Chris Townsend Outdoors 
A Look At The September Issue Of The Great Outdoors
A belated look at the September issue of TGO magazine. The last few weeks have been somewhat hectic and have flashed by so it's a little late I'm afraid.In the gear pages Lara Dunn and James Roddie each review four waterproof jackets and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three midlayers. In individual reviews Kirsty Pallas looks at the HeartHero Elliot AED and Fiona Russell
Tent pegs ordered as I'd choose them from one I wouldn't use on the left to my favourite on the right.Tent pegs are essential items you should be able to take for granted. Simple, functional, not particularly interesting. However, I’ve been irritated recently at how many of them are barely adequate, if that. Tent pegs only have one purpose, to secure a tent or tarp so it doesn’t fall down or
Glen Tromie & Meallach Mhor: a camp and a hill or four
Loch an t-Seilich from the slopes of Meallach MhorOn the western side of the Cairngorms National Park is long Glen Tromie. It’s not as well-known or popular as the glens and passes to the east – Glen Feshie, Gleann Eanaich, the Lairig Ghru. No Munros rise above Glen Tromie, no cliff-girt corries. The hills are rolling and round heathery bumps, steep-sided but not dramatic. The glen has some fine
A Look At The August Issue Of The Great Outdoors
In this issue I review solo backpacking tents from MSR, Highlander, Weschel, and Big Agnes plus men's hiking shoes from Keen, Oboz, Danner, and Meindl. Lara Dunn reviews women's hiking shoes from La Sportiva, Helly Hansen, Aku, and Arc'teryx. In individual reviews Francesca Donovan likes the Helly Hansen Blaze 7/8 Tights and David Lintern likes the Sunski Ferrata Sunglasses and the Rab Force
A Windy Tent Test In The Cairngorms
Last month I had a short trip in the Cairngorms with a tent I was testing for the first time. The weather was windy and cloudy with a few showers, which was good for the test but the reason I didn't go any further than my camp spot. I did make a video about the tent and the stove system I used - Robens Alta Via 1 UL and Primus Lite Ultra .I didn't write a blog post but I did take some
The Gear I Used On The Moray Way
Last camp of the walk by the river SpeyThe weather on my week-long Moray Way walk in late May was pleasant. There was a strong wind the first four days but it wasn’t cold and although often cloudy there were only a few very short showers – my waterproofs never came out of the pack. The last two days were hot and sunny, making water and sunscreen the two most important items in my pack. I required
The Moray Way: third of three videos, the Speyside Way
The Moray Way: second of three videos, the Moray Coast Trail
The Moray Way: first of three videos, the Dava Way
Here's a link to the first of four videos I'll be posting about my Moray Way walk. One for each section of the walk and one on the gear I used.This video covers the Dava Way and my first camp.
A Look At The July Issue Of The Great Outdoors
A belated look at the July issue of The Great Outdoors. A problem with the internet has stopped me posting for a while.In this issue I and Steph Wetherall each review an ultralight big pack and a standard weight big pack. Also in the gear pages James Roddie reviews eight outdoor apps, Steph Wetherall reviews Maier Sports Lawa Shorts, Fiona Russell reviews the Berghaus Rain-Motion Jacket, and
The Outdoor Trade Show 2026
Just back from this year's Outdoor Trade Show in Liverpool. To my surprise this was the 20th show. I didn't think there had been that many. As always there was plenty to see and plenty of people to chat with, often the only time I meet them face to face each year.Three days in this vast hall with its temporary outdoor gear village.Amidst all the new gear it was good to see Keela promoting its
The Moray Way: some thoughts & pictures
First camp, on Dava Moor on the Dava Way.The Moray Way is a 100 mile/160km walk linking the Dava Way, the Moray Coast Trail, and the Speyside Way. Forres on the coast is usually the starting point for the walk. However, as I live just a few kilometres from the Dava Way at Grantown-on-Spey it seemed logical to start there. Indeed, for the first time ever I set out on a long walk from my front door
Thirty years ago I walked over all the Munros and Tops
The first of 517. On Ben More on Mull, May 18.Thirty years ago on May 18, 1996, I climbed Ben More on the Isle of Mull, the first summit on a walk over all the 517 Munros and Tops - mountains and subsidiary summits in the Scottish Highlands over 3,000 feet/914.4 metres in height. The walk ended 118 days later on Ben Hope, the northernmost Munro, after around 1770 miles/2850 km and some 575000
A Look At The June Issue Of The Great Outdoors
I have an unusual gear feature in the latest TGO magazine. Rather than a review of any particular product it's an opinion piece on packs and, in particular, what features I really don't like. More conventionally I also review the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece Vest.Also in the gear pages Lara Dunn and Peter Macfarlane each review three daypacks and Gemma Palmer and Peter Macfarlane each review three
A video comparing two lightweight stove systems: the Jetboil Stash and the Primus Lite Ultra
Jetboil Stash (left) and Primus Lite Ultra 0.8LThe Jetboil Stash, launched several years ago, and the new Primus Lite Ultra 0.8L are, as far as I know, the two lightest gas canister stove systems by a long way. By stove system I mean a pot and stove designed to work together and only available as a unit. Usually the pot and stove lock together when in use though this isn't the case with the Stash