for a coffee break on the edge of Craig y Llyn. After a long break molded into the soft peaty cliff edge we continued on to the summit of Cadair Berwyn and then retraced our steps and descended down to the side of Moel yr Ewig to the waters of Llyn Lluncaws. After a bit of a boggy trudge we got onto the path which lead us through the valley following Nant y Llyn and back to Pistyll Rhaeadr. Just like last time we rarely saw anyone :)

18.09.10 Malham Cove and beyond (Yorkshire Dales)

I've been wanting to visit Malham Cove for some time now so a week ago I decided that this would be a great hike for Noah's age group. There is plenty of features to capture their imagination and a lot of fun to be had on the limestone.This was my first trip to the Yorkshire Dales and after the day I have had, I will be returning soon. As we walked I found myself imagining how this landscape once looked due to the constant reminders by the glacial erosion which is evident in many forms. We were walking through 100m deep ravines, scaling rock walls up a cascading beck, walking across Limestone Pavements and visiting the location of a huge ancient waterfall. Oh! not forgetting the highest lake in England and munching on my finest flapjack creation yet, White Chocolate and Sultana!

04.07.10 Ystradfellte Waterfall Walk

(Brecon Beacons National Park)

Waking up in the tent at Priory Mill Farm campsite in Brecon (brilliant by the way) the weather was mild and warm. This all changed in the car journey over to the part of the national park called Waterfall Country. By the start of our walk from Pen-y-Porth it was raining. The walk involved following the Afon Mellte river to four waterfalls. The trail branches off giving you a few different options but we stuck to the one that would keep us close to the river. This trail consisted of sections of high narrow paths with sheer drops down to the river below. Considering it was raining we had to be extra careful not to slip or trip on the exposed tree roots that covered the floor on sections of our journey. The waterfalls were stunning and the valley had a very amazonian feel to it. Definitely somewhere i would like to take Noah in the future. We returned following the path by the farm at Hendre-Bolon. If you go there you will notice the well maintained path that looks like a long green carpet. I would have photographed it but my camera was hiding from the rain in my my pack.

03.07.10 A Beacons Horseshoe

(Brecon Beacons National Park)

Parked up approx 1km from the Filter House we set off into the unknown. This was our first trip to The Brecons. We followed the path to the right of the Neuadd Reservoir up onto Cribyn for a brief rest and admired the view over to Fan-y-Big. We then took a steep descent and then back up just as steeply onto Pen-y-Fan (highest peak in southern Wales) Here is where i gave Natalie what I had promised her. No, not an engagement ring!, but a chocolate flapjack.

This route has some very good paths that are gradual and not at all bumpy. Unfortunately there was a brief tarmaced section that i wasn't too keen on.

After another breather on Pen-y-Fan, we then crossed over for a quick visit of Corn Du and made our return via Craig Gwaun Taf, Graig Fan Ddu and down the cairn marked scree slope to the Filter House.

12.03.10 Everest Base Camp Trek

Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Kathmandu

A slightly different format for these photos. I'm not all that knowledgeable of this area so i wont be able to list all of the peaks. Instead of going through the huge task of detailing each day, i'm just going to load up the photos and I may interject the occasional detailing for some of them.

Completing the trek was definitely one of my biggest dreams coming true. Our trip started and ended with some time to explore Kathmandu and 12 days of trekking through Sagamartha National Park in the Himalayas.

06.03.09 Cadair Berwyn

(The Berwyn Range)

Today I got up at 5am and drove to the Berwyn Range in North Wales. I hadn't been here before and didn't know what to expect. I parked near the tea shop at the incredible Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall. I then followed the route that took me up to the top of the waterfall. Following the river I took a sharp right off the path and took the long steep ascent to the summit of Moel Sych. I then followed the ridge to the summit and trig point of Cadair Berwyn. After a brief rest I took the ridge down to Llyn Lluncaws tarn. Then it was just a case of following the path down the valley back to the car at Pistyll Rhaeadr. The great thing about today was that I didn't see a soul for four hours and the forecasted rain didn't reach me.

Oct 2008 South Iceland

Five days in Iceland with Paul, Lee and Geordie. Waterfalls, national parks, glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, northern lights but unfortunately no Elves. Considering it was October, we fluked it with the weather. Hiking season in Iceland is usually June to September.

Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Plus Alternate Iceland pics

11.07.08 Glen Nevis Range (Scotland) By Geordie

Starting at Achriabhach car park in an anti clockwise direction i reached the summits of Mullach Coirean, Stob Ban, Am Bodack, Sgurr An Lubhair and Sgurr A Mhaim. Because Matty wasn't there i ate healthy snacks ie Bananas. The walk took 10 hours and the weather was mostly good with some heavy drizzle later in the day.