2013 has the makings of being a great year for the website. My Appalachian Trail thru-hike account – ‘Balancing on Blue’ has been delayed a little, I hope to release my latest book sometime in the summer but for the foreseeable future I shall be concentrating on blogging.
So, what’s in store? Lots, LOTS of exciting stuff!
I have guest bloggers lined up eager to share some interesting, original and readable posts –
Getting down to the nitty gritty with Andrew Skurka:
From: www.andrewskurka.com
Andrew, perhaps the most well-known thru-hiker of current times has done some ludicrous distances in equally ridiculous times. A Q&A departing from the normality of ‘What do you eat’ or ‘How many miles do you walk in a day’ is not to be expected. To get this guy’s attention I have to try a little harder.
How many times would he admit to falling over and did anyone film it? What does his girlfriend think? What’s the deal with 25 miles by lunch Andrew?
David Lintern:
David has a keen eye for a good photo having recently won 1st prize in the ‘Mountains and Me’ category at the 10th Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival 2012. He also was responsible for interviewing me after my Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year for his radio feature. David always has an interesting outlook and a different slant on what’s going on.
(Photo: David Lintern)
Helen Fisher:
www.helenswonderings.blogspot.co.uk
Having moved to Norway this year and getting engaged, Helen admits she has not has as much time as she would like in the hills this year but she writes extremely well and anything she does come up with I’m sure will be excellent.
Chris Townsend:
www.christownsendoutdoors.com
No introductions needed. Chris has written countless books and is well respected in outdoor circles. Having walked away with Best Outdoor Book of 2012 at the recent TGO Awards he has numerous projects lined up next year including a filmed documentary of the Cairngorm Mountain Range, produced with Terry Abraham and also a walk along the Scottish Watershed.
We’re going to talk gear because I know you’re all gear geeks at heart. I aim to have a new gear testing section up and live at some point with reviews of some of the best stuff out there. No holds barred, if it’s any good I’ll tell you about it and if it’s rubbish you’ll know as well. OK, so I may be getting some stuff for free to review but that ain’t going to sway me.
Rand Lindsley of Trail Designs:
www.traildesigns.com
The genius behind the Caldera Cone cooking system will be doing a question and answer feature so I can get behind the man with the plan. Responsible for the most original, efficient, lightweight alcohol cooking system out there, this guy has a lot to answer for!
Not to leave out Chris McMaster from ULA Equipment either:
www.ula-equipment.com
ULA have been knocking out some of the best packs on the market for a few years now. Thru-hike the PCT, AT, CDT or whatever floats your boat and you’ll see most hikers carrying a ULA pack. What makes the man tick and how have they managed to corner one of the most difficult sections of the outdoor gear market?
Rod Java from Stickpic:
www.thestickpic.com
Rod Java, the brains behind Stickpic talks to me. Rod is responsible for one of the simplest, lightest, cheapest, most useful and original pieces of gear to hit the outdoor market in years. The amount of times I have been asked – ‘How do you manage to film yourself whilst walking’? will be revealed here.
Ron Bell from Mountain Laurel Designs:
www.mountainlaureldesigns.com
We miss out on the some classy gear in the UK because sometimes we just can’t get stuff over here. OK, we can mail order but it is nice to see equipment before parting with our wages. Mountain Laurel Designs produce some amazing hiking gear from cuben fibre shelters; ultra-light weight quilts (a personal favourite of mine as I used one on the Appalachian Trail), and backpacks to name a few. Ron talks to me about how he’s managing to do so well in a competitive market.
Aimee Gasparre from Nalgene:
www.nalgene.com.
The company who have managed to take carrying water to a whole new level. Let’s get into Aimee’s head and in particular, what is the reason behind the monumental success of the 32oz Widemouth? This classic water bottle is still going strong after years on the market.
Josh Myers at Trekking Photography:
www.trekkingphotography.com
Josh, or Pockets as he is known is doing some amazing stuff with a camera. I walked with him on the Pacific Crest Trail and he was taking amazing shots back then. Now, his popularity has rocketed and when you look at his work, it is not hard to see why.
He talks to me about his love for outdoor photography, his plans and reveals a few secrets for taking a great shot.
The 35 Year Walk
Really?! This post I hope to have up late December. See why upto 20 walkers gather each year at a quiet railway station near Brighton and walk 15 miles to the charming village of Alfriston, nestled on the base of the South Downs. Why do we let off fireworks? What the hell is the ‘Feeling of the Marble’ and why does the local pub let in all of us smelling, dirty and wet to sing Christmas carols completely out of tune whilst a lady travels many miles just to fillde with her keyboard?
I’m still trying to work this one out myself.
The Great Outdoors Challenge 2013
www.tgomagazine.co.uk/tgochallenge
I am taking part in May. I have always wanted to walk across Scotland and the challenge also takes place in May, generally regarded as the best month up there to possibly get some decent weather. Pick your start point on the west coast, figure out a route and decide where you want to finish from 10 points on the east coast. And, it’s not a race. 2 weeks with some like-minded individuals experiencing one of the most rewarding outdoor places in the world in absolutely no rush.
I’ll be blogging, photographing, videoing and ‘oing’ whatever takes my fancy. Be there from 10th to 24th May!
Terry Abraham
www.terrybnd.blogspot.co.uk.
This man has an obvious natural flair as a videographer and has many exciting projects lined up for next year. He has worked for a lot of the big manufacturers promoting their gear but is now starting to film documentaries about areas he has a keen interest in.
Photo: www.terrybnd.blogspot.co.uk
The Outdoor Show
www.theoutdoorsshow.co.uk
The Outdoor Show 2013 hits the Excel in London for 3 days starting on January 17th.
I’ll be up there on Friday 18th taking a look around, taking photos of the new stuff and sticking a camera in people’s faces so it annoys them. I’ll report on what’s going on.
There’s be shed loads more as well! Subscribe (see the right hand margin) for news as it comes out.
Have a great Christmas, a sweet New Year and I’ll see you all up in the hills somewhere . . .