Welcome to TRAIL
Lots of people don’t like the autumn. The clocks have gone back, grumble grumble. It’s getting colder, grumble grumble. Practically everyone I know hates this time of year. But I think it’s my favourite time to be in the mountains. Golden days of chilly hypervisibility, misty nights with woodsmoke on the air, firelit inns, the invigorating bite that says, in a non-sinister way, ‘winter’s coming’… It’s why I genuinely think Britain is one of the best places to live on the planet – we have four true seasons, and each season has its signature. But I accept that some people need a bit of convincing. So this issue is dedicated to seizing the darkness when it comes, rather than resenting it. It takes up more than half of every 24 hours now, so if you ignore it you’ll lose valuable hill time. And, done responsibly, how exciting is night walking? The hills feel wild and vital by day, but with the lights out it’s a sensory test and a treat all at once.
You don’t have to be into walking by darkness to enjoy this issue, though. You can just sit back and enjoy the spectacular starlight in our Snowdonia photo feature (page 44), take a walk from your armchair with our book extract (page 50) or head for the far north of Scotland around the winter solstice (page 38).
Or go for a Swedish wilderness walk (page 58), find a hidden view of a stunner (page 24) or take, allegedly, the best way to the top of any fell anywhere (page 32). Oh, and if you haven’t already, do ensure you vote in our mountain photo competition at www.LFTO.com/photocomp16. Wrap up, have fun and stay safe out there.
Simon Ingram, editor (Twitter @MrSimonIngram)