Our Weekend Adventure at the NEC in Birmingham. A Friendly Warning and an Early Start I should probably begin with a friendly heads-up: brew yourself a good cup of tea or coffee before you dive in, as this turned into quite a long tale! Like all memorable adventures, my weekend at the National Outdoor Expo …
Author archives: Richard Cole
Front Row with Ray Mears.
Reflections from a fireside chat given by him at the National Outdoor Expo I’ve been fascinated by Ray Mears for as long as I can remember. His early BBC documentaries weren’t just TV shows to me; they were portals into a way of life that felt both ancient and deeply relevant. As a schoolboy bivvying …
Wild Camping, Freedom and Access Panel at the National Outdoor Expo
A panel discussion at the BMC Stand at the National Outdoor Expo 2025 On a packed Sunday afternoon at the National Outdoor Expo, a group of us gathered at the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) stand for a panel discussion on one of the most hotly debated topics in the outdoor world, and one that is …
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First WUMC Trip: A Fresher’s Baptism of Fire
When I signed up for my first trip with Warwick University Mountaineering Club (WUMC) in the autumn of ’97, I pictured a weekend of peaceful cragging, fresh air and a chance to make new friends. What I got instead was a chaotic convoy, boisterous hut games and a Land Rover painted like an ambulance. Back …
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Sunnyside Jaunts: Climbing, Curry and Cups of Tea in Derbyshire
There are certain places that become spiritual homes over time, where friendships deepen, passions thrive and mishaps turn into cherished memories. For me, Derbyshire is one such place. A quaint little cottage called Sunnyside, perched on the hillside above Matlock, often lay at the heart of these adventures. In the autumn of 1997, newly freed …
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Journey to Jura: A Dog, a Bothy, and a Lasting Memory
For many people, summer is all about finding escapes, trips that soothe the soul and create lasting stories. In August 1997, my old school friend and I (plus his enthusiastic golden retriever) set our sights on Jura, a rugged Scottish island known for its wild landscapes, sparse population, and the famous Paps of Jura. What …
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Mountain Leader Training – A Week in the Hills (1997)
Friday: The Journey to Plas y Brenin The week began in a blur of last-minute tasks. I had been working at East Cambridgeshire District Council in Ely, desperately trying to get all the loose ends sorted before it was time to get a lift across the country to Snowdonia with my father. The rush of …
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Braemar Wanderings: Forest Trails, Castle Ruins, and Highland Gems
A Morning Among the Wild at Creag Choinnich The best moments in nature often belong to those who wake early. As I left the hostel to the sound of an enthusiastic dawn chorus, I stepped into the fresh morning air. A robin, perched at the top of a bare tree, sang its heart out. The …
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Whiteouts, Wildlife, and Winter Skills: A couple of winter mountaineering days out in the Cairngorms
A Winter’s Day on Creag Leacach and Glas Maol in the Cairngorms I woke at 6:00 a.m. for a 6:30 breakfast, fueling up for a day in proper winter conditions. Heading north from Perth, the road climbed deeper into the Cairngorms. As part of my Winter Mountain Leader (WML) preparation, I had studied both weather …
Another Day at Attenborough Nature Reserve
There’s something special about stepping into nature in the early morning. As the world wakes up, the air is fresh, and the only sounds are birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves. While most people were still lingering over breakfast, I arrived early for an RSPB Local Group field trip, enjoying those precious moments of …
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