Trek & Mountain

FEATURES
The Uncrowned King of Mont Blanc
In an extract from a new book, on T.Graham Brown, we find our hero pioneering new routes on Mont Blanc’s Brenva Face…

Cover Feature: Skye’s Cuillin Ridge Traverse
It’s a big undertaking, but in our expert guide this month, Will Harris gives you the tips and tactics needed to get it done!

Reader Report: Manaslu
Jeff Smith recounts his experience climbing the ninth highest mountain in the world, in preparation for Everest…

Camino de Santiago
The Camino network of pilgrim paths is world-renowned, but which route is for you? Bronagh Carroll of Magic Hill Holidays gives some expert advice…

GEAR
First Look: Satmap Active 20 Platinum

Group Test: Technical Softshell Jackets

Tested: Saxx Kinetic Boxer Brief

Tested: Sea to Summit Ether Lite XT sleeping mat

Six of the Best: Water Filters/Purifiers

SKILLS & ADVICE
Knowledge: Night navigation

Training Days: Walking Awards, part 3 – Summer Mountain Leader Award

Workshop: Kitcare, part 6 – Climbing gear

INSIDE ISSUE 92...


FEATURES

Great British Mountain Days: Outside Edge and the Nantlle Ridge
Alun Richardson follows in the footsteps of climbing pioneer John Menlove Edwards on this Great British Mountain Day on the Nantlle Ridge in Snowdonia, North Wales…

Cover Feature: Your First Alpine North Face
Kingsley Jones explains why north faces aren’t just the preserve of elite mountaineers, and introduces 10 north face routes in the Alps that, with a little experience, you could consider trying…

Quest into the Unknown
He invented the sit harness, and was in the team that made the first British ascent of the Troll Wall – in an extract from his new autobiography, ‘Quest into the Unknown’, Tony Howard describes travelling through the Western Ghats in India…

British Alpinism: The Next Generation
British alpinism is alive and well, with a younger generation of climbers putting up, or repeating, hard alpine routes around the world – Will Harris profiles some of the most active characters, and also gives a nod to the ‘old timers’ who are still doing great things…

GEAR

First Look: Lowe Alpine Altus 42:47
Jon Doran tests out an all-round mountain pack that’ll work as a daysack but has enough capacity and comfort for multi-day adventures too...

Group Test: Lightweight Backpacking Sacks
In this month’s Group Test, we check out 12 lightweight packs between 45L and 60L that are suited to long days in the trail over multiple days

Tested: Gregory Miwock 12
A versatile, low-capacity multi-sport pack with a twist in the form of an adjustable back – but how does it perform?

Tested: Rab Kinetic Alpine Jacket
A new softshell jacket that offers excellent breathability and waterproofness – have Rab discovered the Holy Grail?

Tested: Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Tee
The latest Capilene tech baselayer with Polygiene odour control

Tested: Leki Black Series Micro Vario Carbon Poles
Seriously light carbon trekking poles with a clever locking system

Six of the Best: Stoves
Gas, multi-fuel, solid fuel... we pick out six different stoves for six different occasions

SKILLS & ADVICE

Knowledge: What is an IFMGA Guide?
What is an IFMGA guide, when do you need one, and how do you become one? James Thacker has the answers...

Training Days: Walking Awards, part 2
Glenmore Lodge’s Al Halewood explains the role of the Lowland Leader and discusses the skills you need to become one

Workshop: Kitcare, part 5 – Tents  
It’s your home from home and a vital piece of kit to keep you safe in the mountains – Ryan Waters continues his series with some advice on looking after your tent

INSIDE ISSUE 91…

FEATURES

Ed Hillary: History at the top of the World

In this extract from a new biography of Sir Edmund Hillary by Michael Gill, history beckons as Hillary and Tenzing head off from the South Col to the summit of Everest…

Cover Feature: Everest in a Flash

As a new type of rapid-ascent expedition uses technology and tactics to shorten the time needed to summit Everest, one of its proponents Lukas Furtenbach explains how it compromises neither safety nor ethics

The Interview: Kev Shields

Challenges found in the mountains helped Scottish climber Kev Shields overcome bullying, disability and depression – and today he is still pushing as hard as ever

7 Summits on 2 Planks In 2007, Swede Martin Letzter became one of only a handful of people to have skied the Seven Summits – Isabel M. Eidhamar talks to him about the experience

GEAR

First Look: Hilleberg Allak 3

Chris Kempster tests out the new 3-person version of Hilleberg’s popular geodesic tent, the Allak

Group Test: Three-Season Boots

With warmer weather on the way, Jon Doran tests out 10 of the best three-season walking boots on the market to see which ones are deserving of your cash

Tested:Petzl Meteor Will Harris tests out the updated version of Petzl’s popular Meteor helmet, which is now suitable for ski touring too

Tested: Deuter Exosphere 00 Jon Doran slips into Deuter’s latest synthetic sleeping bag, which features added stretch

Tested: GSi Microlite Flask Jon Doran warms up with two insulated flasks from GSi

Tested: La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme Chris Kempster gets tooled up for ice climbing with La Sportiva’s latest boots

Tested: Asolo Greenwood GV Jon Doran heads into the Peak District hills to test out Asolo’s stylish new walking boots

Six of the Best: Ropes Will Harris chooses six different ropes for six different activities

Knowledge: How to navigate overseas

Dan Goodwin gives some pointers on how to find your way around abroad, when you don’t have the luxury of OS maps

Training Days: Walking awards, part 1

Al Halewood take a look at the range of walking awards available from Mountain Training and who they are suitable for

Kitcare part 4: Wool and synthetics 

Ryan Waters continues his kitcare series with some advice on looking after wool and synthetic baselayers and softshells