New Year plans?

These days it seems that a New Year’s resolution is more of a tradition than an actual promise to be fulfilled, but here are six suggestions for plans you should make in 2019.

Visit a festival

Keswick Mountain Festival, Kendal Mountain Film Festival, plus many other smaller events are held throughout the UK. They’re great places to meet and hang out with similar mountain-lovin’ folk. If you’ve not been to one before, make 2019 the year you do.

Learn some skills

The learning never stops, so why not sign up to a navigation, hill skills or first aid course? Or hire a guide in order to do something you’d be nervous trying on your own? Or partake in a geologist- or botanist-led walk. It’s a great way to further your experiences and knowledge.

Sign up to a challenge

Naturally, our own #Everest Anywhere should top your list, but other challenges are available, and they’re great for adding extra motivation to your hillwalking (but psssst, #EverestAnywhere is best!)

Spread the gospel

Introduce somebody to the mountains. Choose a great peak that suits their fitness levels (and, hopefully, equally conducive weather!), and sow the seeds of love in their hillwalking heart.

Use less, spend less

By repairing and re-using, make 2019 the year that you reduce your impact on the planet. If you need new gear, look for the brands which pride themselves on their sustainability and minimal environmental impact.

Try a new destination

Walked loads in the Lakes but nowhere else? Try Snowdonia. Been all over Wales as well? Visit Scotland. Trekked in the Cairngorms and all around the Highlands? Check out the islands. Done all that already? Then we really should mention that there are a multitude of mega mountains just a ferry ride away across the Irish Sea...