TRAIL Welcome to
There’s always that moment when you’re getting ready for winter and suddenly something turns up out of nowhere that is unpleasant, crumpled and covered in weird fluff. (Who said Donald Trump?) Nasty mouldering surprises are one thing; wanton destruction is another. I remember last year discovering that a mouse had moved in to my gear store over the winter and caused the most astonishing carnage in pursuit of a custard cream buried in a rucksack pocket, which in the event he didn’t actually like. Had I known he would chew his way through my little world I would have cooked the little sod a steak dinner on the condition he left things well alone; but he hasn’t, and he’s still a constant worry. I’ve named him Donald.
So my new year’s resolution this year was to not let any of my kit sit around long enough to get mouldy or chewed. Basically, I’m going to get out more. And this issue we’ve got two solid reasons to do precisely that, right now. The first is on page 10, and it’s our brand new Everest Anywhere challenge. We want you to clock up the height of Everest in 2017 – and share with us the moment you hit that magic 8848m mark. #wheresyoureverest – we want to know! And starting on page 26 is a sackload of inspiration to help get you there in our Lake District in Winter special. Because, quite simply, is there anywhere better to be when the world turns white and blue by day and firelit and starry by night? I’ve promised Donald I’ll take him for the weekend. A very wet, windy weekend. Of scrambling. In the dark. Simon Ingram, editor (Twitter @MrSimonIngram)