Why do we do what we do? The German language has a word that means “pleasure derived from others’ misfortune”: Schadenfreude. Is there a word for “pleasure derived from your own misfortune”? Masochism is probably the closest, but after 6 days on a mountain without a sniff of a shower, there is very little to … Continue reading A journey to the roof of Africa – Mt Kilimanjaro
I haven’t written much recently; this is mostly due to being busy at work meaning I haven’t really had the energy to force another trip to the mountains, but also partly due to the cost of doing so catching up with me a little. As the weather closes in further, I am certain hiking partners … Continue reading Why we hike
I recently wrote about taking a group of friends to Snowdonia. This past weekend I took another group; this time a group of colleagues. I am currently in a very lucky position. The Company I work for has had a big push towards employee "wellness" over the past couple of years. As part of that … Continue reading Taking work to the mountains
I am bad at waiting...very bad. Ever since a young 'un I have had a tendency to rush. I eat my food quickly, I'm the first into the ocean, and I love being the first to try new things. I like to think I'm not foolhardy, and that I don't take needless risks (heartburn from … Continue reading Wait a little longer…the path will reveal itself
As an international city, London is full of people who have never experienced the true beauty of the UK.
The gentle, delicate, beauty of nature is everywhere. Even the smallest creatures shine with vibrant colours, their delicate structures belying an existence forged from a slow, meticulous, evolutionary process. Their colours dance vividly for a reason; their slight frames, delicate and vulnerable, are the product of refinement; a gift a millennia in the making. structure
For those travelling around Peru, Cusco is a must see. Once the heart of the Incan empire, the city is now a hustling, bustling gateway to the Peruvian Andes. Now travellers to the city relax before heading into the mountains and the streets are lined with markets and restaurants. However it is still, at heart, … Continue reading A little corner in Cusco
As I touched upon previously, Snowdon is one of the most well-trodden mountains within the UK. Both the Pyg Path and the Llanberis Path have a great deal of traffic every day. Factor in the train and that is a whole lot of people. Even if you divert from the Pyg in order to tackle … Continue reading The other side of Snowdon: Rhyd Ddu Path
Nestled in the heart of Morocco lies the Atlas mountains and within them the highest mountain in North Africa, the well known Jbel Toubkal. Many hikers climb the mountain every year and the town Imlil, which acts as the main hub for those wishing to summit, has benefited greatly from the large amounts of people … Continue reading Jbel Toubkal – North Africa’s highest peak
The act of reaching your goal can create an enormous sense of Triumph. Hiking in the mountains often elicits such feelings, however the triumph is borne out of appreciation rather than adrenaline. Where skiing, or bungee jumping are high octane, appealing to those with a desire for speed and who want to get their heart rates … Continue reading Triumph from within the clouds
The Longer Route 