The Great Outdoors

TGO Magazine is your essential guide to hillwalking and backpacking in the UK and overseas. Get out more! We provide all the inspiration you need to plan your next trip, plus expert reviews and tips. The Great Outdoors is for anyone who loves walking in the hills, mountains and wild places. With information on the latest gear, in-depth features and stunning photography, The Great Outdoors will help you access the high peaks and long trails of Britain and beyond. Our enhanced digital addition includes even more great photos and interactive content.

Ridge rewards

IN THIS ISSUE • Meet some of the folk that made this magazine…

The Great Outdoors

JUNE in the mountains

Y Gribin ridge, Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Readers’ page • Share your views, your experiences and your favourite photos tgo.ed@kelsey.co.uk

THE ONE PIECE OF KIT YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED • From first aid kits to emergency shelters, most of us take simple steps to feel prepared when heading into the great outdoors. But when you’re miles from help, being ready can mean thinking beyond the basics. Smart preparation goes beyond the basics

ON THE LOOKOUT: THE NIGHTINGALE • Nadia Shaikh sings her heart out for these little brown birds that sound like no other, and gift us a sense of belonging

The Corbetts

Mental health: why the outdoors is no substitute for therapy • We’re used to hearing that getting outdoors is good for mental health – but the truth is more complex than that. Writing from personal experience, Kate Armstrong argues that the mountains aren’t always a cure-all for mental health problems

MOEL HEBOG • Jim Perrin climbs the ‘hill of the hawk’, watching his back for water bailiffs, Welsh warrior-chieftains and dopplegängers – worthwhile worries rewarded with a sweeping outlierviewpoint

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REIGNING RIDGES • To celebrate the advent of longer, lighter days, we bring to you a dozen of the most sustained and satisfying ridgewalks around Britain

LAND OF QUIET SURPRISES • To promote her latest book, One Woman Walks Europe, Ursula Martin set out to hike 1600 miles on a circuitous LEJOG bookshop-linking trip. Here, she reflects on the highs and lows of what might just be the longest human-powered book tour in history

Cleare Perspectives • John Cleare is rightly celebrated as one of the finest adventure photographers of the 20th century. Here, John’s editor Deziree Wilson outlines a life in pictures, and some of the work that went into his memoir.

The snow AND THE THINGS THAT GROW • Former editor Carey Davies returns to TGO with an inspiring journey into the world of alpine flowers, via a spectacular trekking tour across Switzerland, France and Italy

SKILLS: WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES • Summer storms can hit suddenly, but there’s plenty you can do to reduce your exposure risk. We talked to Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) forecaster Mehmet Karatay about the fascinating science behind thunderstorms – and how to stay safe in storm season

GEAR • Kit reviews from Britain’s most experienced gear-testing team. Here, Chris Townsend tries out a new Patagonia product

Packs: the good, the bad… and the infuriating! • Long-distance walker and Britain’s undisputed outdoor gear guru Chris Townsend was testing packs before many of us were even born. Here’s a few things that really get the GOAT’s mountain goat…

DAYPACKS • A good daypack can make the difference between a grand day on the hill and a tiring, uncomfortable slog. Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane try a selection of the latest models

TRAIL RUNNERS • Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane embrace the warmer weather to try out this year’s best lightweight footwear for running, walking and more besides

WILD...