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We share our top 10 posts of the year, from a solo trip to China to a three-month stint in Antarctica
This time last year, I wrote about Peter sumitting Denali, which brought him one step closer to climbing the seven summits. This year, in classic Watson style, he’s in Antarctica, starting a three-month stint as a wildlife monitor.
From the alpine majesty of the Hooker Valley to the turquoise vistas of the Abel Tasman, these are the best day hikes on New Zealand’s South Island
New Zealand’s South Island is a masterpiece of contrasts, where snow-draped Alps rise sharply above sapphire lakes, and pristine beaches curve gently into sheltered bays. Ancient forests, glacier-fed rivers and dramatic fiords create a landscape that feels both untouched and overwhelmingly grand. It’s a place where every turn reveals a new scene worthy of a postcard.
We’ve created a mountaineering calendar of the world’s greatest mountains and the optimal time of year at which to climb them, listed month by month
Since I first started climbing, I must have spent hours typing “when is the best time to climb…” into search engines and then crawling through websites to find the key piece of information I needed. Only when I have a date in mind can I start to think about the practicalities of actually trying to climb a mountain (i.e. booking time off work, flights, budget, gear etc).
Our favourite Christmas gifts for campers, handpicked to suit all budgets
It’s no secret that Peter and I have a difference in opinion when it comes to camping. On our trip around the world, he carried around 4kg of camping gear for an entire year in the hopes that I would see the appeal. We camped for a total of 10 days.
Our tried-and-tested list of Christmas gifts for travellers, be they hikers, shutterbugs, adrenaline junkies or culture vultures
As the festive season rolls around, many of us face the familiar challenge: what do you get for the traveller who already seems to have everything? Whether they’re a weekend wanderer, a full-time nomad, or someone simply dreaming of their next big trip, we’ve rounded up a selection of thoughtful Christmas gifts for travellers.
Packed airports, tight seats and lost luggage… no wonder flying frays our nerves. Here’s how to keep your cool at 30,000 feet
The holidays are coming, airports are packed, and emotions are running high. You’ve probably seen it or even been part of it: that tense moment when a passenger snaps at a flight attendant, or a near-meltdown over a seat reclining too far. Why does flying seem to bring out the worst in us?
From safely washing a sleeping bag to measuring partially used gas canisters, here’s how to look after your hiking gear
During spring last year, I spent the best part of three weeks climbing Denali, the highest peak in North America. There were few opportunities to stay clean on the mountain, so by the time I got off the slopes, I – along with all my gear – was in a pretty nasty state.
We share the most interesting facts about Antarctica collected on our recent trip to the seventh continent
For a long time, it seemed like our trip to Antarctica wasn’t going to happen. Covid postponed it from 2020 to 2021, and then again to 2022. Even after we got the green light, our nerves didn’t ease. If we tested positive for Covid, we wouldn’t be allowed to board the ship, and daily testing meant that we could be quarantined in our cabins even after setting sail. In short, it was more stressful than expected.
Peter will spend three months in Antarctica working as a wildlife monitor at Port Lockroy, home to the world’s southernmost post office
For those of you who have been following the blog for a while, you may recall that in 2023, I secured a coveted job at the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT), a charity responsible for preserving British heritage sites in Antarctica.
The most beautiful mountains in the world have captivated climbers for centuries. Here, we examine their lethal appeal
“You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you,” said John Muir, the renowned naturalist, author and environmental philosopher.
If our resident seven-summit hopeful is anything to go by, Muir makes a valid point. Those who spend time in the mountains seem to be driven by a deeper force.
From the iconic Ruta 40, running the length of Argentina, to winding through the wilderness in a campervan, we explore the best road trips in Patagonia
I’ve visited Patagonia multiple times. I’ve watched ice calve from the spectacular Perito Moreno Glacier (twice); hiked the iconic trails around El Chaltén (twice); visited the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego (twice); and I’ve explored the spellbinding Torres del Paine National Park (once). Yet somehow I’ve never taken a proper road trip through the region’s vast, wild landscapes.
From the remote tundra of the Nordkalottruta to the gruelling heat of the Trans-Pyrenean Trail, these are the hardest long-distance treks in Europe
As someone who has spent weeks striding across Europe’s most rugged trails, I know the thrill – and exhaustion – of long-distance trekking. From the wilds of the Arctic north to the baking bowls of the Mediterranean south, I’ve tested my stamina, my navigation skills and my sanity.
The unofficial end of summer means serious savings on outdoor apparel and gear. We hand-pick 10 great deals from the REI Labor Day sale
We’re not the sort of people who hanker after luxury items. We’re more likely to shop at Asos than we are at Harrods, and we’re just as happy at Nando’s as we are at a Michelin restaurant. One arena in which we do fork out, however, is outdoor apparel and gear. The difference between a high-quality hiking boot and one that’s “good enough” is substantial – something Kia learnt the hard way on the slopes of Cotopaxi.
When daredevil adventurers meet a tragic demise, should we mourn the way they died or celebrate the way they lived?
In May 2024, I heard news that two hypothermic, frostbitten climbers were stranded near the summit of Denali, North America’s highest mountain. I scanned the reports for detail, but rangers would not release further information other than to say that the climbers were not from the United States.
Fresh from my return from the Mediterranean island of Corsica, I examine whether the GR20 really is the toughest trek in Europe
There’s no question. The GR20 in Corsica is a challenge. It requires early starts, long days and hiking along exposed, steep and technical terrain, but the rewards are myriad: sweeping views over jagged peaks and deep valleys, serene swims in natural pools, the thrill of navigating rugged alpine passes, and the deep satisfaction of completing a legendary trek.
In America, national parks are more than scenic − they’re sacred. But they were created at a cost to Native Americans
Abraham Lincoln has an almost saintly place in US history: the ‘Great Emancipator’ whose leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and abolished slavery.
Often overlooked among his achievements is legislation he signed in 1864, during the thick of the war, but only marginally related to the conflict. The Yosemite Valley Grant Act preserved the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove in California as a park “held for public use, resort, and recreation … for all time.”
From the heights of Everest to a humble library, we share the most extraordinary international borders from across the globe
My name is unremarkable, most people would agree. It’s so common that if you Googled ‘Peter Watson’, you would find the intellectual historian, the author, and the arts benefactor – all different men – ahead of me. There’s also a producer, a chemist and a podcaster among others.
For those seeking a quieter, wilder climb in Tanzania, trekking Mt Meru offers a striking, rewarding alternative to Kilimanjaro’s busy trails
While Kilimanjaro steals the spotlight, its lesser-known neighbour quietly offers one of East Africa’s most rewarding trekking experiences. Mt Meru, towering above the savannah of Arusha National Park, is often overlooked – but that’s precisely its charm.
From an iconic ancient pilgrimage to classic Himalayan challenges, we share 10 of the best long-distance treks for beginners
Trekking has been an enormous part of my life for decades. It has taken me through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes on the planet, and I have met people from all over the world and made lasting friendships on the trail.
