Rob Holmes,

Senior Art Editor

Miles walked this month: 50

I mentioned to a friend that we’d recently climbed Snowdon on a family trip to Wales. I waxed on about how stunning yet quiet the Rhyd Ddu path had been on such a beautiful warm day and that there were even still traces of snow left (proof shown above). “I’d love to do that with my bunch,” was his reply, “but I wouldn’t know where to start – how much food to take, what clothes to pack… I’d be worried we’d get lost.”

I started trying to reassure him that there was little to worry about as long as you use a bit of common sense; Snowdon has paths for all abilities and heck, there’s even a café at the top to keep the kids fed and happy. As he continued to list more potential worries I realised that what comes naturally to some, (and by this I mean you and I, dear CW readers), represents a step into the unknown for the less adventurous among us. Planning a walk in unfamiliar territory, even following a CW route or guidebook can be perplexing for the uninitiated.

And so I pledged that on our next mountain adventure we’d take them along, show them the ropes, so to speak, and build their confidence in the outdoors. Which brings me to this: how many more friends/ relatives/neighbours/young families are there out there who’d love to be a bit more ‘outdoorsy’ but don’t quite know where to start? Can you think of any? If so, be a sport and invite them along next time you go walking.

Note to self: Llanberis Path? Snowdon Ranger anyone?