Introduction to the Apennines — Part 3: Abruzzo National Park

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 3: Abruzzo National Park

Abruzzo National Park is the wildlife capital of the Apennines. Its peaks are slightly lower in altitude and are aproned in forest which are a sanctuary for bears, wolves, lynx, chamois and deer. It is particularly vibrant in autumn, when the peaks rise in a rainbow of colours.

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Where are the humorous mountaineering books?

Where are the humorous mountaineering books?

Mountain literature isn’t devoid of humour, but generally speaking, comedy takes second place to heroics in mountain writing. But I know there must be some laugh-out-loud funny, two or three jokes a page mountaineering books out there. If you know of any, then I’d like to hear about them.

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Flashing on Everest: is it safe or sensible?

Flashing on Everest: is it safe or sensible?

Many teams climbed the north side of Everest this season, but two seemed to get the lion’s share of the attention. These two teams were using new techniques to shorten their expeditions. But was their approach sensible or effective? Let’s have a look.

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Introduction to the Apennines — Part 2: Maiella

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 2: Maiella

Maiella is Italy’s equivalent of the Cairngorms, but at a much higher altitude. It’s a huge plateau of multiple summits linked by broad ridges, and divided by deep, mouth-watering gorges. You can walk for miles without dropping below 2,000m.

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Introduction to the Apennines — Part 1: Gran Sasso

Introduction to the Apennines — Part 1: Gran Sasso

Without doubt the Gran Sasso massif is the crowning glory of the Apennines. It contains its highest and most dramatic peaks, limestone cathedrals, ruled over by 2,912m Corno Grande, the highest mountain in the Apennines.

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Everesting on Everest: how mountaineers differ from endurance cyclists

Everesting on Everest: how mountaineers differ from endurance cyclists

Everesting involves repeatedly cycling up and down a hill until you’ve ascended the height of Everest. I read an interesting article about Everesting on the Tibetan side of Everest, that shed light on how poorly adapted endurance training is for altitude.

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Adventure-loving Guardian readers hit back at couch-potato Guardian writers

Adventure-loving Guardian readers hit back at couch-potato Guardian writers

When the explorer Benedict Allen went missing in the jungles of Papua New Guinea earlier this month, it was no surprise when the Guardian published an article by a smug intellectual taking a swipe at his adventurous lifestyle. More surprising was how their readers reacted.

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