The Great Outdoors

TGO Magazine is your essential guide to hillwalking and backpacking in the UK and overseas. Get out more! We provide all the inspiration you need to plan your next trip, plus expert reviews and tips. The Great Outdoors is for anyone who loves walking in the hills, mountains and wild places. With information on the latest gear, in-depth features and stunning photography, The Great Outdoors will help you access the high peaks and long trails of Britain and beyond. Our enhanced digital addition includes even more great photos and interactive content.

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IN THIS ISSUE • Meet some of the folk who made this mag…

The Great Outdoors

Buachaille Etive Beag, West Highlands

Creator OF THE MONTH • Simon’s amazing designs at altitude add fleeting beauty to alpine landscapes

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Your adventures this month

A RECORD-BREAKING MOUNTAIN ROUND IN WINTER • On 12 December 2021, Laurie Crayston set out to climb the 192 English mountains, determined to be the first person to do so over a single winter. By 27 February, he’d not only achieved this but had also set a new record as the fastest person ever to climb all of England’s mountains despite the conditions he faced. As we head once more into the deep winter months, we take a look back at Laurie’s outstanding achievement…

ON THE LOOKOUT • Natural highlights in the hills this month

EVENTS CALENDAR December 2022

‘An attack on nature’: what does the mini budget mean for the environment? • As conservation groups come together in condemnation of September’s mini budget, we look at how new government plans could alter the British landscape

CARRAUNTOOHIL • Jim Perrin remembers an adventure to the Black Stacks of Kerry to tackle Ireland’s highest mountain

ICE MAGIC • Excited for the first bite of crampons on ice and fierce, fiery sunlight reflected on snow? We asked a few of our regular contributors to recall their most memorable winter days…

JOINING THE DOTS • David Lintern tries the ultimate winter link-up of Carn Dearg Meadhonach and the Carn Mor Dearg Arête – two of the finest lowergrade winter mountaineering routes in the country

COOL RUNNINGS • Norman Hadley is a pioneer of 'bumbagging': fast, uber-lightweight backpacking - without a backpack. But does this idiosyncratic endeavour work in winter? A midwinter camp on England’s highest peak would be the test…

TRAILBLAZING • The Transcaucasian Trail is a long-distance route across the Caucasus, the mountains where Asia and Europe meet. Stepping outside her comfort zone, Anna Richards heads to Armenia to tackle a 350-mile section of the trail – and discovers solitude and heart-warming hospitality in equal measure

The Transcaucasian Trail • A quick look at the history of this epic emerging trail – and the logistics of walking it yourself

GET READY FOR WINTER • The winter hills are places of challenge, risk, beauty and fun. We’ve teamed up with Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre, Glenmore Lodge, for this 17-page beginners’ guide to the finest season

FIRST STEPS: A WINTER SKILLS COURSE • Winter newbie Isla McCay overcomes her imposter syndrome and finds her feet in the snow, via the Introduction to Winter Skills course at Glenmore Lodge

PACKING FOR WINTER: How to do it well • For a winter day walk, a rucksack with a capacity of around 45 litres works well. Separate your gear into dry-bags to keep it as dry as possible. Consider using multiple differently coloured dry-bags, which allow you to access things quickly with minimum fuss

USING ICE AXE AND CRAMPONS IN THE WINTER HILLS • Can’t tell your pick from your adze? James Roddie has a few pointers…

WINTER HAZARDS • Winter is a place of beautiful extremes, but with snow and ice...