ViewRanger Archives - Mud, Chalk & Gears

A midweek microadventure (thoughts from a damp bivvy)!

Microadventures, ViewRanger May 29, 2017

Scrolling through my Instagram feed my head is filled with ideas and inspiration. From epic expeditions to far away mountains I dream of one day exploring, it can sometimes feel like there isn’t enough time, money and days off to fit it all in. This used to (and still occasionally does) frustrate me. However, I’ve […]

Snowless Scottish Ski Tour!

Hiking, Skiing, Travel, ViewRanger January 20, 2017

The Plan The original plan was marvellous – or at least it was in my head… Between Christmas and New Year I would drive up to Aviemore where there would be the perfect amount of snow for a three-day ski tour. Here I would be travelling from bothy to bothy ticking off as many 4000ft […]

I have walked 1000 miles, and I will walk 1000 more…

Hiking, ViewRanger January 8, 2017

1609 kilometres, 160934400 centimetres, 2 million steps… However you want to measure it a thousand miles is a pretty long way! Over the course of last year, I’ve effectively covered the same distance as walking from the Peak District to Milan! I can tell you now; it’s not been easy or plain sailing, but #Walk2016 […]

Race Report: The OMM 2016 Glentrool – neither the fast or light approach!

Race Reports, Running, ViewRanger November 1, 2016

Blinking hard, I looked up again from my map and compass somehow hoping it would magically clear the dense fog surrounding me. Unsurprisingly it didn’t! Only an hour and a half into the OMM (B course) and Tom and I were already ‘temporarily misplaced’ yet to find our first checkpoint! Until about 12 hours previous […]

Beating my fear of running in the dark!

Running, ViewRanger October 10, 2016

Unfortunately as Game of Thrones predicted ‘Winter is Coming’! With the first of October rolling in without warning I think I have to accept that the long sunny(ish) summer days are over, and while I am not yet resorting to the heavyweight down jackets and thermals, I am putting the short shorts away for another […]

Race Report: Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace

Race Reports, Running, ViewRanger September 28, 2016

Wow, what a race! With some massive highs and a plenty of challenging moments, Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace was epic and easily one of the most beautiful routes I have run this year. Rewinding to the beginning of the weekend… I arrived, slightly groggy after a 7 ½ hour drive, in Kinlochleven and headed […]

Micro-adventure: Running from Hathersage to New Mills

Microadventures, Running, ViewRanger September 6, 2016

With Glencoe Ring of Steall Skyrace rapidly approaching the plan for Saturday was to head out on a long run. So Wednesday night I sat down to work out a route – I fancied something different. For a while now I’ve been toying with the idea of running from Sheffield to Manchester (on fell, not road). […]

Race Report: Girl meets ‘Ard Rock and survives!

Mountain Biking, Race Reports, Running, ViewRanger August 12, 2016

‘Ard Rock came around faster than I thought it would… Grand plans of mastering loose rocky drops and regular bike maintenance were replaced with a touch of oil here and there and a few extra sessions down at Wharncliffe Woods! Joking aside, I have actually been training for this for ages and really trying to up […]

What I learnt on my first Rab Mini Mountain Marathon

Race Reports, Running, ViewRanger July 31, 2016

A few weekends ago I took part in my first Rab Mini Mountain Marathon. Prior to entering I had heard a lot about these events – the feedback was that they were great fun and a good way to practice for the longer navigation races. So keen to brush up on my slightly rusty maps skills […]

Climbing Mont Blanc- my first + 4000m peak!

Hiking, Mountaineering, ViewRanger July 17, 2016

Sitting down to write and tell you about the second quarter of my #Walk2016 with ViewRanger I can’t believe we are already halfway through the year. Where has the time gone!? After a shaky first three months, interrupted by injury, I am pleased to say this quarter has been much better and I have nearly caught […]