EXPLORE Winter Issue

ELLIS BRIGHAM

THE WINTER ISSUE

FIRST ASCENT

CLIMBING GRITSTONE: GOD’S OWN ROCK SIX OF THE BEST WINTER WALKS ADVENTURES IN REYKJAVIK ICE AXES AND CRAMPONS SHELLS AND INSULATORS MOUNTAINEERING BOOTS

LUCY WALKER: THE FORGOTTEN HEROINE OF THE ALPS

Alpine Downlab

Exploring the possibilities of nature’s lightest, most packable insulation.

Humans have used down to stay warm for more than 400 years.

With Alpine Downlab, we’ve reimagined all the ways to integrate down into your layering system. We’re exploring the possibilities of nature’s lightest, most packable insulation to reconsider not just what down is, but what it could be.

Explore the Winter range ellis-brigham.com/Patagonia

Photos: Ken Etzel, Tim Davis © 2021 Patagonia, Inc.

WELCOME TO

EXPLORE In winter, the hills and mountains can be a hostile and unpredictable place but this doesn’t mean we should hibernate. Instead, you’ll find us out there adapting our gear set up (p. 24), discovering new places to explore (p. 10), and hungry to learn new navigation and safety skills (p. 4 ), to enable us to maximise the short days and longer nights.

For those who think climbing is a warmer weather sport, our ambassador Natalie Berry explains why winter is the best time to tackle gritstone edges (p. 26). While our running ambassador Martin Bell removes any excuses to go running in winter (p. 56). Finally, we take a trip overseas to Reykjavik (p. 46) to explore a city that really is a winter wonderland.

This issue of Explore has been created for anyone who loves being outdoors in the depths of winter, I hope you enjoy it…

Mark Brigham ellis-brigham.com

04. WALK THIS WAY: SAFETY & NAVIGATION IN WINTER

20. GRADE SCHOOL: A GUIDE TO WINTER CLIMBING GRADES

36. LUCY WALKER & THE FORGOTTEN FIRST ASCENT

56. POWERING ON: A GUIDE TO WINTER TRAIL RUNNING

08. COLD COMFORT: WINTER CAMPING GEAR

24. TOOLS OF THE TRADE: WINTER CLIMBING GEAR

Stoves, sleeping mats, fourseason tents, and more.

Ice axes, crampons, ice screws and everything else you’ll need.

42. HOT ON THE TRAIL: THIS SEASON’S BEST INSULATORS

60. BEST SERVED COLD: SIX WINTER TRAIL RACES

10. SIX OF THE BEST COLD WEATHER WALKS IN THE UK

26. TRUE GRIT: CLIMBING GOD’S OWN ROCK

46. FIRE & ICE: EXPLORING REYKJAVIK IN WINTER

64. OBJECTS OF DESIRE: ELLIS BRIGHAM BUYERS’ PICKS

54. STEPPING OUT: THE BEST SNOW BOOTS

66. LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: LONDON & THE SURROUNDS

Essential tips for hiking in the coldest months of the year.

The experts from Glenmore Lodge explain the ropes.

James Forrest, aka Mountain Man, picks out his favourites.

Natalie Berry examines why grit exerts such a hold on climbers.

18. FOUR-SEASON MOUNTAIN BOOTS

32. HIGH & DRY: THE BEST SHELL CLOTHING

The latest, greatest footwear on the shelves this winter.

These models will keep you dry whatever the weather.

Remembering a pioneering female climber, 150 years on.

From full down jackets to Nano hoodies, these will keep you cosy.

Iceland is incredible at any time, but winter is particularly special.

For strolling through a ski resort or walking on icy streets.

Martin Bell shares some top tips on how to run safely this season.

From marathons to multi-day ultras, these are a true test.

Our team choose their favourite accessories and gadgets.

Our southern area manager Peter Darch shares the capital’s secrets.

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4

HIKING

WALK THIS WAY ESSENTIAL FOR

SAFETY TIPS

HIKING

IN WINTER

Hiking in winter is a very different beast to summer hill-walking. We asked the experts from Glenmore Lodge, the Scottish National Outdoor Training Centre, for their tips on navigation, planning, and the kit you’ll need to stay outdoors in the coldest season.

1) TAKE YOUR TIME OVER PREPARATION

Planning should be fun. It’s a great excuse to pore over avalanche forecasts, maps (who doesn’t love a map?), walking guide books, weather forecasts and general logistics. Knowing your team, their fitness and ability levels and their skillsets is really important. Ask about strengths, weaknesses, and think about previous shared experiences. If you work to your ability levels, you’ll have a great time. If you misjudge and push people too hard, you’ll all end up miserable.

It’s equally important to make sure you familiarise yourself with your preferred location and route: How long should it take? What sort of terrain is it? Are you on established tracks (that might disappear under snow),

tramping across heather, or does it involve a bit of scrambling? What height gain is involved, and do you have an idea how many hours this will take you and your friends?

Most importantly, does your chosen route match you and your teams’ skillset and experience? Your group should influence your choices about what’s possible.

2) STUDY THE WEATHER AND CONDITIONS

Monitor conditions carefully in the week leading up to your adventure. In the winter, weather patterns can have an even greater impact on your chosen excursion. Read the Scottish Avalanche Information Service reports and

5

blog (sais.gov.uk), think about how much snow there’s been and how the wind has deposited it. All of this will help you plan and visualise the mountain conditions that you could be faced with.

3) GET PROPER WINTER KIT

Summer gear won’t cut it – at least in most cases. Boots need to be stiffer than your normal summer-weight walking boots and able to cope with snow all day. Clothing needs to be able to handle cold and wet environments. Waterproof tops and bottoms will have to be winter weight, and you’ll want to layer-up with an insulator. Then there are the extras: you’ll need a decent ice axe and crampons, and you’ll need to know how to use them, too. And take spare gloves – wet hands are miserable if they get cold!

Other things to think about include eye protection. If there’s snow on the ground, you’ll want sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare, and if the forecast is windy and snowy, goggles are essential. It’s worth making sure you’ve got snow baskets for your walking poles too – poles are a great tool for extra stability, but not if they’re sinking deep into the snow with every step you take.

4) PERFECT YOUR WINTER NAV

Navigating in winter is more challenging and harder than in summer, so try to ensure that you’ve not only learnt the skills required, but practised them. Crucially you need to be able to navigate with and without GPS, so practice navigation in all its forms – map, phone, and GPS – before heading out. Remember to keep your phone and compass separate – phones can affect compasses and may cause something called reverse polarity.

5) BE MINDFUL OF THE SHORTER DAYS

Particularly earlier on in the winter, you’ll need to factor in earlier starts, as well as carry a fully charged head torch.

Consider the length of day when choosing your routes.

Refer to walking guidebooks for planning advice. If you’re planning from a map, 300m of ascent per hour is a safe planning tip. You should also leave a route plan with a friend or accommodation provider – letting them know what time you’ll expect to be back, or when to get back in touch.

6) EXPECT A DIFFERENT SET OF HAZARDS

It sounds obvious, but winter means cold operating temperatures, snowfall, and a whole new world of things to consider alongside your regular hiking hazards. Icy footpaths, avalanche risk, cornices at the top of your climb, the potential for whiteout and blizzards – all need to be factored in. Don’t be daunted and don’t be put off, just learn how to manage these. A slope that feels doable in summer can quickly feel 6

“More often than not, summer gear won’t cut it”

perilous under snow or ice. Remember too, that winter conditions can be slow going and energy sapping. Fitness is often underestimated when it comes to hill walking, but if the snow is deep or if conditions deteriorate, it can make a whole world of difference.

7) ENJOY YOURSELF

Winter truly does provide us with a wonderland. From otherworldly snow and ice formations, to the incredible winter light, it is a beautiful time of the year. There’s plenty of wildlife to be seen too. In the Cairngorms National Park, where we’re based, you could encounter stags, reindeer herds, snow buntings, winter hares, or ptarmigan.

If it feels like hard work persuading your friends to venture outside in winter, why not join a walking group, or a course with Glenmore Lodge? We’ll provide you with the opportunity to gain skills and learn, but also to meet like minded people.

8) REMEMBER, IT WILL STILL BE THERE TOMORROW

As always in the mountains – but especially in winter – don’t be afraid to turn around if you don’t like what you encounter. There’s always tomorrow. Likewise don’t feel the pressure to stick to one specific route if conditions turn out to be less than favourable.

It’s worth having a range of options and making decisions based on the conditions, how you feel, and timing, rather than being dead set on a particular objective.

Find out more & book courses at glenmorelodge.org.uk 7

Photo Eric Larson - MSR

SHOP THE RANGE

COLD COMFORT WINTER

8

CAMPING

MSR Access 2 £630 When camping in the winter months, you need a shelter that can withstand wind, rain, and snow.

The Access 2 does just that, giving four-season performance to keep you safe and comfortable.

Sized for two, the design includes robust Easton Syclone poles and a central frame support, which optimises internal space while resisting snow loading.

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy £160 If you’re looking to increase warmth levels, the NanoLoft Puffy blanket will help. Filled with synthetic NanoLoft insulation, its circular clusters of fibre mimic the structure of down. The technology traps warmth inside small pockets of air for efficient heat preservation. Lightweight and compressible, it’s an excellent addition to your camping kit.

Petzl Actik Core £58 With shorter daylight hours, a head torch is vital for a winter spent outdoors. Light and bright, the Actik Core makes an excellent choice. With three lighting modes, two beam patterns, and a red light to preserve night vision, it’s easy to adapt to your activity. For versatility, you can power it using the rechargeable Petzl Core battery or with three AAA batteries instead.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm £205 An absolute must for camping, a mat is as important as a sleeping bag when it comes to keeping you warm and comfortable. To counter frigid ground conditions, choose a model like the NeoAir XTherm.

It features multiple ThermaCapture layers to provide four-season warmth. When inflated, it offers 6.4cm of cushioning; when deflated, it takes up about as much room as a water bottle.

MSR WhisperLite International £110 From sub-zero temperatures to snow on the ground, cooking in winter can be challenging.

A liquid fuel stove is your most reliable choice, and the WhisperLite International is one of the best. It can burn white gas, paraffin/kerosene, and unleaded petrol. Used with a fuel bottle, you can maintain the pressure the stove needs to deliver a consistent output.

Marmot Never Summer £300 To ensure a good night’s sleep, choose a sleeping bag made to perform in the lower temperatures.

Packed with 650-fill down insulation, the Never Summer has a comfort rating of -12°C. A multibaffle hood, down-filled collar, and full-length draught tube keep the heat sealed in. The water-resistant Down Defender treatment boosts performance in damp conditions.

HIKING

WINTER WONDERLAND THE

BEST WINTER

Words & Photos James Forrest

Hiking in winter can be a magical experience. Cold crisp mornings, snow-sprinkled summits, starry nights, quiet paths – there’s so much to relish about hillwalking at this time of year.

Many miss out on these wonders, fearing the wintry high fells will be too gnarly and perilous. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Winter walking isn’t all about death-defying ascents of icy ridges.

There are plenty of non-technical winter routes suitable for the average hillwalker. From the Lake District to Wales and beyond, here are a few of our favourites.

10

HIKES

IN THE

UK

COLEDALE ROUND, LAKE DISTRICT

18km / 1,500m There is fierce competition for the title of ‘best horseshoe walk’ in the Lakes. Perhaps the number one spot should go to the Kentmere Horseshoe? Or maybe the Mosedale Horseshoe from Wasdale Head or the Newlands Round from Little Town are deserving of the crown? Another strong candidate is this walk: the Coledale Round from Braithwaite, a high-level, summitbagging loop of Coledale Beck. It is one of the finest walks in the north-western fells of the Lake District – and an efficient outing for Wainwright-baggers. There are many versions of the round. Energetic hikers opt for 10 summits, but we’d suggest excluding Grasmoor

and Wandope to complete a more than adequate eight Wainwrights. Starting with a wintry ascent of Grisedale Pike’s shapely eastern ridge, you are greeted with panoramic views over Keswick, and ahead to the dark, brooding cliffs of Hobcarton Crag, plunging dramatically into a secret, craggy amphitheatre. The delights keep coming. Hopegill Head has grandstand views of the Vale of Lorton; the lumpy-bumpy ridge from Scar Crags to Causey Pike’s knobbly summit is airy and delightful; and the grassy humps of Outerside and Barrow feel like two freebies for your Wainwright box-ticking. All of this might just make it Lakeland’s best horseshoe walk.

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“You’ll be treated to eye-watering views over Loch Lomond”

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ARROCHAR ALPS, LOCH LOMOND

42km / 3,750m ascent - across three day walks They might not have the towering height, permanent snows and majestic glaciers of their European namesakes, but the Arrochar Alps are worthy of the name. Complex, steep and dramatic, with distinctive profiles, this compact group of peaks in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park are rightly popular. It’s possible to bag the range’s four Munros in a rather ridiculously arduous day walk, but why rush? If you can spare a long weekend, simply take things slow and bag the Munro foursome – Ben Vorlich, Ben Vane, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime – over three walks. First up is Ben Vorlich from Inveruglas, a rugged hike that serves up eye-watering views over the isle-dotted expanse of Loch Lomond, and for day two there’s the similarly dramatic climb of Ben Vane, again from Invergulas. But the real highlight comes with the horseshoe walk of Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime from Glen Loin. This route also takes in The Cobbler, one of Scotland’s most iconic Corbetts: a weirdly-shaped mountain with a rocky summit known for its nerve-jangling, grade 3 scramble (definitely not advisable in winter). You don’t have to go to the top, however. Simply stand next to the rocky blockade and take in one of Scotland’s most iconic scenes.

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Glenmore Lodge is sportscotland’s sportscotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre.

Skills courses and qualification courses, from Discover level, through to advanced. Based in the Cairngorms National Park offering residential and non-residential 2 and 5 day courses.

Winter hillwalking avalanche education winter mountaineering winter climbing Backcountry skiing Off-piste skiing and more Visit www.glenmorelodge.org.uk

BERWYNS, NORTH WALES

17km / 850m They are regularly labelled the ‘Boring Berwyns’, but is that fair? The Berwyns are an often-ignored mountain range of high moorland east of Bala, lying just outside Snowdonia National Park. Most of the rounded tops are covered in thick, energysapping heather – enough to turn off all but the most dedicated of hillwalkers, unless you fancy an exhausting day of vaulting never-ending heathery obstacles. But, in truth, the ‘boring’ label applies more to the northern and western sections of the range. In the middle the heather relents, good paths abide, and an enjoyable high-level horseshoe walk is possible from Cwm Maen Gwynedd, taking the ridge of Foel Wen and Tomle, before bagging the higher trio of Cadair Bronwen, Cadair Berwyn and Moel Sych, and then descending south-east over Moel yr Ewig and Godor – the best day walk in the Berwyns. And, for added interest, when you’re standing atop Cadair Berwyn you can ponder the ‘Roswelsh Incident’: a bizarre occurrence in 1974, when loud noises and bright lights were seen over the 830m mountain. Was it a UFO crash subsequently covered up by the government? Or an earthquake combined with a meteor shower, as per official statements? Not such a boring story, really.

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HOWGILLS, YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK

16.5km / 1,200m If you’ve ever driven north on the M6, bound for the Lake District or Scotland, you may well have had your eyes drawn east near Kendal to the rolling fells of the Howgills. You may well have wondered what it’d be like to go walking there – but it’s unlikely you ever have. The quiet, no-frills tops are barely frequented, overlooked because their rounded, grassy nature, devoid of crag and cliff, isn’t exciting enough to attract the time-poor hiking enthusiast. But this gentle nature makes them perfect for winter walking. No crampons or ice-axes are needed in this quiet corner.

Lost in a no-man’s land between the Lakes and the Dales, part of Cumbria but located within the expanded Yorkshire Dales National Park, the Howgills are far less busy than their more famous neighbours. And that means a day in the wintry Howgills can offer a welcome dose of silence and solitude. The best route starts in Sedbergh, a delightful little town, and climbs over gentle, easy slopes to The Calf, the highest point of the Howgills, before visiting Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall. With a bit of luck, you’ll have the hills all to yourself.

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CUMBRIA WAY, CUMBRIA

112km / 2,900m The Cumbria Way is a 73-mile walk through (obviously) Cumbria and the heart of the Lake District. It journeys the length of the county, starting from the quirky market town of Ulverston in the south to the city of Carlisle in the north, via Coniston, Great Langdale, Keswick and Caldbeck. Devised by local Ramblers groups in the 1970s, the official Cumbria Way route is predominantly a low-level, flat walk and therefore perfect for a winter backpacking adventure. Some guidebooks offer mountain alternatives for those who prefer summits to the valleys, but these are entirely optional. Most walkers take five or more days to complete the trail, staying in accommodation along the way.

For the luxury approach, opt for quaint B&Bs and eat every night in rustic country inns; for the intrepid approach, pack your tent and winter sleeping bag and go on a wild camping odyssey. Either way, you’ll see so much of the Lake District’s charm and beauty in just a few days. Think wobbly dry stone walls, cute-faced Herdwick sheep, sweeping mountain ridges, jaw-dropping cliffs and crags, towering peaks, tumbling streams and glistening lakes.

Plus, if the fells are dusted in snow, the Lakes will be transformed into a postcard-perfect scene of wintry bliss.

“Wainwright thought Helm’s Crag was better than Scafell, Helvellyn & Skiddaw”

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HELM CRAG, LAKE DISTRICT

13.5km / 850m Guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright labelled Helm Crag’s summit as better than Scafell, Helvellyn and Skiddaw. He waxed lyrical about the ‘remarkable array of rocks’ that ‘yield a quality of reward out of all proportion to the short and simple climb’.

Climbing Helm Crag from Grasmere explores all of these rocky wonders – and they don’t disappoint. But getting to the top of them is not for the faint-hearted, particularly in winter. First comes The Lion and The Lamb, a dramatic excrescence on the south-east end of the ridge. It does-what-it-says-on-thetin – resembles a lion and a lamb – and involves a relatively easy scramble to the top. But, alas, this isn’t the true summit. Beyond lies The Howitzer, a fear-inducing slab of angled rock that rises dramatically to claim its status as Helm Crag’s highest point.

We wouldn’t advise taking it on in winter, due to the precipitous drops and slippery surface – but don’t worry about not doing it. Alfred Wainwright famously wimped out himself, even in summer, and instead you can focus on completing a delightful circular walk. Take the ridge ahead to Gibson Knott and Calf Crag, before returning via the Far Easedale valley. A classic Lakeland fell walk – even if you don’t make it to the true summit.

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SHOP THE RANGE

MADE MOUNTAINS FOR THE

4

SEASON

BOOTS

LA SPORTIVA WOMEN’S AEQUILIBRIUM ST GORE-TEX £295 Trekking, via ferrata, glacier crossings... the Aequilibrium ST can handle it all. It gives the perfect balance of comfort and technicality for modern mountaineering. Sporting the best of La Sportiva’s technologies, it supports, protects, and helps reduce fatigue. Waterproof GORE-TEX and durable Vibram add proven performance to the impressive feature set.

B2 RATED • 515G (SINGLE BOOT EU 38)

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SCARPA WOMEN’S MANTA TECH GORE-TEX £300 The Manta has been a staple in Scarpa’s range for over 30 years. Its latest iteration continues to set the benchmark for four-season mountaineering boots. Durable and waterproof, the boots’ performance is enhanced by GORETEX Duratherm insulation, which provides increased warmth so you can work in colder conditions and at higher altitudes. These are built on Scarpa’s FT Last, which gives a comfortable yet precise feel.

B2 RATED • 710G (SINGLE BOOT EU 38)

LA SPORTIVA MEN’S KARAKORUM HC GORE-TEX £310

SCARPA PHANTOM TECH HD £500

SCARPA MEN’S SL ACTIVE £240

The sturdy Karakorum HC is ideal for traditional mountaineering and demanding hiking. It combines a durable water-repellent leather upper with a GORE-TEX membrane for lasting wet weather protection. In its element on rugged ground, the Vibram Impact Brake System sole provides traction and absorbs impact. A thermal footbed adds comfort, to help with long mountain days.

Superlight and technically precise, the Phantom Tech is perfect for mountaineering and ice climbing. Its waterproof gaiter offers strength and dexterity while shaving off the grams, making this boot the lightest in its class.

Unzipping reveals the warm, breathable fixed inner boot. Equipped with a fast lock lacing system, this creates a comfortable and secure foothold that’s easy to adjust.

The SL Active is a tough trekking boot that will perform across the seasons. Made from full-grain leather with a one-piece construction, it gives durable weather protection. Packed with Scarpa technologies, you get freedom of moment, optimal stability, and reliable support in one. A Vibram Biometric Trek sole completes the package, allowing you to tackle tough terrain with ease.

B2 RATED • 940G (SINGLE BOOT EU 42)

B3 RATED • 730G (SINGLE BOOT EU 42)

B1 RATED • 806G (SINGLE BOOT EU 42)

LA SPORTIVA G5 EVO £625 Choose the ultra-technical G5 Evo for mountaineering and ice climbing. Warm and protective, these boast a water-repellent stretch gaiter that covers the insulated boot within. The four-layer insulation structure includes GORE-TEX INFINIUM THERMIUM which will keep your feet noticeably warmer. Wrapped around the boot is a Cordura gaiter. Extremely abrasion resistant, this stops ice and snow from getting inside.

B3 RATED • 850G (SINGLE BOOT EU 42) 19

Grade II Climbing The Runnel, Coire an t-Sneachda, Northern Cairngorms - © Stuart McAleese

M O U N TA I N E E R I N G

GRADE SCHOOL A

GUIDE TO

SCOTTISH

CLIMBING

GULLIES

The gullies of the Highlands pose some of the toughest winter mountaineering challenges in the UK. Here, experts from Glenmore Lodge explain how they’re graded, and why it matters.

The first thing to remember about climbing grades is they’re a guide, not a gospel.

Conditions can have a huge effect on how difficult a particular ascent is, and if this is true in summer, it’s even more so in winter, where there are so many variables – too little ice, too little snow, too much snow, or iced cracks which limit options for gear placement can all make things more difficult. Knowing how to plan a route properly – taking wind, snow, ice and weather conditions into account – is 20

just as important, if not more so, as being physically good at the climbing itself. Exercising common sense, using your judgement, and knowing when to back off a route if it’s ‘out of condition’ are crucial skills to learn. There will be many days when the route feels a grade harder, and likewise times when the route feels easier too.

Having said all that, grades do provide a great way to help you improve your climbing, as you gain experience on one, and move

up to the next. Trusting the grade can be a key factor when on harder climbs, especially if you are unable to see the next pitch, or section of climbing. The grade may indicate there is more to come, or that you have climbed the hardest section of the route.

Both of these can be essential when making sensible decisions.

Grades are naturally progressive, and build from one to another. To help give greater detail, from grade III and above, a separate technical grade will often be given. This complements the overall grade of the route, and helps provide a bit more of a range within each main grade band.

Routes are graded for average winter conditions, or to what was experienced on the first ascent. But while grades are established by the first ascent team, they’re confirmed by other repeat ascents too – normally by highly skilled and experienced winter pioneers.

“Trusting the grade can be a key factor on harder climbs”

INDUSTRY EXPERTS Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Glenmore Lodge and Rab are working together to ensure outdoor gear keeps getting better. Three stalwarts of the industry, our unique relationship brings benefits across the board. Working on various equipment and training projects, the partnership ensures the outdoor community is not just equipped with the right clothing and gear, but also has the knowledge and skills to make mountain adventures safe and rewarding.

GRADE I

Grade I gullies require a mix of mountaineering skills. They’re sometimes climbed with one ice axe, but using two for greater security is also common, especially in steeper gullies. Foundation skills such as snow belays are commonly used. Average snow slopes up to 50 degrees and possibly easy, snowed-up rock scrambling can be expected. A small climbing rack will be required for making belays, along with a 50-60m rope. Care should be taken with avalanche assessment on grade I gullies.

Try these: Jacob’s Ladder and Aladdin’s Couloir in the Northern Coires of Cairngorm, Number 4 Gully on Ben Nevis, Raeburn’s Gully on Creag Meagaidh and Hayfork Gully on An Teallach are all good examples.

GET THE GEAR: WINTER CLIMBING KIT

GRADE II

A fun grade offering interesting climbing, with longer pitches requiring more gear. It’s likely that two ice axes will be required, and that some sections will have to be climbed. It’s worth thinking in advance about how you’ll communicate between climbers on longer pitches when your partner is are out of sight.

Gullies at grade II will be steeper than grade I and will likely have mixed climbing sections as well. There will be stances and ledges along the way, however, and the route finding should be straightforward too. It is worth carrying some ice screws if there are steps of ice highlighted within the route description.

Try these: NC Gully in Glencoe, Right Twin on Aonach Mor and The Runnel in the Northern Coires of Cairngorm are a good place to start with grade II gullies.

LOWE ALPINE UPRISE 40:50 BACKPACK £140

For everything from swift alpine-style ascents to long multi-day routes.

This pairs abrasion- and water-resistant fabrics with a snow-shedding back panel. The roll-top closure expands capacity from 40 to 50 litres, and compression straps aid stability as you climb.

RAB WOMEN’S INFINITY ALPINE JACKET £320

This maximum warmth, minimum weight jacket is perfect for fast and light winter climbs. Its zoned GORE-TEX INFINIUM Windstopper face fabric is durable, with extra overlays in high wear areas.

The insulation is 800-fill hydrophobic down, which maintains its loft when wet.

RAB MEN’S ASCENDOR ALPINE PANTS £170 The Ascendor Alpine Pants are Rab’s definitive choice for winter mountaineering. Made from two-layer bonded Matrix softshell, they are durable, protective, and windproof. They have zipped thigh vents, and removable braces for an extra secure fit.

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INFINITY ALPINE JACKET

MASTERS OF INSULATION The toughest days can be the most rewarding, so when the forecast is grim, pack the Infinity Alpine Jacket. Pairing new GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ WINDSTOPPER® with ethically sourced goose down, this windproof down jacket stands up to regular use in harsh weather.

WWW. ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/RAB

Grade IV Climbing Patey’s Route, Coire an t-Sneachda, Northern Cairngorms © Stuart McAleese

GRADE III

GRADE IV

GRADE V

Try these: The SC Gully in Glencoe, and Broken Gully in the Cairngorms are both grade III climbs.

Try these: Comb Gully on Ben Nevis, March Hare on Beinn Bhan or Patey’s Route, in the Northern Coires are classic grade IVs.

Try these: Point Five, Vanishing Gully, and Zero Gully on Ben Nevis are all grade V, as is Smith’s Gully on Creag Meagaidh.

These gullies tend to be longer and more involved. There are many classic routes at grade III. This grade will contain a bit of everything – ice, mixed, and snow-gully climbing. All the equipment mentioned for grade I and II will be needed, although carrying a bigger climbing rack would be normal.

Gully climbs at grade III will have sections of ice up to 60 degrees and mixed terrain, so refer to your guidebook to help manage the amount of climbing rack/ice screws to carry. You will have to use specific winter mixed climbing/ice climbing techniques on short sections.

Often a grade III may have a technical grade of 4, highlighting a particular section of the climb. Depending on where you choose to climb, 60m ropes will be useful, especially on Ben Nevis, which has long approach and exit slopes.

Sustained, interesting and sometimes steep, grade IV climbing will include specific mixed climbing and ice climbing techniques, and will require lots of winter climbing experience to judge conditions to find the route. Normally this grade would require a full winter climbing rack, and will involve multiple different pitches. Grade IV climbs are often a long day out, where time management is crucial – especially with shorter days in mid- winter.

Steeper sections (with ice at up to 70 degrees) may be sustained and climbing fitness will be important. Sometimes there may be a technical grade of 5 or 6 included for the more difficult grade IVs. But it also goes the other way, too. Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis, for example, is graded IV 3 – technically a 3 but given grade IV for its seriousness in winter, and the length of climb.

“A grade V climb would normally require optimum conditions”

For a long time, this was the hardest winter climbing grade, and with historic climbs like ‘Point Five’ and ‘Smith’s Route’ it is – and always will be – a grade that inspires respect.

All your climbing nous will be required, so having a good understanding of winter climbing techniques and many years of climbing experience is a must. Fitness and strength will be essential, as a grade V gully will often involve a long day in the mountains.

With modern developments in climbing techniques and equipment, this grade has become more accessible to climbers. But successfully tackling a grade V is still a serious achievement. You can expect up to 80-90 degrees on ice, and steep rock on mixed climbing sections too. As with all these grades, weather and conditions will affect the climb. A grade V climb would normally require these to be absolutely optimum.

GRADE VI AND BEYOND

Winter climbing grades go further, as elite winter climbers around the world continue to push the envelope. Many classic climbs have been established at VI, VII, VIII and even IX 9.

Find out more & book courses at glenmorelodge.org.uk 23

SHOP THE RANGE

TOOLS TRADE WINTER

OF THE

CLIMBING

GEAR

PETZL NOMIC £240 Petzl’s Nomic sets the standard for technical ice climbing. Perfectly balanced and equipped with weights, it offers an exceptional swing so you can ascend with confidence. The Pur’Ice pick enables efficient placement in all kinds of ice, while removable Masselotte pick weights make it easy to adjust balance and propulsion.

LENGTH: 50CM • WEIGHT: 585G

PETZL QUARK ADZE/HAMMER £210 Choose the Quark for mountaineering and ice climbing alike. Combining exceptional balance with its Ice pick, it achieves solid placement in all kinds of ice. With both Trigrest and Griprest hand rests, it encourages an efficient grip while providing support. You can also fold the Griprest up, making it easier to plunge into snow.

LENGTH: 50CM • WEIGHT: 550G 24

GRIVEL G12 NEW-MATIC EVO £150 Newly updated, Grivel’s G12 crampon continues to be a top choice for mountaineering and moderate ice routes. With a new back lever and bail, the simplified design is over 50 grams lighter. The minimalist buckle is easy to operate and provides a strong hold. Set in a 12-point configuration, it gives stability and security in all snow conditions.

C2 RATED • WEIGHT: 986G (PAIR)

PETZL RIDE £82

BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS ICE SCREWS FROM £51

GRIVEL MONTE ROSA £100

GRIVEL G ZERO £70

The Ride is a compact, ultralight ice axe ideal for ski touring. A steel head provides solid placement, the tapered, toothed pick bites easily into ice, and the 7075 aluminium shaft keeps weight down to a minimum. With a 45cm length and bevelled spike, its compact size makes it easy to carry.

These are Black Diamond’s fastest-placing ice screws. With tapered tubes, the teeth cut a hole just larger than the tube itself to reduce friction.

A large crank knob allows uninterrupted 360° motion for easier starting and faster placement.

They’re a winter climbing essential.

The Monte Rosa is a lightweight crampon designed for general winter walking. Made from 3D relief-stamped carbon steel in a ten-point configuration, these have notches on the rear points for extra grip. A flexible centre bar and New Classic binding make them easy to fit.

An excellent ice axe for glacier walking and easy ascents. The design combines a steel blade and adze with a lightweight aluminium shaft. The blade has a removable cover that aids grip while insulating against the cold metal. A rubber tip protects the axe when not in use.

LENGTH: 45CM • WEIGHT: 240G

LENGTH: 13-22CM • WEIGHT: 138-175G

C1 RATED • WEIGHT: 800G (PAIR)

LENGTH: 53, 58, 66CM • WEIGHT: 425G

PETZL LYNX LEVERLOCK UNIVERSAL £190 These incredibly versatile crampons will adapt from snow couloirs to dry tooling with ease. The 14-point configuration can be modified with just one screw - setups include a long mono point, asymmetric dual points and more. Thanks to the modular design, the Lynx crampons are ideal for mixed and ice climbing enthusiasts.

C3 RATED • WEIGHT: 1020G (PAIR) 25

26

CLIMBING

TRUE GRIT WHY WINTER TACKLE

IS THE

GRITSTONE

BEST TIME TO

CLIMBS

Once again, I hit the mats with a dull thud. I heave a sigh, examining my burning hands. I cast an eye at the blank scoop of stone in front of me, flitting between my pink fingers and the crag, in search of holds and excuses. “There’s nothing there!” I cry in frustration. I step up for a final attempt, pressing a toe into the shallowest of dimples, and willing the rubber to stick on the granular rock. Reaching tentatively, I grasp at a sloping edge and awkwardly pull my weight upwards. The foot slips, and the hand with it. Defeated, I return to Earth. Grounded, once again.

I was 11 years old the first time I sampled ‘grit’ at Stanage Edge in the Peak District – arguably the most famous gritstone outcrop, or outcrop of any rock-type, in the UK. My friends, who to my frustration seemed to float up the boulder, were none other than the now-prolific Whittaker siblings, Katy and Pete, stars of

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the film Grit Kids. They had padded their way up local grit crags since they could crawl. I, on the other hand, had enjoyed a different climbing apprenticeship: I was an indoor ‘wall rat’, with an eye for obvious, coloured holds and a flair for gymnastic sequences that could be parsed from the ground. Clumsy and unbalanced, it would be a while before I became well-versed in the grammar of grit.

Gritstone is as divisive as it is abrasive. To some climbers, it’s overrated; to others, it lives up to its moniker of “God’s own rock”. An especially coarse and grippy type of sandstone, grit originated 320 million years ago as river sediment, which was then compressed, hardened, and eroded into its current form. The grit outcrops which push up through the Pennine hills are usually diminutive in size — rarely exceeding 10-20 metres in height — but plentiful in

Photos Chris Prescott/Dark Sky Media

Widely recognised as one of the trickiest rock-types in the world, gritstone attracts its most devoted fans during the coldest months of the year. Ellis Brigham ambassador Natalie Berry explains the joys of climbing in ‘grit season’.

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abundance, and most crucially, character. Grit’s chasmlike cracks, exposed arêtes and featureless faces, dotted with the occasional polished pebble, loom large in the minds of even the most seasoned climbers.

The rock-type has an almost cult-like status among its devotees; both trad climbers – who shuffle along its sloping edges and squeeze into its deepest recesses, gear jangling as they go – and boulderers, who slap and grip their way up sculpted offcuts at the foot of the crags. Stories of ‘grit days out’ are recounted with pride over pints in the pub, and the rock holds such cultural cachet that, “but what have you/they done on grit?” has become a popular retort – the climbing equivalent of that perennial football cliché, “the cold, rainy night in Stoke”.

NITTY GRITTY

Climbing on grit is less about pulling and pushing than pressing on the rock. Leaning into it and working with it, rather than against it, making do with less, and hoping for more. Where there’s a will, there’s usually a way — even if it involves holding or standing on not much at all. As grit maestro Johnny Dawes once quipped: “Stanage is just one big hold.”

A grit climb can be a curious mix of poise and brawn.

Body position is key. Moving from the hips and shifting the body’s centre of balance above well-weighted feet, rather than straining the fingers on sloping holds, enables a less strenuous, and more skin-friendly, ascent. If the chosen route is a chimney or crack, then this subtlety can turn into a full-body struggle

with compression and opposing forces. But jamming and wedging body parts into gritstone usually ends in tears — the rock bites back. Climbers might leave chalk marks on grit, but grit will mark them in return, in the form of ‘grit rash’.

There are other idiosyncrasies too. Sometimes, the lines with the easiest grades are the most easily underestimated. The potential for ‘sandbag’ routes — climbs which are harder than their advertised grade — is high. Chimneys and wide cracks with no obvious flow of moves were the routes of choice for pioneers like Joe Brown and Don Whillans in the 1950s. But these ‘lines of weakness’ are less popular among modernday climbers, with their indoor-honed finger strength, gymnastic jumping skills, talon-like rubber shoes, and modern gear that protects even the thinnest of cracks, and blank face climbs.

In summer, gritstone appears to sweat in the heat.

The rock’s water permeability enables it to absorb moisture from humid air, or sweat from anxious, thinskinned climbers. When Alex Honnold — star of Free Solo — made his second pilgrimage to the gritstone edges of the Peaks in the summer of 2016, he told me that coming to Stanage “felt like revisiting an old friend, albeit in terrible, warm conditions”. Nonetheless, he declared himself a fan: “I really like the grit. I really like the rock,” he affirmed.

Gritstone’s tendency to ooze grease in the warmer months often results in climbers saving their hardest grit climbing projects for the cooler conditions of autumn and winter – also known as ‘Grit Season’. It’s not unusual to spot climbers in Santa suits queuing on

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the 25th of December to climb the classic ‘Christmas Crack’ route, or beanie-clad boulderers grunting their way up the stone in January, with a bonus blanket of snow underneath to dampen their fall.

The precarious delicacy of progressing up a grit route is heightened by proximity to the ground. On such short climbs, there’s no void to catch a fall – a climber slipping from near the top of a route could meet the ground before the rope pulls taught.

Although many classic climbs boast plentiful cracks, seams, and slots that can hold gear, grit’s boldest lines typically lead up compact faces and off-balance edges, where opportunities to place protection are scarce.

Even Honnold, who had the courage to climb the 2,300 metre high El Capitan without a rope, found one of gritstone’s toughest test pieces ‘Harder Faster’ (E9 7a) “too scary to climb”.

On a rock-type where friction can be the difference between life and death, conditions matter. Cold, crisp days that numb the fingers bring greater grip and adherence to the rock. The numbness, in reducing sensitivity and mobility in the fingers, also forces a climber to open up their grip and mould their skin more uniformly to the rounded breaks; to weight their feet more than their hands, and earn the trust of the rugosities under their rubbered toes. With desensitised fingers, climbers can push through the pain without feeling it, and slap sloping features harder, ensuring optimum contact and friction.

At the end of a Baltic autumn or winter day on grit, I’ve often stumbled down the bracken-fringed paths 30

“GRITSTONE IS AS DIVISIVE AS IT IS ABRASIVE. TO SOME IT’S OV E R R AT E D . T O O T H E R S I T ’ S G O D’ S OW N R O C K” with my fingers worn to pink, numb stubs, my lungs and muscles well and truly worked. Later, as my red-raw hands sting with the return of warmth and sensation, I regret revelling in the cold-induced anaesthesia. But this is the price a climber pays to play during grit season – the delayed pain of hot aches and burning skin, in exchange for perfect, chilled rock.

As a rock-type, many would argue that grit takes more than it gives. Yet still we traipse up to the edges and quarries in the coldest months of the year, freezing in the name of friction, eager to soak up the history of these outcrops, or to lose ourselves — and some skin — on their storied surfaces.

Natalie Berry is the editor of UKClimbing.com, and an Ellis Brigham ambassador. Follow her @natalie.a.berry.

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SHOP THE RANGE

HIGH & DRY WATERPROOF

THE NORTH FACE WOMEN’S SUMMIT L5 FUTURELIGHT JACKET £630 Push your limits in challenging conditions with the Summit L5, The North Face’s pinnacle mountaineering shell. This is made with waterproof-breathable FUTURELIGHT, with Spectra reinforcements on the high-wear areas to maximise durability. Inside, one zipped and two mesh pockets keep your essentials safe.

Climbing-specific features include a helmet-compatible hood and harness compatible chest pockets.

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PROTECTION

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT MEN’S LHOTSE GORE-TEX PRO JACKET £400

RAB MEN’S ZENITH GORE-TEX PACLITE PLUS JACKET £250

The Lhotse jacket is a pinnacle mountaineering piece.

Providing resilient outdoor performance, it utilises two weights of GORE-TEX Pro to great effect. It’s waterproof and windproof, with reinforcements on the high wear areas, which amp up abrasion resistance. Helmet and harness compatible, additional features include waterresistant pit zips and a secure internal pocket.

On blustery days when rain is likely, a shell like the Zenith is superb. A lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite Plus jacket, it’s waterproof, breathable, and packs down small. Suitable for scrambling and hiking, the helmetcompatible hood has a stiffened peak to improve visibility. Articulated sleeves and a slim fit help to keep you trim and mobile.

ARC’TERYX WOMEN’S ZETA AR GORE-TEX JACKET £440

PATAGONIA WOMEN’S CALCITE GORE-TEX PACLITE JACKET £250

When it is wet and windy in the hills, you’ll be glad for the Zeta AR. Built from waterproof GORE-TEX with C-knit technology, you get comfort and protection combined. Well-equipped for long days outdoors, its features include pit zips and five pockets. Thigh length for extra coverage, the Zeta makes an outstanding hiking shell.

Patagonia developed the Calcite jacket for hikers wanting reliable wet weather protection when out in the hills.

The 75 denier face fabric is 100 percent recycled, and hard-wearing. GORE-TEX Paclite Plus technology provides waterproof, windproof protection. A clean-cut style equipped with the essentials, this allows you to hike in comfort throughout the year.

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PATAGONIA MEN’S DUAL ASPECT JACKET £450 With the Dual Aspect jacket, Patagonia raises the bar for sustainable performance. It is the brand’s first fully PFC-free waterproof-breathable mountaineering shell.

Ergonomic patterning improves articulation under the arms, which means you can swing an ice tool without the jacket lifting out of your harness. There are pit zips to vent excess heat in moments of exertion too.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT TUPILAK GORE-TEX PANT £370

ARC’TERYX WOMEN’S BETA AR RAB WOMEN’S ZENITH GORETEX PACLITE PLUS PANT £160 GORE-TEX PRO PANT £400

The Tupilak pant is a first-class choice for mountaineers. Made with 80 denier GORETEX Pro fabric throughout, it gives total protection in winter conditions. Bonded ice screw overlays and reinforced kick strips enhance durability further. Adjustable braces, a drop seat and articulated knees complete the set, ensuring comfort and mobility throughout the day.

Perfectly adapted to changeable conditions, choose the Beta AR pant for mixedmountain use. Championing GORE-TEX Pro Most Rugged fabric, it delivers waterproof, windproof storm protection. Harness compatible, it has WaterTight side zips which offer drop seat functionality and can also be used for rapid venting. Articulated knees keep you comfortable and mobile.

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One of our best-sellers, the Zenith pant provides lightweight, breathable, waterproof protection. Ideal for day hikes, they feature reinforcements on the seat and knees for extra durability. An elasticated waist and ¾ length side zips make them easy to don. Supplied with a compact stuff sack, you can pack them away when the weather improves.

RAB WOMEN’S KINETIC ALPINE 2.0 JACKET £220

THE NORTH FACE MEN’S CARTO TRICLIMATE JACKET £240

If hiking and scrambling is your thing, you’ll be well set with Rab’s Kinetic Alpine 2.0 jacket. It pairs the stretch and comfort of a softshell with the protection of a hardshell. Abrasion resistant reinforcements bolster the waterproof Proflex fabric. Alpine-ready, this is helmetcompatible and has a two-way zip for access to your harness belay loop.

Thanks to its 3-in-1 design, you can hike with the Carto Triclimate across the seasons. The waterproof DryVent outer features three zipped pockets to hold your essentials. A removable inner jacket provides reliable warmth. Filled with PrimaLoft Black synthetic insulation, it traps body heat while maintaining breathability. You can wear the layers zipped together or as stand-alone pieces.

ARC’TERYX MEN’S BETA LONG GORE-TEX JACKET £440

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT WOMEN’S MAKALU GORE-TEX JACKET £270

If you want enhanced wet weather hiking protection, choose the Beta Long jacket. A durable GORE-TEX shell with a supple C-Knit backer, it gives reliable comfort in the rain. Features include pit zips for temperature regulation and an internal zipped pocket. A regular fit allows you to fit layers underneath, while the thigh length increases the coverage, helping keep you even dryer.

The Makalu jacket is a waterproof shell that shines yearround. Offering high performance without costing the Earth, its outer consists of a recycled face fabric with a PFC-free water repellent finish. An all-season performer, GORE-TEX technology blocks wind and rain alike. Durable, functional, and comfortable, the Alpine fit makes it easy to wear layers underneath.

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M O U N TA I N E E R I N G

THE

FORGOTTEN

FIRST ASCENT THE

OF

MATTERHORN

150 years after Lucy Walker became the first woman to climb the iconic mountain, Justine Gosling joins the campaign to celebrate her remarkable achievement – and follow in her footsteps.

Stepping out of the door of the Britannia Hut and into the predawn darkness, the cold hits me. It’s 3.30AM, and we’re already more than 3,000m above sea-level, but we have a long day’s climbing ahead to reach the summit on the Allalinhorn, one of Switzerland’s highest peaks. The early, “alpine” start is essential. Ten short minutes after setting off, we reach the base of the Hohlaub glacier. Under the glare of head torches, we strap on crampons and rope up, two to a guide. Soon, the only noise comes from our laboured breath, the swish of our clothing, and the crunching of the ice beneath our feet. The glacier is eerily illuminated – the light of a full moon, diffused through heavy cloud cover, reflects off the bright snow. In the distance, I can see bobbing headlights of the other roped groups moving up the mountain like luminous caterpillars. As I climb, I find myself wondering: what would Lucy Walker have made of all this?

Walker, a trailblazing Victorian female alpinist is, after all, is the reason I’m here. I’m climbing as part of an all-female group to celebrate the 150th anniversary of arguably her greatest achievement – becoming the first woman to reach the summit of the mighty Matterhorn. Walker, of course, had none of the gear that’s currently helping us up the mountain – not the lightweight crampons, nor the waterproof outerwear, nor the dynamic climbing ropes binding us together, nor the head torches lighting our way. But that didn’t prevent her – in her long flannel skirt – from reaching the peak a mere six 37

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To mark Walker’s achievement, all-female groups were encouraged to climb all of Switzerland’s 4,000m peaks this year.

“Walker completed 98 expeditions”

years after Edward Whymper’s fateful, first ascent. And she didn’t stop there. During a 21-year mountaineering career, the Englishwoman completed a total of 98 expeditions, successfully summiting no fewer than 28 4,000m peaks. She holds the first female ascent record for 16 summits, including Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, the Strahlhorn, and the Grand Combin. She was also the first person of either sex to ascend the Balmhorn, which she conquered in 1864.

A FORGOTTEN HEROINE AT HOME

Despite this, Walker’s achievements, while remarkable for a woman of the time, were barely acknowledged. In the 1860s, societal expectations were that women should remain in the home. Male explorers could become celebrities (think David Livingstone, or Sir Richard Burton), but like many accomplished Victorian women, Walker downplayed her successes, leaving behind no diaries, newspaper interviews or personal accounts.

Thankfully, in Switzerland, they haven’t forgotten her. This year, the Swiss Tourist Board, in partnership with the Swiss Mountain Guide Association, Mammut and the Swiss Alpine Club, launched a campaign to encourage more women into the mountains, in honour of Walker’s crowning achievement.

The “100% Women Peak Challenge” has aimed to get allfemale teams – including mine – on top of all of Switzerland’s 48 4,000m peaks in 2021. The campaign kicked off on 39

THEN & NOW

LUCY WALKER’S GEAR ICE AXE

Today’s lightweight aluminium glacier axes can weigh as little as 250g. In Walker’s era, axes tended to be longer, sometimes up to 1.30m, more than twice the length of many current models. But it was the materials – wood for the shaft with a heavy, steel head – that made them really heavy and unwieldy.

BOOTS

Mountaineers take it for granted that they can slip crampons over their lightweight, waterproof boots when they reach snow and ice. Lucy Walker would have been climbing in hob-nail boots – heavy, leather affairs with the studs permanently fixed. The spikes helped on snow and ice, but could be sketchy-as-hell on rock and mixed terrain.

CLOTHES

Victorian mountaineers usually climbed in woollen jumpers, and suit jackets made of tweed or, later on, gaberdine – a worsted wool fabric patented by Thomas Burberry in 1879. Being a woman, Lucy’s options would have been even more limited. Flannel skirts lined with petticoats instead of midlayers.

What she would have made of today’s lightweight GORE-TEX is anyone’s guess.

ROPE

To the extent that ropes were used at all among Victorian climbers, they tended to be made of “manila,” or hemp – strong, but offering very little in the way of flex. This is perhaps one of the reasons why Edward Whymper, Walker’s male antecedent on the Matterhorn, lost four of his climbing party when the rope snapped on their descent. Today’s dynamic ropes – combined with modern harnesses and safety techniques – make a world of difference.

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“More than 700 women from 20 countries took part this year” Lucy Walker’s achievements are all the more remakable beause she had none of the gear we now take for granted.

International Women’s Day, March 8th, and to participate, all-female teams just need to post a summit selfie using the hashtag #Peakchallenge, plus the name of the 4,000m peak they’ve climbed. The response so far has been incredible, with more than 700 women from 20 countries recording summits – a remarkable achievement during a year when travel was heavily restricted due to COVID-19.

AN INSPIRATION TO MANY

As my group climbs, daylight slowly seeps through the clouds, so that by the time we hit our first serious obstacle, a 50m-high rock wall, we can see all the way up it. It’s wet and icy with overhanging sections and plenty of visibly loose rock – an intimidating prospect. Thankfully, the scramble proves not to be as challenging as it looks from below. Iron cables support our climb and our guides manage the ropes expertly, to get us up safely. From the top we follow the contours around a rocky gendarme, and onto the final, exposed ridge. We reach the metal cross that marks the summit, 4,027m above sea level, at 9AM, five hours after leaving the hut. Once we’ve gathered round the cross for the all-important summit photos, we celebrate with big smiles, hugs and high fives all round.

While some of us only met on this climb, this is a pretty incredible team. In our group of six, there are five different nationalities, with two internationally certified guides, two people completing PhDs, one successful photographer and a high-flying designer. We have all, it’s safe to say, had opportunities, educational chances, financial independence and rights that Victorian women could only have dreamed of.

Yet despite advances in gender parity, dispiriting attitudes still exist in the mountains – manifesting themselves in sexist comments, snide jokes, adaptive behaviour, and unwanted

sympathies or assistance. Although numbers are growing, women currently account for only 30 percent of British Mountaineering Council (BMC) members. Of 7,020 accredited International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) members, only 152, or two percent, are women.

Learning about Lucy Walker made me feel very grateful for the opportunities I have as a woman in the 21st century.

It also made me realise what a travesty it is that it’s taken a century and a half for her to get the recognition she deserves.

It’s because of pioneers like her that many women today feel mountain summits are within their reach – here’s hoping that her story continues to inspire many more.

JUSTINE GOSLING’S CLIMB ALLALINHORN - 4,027M

Distance: 6km / 4 miles Ascent: 1,050m from the Britannia Hut Duration: 6.5 hours Alpine grade: AD (‘fairly difficult’) Route: The Hohlaubgrat Route ascends the east-facing ridge of Allalinhorn and descends down the normal route, back to Mittelallalin lift station.

Guide: Justine’s party was guided by Caroline George intothemountains.com 41

SHOP THE RANGE

HOT TRAIL WINTER

ON THE

INSULATION

RAB MEN’S VALIANCE JACKET £320 UK winters call for the Valiance jacket. Constructed with a Pertex Shield outer, the superlight fabric provides waterproof, breathable protection. For warmth, Rab chose 800 fill hydrophobic down insulation along with Pyrotec synthetic insulation in the hood and cuffs. Delivering reliable comfort, it provides an impressive defence against the cold and wet.

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MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT WOMEN’S TRANGO DOWN JACKET £250

FJÄLLRÄVEN MEN’S EXPEDITION DOWN LITE JACKET £500

Mountain Equipment made the Trango Down jacket with remote climbing trips in mind. The design combines 700 fill down with dual-layer offset baffles and a heat reflective internal fabric. Light yet warm, it achieves insulation levels usually only possible in heavier and bulkier box wall styles. Comfortable, mobile, and compressible, it’s a superb belay jacket.

A riff on Fjällräven’s 1974 classic, the Expedition Down Lite delivers style and substance. Insulated with top-quality 700 fill traceable down, its warmth is ideal for milder winter climates like the UK’s. Supreme Microloft synthetic insulation on the shoulders boosts performance. Weather resistant, with a generous hood and large pockets, this jacket has you well set for cold days outdoors.

COTOPAXI MEN’S FUEGO HOODED DOWN JACKET £230

RAB WOMEN’S NEBULA PRO JACKET £180

The Fuego Hooded Down jacket delivers on comfort and style alike. Filled with responsibly sourced 800 fill down, it achieves lightweight warmth ideal for all-season use.

The ripstop outer is abrasion resistant and has a water repellent treatment to fend off moisture. It’s ideal for everyday life too, with the insulated hood and elasticated cuffs helping to seal out the cold.

Winter trekking and cold crag days call for the Nebula Pro jacket. Filled with PrimaLoft Silver Luxe, the recycled synthetic insulation provides warmth without bulk. Durable and packable, the water-resistant fibres continue to perform even in the wet. Ideal for mountain adventures, its helmet-compatible hood and two-way front zip mean you can belay with ease.

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MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT MEN’S CITADEL JACKET £370 Meet the latest version of Mountain Equipment’s iconic belay jacket. More weatherproof yet weighing less, the Citadel continues its reign as one of the best. The GORETEX INFINIUM outer gives durable weather resistance.

PrimaLoft Gold High Loft insulation with Cross Core technology ensures warmth even when wet. Made with a Mountain fit, you can wear this over your shell as the final piece in your winter layering system.

COTOPAXI WOMEN’S FUEGO DOWN VEST £150 Cotopaxi’s Fuego Down Vest is a staff favourite. A lightweight layer insulated with responsibly sourced 800 fill down, you get instant core warmth without a weight or bulk penalty. Alongside the zipped hand pockets, there is an internal stash pocket to keep valuables safe. As stylish as it is practical, you’ll want to wear it across the seasons.

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PATAGONIA MEN’S ALPLIGHT DOWN JACKET £280 When every gram counts, you need the AlpLight. A featherweight insulating layer, it gives vital warmth in a slim, low bulk fit.

For the outer, Patagonia chose NetPlus nylon ripstop. Made from recycled fishing nets, it helps to reduce ocean plastic pollution. The filling is 800 fill Advanced Global Traceable Down, which traps heat for instant comfort.

PATAGONIA WOMEN’S NANO AIR HOODY £220 Pick the Nano Air hoody for stop-start alpine missions. It features synthetic FullRange insulation layered between light and breathable fabrics. The result is impressive temperature regulation and unrestricted movement. Hiking, climbing, mountaineering, you can wear it for all, and once you warm up, you can stow it in its own chest pocket, and stuff it in your pack.

THE NORTH FACE MEN’S SUMMIT DOWN HOODY £310

ARC’TERYX WOMEN’S CERIUM LT HOODY £340

The North Face’s Summit Down hoody is an expedition essential. An insulated layer featuring premium 800 fill ProDown, it has a TNF exclusive water-resistant treatment to deliver warmth even when wet. Made for mountaineering, it is both helmet and harness compatible.

A slim fit reduces bulk so this will fit easily with the rest of your winter outerwear.

The streamlined Cerium LT hoody gives versatile winter performance. Insulated with 850 fill Responsible Down Standard down and reinforced with Coreloft in moistureprone areas, it achieves exceptional warmth for its weight. Trim-fitting, the hip length gives extra warmth, and coverage. An outdoor all-rounder, you can wear the Cerium as a midlayer or alone on cool, dry days.

ARC’TERYX MEN’S ATOM LT JACKET £200

FJÄLLRÄVEN WOMEN’S EXPEDITION LÄTT JACKET £200

Lightweight, packable, and perfect for outdoor sports, this is the Atom LT. Coreloft Compact 60 insulation stays warm when wet for comfort in any weather.

Performance stretch fleece side panels enhance breathability and reduce bulk. Alpine ascents, off-grid adventures, or daily errands, this versatile jacket is an Arc’teryx icon for good reason!

There’s more to the Expedition Lätt than meets the eye. A lightweight insulator, it puts eco-conscious performance first. The supple outer combines a recycled face fabric with a PFC-free water repellent finish. Reliable warmth comes from recycled polyester free-fibre insulation, which achieves a down-like puffiness and loft. Practical and comfortable in equal measure, it’s a winner for cold-weather hiking.

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T R AV E L

A TWILIGHT SAGA EXPLORING R E Y KJAV I K IN WINTER You don’t need to venture outside Iceland’s capital to find adventure – from aurora tours, to barely believable beers, and even a supernatural elf school.

Mike MacEacheran soaks it all in.

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Above: Downtown Reykjavik.

Right: Gullfoss Waterfall, part of the Golden Circle

In the Old Harbour of Reykjavik, evenings are the best time of day. Norse mythology compares the glow in the night sky to reflections from the armour of the valkyries, and there’s certainly something otherworldly about setting sail after the sun sets in midwinter, and looking out across empty Faxaflói Bay. The distant horizon of the Snæfellsnes peninsula is hard to make out, and the shine of the Icelandic capital is a fading haze of neon and lamplight. But this darkness is the key ingredient in the practice of Northern Lights chasing. Here, in the ice-cold air, the aurora is a regular visitor.

My vantage point for this contemplation of the night sky was the rooftop deck of Hafsúlan, a workman-like cruiser operated

by Elding, a local whale watching business. Previously, boats in these waters were used for hauling in blue ling and shellfish (or in Hafsúlan’s case, as a ferry in Norway). Now, many such vessels are recast as whale watching cruisers by day, and aurora hunters by night. As we sailed out into the bay, there was a hush. Then, in what felt like a heartbeat the sky was full with a rush of primary colours that seemed to be jostling for room.

It was like black magic. Onboard, the feeling was of continual surprise. Yet the greatest surprise of Reykjavik is how easy — how close — everyday micro-adventures like this are.

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“Myths compare the glow to the armour of the valkyries” I’d arrived in Iceland the previous night and was first struck by the sheer wildness of the land encircling the capital. On the road from Keflavik International Airport, we passed a succession of murky black volcanic beaches, then the white-splattered shoulders of the Esjan mountain plateau, stretching away across Faxaflói Bay. It was a monochrome palette only broken by the evening sky turning pink, and people wrapped in bright, primary-coloured parkas.

ADVENTURE CAPITAL

The dawn broke softly the next day and Iceland, with its mint-blue warehouses and seafood processing factories, was ripe for discovery. There are countless ways to explore this country. You can travel to the black-lava plains of Grindavík, home to the renowned Blue Lagoon. Or you can snowshoe deep into the hills. Or go on mountain biking, Icelandic horse riding or on glacier snowmobiling excursions. On this trip, I’d decided to stick largely to the city (with a brief day trip out to see the Golden Circle see boxout). But there’s plenty to keep you occupied just walking around Reykjavik.

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

THREE MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS The golden circle is the name given to a five-hour day trip – which you can either drive yourself, or do as part of a group – which takes in three of Iceland’s most famous sites.

THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

A forty minute drive from Reykjavik, this stunning protected area is home to the Silfra fissure, formed by the gap between two of the planet’s tectonic plates. The water in Silfra is renowned for being some of the clearest in the world – going snorkelling or diving (possible even in winter, with the right wetsuit) famously feels like flying.

HAUKADALUR VALLEY

One of the best places to see the geothermal activity that created Iceland bubbling up the surface, the Haukadalur is home to more than 50 hot springs, and an array of multi-coloured ‘mud-pots’, where heat and gas escape from the bowels of the earth.

The most famous is Geysir – whose name gave rise to the English word geyser – which has been known to throw hot water 70 metres in the air when erupting.

GULLFOSS WATERFALL

If you’ve got an Instagram account, you’ll doubtless be familiar with the Gullfoss falls, even if you don’t know the name. This stunning, two-tiered cataract on the Hvítá river sees water plummet off an 11-metre cliff and then a 21-metre cliff, before running along a steep gorge. It looks spectacular in any season, but snow on the ground makes the white water particularly picturesque in winter.

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Iceland is famous for its wild landscapes and natural phenomena.

But its cities are equally picturesque.

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I took the road from Kex Hostel, a hipster hotel in a former biscuit factory, and walked past Solfar, a Viking longship skeleton, with a frame of smooth steel ribs running from its bow to the stern. I decided not to stop at the Icelandic Phallological Museum (which houses “the world’s largest collection of penile parts”) and instead headed straight to Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik’s cathedral. While the former is a reminder of how Icelanders have sought to benefit economically – often in bizarre ways – from the tourist surge of recent years, the country’s rocket-shaped Lutheran church offers a reminder of this northern nation’s more ancient traditions.

Among these are a belief in the huldufólk, or hidden people, a race of supernatural elves chronicled in Icelandic folklore. Cynics might head-scratch, but Icelandic culture is rich in myth, and stories of horse-headed sea monsters, trolls, and elvish kings are as tangible to Icelanders as the country’s geysers, glaciers and thermal lagoons. Initially, I found the world of the huldufólk more than a little abstract.

But a visit to the Elf School, located west of downtown, helped.

Here, Magnus Skarphedinsson, folklorist and anthropological academic, leads classes on where the huldufólk live, what they look like, and their relationship with humans. Part of the afternoon was spent listening to Skarphedinsson recount stories from Icelanders who have had personal contact with the elves themselves. Or as he said: “Men can never see the elves, unless they themselves wish it, for they can both see men and let themselves be seen by them.”

GLACIERS & ICE COLD BEERS

Later that same day, I stopped at Perlan, a dome-shaped planetarium with more than an echo of Jules Verne’s sci-fi classic, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, about it. Inside, it hides an indoor ice cave packed with more than 350 tonnes of snow, a replica of the sort of glacial tunnels visitors can climb into at Vatnajökull National Park, five hours to the east.

The park is also home to Hvannadalshnjúkur, the country’s

“I listen to stories from Icelanders who’ve met the elves in person”

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“Icelanders celebrate ‘beer day’ every year, by drinking stores dry”

highest peak, and some of the glaciers most visibly affected by climate change. The exhibition in the dome takes a provocative look at what will happen if and when Iceland’s leviathan-sized ice rivers disappear completely.

In a change of mood, my last afternoon was reserved for beer drinking – purely as cultural research, you understand, because Iceland has a more fascinating relationship with alcohol than most countries. On 1st March 1989, the government overturned a 76-year-long prohibition on beer brewing and consumption and it’s a date Icelanders commemorate on Bjórdagur (Beer Day) every year – by drinking liquor stores dry. On the first anniversary, the country’s 252,000-strong population apparently consumed 330,000 beers. An urban legend today claims the following year saw a huge spike in the birth rate.

I ducked into Skúli Craft Bar, named after the founding father of the city Skúli Magnússon, where the owner Björn Árnason, told me Icelanders had got used to enduring every form of beer substitute in the absence of the real thing.

“Shots of substandard vodka poured into cheap malt drinks were the norm,” he said. “We learnt not to be fussy.”

Nowadays, the bar’s experimental beer menu reads like a shopping list of ingredients knocked-up by a five-year-old: hazelnut milk, sweet coconut balls, strawberry milkshake, orange cream, pecans, maple syrup and cinnamon. Truth be told, the three pints I exhausted were all excellent and it was the same story nearby in Kaldi Bar and Barion Bryggjan Brugghús.

Blurry-eyed in the near dark at 4pm, a bracing walk took me back to the quayside, where whale watching tours were returning from forays out into the bay busy with minke, humpback and porpoise. I stayed watching until the horizon began to softly glow once more, the aurora’s hazy gauze of lights appearing as a stark contradiction to everything I knew about the world.

SIlfra lagoon, formed by a crack between two tectonic plates, is famous for snorkelling even in winter.

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Icelanders have a fascinating relationship with beer, which was banned for 76 years, until 1989.

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SHOP THE RANGE

STEP WINTER SNOW

SOREL WOMEN’S TORINO £135 With the Torino snow boot, you get the best of everything. Waterproof suede uppers and a rubber sole give reliable winter protection. Lightweight synthetic insulation and a microfleece lining create a warm refuge within. Sorel’s trademark style completes the look, which will work well with any outfit.

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IN TO

BOOTS

THE NORTH FACE WOMEN’S SIERRA MID LACE £145 When the mercury drops, it is time for the Sierra Mid Lace. A stylish snow boot that’s insulated for warmth, its faux-fur cuff keeps things comfy. Wet weather days are no problem either – the full-grain leather and waterproof construction leave you dry and protected. Finished with rustproof hardware, this is built to last.

SOREL MEN’S CARIBOU STREET £160

2A WOMEN’S NY KENTAKY OC SNOW BOOT £65

THE NORTH FACE MEN’S CHILKAT IV £110

For outdoor escapades across the winter months, choose the Caribou Street. A casual style with a sleek finish, it’ll work hard in the city and the hills alike. Featuring waterproof full-grain leather uppers with a seam-sealed construction and a durable rubber mudguard and sole, when the wet weather arrives, you’ll be ready.

One of our cold-weather best sellers, these boots offer warmth, and comfort, with casual styling. The outer is water-resistant, while an insulated lining helps to keep feet cosy. The sole includes unique flip-down spikes, to help you adapt to changing conditions. Positioned in the forefoot and heel, they grip better on icy pavements.

The Chilkat IV is a TNF icon. Waterproof leather uppers, a DryVent membrane, and a moulded rubber shell counter rain and snow. For warmth, this includes Heatseeker insulation and a heat-trapping footbed.

Underneath, a Winter Grip sole with temperature-sensitive IcePick lugs helps to keep you sure-footed.

SOREL WOMEN’S EXPLORER II JOAN £135 Sorel gave the Explorer II Joan the fit and feel of a trainer, alongside full weather protection. Cosy and comfortable, these have 100g of synthetic insulation and a microfleece lining which helps keep the cold at bay. Waterproof suede and PU leather uppers fend off moisture. Grounded by a grippy rubber sole, you can walk in confidence on the winter streets with these.

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There’s nothing quite like running in winter. Those cold crisp mornings, the fresh breeze on your face, reminding you you’re alive, or the crunch underfoot from a light dusting of snow. It’s not just the sensory pleasures either – running through the winter is the ideal time to build that base for any events you’ve picked to enter the following year. You’ll get a lot more enjoyment out of that spring marathon if you’ve put the work in over the winter.

Of course, it’s not always easy. Shorter daylight hours mean most people will struggle to run after work, and dragging yourself out of bed on a cold winter’s morning – especially if it’s a cold, damp, winter’s morning, often feels impossibly masochistic. Speaking from plentiful – sometimes painful – experience, however, I can safely say it’s pretty much always worth it. It helps that winter runs don’t need to be big long ones – even just a steady ticking over can make a world of difference to next year’s goals.

But it’s also worth remembering that there are significant differences between trail running in winter and summer. From safety to gear to planning, here are a few things to consider.

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TRAIL RUNNING

WINTERISE YOUR RUN

Hitting the trails is winter is a very different experience to running in the summer. Ellis Brigham’s trail running expert, Martin Bell shares some advice on how to power on through.

EQUIPMENT

It’s worth investing in a dedicated pair of winter trail running shoes. Depending on the conditions underfoot, you may need some extra grip on your shoes, or even some spikes – such as Kahtoola MICROspikes – to prevent you from slipping. Make sure the upper contains GORE-TEX (or an equivalent like The North Face’s FutureLight) so that your feet stay dry. Over-the-ankle merino socks should help your feet stay nice and warm whilst running, and if you’re likely to find deeper snow in places, then adding ankle gaiters will prevent it going over the top of the shoe.

You’ll be needing a high-lumen head torch to keep you lit up and safe – and to see the terrain in front of you if you’re on a trail with no streetlights nearby. It’s also worth thinking about your winter running vest – and in-vest-ing (see what we did there?) in something a little more capacious, to carry extra layers if needed.

CLOTHES

This one is obvious – you’ll be needing some warmer layers for sure. I find running tights instead of shorts make a world of

difference, especially with the wind-chill factor. A long-sleeved running top next to the skin will help too, especially if you need to add a windproof or waterproof jacket whilst out on the run.

If you have a short-sleeved top under your jacket, your arms will feel cold and clammy, and no one wants that!

Don’t forget a hat and gloves, or if you’re like me and suffer from Raynaud’s [i.e. poor circulation to the fingers] you might want to use mitts – they’ll keep your fingers together and are warmer than gloves. Trust me, my fingers can turn yellow just thinking about winter! I also like to run with a Buff around the neck on cold days, it really does make a difference.

PLANNING

I’ll always plan my trail runs more carefully in the winter – checking a map beforehand to work out the route, the total distance, and any elevation. The weather app on my phone gets checked numerous times the day before too, and I’ll even drive to a different location if the weather looks better. If I’m heading on a trail, 90 percent of the time I’ll be wearing my running vest.

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Before I head off, I’ll write my route down on the whiteboard in the kitchen and be sure to tell someone where I’m going, and roughly how long I’ll be.

SAFETY KIT

You shouldn’t underestimate the importance of safety kit at any time of year, but it’s arguably even more important in winter. You need to think of where you’re going – is it remote, and what’s the weather forecast? Always plan for the worst – the forecast can often be wrong! I pack a running vest with extra layers, including full waterproof body cover, spare warm layers and an extra hat and gloves. I’d also take snacks, a phone (with a spare charging pack, if need be), plus a first aid kit and survival bag. I know this sounds like a lot, but with the right gear it doesn’t have to weigh that much.

A couple of years ago, I was starting to descend a hill in late November (I remember the date, as I ruined my wife’s birthday!) when I went over my ankle and heard a crack – I’d fractured it, with some way still to go. I phoned my wife and she drove to the closest point at the bottom of the hill, as I slowly made my way down, and we spent the afternoon in A & E. If I didn’t have a phone with me, I’d have done a lot more damage to the ankle.

MOTIVATION

Let’s be honest, a lot of people struggle with motivation when it comes to running in winter. There are plenty of times when I’ve looked outside and it’s raining/cold/snowy (or a combination of all three) and I’ve thought “do I really want to go outside in this?” At those times I remind myself that it’s incredibly rare that I have gone out and regretted it – 99 percent of the time I’ll get back and be really pleased I made the effort. It’s important to remember progress is made in small steps – if you can keep chipping away throughout the winter, your fitness and mental health will improve, you’ll be closer to those goals you’ve set for the following summer, and I can guarantee you’ll smile more.

“It’s incredibly rare that I have gone out and regretted it ” 58

WINTER ESSENTIALS INOV-8 MEN’S FZ STORMSHELL JACKET £180

This superlight shell gives waterproof protection without a weight penalty.

The soft, stretchy Pertex Shield fabric offers unrestricted movement and packs down small.

INOV-8 WOMEN’S WINTER TIGHT £110

For cold-weather running, you’ll want these tights.

Offering zoned weather protection: they pair windproof softshell on the front with a warm, moisturewicking fabric on the back.

INOV-8 RACE ELITE 3:1 GLOVES £50

An essential running accessory. The 3:1 design combines a superlight stretch glove and a waterproof outer mitt. You can layer them together for comfort throughout winter.

BUFF DRYFLX NECK WARMER £20

When the pace is high, but the temps are low, layer up with this Buff. It gives lightweight warmth, wicks moisture fast, and has 360° reflectivity for enhanced visibility.

KAHTOOLA MICROSPIKES £55

Use these MICROspikes to counter snow and ice.

Enhancing the traction of your running shoes, stainless steel spikes and welded chains help to keep you sure-footed.

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TRAIL RUNNING

BEST SERVED COLD FIVE WINTER TRAIL RUNNING

EVENTS TO TRY

Racing at this time of year is a true test. Here are five winter trail running events that will put you through your paces.

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GLENTRESS TRAIL MARATHON - 42km - 1 DAY FEBRUARY, SCOTLAND HIGHTERRAINEVENTS.CO.UK

Glentress Forest, on the Scottish borders, might be best known for its mountain biking, but it’s a stunning place to run too – especially in winter. This event marks the culmination of a weekend which also includes half-marathon and 10k distances on the previous day. You can expect roughly 1,500m of ascent on the full, 42km course, which takes in woodland singletrack (including a tough climb up the black-graded mountain bike trail) and heather-clad moorland.

This being Scotland in winter, the weather can be unpredictable, but the course is clearly marked and regular checkpoints / drink stations mean there’s no navigational element involved. Get lucky, and you’ll have incredible views over the surrounding valleys.

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S1 IPERTRAIL - 163.2KM - 3 DAYS JANUARY, ITALY & SLOVENIA S1TRAIL.COM

The S1 IperTrail, the longest iteration of the S1 events, takes you through two countries, and some of the most unusual landscapes in Europe. The race snakes its way through the Julian Alps and over the Karst plateau, which runs along the border between Italy and Slovenia, and includes everything from rugged, high-alpine rock fields to Mediterranean pine forests. Although the course changes every year (making nav a key element to the race) it always finishes on the shores of the Adriatic, but not before taking in some serious climbs – the 2022 edition involves more than 8,500m of total ascent. Competitors are allowed to cache food and supplies every 40-50km, but best of all are the regular refreshment stops, which offer a mixture of Slovenian and Italian delicacies, and even wine, for those who want it.

6633 ARCTIC ULTRA - 193km OR 611km - 3 DAYS OR 9 DAYS FEBRUARY, YUKON 6633ULTRA.COM A brutal endurance race through some of the least hospitable terrain on the planet, the 6633 ultra-marathon runs from just north of Dawson City, the centre of Yukon’s historic gold rush, to the edge of the Arctic Ocean at the top of Canada. Run in February, when temperatures regularly drop below minus 40°C, the course mostly follows a state highway. This means that navigation isn’t an issue, but state highways in this part of the world, at this time of year, are empty, snowy and tough going.

Runners competing in the 193km race have three days to complete the course, while those going all the way to the first nation’s settlement of Tuktoyaktuk, 611km north of the start, are allowed nine days. Sleeping at checkpoints is expected, but all competitors must carry bivvy bags and a survival kit, just in case.

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MONTANE SPINE RACE - 431KM - 7 DAYS JANUARY, ENGLAND THESPINERACE.COM

Run on the Pennine Way during the coldest, darkest month of the year, the Montane Spine Race is widely recognised as one of the toughest endurance challenges in Europe – if not the world. The route runs up the backbone of the eponymous range, crossing some of the most technical terrain found anywhere in England – including the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Northumberland National Park, and Hadrian’s Wall – before finishing in the Scottish Borders.

Athletes are given seven days to finish the gruelling, non-stop race. But aside from checkpoints, there’s very little in the way of route marking or assistance. As the organisers themselves say, “there is very little hand holding”. Ask those who’ve earned their finisher’s medal however, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

PENDLE WAY IN A DAY - 72KM - 1 DAY FEBRUARY, ENGLAND PENDLEWAYINADAY.CO.UK

An ultra-marathon that winds its way along way-marked trails and across the moorlands around the town of Pendle in the South Pennines. With a total ascent of nearly 2,000m, this is no walk in the park, and the timing – the race is run in early February each year, when a dusting of snow is not uncommon – makes this a challenging undertaking. There is an alternative route, which cuts out some of the climbing, but still clocks in at 48km – six kilometres over the standard marathon distance.

On the plus side, the navigation is relatively straightforward.

There are also regular checkpoints with cut off times to ensure that all entrants are present and correct. If you’re looking to push further than a winter marathon for the first time, this is a good place to start.

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Klean Kanteen TKPro 750ml Flask £40 Piping hot or ice-cold, however you like your drinks, this flask delivers. Made from 18/8 food-grade stainless steel, the electropolished interior does not retain flavours. Double-wall insulated; its TK Closure thread provides top thermal performance. The cup lid is also insulated, so your freshly-poured brew stays warmer for longer.

SHOP THE RANGE

OBJECTS OF DESIRE ELLIS BRIGHAM BUYERS’ PICKS

The North Face Women’s ThermoBall Traction Booties £60 After a long day on the hill, reward your feet with the ThermoBall Traction Booties. Soft and cosy, the ThermoBall Eco recycled synthetic insulation cocoons you in warmth. The raised cuff helps to keep the heat in, upping comfort levels further. A recycled rubber sole provides grip in case you need to nip outside. They make a superb hut slipper.

The North Face Phantom 38 £160 The North Face built the Phantom 38 for climbing and ski mountaineering. A streamlined pack with a 38-litre capacity, it will hold your alpine essentials in style.

Made from semi-translucent fabric, you can see gear more easily. Ice axe attachments give a better carry while keeping picks covered. A versatile pack, this can hold skis or a split board.

Nebo Davinci 2000 £60 There’s more to the Davinci 2000 than meets the eye. A powerful handheld torch, it does double duty as a power bank for your smart devices. Illuminating up to 259 metres, you can use the dial to switch between four lighting modes.

For simplicity, the torch is rechargeable via Micro USB. Achieving up to 20 hours of operation between charges you get exceptional lighting performance.

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Leki Micro Vario Carbon – Pair £165 For fast trekking, the Micro Vario Carbon poles utilise superlight carbon in a folding design, to give an optimal balance of stability, low weight, and small pack size.

Features include Leki’s External Locking Device, which holds them together securely. The push-button release lets you fold the poles down to 40cm, for quick and streamlined packing.

ellis-brigham.com Julbo Shield Chameleon Polarised Sunglasses £150 Whether you climb, run, or ride in the mountains, you’ll want Julbo’s Shield sunglasses. Featuring photochromic lenses, they get lighter or darker to match changing light conditions.

Polarisation reduces glare on reflective surfaces, making it easier to read terrain.

Air Flow ventilation aids cooling and avoids fogging.

Petzl IKO Core £77 An innovative rechargeable head torch, the IKO Core delivers 500 lumens yet weighs just 79 grams. Multiple LEDs ensure a consistent light distribution, with three brightness modes and two beam patterns making it easy to adjust to your needs. Equipped with Petzl’s Core battery, it recharges via micro-USB, and will also work with three AAAs. Bright and adaptable, this ticks all the boxes.

Garmin Fēnix 6X Pro Solar £850 Optimised for the outdoors, the Fēnix 6X Pro Solar is a rugged tech-rich smartwatch.

Features include wrist-based heart rate monitoring, outdoor navigation sensors, intelligent pace planning, music, smart notifications and more.

Together, they help push your performance to a whole new level. The 6X Pro Solar also has a 1.4” Power Glass lens that uses sunlight to extend battery life for off-grid adventures.

Therm-ic UV Warmer £25 On those days when conditions deteriorate and your kit gets soaked, you’ll be glad for Therm-ic’s UV Warmer.

Quick and easy to use, it will dry your gloves and boots without damaging them. Made to protect the materials of your products, it regulates itself when the heat gets too high. A vortex effect optimises the circulation of warm air to speed up drying times.

Leatherman Skeletool £85 A trademark Leatherman multitool, the Skeletool gives maximum versatility for minimal weight. Its high-quality components include a stainless-steel combo blade, pliers, wire cutters and more. You can store tool bits in the handle for easy access. One-hand operable, the knife blade locks into place for enhanced user safety.

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E L L I S B R I G HA M T E A M TA L K

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

We ask Ellis Brigham’s in-house experts about their favourite outdoor spots. Here, Peter Darch, Southern Area Manager, shares a few of his secrets.

Name: Peter Darch Job: Southern Area Manager, based in London Main activities: Cycling, running, hiking, climbing Part of the EB family for: 14 years

THE CANALS

EPPING FOREST

If you look at London on a map you can see Epping Forest cutting deep into North East London. Exploring the trails and singletrack is best done in winter on freezing mornings when the slippy clay mud is frozen.

You’ll quite likely see deer in these woods – the land was supposedly a popular hunting spot for Henry VIII and his courtiers. Everyone seems to end up at High Beech where there’s a tea hut, a pub or an oyster shack for refreshments.

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PARKLAND WALK AND HAMPSTEAD HEATH

Parkland Walk is an old railway track that runs from Finsbury Park to Hampstead Heath. It’s a nature reserve, and a lovely quiet route to the city’s biggest and most beautiful park. You can almost forget you are in London for a while!

There are loads of trails to explore through the forested Heath and a great view over London from Parliament Hill.

It’s ideal for a long trail run or a Sunday walk.

Living in East London, you have to get your outdoors kicks where you can, and the canals are a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. I always try to take the canal some of the way when cycling around town.

There’s an interesting circuit from Victoria Park to Limehouse up to Stratford and back through Hackney Wick that’s great for a 10 kilometre-ish run, or a paddle if you don’t mind lugging your canoe or SUP around some locks.

THE CASTLE

The Castle is a huge climbing wall, handily a stone’s throw from where I live. There are loads of options for climbers of all abilities, with top ropes, autobelays, lead walls and bouldering.

I love the outdoor boulders when it’s not too wet.

The café is really good too, with lots of healthy options and ingredients grown in their garden. It’s a great vibe in general and the perfect way to get your climbing fix on a winter’s night.

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