Below are my favourite top ten travel, nature and adventure books from the last 11 months of lockdown. I read a lot anyway but the lockdowns have enabled me to fully indulge myself and revisit some favourite books and find some new and delightfully inspiring reads. All of them have had me itching to get…
This is a review of the Alpkit Compass, a cheaper alternative to the popular Silva Type 4. I’ve been using Silva compasses consistently throughout my life in the outdoors. First as a teenager learning to navigate in the hills and mountains. Then subsequently all throughout my career as an Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Instructor; on…
A review of the best gear I’ve used in 2020. I haven’t bought much equipment this year because of COVID, so the gear mentioned below is not necessarily new kit but are the items that have been most frequently worn in 2020. All the items have been well used and tested in variety of tough…
I was recently thinking about my Mountain Leader assessment (way back in the mists of time) and that I have no recollection of at any point being asked any questions about the environment or about any flora or fauna. It wasn’t until five years later while attending my MIA training and then assessment did I…
Beyond the Edge Ltd have been providing technical and expert advice to a variety of outdoor companies, schools and businesses for over twenty years. We are delighted to be listed on the Association of Mountaineering Instructors register of technical Advisors. We offer advice on mountaineering (including overseas expeditions), outdoor and indoor climbing (including climbing wall…
With this lovely spell of sunny weather at the beginning of April I decided to treat myself to a new pair of shorts. I wanted something not too technical that I could potter about in and maybe use for some rock climbing and bouldering so the Patagonia Stand Up shorts seemed a good choice. I’ve…
This is a up-dated version of a post on clothing and equipment for Scottish winter walking and mountaineering first published in 2017. Not much has changed but some brands have some new kit that I have now included in this up-date. BootsPossibly your most important items of clothing and equipment for Scottish winter walking and…
A review of the best gear I’ve used in 2019. All the items have been well tested in variety of tough conditions. Mountain Equipment Tupilak 45 I’ve owned a lot of packs over the years and the Mountain Equipment Tupilak is definitely one of my all time favourites. It fits all the criteria that I’ve…
There isn’t very much to say about chalk bags. You put chalk in, tie them round your waist and go climbing. a chalk bag is a simple item of equipment. However I found myself really liking this one and have felt compelled to write a few words. Built to Send are a small, UK based…
Preparing for Less Daylight Autumn is a fantastic time to be in the mountains. Colours erupt and flame across the landscape, light softens and shadows lengthen giving contrast and counterpoint to valleys and hollows brimming with mist. The onset of winter makes fleeting, shorter days like this seem all the more precious and an urgency…
The law of the crag You’ve settled on your destination and you’re on the way to the crag. Sorted. But before you rock up and pull on, make sure your crag etiquette and behaviour is up to scratch. Stuff that’s perfectly acceptable at the climbing wall may not be good practice at crag. This is…
Congratulations to Beyond the Edge Director Chris who has this week summited Kyajo Ri in Nepal.