5 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW THIS MONTH
1 The longest line can be walked
What (and where) is the longest distance you can walk in a straight line in Britain without crossing a road? That was put to the Ordnance
Survey in 2018; the answer was 44.43 miles through the
Cairngorms, from the A9 near Dalwhinnie to the A939 by Corgarff.
But no-one knew if the wild, pathless line was actually walkable – until now.
Calum Maclean and Jenny Graham hiked, climbed, scrambled and waded it end to end this summer, totting up 5706m of ascent tackling mountains, forests, rivers, bogs, peat hags and miles of heather. “Walking in a straight line sounds like the simplest of all adventures,” says Jenny, “but it turned out to be the most complex navigation of any trip I’ve been on.” Summit Fever Media are set to premiere a film about it at Kendal Mountain Festival (18-21 Nov) or see Insta @TheLongestLineFilm
THERE’S A NEW MUST-LISTEN
Mental health, waterproof trousers, chronic illness, eating cake, the joy of 2 maps, wearing kilts and Bob Marley are just a few of the topics discussed in a new podcast from the British Mountaineering Council. Finding Our Way celebrates diverse voices in the outdoors and is hosted by Cress Allwood and Mary-Ann Ochota who says it’s “all about interesting people who are passionate about hills, mountains and walks. We tackle issues around diversity and inclusion – how to make clubs more welcoming, or ways to improve urban access to wild places. But we also celebrate the straightforward passion our guests have for the outdoors.” See thebmc.co.uk/ finding-our-way-bmc-new-diverseoutdoor-voices-podcast
3 Dedication’s what you need…
… if you want to be a record breaker like James Forrest, who has just set a new fastest time for a solo, self-supported walk of the National Three Peaks.
The outdoor writer (and CW
contributor) climbed Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, and walked every mile in between, in 16 days, 15 hours, 39 minutes and 51 seconds. “It has been a rollercoaster of an adventure: dizzying highs and crushing lows, with hardship and euphoria in equal measure.
“The simple process of walking is incredibly therapeutic and works wonders for my mental well-being, better than any drug a doctor could prescribe.”
4 England’s wildest house is for sale
If you like to get away from roads
(see 1) then you’ll be pleased to know England’s remotest house is up for sale for the first time in its
200-year history. Skiddaw House sits 1500 feet up in the Lake District, 3.5 miles from the nearest road with an asking price of £1.5 million. Currently run as a hostel, the lease runs until 2027 so we’re hoping those of us with a smaller budget will be able to enjoy it for a few years yet.
Mountains drive evolution
Mountains have contributed more to the evolution of new 5 species of plants and animals than even the climate itself, according to researchers at Cambridge University. Altitude, and the relative isolation of populations on high ground, is responsible for more of the world’s biodiversity than anyone ever realised. It’s vital they’re protected says lead researcher Dr. Andrew Tanentzap: “Mountains harbour species with greater potential to evolve.” We like the sound of that.