Plynlimon: traversing the five tops of the fruitiest mountain in Wales

April 27, 2022 Trip reports britain, cadair idris, cambrian mountains, cicerone guides, drygarn fawr, george borrow, hill walking, plynlimon, wales 1 Comment

Plynlimon, is a complex mountain of multiple rolling summits connected by broad ridges. It is the source of Britain’s longest river, the Severn, and its fourth longest, the River Wye. I have been meaning to climb it for many years, and over Easter I had my chance.

A walk through the Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine

March 4, 2022 Reviews and tributes carpathian mountains, crimean mountains, europe, hoverla, mountain literature, nicholas crane, travel writing, ukraine, walking 7 Comments

In these difficult times it feels uncaring to post about frivolous things like mountain climbing. While considering this, I realised that I didn’t know much about the mountains of Ukraine. I decided to find out all I could, and remembered something on my bookshelf.

A guided tour of Himalayan mountaintops by an Everest guide, from the comfort of your armchair

February 4, 2022 Reviews and tributes everest, himalayas, mountain photography, nepal, tim mosedale 5 Comments

Most of us have used Google Street View at some point, but not so many of us know about Street View’s kinder, mellower, more refined, engaging and adventurous younger brother, a website that specialises in mountain panoramas.

One and a half ascents of Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly Munro

January 26, 2022 Trip reports arkle, ben hope, ben klibreck, britain, cameron mcneish, foinaven, hamish brown, hill walking, munros, north coast 500, scotland 6 Comments

Sir Hugh Munro said of Ben Hope that he didn’t know any mountain of its height which could be climbed with less exertion. Surely a quick ascent on Christmas Day would be just the thing before our Christmas turkey? Ben Hope had other ideas.

7 great books with Sherpa mountaineers at their heart

January 19, 2022 Reviews and tributes broughton coburn, ed douglas, eric shipton, herbert tichy, james ramsey ullman, jamling tenzing norgay, jonathan neale, judy tenzing, mountain literature, nirmal purja, sherpas, tashi tenzing, tenzing norgay 5 Comments

With Nirmal Purja’s book and film riding high, the profile of Nepali mountaineers is at an all-time high. But where do you go if you want to find out more? Here are seven insightful and entertaining books that have Sherpas at their heart.

The Scottish coastline and the secret village across the loch

January 12, 2022 Trip reports britain, scotland, scottish highlands 8 Comments

I’d never previously considered the far north of Scotland as a Christmas and New Year holiday destination. According to the daylight indicator on my Garmin watch, the sun rises at 9.07am on the summit of Ben Hope, Scotland’s most northerly

Special offer: Sherpa Hospitality at a super low price

December 22, 2021 My books and writing mountain literature, nirmal purja, sherpa hospitality as a cure for frostbite, sherpas 6 Comments

Yes, that’s right I’ve made the ebook version of my new book Sherpa Hospitality as a Cure for Frostbite available for less than a pound/dollar/euro on all the main online bookstores. This offer will only be available for a few days, so hurry and panic buy it!

Kilimanjaro cable car: is it a good idea? That depends on its purpose

December 17, 2021 Opinion and advice africa, altitude sickness, east africa, kilimanjaro, responsible tourism, tanzania, trekking 3 Comments

Is a cable car on a mountain always a bad idea? If its purpose is to shorten the journey for trekkers aiming for the summit, then it may not help much. But if it’s for day trippers heading up for a nice view before going back down again, then it could work.

My new book is out! Sherpa Hospitality as a Cure for Frostbite

December 3, 2021 My books and writing alex roddie, everest, hawkesbury upton literature festival, himalayas, mountain literature, mountain talks, sherpa hospitality as a cure for frostbite, sherpas 3 Comments

It’s ages since I last published a book, and I’m very excited about my latest one. Sherpa Hospitality as a cure for frostbite takes us from the early years of Himalayan mountaineering to the present day when Sherpas have become superstar climbers in their own right.

The story of Sherpa mountaineers from early expeditions to the present day

November 23, 2021 My books and writing alex roddie, everest, hawkesbury upton literature festival, mountain literature, mountain talks, sherpa hospitality as a cure for frostbite, sherpas, travel writing 0 Comment

I’m super excited to make two big announcements in today’s post – a rare public appearance and a new book that explores the journey of Sherpas from the porters of early expeditions to the superstar climbers of the present day.