Looking back from Black Hill

Halfwayhike Hike photo Marsden GoPro photo

A look back at 2014 walks:

I was stood in the dark at a festively decorated Black Hill trig point with some of my outdoorsy compadres and reflecting on my year of walks. This was last night, the Friday night before Christmas and some of the assembled group had run up from Marsden (they’re addled like that). Jeff, Mac, Steve and I had walked, the plan being to rendezvous with those tapped runners for some festive fare and bonhomie.

It had been a bit of a slog from the Isle Of Skye Road up to Black Hill, with low cloud, driving rain and strong wind. And the ever-slippy Pennine Way flagstones to add to the fun. Once at the top, I couldn’t actually see much from Black Hill itself (Stars, distant Holmfirth and Huddersfield all temporarily obscured by cloud and rain). But that was okay, the focus was on the merriment around me.

Carol singing on Black Hill
Martyn, Andy and Ali carol singing with gusto above the roaring wind.

read more >

Kit Review – Dickies Eisenhower Trousers

I was contacted by the Dickies Store guys recently and asked if I’d like to review some outdoors trousers. Dickies is well known for workwear, starting in the USA almost a hundred years ago (they also have a bit of cult status and links into the skater  community I believe). And they also offer outdoors clothing which I wasn’t actually aware until I was contacted.

read more >

Kit Review – Hillsound Trail Crampons

Score : 5 out of 5 for grip 5 out of 5 for ease of use / fitting 4 out of 5 for snow accumulation underneath. (score posted after a snowy / icy trip up Snowdon). I’m heading up Snowdon at the weekend so I thought some snow spikes would be prudent. I’m not a proper / climb K2 kinda mountaineer, definitely … read more >