Latest Adventures
Elan Success! 04/10/2025
On my way home, I reflected on the weeks walking, which by any standards was a success. Nine Marilyns and Severn Deweys, bring my 2025 totals to sixty and thirty respectively. A total of 77.5km walking and 3,756m of ascent during the week. No wonder today is a rest day!Pegwn Mawr 03/10/2025
Storm Amy was the big news of the day. My plan was to leave early, get the walk done and be back before it hit. Well it didn’t quite work but I think I missed the worst of it.Pegwn Mawr(586m) 03/10/2025
Crugyn Llwyd 03/10/2025
By now, it was properly raining but I pressed on, keen to get the second summit of Crugyn Llwyd (571m) and head off. This one had no summit marker so I found the high point, checked the map and headed off down to pick up a good track. To get there I needed to cross a couple of fences which required Rosie to be lifted over but we got down and followed the track to join the Glyndwr Way for several kilometres including a very steep downhill that really tested the legs.Crugyn Llwyd (571m) 03/10/2025
Cefn Cenarth 02/10/2025
After the excesses of yesterday, I decided on an easier day today, well, they all have to be done and some are going to be easier than others.Cefn Cenarth (460m) 02/10/2025
Droscol and Llechwedd 01/10/2025
Banc Llechwedd-Mawr 01/10/2025
I parked at the dam at the Southern end of the Nant-y-moch reservoir in a huge car park. I was the only car there!Banc Llechwedd-mawr (560m) 01/10/2025
Drosgol 01/10/2025
I headed off in the direction of my second peak of the day, Drosgol (550m) which required a huge descent to a stream, crossed by a thoughtfully placed bridge, then with 200m of ascent I made my way to the summit. There are no paths, occasional sheep paths but nothing that would indicate the passing of humans, so I did my best, finding my own route and eventually arrived, somewhat breathless at the summit. It had taken one hour from the previous summit. I decided a rest would be in order, so took advantage of the stone shelter for a drink and some food.Drosgol (550m) 01/10/2025
Disgwylfa Fawr 01/10/2025
From here, it was another long descent, no paths and lots of tufty grass to sap the leg strength. Finally I got down to another footbridge, crossed that and climbed up to the road. There was a long road walk around the Western side, but finally I came to a track leading off which I followed for a while. My ‘get off’ point was yet another footbridge, where I stopped for a while for lunch.Disgwylfa Fawr (507m) 01/10/2025
Bryn y Fan 30/09/2025
To make a decent walk I parked at the Bryntail Lead Mine at the foot of the Clywedog Dam and walked around the base of Bryn y Fan to the Bwlch y gle dam from where I made my ascent.Bryn y Fan (482m) 30/09/2025
Mist in the valley 29/09/2025
Rhiw Gwraidd 29/09/2025
A fairly easy day today, although it started off misty which didn’t bode well for the summit view.Rhiw Gwraidd(422m) 29/09/2025
Gwastedyn Hill 28/09/2025
It was supposed to be an easy day. The start of the walk was literally out of the front door, and so it was, unfortunately the 3km version was a non-starter due to being far too overgrown!Gwastedyn Hill (477m) 28/09/2025
Garreg Lwyd 27/09/2025
I parked at the Gilfach nature reserve. Boots on.Garreg Lwyd (499m) 27/09/2025
Moelfryn 27/09/2025
From Garreg Lwyd, down past the wind farm and onto a good track that led down to the main A470 which I crossed and followed a narrow lane which picked up the Wye Valley Walk. This lasted a kilometre or so before I turned onto open ground and followed the good track upwards.Moelfryn (522m) 27/09/2025
Penrhiw Wen 27/09/2025
Shortly I stopped for lunch and to review my ongoing plan. I decided the final peak would be an up and back, then pick up the good path that led down to the valley. This I did and soon arrived at the summit of Penrhiw Wen (520m), another Dewey and quite unremarkable.Penrhiw Wen (520m) 27/09/2025
About me
This website is dedicated to my personal Mountain Walking and Mountaineering experiences over very many years both in the UK and Worldwide. I've been enjoying the great outdoors since at the tender age of nine, my Uncle and Cousin took me on a Youth Hostelling weekend to the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire where we stayed at St Briavels Castle, which is still a Youth Hostel. I've been walking and climbing in all areas of the UK from as far north as the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye through the Lake District, Yorkshire, the Peak District, North, Mid and South Wales right down to Devon and Cornwall.
In Europe I have organised and participated in successful expeditions to Switzerland, the Italian Dolomites and the French Alps. Further afield, I have been to South America to climb Aconcagua, Africa to climb Meru Peak and Kilimanjaro by the difficult Western Breach route, to Nepal, which was a lifetime ambition, to climb Gokyo Ri, Kala Patthar and Chukhung Ri, then in 2019 I went to Russia for an attempt on Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. I have written about many of these trips and expeditions and these reports are in the 'Previous Expeditions' pages.
During those expeditions I had the opportunity to test out all types of equipment and the Equipment Review page lists most of this gear along with my honest opinion. Hopefully that will be of use to anyone considering purchasing equipment.
Over the years, I have been slowly but surely climbing all of the 2,000 foot mountains in England and Wales as defined by the Nuttalls guides, i.e. 2,000 foot (610m) with a 50 foot (15m) prominence. As a labour of love, I have listed all of these mountains along with the date of ascent on the Mountain Log Book page. During 2023 I completed all of the mountains in Wales and in July 2024 I completed all of the English ones with Pillar Rock being the final mountain. I have created a database SQL file and also a spreadsheet containing the list. Anyone who reads this and would like an electronic copy of the full list of Mountains, get in touch and I'd be happy to provide it free of charge, but be warned, it gets very addictive! In fact, so much so that I am now tackling not only the Marilyn group of mountains but also the 500m Mountains, known as Deweys. Marilyns can be any height but must have a prominence of 521 foot (150m). 500m Peaks are as the name suggests. Obviously some Nuttalls are Marilyns and vice versa and some 500m peaks are Marilyns and vice versa so I was off to a good start anyway. These live on the Marilyn Log Book page and the 500m Log Book page.
In the meantime, have a look around the site, read the reviews and reports and let me know what you think, it will be great to hear from you.
Walking
From single day to several weeks, I have walked many of Britains long distance footpaths. Below are some of the more well-known routes.
Route | Distance | Description |
---|---|---|
Isbourne Way (August 2024) | 15 miles | From Cleeve Hill to Evesham. |
Shropshire Way (August 2023 onwards) | 200 miles | Figure of eight centred on Shrewsbury. |
Hadrians Wall (April 2023) | 90 miles | From Bowness to Newcastle. |
Wysis Way (April 2022) | 55 miles | From the Wye to the source of the Thames. |
St Kenelms Way (March 2022) | 52 miles | Clent Hills to Winchcombe. |
The Ridgeway (September 2019) | 87 miles | Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon. |
Three Choirs Way (March 2019) | 100 miles | Gloucester to Hereford to Worcester to Gloucester. |
Gloucestershire Way (December 2018) | 100 miles | From Chepstow to Tewkesbury. |
Severn Way (August 2018) | 210 miles | Following the River Severn. |
Winchcombe Way (May 2013) | 42 miles | Around the Cotswolds. |
Limestone Way (December 2012) | 60 miles | Rocester to Castleton in Derbyshire. |
Welsh 3000s (July 2000) | 28 miles | All 3,000' mountains in Wales. |
Worcestershire Way (July 1992, Aug 1992, Aug 2004) | 38 miles | Wyre Forest to Malverns. |
Pennine Way (August 1977) | 270 miles | Edale to Kirk Yetholm (Scotland). |
Cotswold Way (August 1991) | 96 miles | Bath to Chipping Campden. |
Coast to Coast Way (August 1990) | 192 miles | Robin Hoods Bay, Yorkshire to St Bees in Cumbria. |
6 Shropshire Peaks (July 1990, April 1992) | 40 miles | East to West Shropshire. |
Lyke Wake Walk (July 1983) | 40 miles | Yorkshire Moors. |
Offas Dyke (July 1980) | 180 miles | Length of the Welsh Border. |
Rock Climbing
Some years ago, I qualified as an SPA Instructor, and whilst it has probably lapsed due to inactivity, I have fond memories of rock climbing in many areas of the UK & abroad, particularly at Symonds Yat, North Wales, the Peak District, Mid-Wales, Cornwall & Scotland. I have many hundreds of logged climbs in my log book and during my time, have climbed many more than I have recorded.
Mountaineering
There are many beautiful mountain ranges in the world, many within easy reach of the UK. I am fortunate to have been to a large number of them. Below are the best.
Mountain (Range) | Description |
---|---|
Italian Haute Route (August 2025) | Tour of the Monte Rosa from Zermatt |
Mount Toubkal (February 2025) | The Highest Mountain in North Africa 4,167m. |
Mount Ararat (September 2023) | The Highest Mountain in Turkey 5,137m. |
Elbrus (August 2019) | The Highest Mountain in Europe 5,642m. |
Nepal (October 2018) | Trekking in the Himalaya to a maximum of 5,643m. |
Kilimanjaro (September 2017) | Trekking in the Himalaya to a maximum of 5,643m. |
Teide, Tenerife (April 2015) | Highest Mountain in Spain (Tenerife) at 3,718m. |
Alesch Glacier (August 2001) | Including the Hexenstein in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. |
Aconcagua (January 2001) | Highest Mountain in South America at 6,960m. |
Dolomites (August 2000) | Northern Italys' most famous range. |
Matterhorn (August 1997) | Most famous Mountain in Switzerland at 4,405m. |
Mont Blanc (September 1995) | Highest Mountain in Western Europe at 4,807m. |