Tread softly Routes, tips and ideas for greener hillwalking

Positive steps What the outdoor industry is doing to become more sustainable

Save money, save the planet How to make your gear last longer

Car-free walks 15 great routes you can reach by bus and train

Why the hurry? The pleasures of slow travel

FC_eco.indd 20 15/03/2012 15:39 Untitled-1 2 15/03/2012 15:45 tread softly

Tread softly The BMC (British Mountaineering practice from a number of different Council) has a rather nice slogan: angles and looking at the clothes we “Climb it, walk it, protect it”, which wear, the transport we use, and the neatly sums up the connection so many actions we take out and about in the outdoor enthusiasts feel with their great outdoors. environment. When you get so much We start by looking at gear, with pleasure from walking (or climbing, or an analysis by Chris Townsend of what scrambling, or running, or paddling…) the outdoor clothing and equipment in unspoilt landscapes, it’s easy to industry is doing to ensure that its appreciate the importance of ensuring business is more sustainable. We then that those landscapes are preserved. offer some advice on how we can make But for many hillwalkers, that the most out of the kit we buy – by connection with the environment goes protecting it so it lasts longer, reusing it much deeper. There are obvious reasons where possible, or recycling it when it why we might object to litter in the is no longer useful to us. Further on, we Lakeland fells or pylons in the Highlands consider how walkers can make travel – we don’t want our experiences in the choices that minimise the amount of hills to be spoiled by human intrusion. pollution pumped into the atmosphere However, many of us will never get the – by opting for public transport within opportunity to walk in Brazil, China the UK, or alternatives to air travel when or the Maldives – yet we still feel heading abroad. And finally, on page uncomfortable at the prospect of felled 28, we take inspiration from the Leave rainforests, smog-swathed cities or No Trace movement to offer a series of island nations becoming submerged by tips on how we can make sure we leave rising sea levels. The world’s resources our beloved hills and coasts, lakes and aren’t infinite, global warming affects mountains exactly as we find them. our immediate surroundings as well as In the process of putting this Tread those overseas, and there are things we Softly supplement together, we at TGO can all do to make a small – but far from have all picked up a few tips that we’re insignificant – difference. looking forward to putting into practice. Every month, TGO’s founding I hope you too find it useful and editor Roger Smith takes a look at inspiring. And if you’ve got any advice issues relating to hillwalking and the of your own, drop us an email and we’ll environment in his column in the include it on the letters page in a future Viewpoint section of the magazine. edition of the magazine. But this Tread Softly supplement takes that one step further – examining Emily Rodway, TGO Editor environmentally responsible hillwalking [email protected]

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003_EdsLetter.indd 3 15/03/2012 15:28 tread softly

Contents 3 Editorial TGO’s Editor Emily Rodway explains the thinking behind our Tread Softly supplement

6 The green outdoors? Chris Townsend examines recent innovations and collaborations within the outdoor gear industry, aimed at improving their sustainability 6 and environmental credentials

12 Gear care Helpful tips to help you prolong the life of your hillwalking clothing and equipment

16 The innovators We speak to some of the people behind the brands, to find out more about how and why gear companies are taking positive steps to save the planet 12

18 Car-free walks Three great linear walking routes that make the most of public transport options, plus 12 more walks with easy access by bus or train

26 Plane-free travel Looking to minimise your air miles? Take a slow and indulgent journey by train or ferry instead 18

28 Leave no trace How to make sure your impact is kept to a minimum, when walking and camping in the hills

30 Guest column Tanya Bascombe of the European Outdoor Conservation Association explains what her organisation, and its members, are doing to make a difference 26

4 TREAD SOFTLY May 2012

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TGO_Eco_Supp_Ads_May12.indd 5 15/03/2012 15:49 tread softly The green outdoors? The outdoor clothing and equipment industry has become increasingly environmentally conscious in recent years. But how much has really changed? How far is there to go? And what can you do as a consumer of outdoor gear to make a difference? Chris Townsend investigates…

“Everything we personally own that’s separated from general care for the companies that have put extra effort made, sold, shipped, stored, cleaned, environment – caring for air, water into supporting the Association. So and ultimately thrown away does some and earth everywhere, not just in the far two awards have been made: to environmental harm every step of the special places. It’s all connected. We Original Buff for producing a special way, harm that we’re either directly can’t have islands of pristine nature EOCA Buff and raising enough money responsible for or is done on our existing happily amidst an otherwise with sales of that and the Merino behalf.” polluted world. Realising this, more and Wool Buff to fund three projects for Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia more companies now combine support a year; and to Patagonia, particularly and author of Let My People Go for conservation groups with actions for donating so many products to the Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant to reduce the environmental impact of EOCA at the annual OutDoor Show. Businessman their own businesses. Patagonia also recommended that 1% for the Planet (an organisation of

companies – of which Patagonia was a James Thew/Fotolia Photo People buy gear for the outdoors because Working together founder – that donates 1% of their sales they need to be warm, dry, safe and While everything individual companies to environmental organisations) donate comfortable when they venture into do is to be welcomed, co-ordinated funding to the EOCA’s projects. wild places. But if there’s no outdoor action is needed to spread information The EOCA was founded by the environment people want to visit then and assist companies in making the European Outdoor Group, the trade there’s nobody to buy outdoor gear. best decisions and sharing knowledge. organisation that represents the outdoor So gear companies have a vested Working together also means companies industry in Europe. The EOG has also interest in outdoor places remaining can encourage each other. Recent years set up a Sustainability Working Group, wild, beautiful and challenging. They have seen the growth of organisations one of whose key aims is “improving are also often run by and employ people and conferences to do this and I think the ecological/environmental impact of who are keen on outdoor activities it is the most positive development in the industry”. To this end, the SWG has themselves, so have reasons apart from trying to make the outdoor industry produced an Eco Index in conjunction commercial ones to want to conserve the more environmentally responsible. hills and rivers and coasts. In Europe the lead organisation on To that end many such companies the conservation side is the European support conservation organisations with Outdoor Conservation Association, Preserving wild cash, gear and resources. But until the which has the aim of raising money places can’t be last few decades they didn’t connect how from outdoor companies to fund their gear was made, where materials conservation work. The EOCA has 72 separated from came from, the effects of transportation members, all outdoor companies, and general care for the or any other direct environmental impact has provided funds for many projects of their businesses with the preservation including cleaning up a mountain in environment – caring of the outdoors. Supporting National Kyrgyzstan, protecting brown bears in for air, water and earth Parks or wildlife trusts was not seen as northern Spain and saving an ancient having anything to do with energy use or forest in Sweden from logging (turn everywhere, not just the supply of raw materials. to pages 30-31 to find out more). Now most companies accept The EOCA also gives an award to in the special places. that preserving wild places can’t be ‘Conservation Champions’, which are It’s all connected

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006-010_Overview.indd 6 15/03/2012 16:18 with the Outdoors Industry Association, conference includes speakers from the Is it enough to pat the outdoor industry the American equivalent of the EOG. Centre for Sustainable Design, Waste on its back and say “well done folks, The Eco Index is an assessment tool so Resources Action Programme, Adidas’s keep it up and by the way when’s the companies can measure and analyse Sustainable Product Programme and next new jacket coming out?” Clearly their environmental footprint and Explore RED. Innov-Ex conferences not. Companies respond to their identify where they can make changes. are an ideal opportunity for the public. Letting them know what you Documents, websites, blogs, outdoor industry to meet and discuss think, what you like, what you don’t brochures and even video conferencing environmental issues away from the like, what you think they should be are all useful tools but nothing is pressures of trade and public shows. doing and what they shouldn’t, are all better than face-to-face meetings worthwhile. Websites, social networking and discussions. In recent years sites and email make this easy to do. these have taken place at the annual People power – Most companies have environmental Innovations for Extremes (Innov-Ex) what can you do? statements about what they’re doing on conference held every year at Lancaster I think, then, that the outdoor their websites. If they don’t, ask them University. While not exclusively about industry is doing much to improve its why not. environmental concerns (Innov-Ex environmental effect and to support Then there’s what we can do began with a project to recreate conservation organisations. Is it ourselves. Buying good quality gear that Mallory’s clothing) recent conferences enough? No, and remembering the will last (usually financially sensible in have made such issues central, with quote from Yvon Chouinard at the the long-run as well) and then wearing many illuminating and thought- head of this piece it never will be. it out ensures items have the lowest provoking speakers on relevant topics, To paraphrase the Innov-Ex 2011 impact once made. If it’s made from followed by serious and committed conference theme, it’s a journey not a recycled materials or materials that can discussions by people from outdoor destination, and one that the outdoor be recycled, all the better. When it’s no companies about how to be as green industry has only recently started along. longer needed, pass it on so it can be as possible. The theme of the 2011 But at least it has started. reused rather than dumping it and if it’s conference was sustainability as a Where does this leave us, the really worn out see if it can be recycled. journey not a destination. The 2012 consumers and users of outdoor gear? To see just how useable old gear may be,

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TGO_Eco_Supp_Ads_May12.indd 6 15/03/2012 15:51 Photo Miredi/Fotolia Photo Links Find out more about a research programme called Explore repairing holes and tears, including the what outdoor brands RED (standing for Re-use, Explore, ubiquitous duct tape (though note that are doing, and what Discover) is currently being run in professional repairers hate it, as the glue you can do to help, conjunction with the University of residue is hard to remove), and a needle Leeds. There’s a survey on the Explore and thread can always come in handy. via these websites RED website to help with the research. Some repairs are beyond many of It only takes a few minutes to fill in. us though, except for those skilled in 1% for the Planet There are many ways to pass on gear sewing machine use. Then gear needs www.onepercentfortheplanet.org – charity shops, friends, eBay, outdoor to be repaired by an expert. Some organisations (schools welcome gear for outdoor companies can repair their Bluesign programmes like the Duke of Edinburgh own kit (Páramo is one) but many don’t www.Bluesign.com Award). There’s also a website set up by have the facilities to do so as the gear is Rohan co-founder Sarah Howcroft and made overseas. Some stores offer repair EOCA supported by the Outdoor Industries services too (Tiso for example). However www.outdoorconservation.eu Association specifically for outdoor there are specialist companies who gear. At Recycle Outdoor Gear you can can repair almost anything. Scottish European Outdoor Group advertise gear for free, whether you Mountain Gear is one that can deal www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/ want to sell it or donate it (see page 14 with tents, sleeping bags, rucksacks and sustainability-csr for more information). And if it’s really clothing. Tundra Repairs and Lancashire worn out there are textile banks, shoe Sports Repairs (LSR) mend clothing, Explore RED banks and recycling centres. Ask in local including Gore-Tex (both are licensed by www.explorered.com outdoor stores to see if they run any of Gore). LSR also repairs boots and shoes. Innovation for Extremes http://innovation-for-extremes.net Companies respond to their public. Recycle Outdoor Gear Let them know what you think, http://recycleoutdoorgear.com what you like, what you don’t like, Scottish Mountain Gear what you think they should be www.scottishmountaingear.com doing and what they shouldn’t Tundra Repairs www.tundra-repairs.co.uk Lancashire Sports Repairs the manufacturers’ programmes for (Note that lightweight boots and trail recycling worn out gear. Dumping it in the shoes can be resoled, despite what you www.lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk bin should be a last last resort. Even gas may be told). Hilltrek, which specialises Hilltrek canisters can now be recycled if you have in made-to-measure clothing, can also www.hilltrek.co.uk Jetboil’s Crunch-It tool, which allows you repair clothing, including Páramo and to bleed any gas remnants away and then Ventile garments. Granger’s puncture the canister so it can be crushed. This may all seem far from the hills www.grangers.co.uk Looking after gear prolongs its life and and the natural world but I believe it is thus reduces its impact. Learning how to important if we want those wild places Nikwax maintain items and do minor repairs is for the future, both for ourselves, our www.nikwax.co.uk worthwhile for environmental reasons children and our children’s children. I Tiso as well as for ensuring gear performs also think it’s important to support those properly. Companies like Nikwax and conservation bodies such as the John www.tiso.com Granger’s make a wide range of cleaning Muir Trust that are working to preserve John Muir Trust and proofing products that cover the places we love. As John Muir himself www.jmt.org everything from tents to sandals. There said: “Do something for wildness and are various sticky tapes and patches for make the mountains glad”.

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006-010_Overview.indd 9 15/03/2012 16:26 tread softly Green gear What are outdoor companies doing to help the planet?

Patagonia and a member of the steering committee of recycled materials and has recently introduced Patagonia was one of the first outdoor companies the European Outdoor Group’s Sustainability a new Eco-Shell fabric for waterproof garments involved in environmental activities and is Working Group. that is made from recycled polyester. Eco-Shell still one of the most active. Founder Yvon garments can also be recycled. Chouinard says: “at Patagonia the protection and preservation of the natural environment… GoLite Klättermusen they’re the reason we are in business.” The GoLite says it is “committed to building a Swedish brand Klättermusen says “there is no company works with Bluesign technologies (the sustainable business”. As part of this, the brand more burning issue than the environment” and organisation behind the independent textile uses as many “Environmentally Preferred has launched a recycling programme whereby industry standard to promote sustainability and Materials” as possible – in 2010 over 67% of deposits can be claimed back from returned items, environmental protection) on raw materials, materials had this designation, many of them which will be repaired and donated to charity or while through the ‘Footprint Chronicles’ the recycled nylon or polyester fabrics. Also in 2010, else recycled. Klättermusen also includes nylon details of production of some specific products GoLite launched its “I’m Not Trash” Product Take- and polypropylene in its recycling programme as can be followed. And through the Common Back Programme so that unwanted items could be well as polyester. These fabrics are usually excluded Threads Initiative, garments can be repaired, repaired, reused or recycled. At its headquarters, because they are difficult to recycle. The recycled reused or recycled. Patagonia also supports many GoLite is implementing a zero-waste policy, and material is then used to make new Klättermusen grassroots conservation and environmental so far 93% of waste is recycled or composted. products. Klättermusen also has an Eco-index groups and is a founder member of the European GoLite also supports many environmental and involving 10 criteria for evaluating a product’s Outdoor Conservation Association. conservation groups including the Conservation environmental footprint. The company is a Alliance and the American Hiking Society. member of 1% For The Planet and holds votes on Nikwax which organisations the money should go to. Nikwax’s environmentally friendly water-based Berghaus cleaning and proofing products (no petroleum- Berghaus has a Make A Difference committee Teko based or aerosol products) mean the life of to promote green initiatives throughout the Teko was founded with the aim of making gear can be prolonged, reducing the need for company. At Berghaus headquarters these top performing outdoor socks with the least replacements with accompanying energy and include recycling waste (more than 6,000 tonnes environmental impact. To that end it has always resources costs and the need for recycling, which in 2008), low-energy lightbulbs, introducing used recycled and recyclable materials for all has its own energy costs, or dumping in landfill. recycled packaging and a wind turbine for socks and packaging. All merino wool is organic Nikwax (along with sister company Páramo) electricity. Berghaus also works with a number and comes from Argentina, all polyester is has an Environmental Policy that commits of UK and international organisations including recycled material. Chlorine-free processing is the company to minimising the effect on the the John Muir Trust, Durham Wildlife Trust and used for the wool and non-toxic dyes for all socks. environment from all their actions. Community Action Nepal, for whom old season Teko’s factory and offices are 100% wind-powered stock and returned products are supplied for use and all materials except Merino wool are sourced Granger’s by Sherpas and porters. from within 200 miles to reduce transportation. Granger’s is another company that focuses on cleaning and proofing products, for everything Inov8 Rab® from tents to Merino wool base layers. All these To see which areas needed most attention, Inov8 Rab says that they are committed to balancing products use Bluesign-approved formulations had an environmental audit, which produced longevity and sustainability with affordability and and are biodegradeable and phosphate-free. surprising results. Over 65% of Inov8’s carbon points out that gear that lasts a long time has less They can be used at temperatures of 30˚C too, footprint came from staff travel and only environmental impact than gear that doesn’t and reducing energy use. Granger’s is a member of the 16% from freight. Inov8 is investigating using that this is itself an eco-success story. Rab offers a European Outdoor Conservation Association. electricity from 100% renewable sources. care and repair service and says that 25-year-old Actions already taken including reducing freight and older sleeping bags and down jackets are Vaude impact by only transporting urgent samples frequently sent in for washing or repairing and Vaude has been working with Bluesign for by air, keeping car use to a minimum, using are testament to how long their products last. The over a decade and back in 2002 was the first recycled materials for shoe boxes and recycling company sources its down from geese that aren’t outdoor company to produce a complete range waste materials. live-plucked or used for foie gras production and of Bluesign-certified clothing. Vaude has also its Merino wool comes from non-mulesed sheep. worked to make its headquarters as green as Fjällräven Rab uses eco fabrics and components where it can possible with a large solar power system. Most To reduce the impact of materials and production do so without negatively affecting performance recently, Vaude has launched the Green Shape methods on the environment Fjällräven has and is introducing as many Bluesign-certified label for its products that adhere to the strictest phased out the use of fluorocarbons for the DWR materials as possible into its range as well as environmental standards. Vaude also supports on its waterproof garments and uses natural working with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 to deliver many environmental organisations and is a impregnation for its most durable outdoor products endorsed with the ‘Confidence in member of the executive committee of the clothing, which is treated with Greenland Wax, a Textiles’ label, showing that they are safely European Outdoor Conservation Association mix of beeswax and paraffin. Fjällräven also uses produced from a human ecology point of view.

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006-010_Overview.indd 10 15/03/2012 16:41 Advertising Feature In association with Granger’s Good as new Granger’s range of footwear care products help keep your boots working like new, year after year. See below for our simple, step by step guide to looking after your boots.

How to proof leather boots Using G-Wax G-wax, a traditional beeswax based proofer, off ers the best protection for leather boots. Its formulation nourishes the leather while providing great water repellency.

Ensure that the boots are clean by using Granger’s 01 footwear cleaner. Then rub the product sparingly into the surface using a circular motion.

Using a soft cloth push the product deep into any 02 crevices to prevent the leather from cracking.

How to proof all other types of footwear Using G-Max Universal Waterproofer (sponge or spray)

G-Max products are ideal for any type of footwear, providing water repellency without aff ecting the breathability of your footwear. This makes it the ideal product for all footwear with a breathable membrane.

Sponge – Ensure that the footwear is clean 01a before application by using Granger’s footwear cleaner. Shake the bottle and press the applicator against the footwear, spreading evenly in light strokes. Spray – Ensure that the footwear is clean before 01b application by using Granger’s footwear cleaner. Spray from a distance of 10 to 15cm. 02 Dab any excess with a clean cloth. 03 Allow to dry naturally before use.

At Granger’s we take our environmental responsibility seriously. That’s why we’re the only aftercare company to have ISO 14001 accreditation, be a bluesign® system partner and be a member of EOCA.

011_Grangers.indd 1 15/03/2012 14:46 tread softly Gear care Look after your gear and it won’t just look after you, it’ll last longer too – good news for your bank balance, and for the planet PeteG/Fotolia Waterproof jackets Cleaning Storage The performance of many waterproof jackets Keep your jackets on a hanger somewhere dry. suffers when they get dirty, so it’s important to keep them clean. Avoid conventional detergents Maintenance and repair or washing powder as these can damage the Different types of waterproof jacket have Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating which different technologies that can affect the waterproof fabrics use. Use a specialist product longevity of the garment. Membranes like like Nikwax Tech Wash or Granger’s 2 in 1 Gore-Tex, eVent and NeoShell will leak if they Cleaner and Waterproofer instead. get punctured. These can be usually be patched up; Gore-Tex, for example, manufacture Drying specialist repair kits, and there are three Always hang jackets up to dry as soon as you Gore-Tex-approved repairers in Britain for get home from your walking and camping trips more long-lasting repairs. Páramo clothing – and don’t stick them on a hot radiator. will theoretically last forever as long as it’s re-proofed, and doesn’t fail when punctured. They also do a repair service.

Rucksacks Cleaning Storage Rucksacks don’t generally need as much Don’t store rucksacks until they’re completely cleaning as other types of gear, but the likes dry, then keep them somewhere dry and aired. of Nikwax and Granger’s provide specialist products you can use. Avoid harsh cleaning Maintenance and repair products as these can erode seams and surfaces. Check all the components of the rucksack occasionally to make sure nothing is about to Drying break. Stitching on shoulder straps is often the If the rucksack is wet or damp when you come first to go, and cracked buckles are common. back from the hill, empty everything out of it, If the rucksack seems to be soaking up a lot of hold it upside-down then give it a good shake to water you can treat it with Granger’s or Nikwax get rid of any loose dirt or grit. Hang it products to restore water repellence. Tears in upside-down to dry, with the main opening and the fabric of rucksacks can often be repaired any pockets open to let moisture escape. with patches, and stitching can sometimes be rescued with a needle and thread but it’s a question of how confident you are. If it’s got an internal frame which breaks, send it back to the company for repair.

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012-013_GearCare.indd 12 15/03/2012 14:25 Boots/footwear Cleaning Drying It’s important to keep boots clean, as Never put boots on radiators to dry them – let entrenched mud and grime can reduce the life them dry slowly. Do the old trick of stuffing them of footwear. Give your boots a rinse or wipe off with newspaper – never old TGO magazines, it any loose mud as soon as you get in from the won’t work, plus it’ll be a terrible waste! hills. The most ingrained mud is often easier to take off when it’s dry; an old toothbrush is good Storage for getting into the cracks and crevices. Remove Store boots somewhere dry at an ambient the laces, because you always get bits of mud in temperature if possible, away from sunlight. the tongue which are easily overlooked. Several companies provide specialist cleaning Maintenance and repair products that won’t damage sealants or surfaces, Keep boots and footwear watertight by Nikwax and Granger’s being the most well- reproofing them with a waterproofing product known. For a more traditional method, Dri-Pak like Nikwax Waterproofing Wax or Granger’s provides a range of natural cleaning products G-Max. Once boots have seen a bit of use, check like soap flakes and soda crystals. Don’t despair if them for wear and tear regularly. A cobbler your boots look (and smell) beyond redemption; can usually replace things like hooks, D-rings, even shoes in an advanced state of mouldy decay lace tunnels and fastenings. Worn-down soles can be cleaned up. tend to be a specialist job – check to see if the manufacturer can replace them, or try a specialist outdoor footwear repairer like Feet First (www.feetfirst.resoles.co.uk), who claim to be able to fix 99% of boots.

Tents Cleaning Storage Nikwax and Granger’s both produce cleaners Store somewhere dry and airy once the tent is that can be used on tents – check out their back in its stuff-sack. websites for more information or ask in your nearest outdoor store. Terra Nova also sell their Maintenance and repair own tent-cleaning product. Most tents these days come with repair kits containing stick-on patches for small tears and Drying rips. If it’s a huge tear you will probably need When you get back from the outdoors you’ll it replacing rather than repairing, but always have your tent packed into a stuff-sack; unpack check with the manufacturer. When pitching it and hang it up somewhere, ensuring it’s fully a tent always check the ground and remove dry before you put it back in the stuff-sack. anything sharp from the area underneath; Always take tent poles out so they can dry and twigs with spiky bits are some of the worse clean both poles and pegs of any dirt to avoid offenders for causing punctures. You can use an corrosion. additional groundsheet to protect it if you’re prepared to carry the extra weight.

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012-013_GearCare.indd 13 15/03/2012 14:25 tread softly Reduce, Reuse, When your gear breaks, gets old or becomes redundant the bin should only Recycle ever be a last resort. Here are some of the many ways to give pre-loved clothing and equipment a second lease of life

You don’t have to be an enthusiastic The Second Coming Think About It hugger of trees to accept that the Don’t bin it - recycle it Buying for longevity and ethics culture of thoughtless consumption Even if your piece of gear is utterly We’ve covered what to do with gear that drives our society has its dark side. beyond repair, it can still have a life of you’ve already got – but in many ways Every new product made potentially sorts. Patagonia, GoLite and Marmot what you buy in the first place is the

represents a bit more CO2 released UK do take-back services where they most important question of all. Here, into the atmosphere, another addition dismantle elderly garments and use their ethics and financial considerations to a landfill, a few more molecules of components in new things. Since 2005, coincide – it’s much better to spend pollution in the atmosphere, the further Patagonia’s Common Threads Initiative more money on something which lasts loss of biodiversity. As consumers – and has taken back 45 tonnes of clothing and longer, than to spend less and have your lovers of the natural environment – we made 34 tonnes into new clothes. As kit become useless sooner. Handily, should all think very carefully both they rather soulfully state: “Everything it’s also better for the environment, about what we buy in the first place, natural or manufactured comes to the as less waste is produced. This is how and what happens to it when it reaches end of its life. Everything natural gives some companies defend their green the end of its life. The mantra “reduce, life to something new, so should the credentials – the makers of Gore-Tex, reuse, recycle” is a good one to keep in things we make.” Groovy. Check if your for example, don’t claim it to be a mind – buy only what you need (and brand does its own recycling programme, specifically ‘eco-friendly’ product, but make sure it’s going to last), repair it if or ask if your local retailer can pass your it does last a long time if it’s maintained it breaks, reuse (or share) it if you no used gear on. correctly. The argument goes that this is longer need it, or recycle it when all the You could also check out preferable to buying something which above fail. Here’s a few tips to help you Recycle Outdoor Gear (ROG) – fails sooner, even if it may have good on the way. recycleoutdoorgear.com. It’s a free-to-use green credentials. website which allows you to both advertise But of course, gear can offer both Fix Up, Look Sharp and search for second-hand outdoor good ethics and good performance. Outdoor repair Get your gear repaired clothing and equipment, thereby saving Vaude sleeping bags, for example, companies in the UK If the boiler breaks in your house, it from landfill and giving someone else’s can withstand the rigours of Alpine you don’t rush out and get a new gear a new opportunity. There are also camping yet have been made with Scottish Mountain Gear The largest outdoor house. Perhaps it’s a bit of a stretch to plenty of vintage items – maps and ice 100% recyclable polyester for well over equipment repair specialist in compare the two, but the same applies axes being particularly popular – on the a decade. Polartec products are made the UK and Ireland to outdoor gear. It’s common sense site, to please retro enthusiasts. You can with 30% recycled materials, and since www.scottishmountaingear.com that just because a zip has broken here choose to either sell or donate your gear, 1993 they have prevented more than or there or a seam has come unstuck, and it’s totally free to place an advert. For 350 million 12-ounce water bottles from Lancashire Sports Repairs Officially licensed repairers it shouldn’t mean your garment is an interview with ROG’s creator, Rohan going into landfills/or waste streams by of Gore Tex clothing as well beyond repair, but many people still co-founder Sarah Howcroft, see page 16. recycling them for fibres. Take time to as others. instinctively shell out for brand new Finally, you could consider donating think through your purchasing decisions www.lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk clothing when it isn’t necessary. There your gear to charity. Mountain Rescue and try to balance longevity with Tundra Repairs are several companies in the UK that teams are sometimes on the look-out consideration for the environment. As Also officially licensed specialise in repairing general outdoor for useable kit. Cotswold Outdoor well as considering an item’s performance, Gore Tex repairers, but clothing and footwear, while some are also soon to introduce a scheme look into the green credentials of the not limited to them. brands, like Rab and Páramo, have in partnership with the Explore Red brand in question. GoLite products even www.tundra-repairs.co.uk their own dedicated repair services; initiative to collect unwanted kit which include a rating on their tags of how kind Feet First Rab claims it has repaired sleeping bags will be passed on to Shelter and the that particular item is to the environment. Specialist boot and more than 25 years old. British Heart Foundation. Or you could, Most companies don’t make it this clear, footwear repairers. of course, give the clothes direct to a however, so don’t be afraid to contact www.feetfirst.resoles.co.uk charity of your choice. them directly and ask the question.

14 TREAD SOFTLY May 2012

014_Recycling.indd 14 15/03/2012 14:30 partners PRODUCTS: •• KINETIC JACKET • PULSE JACKET Pertex® Shield – the perfect partnership of lightweight, waterproof performance. New for 2012 – a range of Rab® shell jackets using Pertex Shield® technology. This hardworking performance fabric is waterproof, breathable and super lightweight – three reasons why alpinists and top outdoor adventurers rely on it in the most extreme conditions in the world. Rab® and Pertex® – the perfect mountain partnership for over 30 years.

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TGO_Eco_Supp_Ads_May12.indd 9 15/03/2012 15:53 tread softly Walking the walk TGO meets some key fi gures in the outdoor industry who do more than just talk green

Nick Brown Páramo & Nikwax Equally, garments can be passed on and live green tariff s including our own solar a useful life with a new owner. Longevity energy, plus we recycle 10 diff erent waste of gear reduces the need for replacement. streams in the UK. The Nikwax and Páramo It reduces the need for landfi ll. The less group holds both ISO 14001 accreditation we send to landfi ll, the less we have to [Environmental Management system] and dig up the countryside. It reduces carbon OHSAS 18001 certifi cation [a stringent dioxide emission, accepted as a driver of Health and Safety audit]. climate change, as it requires less energy “All of our carbon off sets each year are to reproof polyester than it does to replace matched with direct donations to the World it with new garments made from scratch. Land Trust and go towards preserving It reduces the demand for extraction of standing forests as well as planting new raw materials – most use synthetic fabrics areas of forest. We are also a member require crude oil. Longevity can also be very of the European Outdoor Conservation satisfying – it saves you money and many Association and actively help this charity of us are rightfully proud and even quite boost contributions to worthwhile attached to a garment that has seen us conservation projects worldwide. Every through a multitude of adventures! Páramo Halcon or Pájaro Jacket that leaves Disillusioned with conventional “Some consumers are very sensitive our warehouse triggers the donation of a outdoor clothing, Nick Brown founded to the environment – but performance sapling to Scottish charity, Trees for Life, Páramo Directional Clothing Systems is still important for them. We provide who are working to restore the Caledonian in 1989 and introduced a new environmentally friendly gear that also Forest in the Scottish Highlands. technical waterproof system which “Páramo’s production started in transformed the industry. But along with 1992 in Bogotá, Colombia. It is part of performance, sustainability and ethics Most walkers a valuable social programme with the have always been key to his work. charitable Miquelina Foundation, providing We asked him how and why. are as concerned training, employment and skills to ‘at risk’ women seeking an improvement in “The first big hill I climbed, at the age of with the bigger their lives. Our newest Grid baselayers 12, was Snowdon. Subsequently I’ve had picture of global are being manufactured in Scotland by the privilege to visit the Andes and look Remploy – the country’s largest specialist down 3,000 metres to a river and lush warming as they employer of people with disabilities and tropical forest, and look up 2,500 metres health conditions. to massive snowy peaks, knowing it had are with footpaths “Consumers can wield their spending taken four days on foot to get there. What power to great eff ect! Continuous small a sensation! It’s entirely natural that we and countryside improvement is infi nitely better than would want our children, grandchildren protection no improvement. Start small. And of and great grandchildren to experience that course, support companies that take the same wonder. And there lies the core of environment seriously. Look at the company sustainability: we want to keep the world behind the product: does it have a corporate for future generations to enjoy too. and social responsibility document? “Virtually everything wears out sooner performs. Most walkers are as concerned Can they point you to their ethical and or later and needs to be replaced, and that with the bigger picture of global warming environmental policies? Are they audited? is especially true of outdoor equipment. and environmental manufacturing as Are they open about where and how they But the speed at which it wears out is they are with footpaths and countryside produce their products? strongly aff ected by the quality of the protection. We all want to be green, but “As resources become scarcer and product in the fi rst place and how you look we need to tread a path between being disposable income is increasingly squeezed, after it. So Páramo is in the business of environmentally puritanical, and being an consumers will look to the outdoor fi rstly producing gear that is built to last, irresponsible outdoor hedonist. industry for access to and provision for our and secondly encouraging users to extend “Last year we completed the fourth full beautiful world. There will always need the life of outdoor gear by recommending year of our carbon off setting programme, to be a balance sought between profi ts Nikwax aftercare. so Páramo is carbon balanced for a total and environmental consideration – but “If they’re regularly treated with Nikwax of eight years. We have also controlled innovation can help by coming up with more aftercare, Páramo waterproofs can carry down our energy consumption, and at practical and eco-friendly ways of doing on keeping you dry for years and years. least 95% of our energy is supplied from things, as can consumer demand.”

16 TREAD SOFTLY May 2012

016-017_People.indd 16 15/03/2012 16:01 Sarah Howcroft Debbie Luffman Finisterre Recycle Outdoor Gear about seeing it from the very initial stage. the bottom line. And I think if you You can see each generation becoming extrapolate that a few years the more and more Merino-like in the crimp of impact will be even more. the fi bre and along the nose of the sheep. “So I used all that experience It’s just so tangible. When I was working to set up ROG. It’s trying to push in the fashion industry you’d go and look a message of ‘hey, we can do at rails and rails of fabric, and you sort of something with this stuff if we forget where it comes from. This is the don’t want it any more, it doesn’t complete opposite. have to just be left or at the very “After the Bowmonts are sheared the worse ends up in landfi ll.’ fl eece goes to fi ve guys in Halifax who “Since I started ROG I’ve had are some of the very, very small number tremendous grassroots feedback of people in the UK who can hand-sort from people who have either wool. Then it’s waxed and carded and Co-founder of British brand found what they wanted or have spun in an old Victorian factory with Rohan, Sarah Howcroft successfully swapped something. a water wheel outside in Oldham. The drew on a long-standing There have been a few products Frustrated with having to source entire process from animal to shop is interest in sustainability that have been completely merino wool from the other side of based in the UK. And that has an eff ect to create Recycle Outdoor overwhelmed with responses into the world, Cornish brand Finisterre on the environment because we don’t Gear, a recently-launched the hundreds. came up with an innovative solution have to transport it from Australia and “matchmaking service” for “ROG is like a matchmaking – breed your own sheep! Former New Zealand. people looking to pass on service to swap, sell, donate or fashion designer Debbie Luffman is “In the season that’s just gone by we outdoor gear they don’t want. buy used outdoor clothing and their supply chain director. had a Bowmont beanie and scarf. We As she tells TGO, it’s already equipment. Users put their gear sold out of the beanie quite quickly. At proved very popular – and it’s up and along come the enquiries. “It’s always been a point of annoyance the moment we’re developing a knitted set to expand. It’s a completely free service. that we had to get our Merino fibre jumper as well so we’ll have it in three The deal that’s done at the end shipped all the way over from Australia or lines for next autumn and winter. “Creating Recycle Outdoor is down to the individual. I try New Zealand. We’ve been trying for years “In the short term we are still using Gear (ROG) was a very personal and encourage swapping. Or you and years to get something closer to Merino. In the long-term we see the thing for me. I wanted to create can donate it. I try to encourage home, but you can’t breed Merino in the Bowmont as an investment in the future. something which could serve a charities to take more of an UK. There’s the climate, the altitude the We don’t want to just make clothes, we function within the industry that interest in it so people can donate sheep are raised at, but also the sheep want to be able to actually improve the is completely level for everybody to them. Porter’s Progress have aren’t particularly great mothers and supply chain as a whole. If we could see in they’re quite difficult to breed. 10 years time Bowmont actually rivalling “We like to work close to home, for the Merino that comes from Australia and Since I started ROG I’ve had example our manufacturing is either in New Zealand I think that would be great – tremendous grassroots feedback Portugal or the UK. One reason for that healthy competition! is idealistic, that we’d like everything to “We like to analyse every part of the from people who have either have less of an environmental impact, but process in the supply chain. If you go found what they’ve wanted or it’s from a quality point of view as well. on to our website that’s a section called The more you can shrink the supply chain ‘iSpy’, which goes through the whole successfully swapped something the more you can control it. In the case process – supply, sorting, processing, of wool, that means going to visit often, manufacture, transport, then the fi nal picking it all apart, physically, tangibly part, which is also the beginning part, to use – whether they’re brands or signed up, as have Re-Cycle, an seeing the fi bre, understanding ways the customer. How the customer looks customers – and has a grassroots organisation that recycles bikes that you can work with it. But we can’t after their gear is actually a massive part push to it. and sends them to Africa. disappear off to New Zealand every few of the energy output, the sustainability “I’ve always had an interest “Rucksacks have done really weeks unfortunately! ultimately, of the garment. in sustainable development – I well, and tents are very strong. “But then we came across Leslie Prior – “I think a big part of what makes us started a commercial waste Footwear does surprisingly she’s a cashmere farmer based in Devon. more sustainable than other brands is our exchange in the 1990s and well. Children’s stuff is also very The Macaulay Institute had a project repair service. So if you’re out walking and set up the UK’s fi rst green popular. We’ve also had a really where they were trying to cross-breed a you get your jacket stuck on a bramble or supermarket in Kendal. In many strong response rate for the Saxon and Merino to create a yarn that’s something, we’ll patch it up. We see them ways it’s my family history. My vintage stuff . There is so much as soft as Merino in the UK, but it ran out coming back time and time again. That father was in textile recovery. old stuff out there and people are of funding and most of the poor sheep probably gives me the biggest pleasure He would buy used textiles from unaware of how appreciated it is. were sent off to slaughter. But Leslie had from the brand point of view, seeing that all over the world, sort them and The very early Rohan garments an interest in it and she got her hands people have really loved their garments put them back in for recovery are now quite coveted because on about 10 of them. She kept it going and they don’t want to get rid of them.” and reprocessing. I’ve always they were so unique in their through sheer passion and hard work, “I think the outdoor industry is a maintained that there shouldn’t time and now when they come and she’s managed to get the fl ock up to lot more open to sharing ideas and be a confl ict between business on to ROG, people say ‘oh my about 130 sheep. The cross-bred sheep information. For that reason I think it is and sustainability. Anything goodness I haven’t seen one of are called Bowmonts. much more likely to lead the way than else is just short-termism. For them for years,’ and out come all “It’s fascinating for us because it’s just than the fashion industry. The smaller example, it was a tremendous the stories. Vintage ice axes are up the road, so we can really be involved brands in the outdoor industry are really thing for the industry to very popular – I think people put in every stage of the supply chain. We’ve starting to shake things up, and people outsource to China. But now if them on their walls. They’re good been involved for about fi ve years now, aren’t being complacent anymore. it’s not you look at the issues that the talking points, aren’t they? just going up and seeing the sheep about enough just to say ‘it’s recycled’ or ‘it’s industry is beginning to wrestle “ROG has proved to be very once a month, understanding about the Fair Trade’, people are getting savvy. Our with, like transparency, haulage popular and is in constant need breeding. Pretty much everybody from customers are very intrigued, they want costs, currency fl uctuations, and of content. Finding a new home Finisterre has been up there. It brings to know everything about their product, the customer’s perception, all for that old outdoor gear you no everything that we’re trying to achieve they want to understand why and how those things are beginning to longer use in the back of your here together I think. things are made. I hope that spreads have a much bigger infl uence on cupboard can be very cathartic.” “There’s something really beautiful throughout the industry.”

May 2012 TREAD SOFTLY 17

016-017_People.indd 17 15/03/2012 16:01 Kilpatrick Hills, Central Belt CAR-FREE Scotland

DISTANCE ASCENT TIME 01 21½ 13½ 700 2296 7 WALKING km miles metres feet hours

Dum to Dum via Doughnot and Duncolm

WORDS & PHOTOS Ronald Turnbull

THE WEST HIGHLAND WAY: WHY the swamp on a compass bearing, plugs rising like walrus heads out of doesn’t it start at the sea? Dumbarton the moonlight twinkling on the black The Whangie pinnacle the peat: and that was the first clue (pronounced ‘Dumbarton’) is easier water between the heather stalks, an to the right way through. I knew my to say than Milngavie (pronounced occasional silver reservoir spreading Dumbarton start was sound as I climbed ‘Mulguy’); it also has a castle. And a across my path… out of town by the wooded Overtoun Kilpatrick crossing has to be better Small these hills may be. But get Burn. After a small footbridge, I passed than Mugdock Country Park… in among them and you’re in harsh Spardie Linn, a waterfall heard but in The Earl of Argyll looked at the wilderness, and never mind Glasgow summer not seen. Open hill had low but Kilpatrick hills 1685 and thought they a half-hour’s bus ride away. The long crags of basalt, the sillily named seemed quite small. Unwisely deciding Kilpatricks’ morass of tussocks and Doughnot Hill, and a view back across to march his army and a troop of tough sphagnum moss resembles no suburb the waters of Clyde. Campbells across in the dark, he got of Scotland’s city, but rather the muskeg And yes, with careful contour- to Old Kilpatrick to find he’d only 500 of Arctic Canada. reading, a non-bog way did lead on men left – the others had given up and That’s if you follow Argyll and get Dum-to-Dum, a grassy ridgeline above gone home. the Kilpatricks wrong. But Dumbarton the tussock swamp. There was even a I had a similar experience at the to Dumgoyne via Duncolm: the Dum- green quad bike trail along it, with great end of a hill-run out of Fife, through di-Dum hill names mark small basalt views north to Loch Lomond. A steep

18 TREAD SOFTLY May 2012

018-019_WW_Scotland.indd 18 15/03/2012 16:21 018-019_WW_Scotland.indd 19

Ordnance Survey mapping © Crown copyright. AM113/09 Download your maps from www.anquet.co.uk 1000 1200 1400 sheet 64(Glasgow) (need both); OS1:50,000Landranger (Loch Lomond S)and348(Campsies) www.travelinescotland.com Traveline: 08712002233, 10.30pm connects backto Dumbarton. St, hourlyuntil late evening. Last busat bus C10Dumgoyne to Glasgow Buchanan to Dumbarton East; First Scotland East from Glasgow QueenStreet Low Level 01389 742306 (GR NS527826) PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION MAP FINISH START TIME ASCENT DISTANCE 200 400 600 800 0 tail as he hurried north to the Gorms ashehurried north tail canyon, formed by aswish of Satan’s isScotland’s Whangie slot The OS1:25,000Explorer sheet 347 7hours m51 520 15 10 5 0 km GRADIENT PROFILE GRADIENT 01 Dumbarton Castle (GRNS400745) Dumgoyne Distillery 700m/2296ft 21.5km/13.5miles Dumbarton Milton, 02 03 Frequent trains 04

(Metres abovesealevel) 05 ROUTE S corner, to agreen path onto of FynLoch. Pass around its Darnycaip, then Lto theoutflow 05 up to Doughnot Hill. edge to cross stream, andheadNE Here turnoff, down alongtree and bendsupto enter plantation. 04 below LangCrags. Overtoun Houseto openhillside stream. Paths leadupstream past 03 track into Overtoun Woods. gateway, upstreet NEto wide police HQ,turnsharpRthrough 02 again, NE,to dualcarriageway A82. briefly Ralongabike path. Turn left rail station, turnLacross aparkthen Immediately Eof Dumbarton East 01 HeadNEinto Dumbarton. Turn SEto theridgeof Path leadsbelow LangCrags In300mtake path down Rto Cross andturnL.Just past 06 07 08 10 09 08 07 06 Fynloch Hill. formations of theWhangie. turn Rto explore thestrange Descend Wto thehillbase,then up theridgeto Auchineden Hill. its damto atrack. of Burncrooks Reservoir andcross Lily Loch. Descendto theEcorner cross wallandfollow itNEpast paths NEonto Duncolm. track to Dumgoyne Distillery. to WHWay. Turn L400mfor a a track onL.Itleadspast Quinloch and down between two woods to rough moor, passingSof ahillfort, to Queen’sViewcarpark. north-facing slope,thendescends Cross A809andheadNEover 09 Descendsamesteep path, then Awell-used path runsalongthe Turn Rfor 1km,thenhead Drop SEto acol, thenfind 10 fantastic, IhadfunintheKilpatricks. for theoff-Way way’s first tasteofthe the Blackmount,Mamores. But walk, I’d betakinginBeinnDorain, in myNot TheWest HighlandWay coast ClydetoLochLinnhe.Later popular walkintoatruecoast-to- and doesturnScotland’s most a stunningview. first pointonthewalkwithout View carpark–rather oddly, the to abigpathround totheQueen’s view ofLochLomond,leadsout briefly becomesabalconywith a metre downhill.Theslot,which frozen hillsideanddragged ithalf where aglaciergrabbed holdofthe almost asinterestingly, itcouldbe Bod anDiamhail.Alternatively, and Gorms toretrieve alostbody-part at Satan’s tailashehurriednorthtothe slot canyon,formedbyaswishof Whangie. TheWhangieisScotland’s Glasgow. the mist-shrouded skyscrapers of interesting viewopenedsouthto the distantHighlands,anequally sudden Duncolm.Now, quiteunlike little pathspiralled upthesmallbut Walking alongtheWhangiepath Dumbarton doeshaveacastle, And thenIdescendedtothe tread softly May 2012 TREAD SOFTLY 15/03/2012 16:22 19 Borrowdale to Grasmere CAR-FREE Lake District

DISTANCE ASCENT TIME 02 16 10 857 2810 5.5-6.5 WALKING km miles metres feet hours

Seeking solitude

WORDS & PHOTOS Vivienne Crow

IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON BY THE TIME WE Soon abandoning the clear path, we By the time we set off from Rosthwaite. The campsite headed out across open country towards reached High in Stonethwaite was already busy, and Coldbarrow Fell. The ground here was the smell of early barbecues drifted damp and tussocky: the price you pay Raise, the silence temptingly across the valley as we began for the luxury of solitude in the Lake had descended our climb. It’d been one of the hottest District. The solitude, however, was again and we days of the summer and we’d decided short-lived... were able to on a late start to avoid both the heat and As we reached the top of Low Saddle the crowds – a cool, quiet night on the and looked south over an area that appreciate the fells beckoned. normally sees few walkers, we spotted magnifi cent As we slowly ascended the pitched several small groups of runners. At views path beside Willygrass Gill, enjoying the first, their ant-like scurrying seemed shade provided by the cool oak woods, haphazard, but then I began to identify we were overtaken by two young men. a definite trend: some were coming Looking across Easedale I hadn’t expected to see many people up from various points on the western Tarn to Tarn Crag heading on to the fells this late in the slopes, others were descending from day, but, bare-torsoed and equipped with Ullscarf, but all were heading towards The Helvellyn range. St Sunday Crag and Fairfield cans of beer, it didn’t look like this pair Standing Crag. It turned out this was fill the horizon on the would be going far. Just 10 minutes later, the weekend of the Saunders Lakeland descent to Tarn Crag in fact, I spotted them sitting on a knoll, Mountain Marathon. We came across obviously settling in for the evening. many more competitors on our journey

20 TREAD SOFTLY May 2012

020-021_WW_England.indd 20 15/03/2012 16:20 020-021_WW_England.indd 21

Ordnance Survey mapping © Crown copyright. AM113/09 Download your maps from www.anquet.co.uk 1000 1200 1400 PUBLIC TRANSPORT INFORMATION Lakeland Central Harveys 1:25,000 Superwalker, Explorer sheet OL4,OL6andOL7; MAPS FINISH START TIME ASCENT DISTANCE Centre, 01768772645 (GR: NY 258149) 0870 2002223,www.traveline.info at the endof thewalk.Traveline: from Keswick; bus555serves Grasmere 77/77A to reach thestart of thewalk 200 400 600 800 0 5.5-6.5hours m24681 21 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 km GRADIENT PROFILE GRADIENT Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 01 Bus stop onNsideof Rosthwaite Grasmere (GR:NY 334073) 857m/2810ft 16km/10miles Keswick Information 02 Bus78or

(Metres abovesealevel) 04 02 01 ROUTE following oldfenceposts to Codale turn left (E)alongfaint path summit. Descendfor 250metres; 04 path to HighRaise. Ullscarf’s summit.Follow ridge fence. At fence corner, headto to HighSaddle.Climbalongside 03 aim for Coldbarrow Fell(SE). (SE). Asviewsaheadopenout, beck onRandclimbbesidewall wooden stile above trees, ford bracken andthen woods. turn Lonpath climbingthrough Stonethwaite Beck.After 1.5km, Stonethwaite. Turn Ralong 05 Take laneheadingE–towards 03 Take grassy path SEfrom From Low Saddle,walkSSE About150metres beyond 06 07 06 05 to walk into Grasmere. junction. Swingleft alonglane Keep straight aheadat track Easedale andwalkdownstream. crossing, continue downhill. path L to outlet stream. Without then R again.At tarn,follow Tarn below, bearRat fork and higher ground. Follow ridge trail E. eases, bearleft (NE)–towards (E) to descendgully.Asgradient (SE) alongfaint path. Keep left between two tiny tarns,turnright swing left (NE)alongclearpath. Head. HeadSEfrom summitand Cross footbridge inFar Drawing level withEasedale Fiftymetres after passing 07 walker insight. to ourselves:notarunnerorlost last, wehadthismagicalmoment the longlineoffellstoeast.At the sunslowlyappearingabove we woke justbefore 5.30am towatch decided toturnround andwalkit. taxi backtoBorrowdale. Butthey continue toGrasmere andgeta topersuadethem skills, trying concerned abouttheirnavigational conversation ensued:withme, pointing towards Grasmere. A to Stonethwaite?”theyshoutedup, greeting tothem.“Isthistheway passed belowourtent.Icalleda that day, but,at8.30pm,acouple weren’t expectingtoseeanyoneelse views ofHelvellynandFairfield. We two smallrock outcrops withgreat a secludedspotcradled between Tarn Crag instead.Here, wefound nibbling, sowedropped downto with nobreeze, themidgeswere near thetarnsatCodaleHead,but, “Where doyouthinkweare?” maps infront ofournosesandasking: runners cominguptous,thrusting Crinkle Crags andBowFell without the magnificent viewsacross to again andwewere abletoappreciate Raise, thesilencehaddescended causing someproblems. where theconfusingterrain was south, particularlyonGreenup Edge while Tarn Crag enjoys warm sunshine Morning mist hangsover thevalleys Serenity returned overnight and We’d beenconsidering pitching By thetimewereached High tread softly May 2012 TREAD SOFTLY long 15/03/2012 16:21 21 Conwy & North Wales Path CAR-FREE Snowdonia

DISTANCE ASCENT TIME 03 16 10 857 2810 5.5-6.5 WALKING km miles metres feet hours

after long battles with the Romans in the first century AD. A promenade along the I returned to the North Wales Path near the enclosed pastures of Pen-y-pyra, beyond which lies the enticingly craggy Carneddau’s coastal ridges peak of Alltwen. Signposts point the way past a small pool onto a wide vehicle WORDS & PHOTOS John Gillham track, which leads to the popular tourist sight of the Sychant Pass, where people in ON MOST DAYS IN CONWY YOU’LL SEE secretive corners where history hides Subtle variations cars were eating sandwiches while staring the fishermen tending their nets by the beneath blades of grass. would add a down the twisting road which squeezed harbour walls and the noisy seagulls I spent the first part of the walk between barren stony folds in the hillsides. watching intently. There’s always this looking back over my shoulder to see few more little Across the road, beyond two huge lovely maritime smell of seaweed and salt the ever-changing views of Conwy secretive corners stone gateposts, a track traced the top whisked to perfection by sea breezes. As Castle, the estuary and the Great where history edge of a small pine wood, beyond which I watched from the ancient town walls I Orme, a fine limestone peninsula hides beneath I diverted onto a path climbing through could see the great Norman castle built overlooking Llandudno. heather and gorse on the north-west by Edward I to control the Welsh and A network of paths criss-cross the ridge blades of grass side of Maen Esgob. The little hamlet of the three bridges across the Conwy river, but by keeping to the highest ground Capelulo shelters below in a green hollow including Thomas Telford’s magnificent I would come to the summit, crowned beneath the rough crags heather and suspension bridge of 1822. In the other by the remains of Castell Caer Lleion, a On Conwy Mountain looking moor grass of the hillsides that crowd down to Conwy Castle direction the undulating ridge of Conwy 10-acre fort, which has been linked with around it. Although there’s a more direct Mountain beckoned me out of the town. both Roman and Iron Age settlers. There route continuing along the north-west Much of this day’s walk would take me are over 50 Iron Age hut circles here too. slopes I turned left beyond Maen Esgob along the North Wales Path, but subtle The Celtic tribes who inhabited the huts to pass through a little ravine housing the variations would add a few more little would have disappeared from the hills small pool of Llyn y Wrach as I wanted to

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Download your maps from www.anquet.co.uk 1000 1200 1400 Superwalker, Glyderau andCarneddau Valley/Dyffryn Conwy), Harveys 1:25,000 sheet OL17(Snowdon/Yr WyddfaandConwy Conwy, 01492592248 X5 linkLlanfairfechan andConwy. Llanfairfechan. Arriva busservices5and stations at both Conwy and station (GR:SH678752) (GR: SH780775) PUBLIC TRANSPORT TOURIST INFORMATION MAPS FINISH START TIME ASCENT DISTANCE 200 400 600 800 0 6hrs m24681 21 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 km GRADIENT PROFILE GRADIENT Ordnance Survey 1:25,000Explorer Conwy railway station Llanfairfechan railway 620m/2035ft 16km/10miles

Railway

(Metres abovesealevel) 06 ROUTE winding path across NWside beyond thendoublebackRon across road andalongtrack 04 to road through Sychnant Pass. 03 and Pensychnant. between pastures of Pen-y-pyra fort before descendingto hollow Follow crest of ridgepassingold R on signedpath raking uphillside. 02 01 at foot of Conwy Mountain. (Mountain Road) to reach woods bridge. Take Lfork, thenR L at Cadnant Park, thenRbeyond turn Lonto Rose HillRoad. Turn From Conwy railway station Gothrough tallgateposts Follow theNorthWales Path Turn Lpast housesthenfork 05 04 05 06 Llwyn (seenote inmaintext). stone circles to road endat Blaen track headingSW past several ffrith fork Lthenjoinprominent Afon Gyrach. Just shortof Ty’n-y- Tyddyn-grasod. Descendto cross of ridge. y Wrach andRontrack onSEside 746758), turnLontrack past Llyn ladder stile. At next junction(GR on meeting awidetrack beyond of Maen Esgob.Gostraight ahead to reach railway station. Llanfairfechan. Gostraight across and onwards to crossroads in into valley of Nant-y-coed Turn Rat track opposite Follow windingroad down 03 02

01 Ordnance Survey mapping © Crown copyright. AM113/09 copyright. Crown © mapping Survey Ordnance to Conwy. the train rattled alongthetrack back the railway. Ipondered over thisas road surfacingandontrackbeds for hard granite from thehillisusedfor bit ofPenmaenmawr Mountain–the certainly havetravelled over alittle or caughtthetrain here wouldalmost at fault:anyonewhobrought theircar camera warningsigns.Iguesswe’re all being confronted byJCBsandCCTV crater. Walkers can’t gettoitwithout exploded thesummittoreveal ahuge whoflattened quarrymen and century by theRomans,butearly20th Dinas, butthatwassacked, not have shownagreat fort,Braich y of ConwyBay. Earliermapswould summit, 1550ftabove thewaves Mawr thenhadanicerounded and wassurprisedtoseePenmaen studied the1947 one-inchOSmap destruction ofamountain.Irecently valley-slopes Iwitnessedtheslow to Llanfairfechan’s evergreen Explorer mapwithlittle blackdashes. track ontothepathmarked onthe them Ineededtodivertfrom themain stone circles hereabouts andtosee ridge tothenorth.There are several I shunnedTal-y-fan fortheCefnCoch verdant pastures oftheConwyValley. 2000ft peakandinturnoverlooks the Tal-y-fan, Snowdonia’s mostnortherly sheep-shorn grass, it’s overlooked by shoulder ofCefnMaenAmor. Seton see thestonecircle onthesouth-east Stone circle onCefn Llechen As theroute draws closer As earlyspringdayswere stillshort tread softly May 2012 TREAD SOFTLY 15/03/2012 16:37 23 tread softly More great routes by bus or train

Here are suggestions for 12 more public transport-friendly walks, courtesy of the folks at www.carfreewalks.org. Check out their website for more details Scotland Cumbria Streap Ullscarf and the central fells Beyond the famous Glenfinnan viaduct lies an array of Walk along the spine of the central fells that run between challenging walks, including this off-track ascent of Streap. Keswick and Grasmere. The line of hills leads to Ullscarf, from Spend the night at Corryhully bothy where you can drop down to Grasmere and tackle the Glenfinnan Common and the village below. Munros the next day. DISTANCE 22km/14 miles DISTANCE 19km/12 miles ASCENT 890m/2919ft ASCENT 950m/3116ft START POINT Keswick bus START POINT Glenfinnan station (GR: NY 263235) Station (GR: NM 898809) MAPS OS Explorer OL4 and OL7 MAPS OS Explorer 398 and 391 PUBLIC TRANSPORT 555 bus PUBLIC TRANSPORT Trains connects Keswick and Grasmere between Fort William and Mallaig stop at Glenfinnan The Howgills Lose yourself for two days in Meall Fuar-mhonaidh the Howgills, the lonely fells between This distinctive knobbly hill is visible for miles around the Dales and the Lakes. Walking in from the north, enjoy Loch Ness and offers a superb viewpoint, clearly revealing a truly wild camp up high before returning to civilisation the north-south fault line that the Great Glen follows. via Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall. DISTANCE 21km/13.5 miles DISTANCE 21km/13 miles ASCENT 700m/2296ft ASCENT 920m/3018ft START POINT Lewiston, near Drumnadrochit (GR: NH 512290) START POINT Ravenstonedale (GR: NY 725041) MAPS OS Explorer 416 MAPS OS Explorer OL19 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Buses between Fort William PUBLIC TRANSPORT Occasional buses from Kirkby and Inverness call at Drumnadrochit Stephen station to Ravenstonedale, or 40-minute walk. Good bus connections from Sedburgh at the end

The Lairig Leacach Black Combe and the coastal fells This dramatic mountain pass takes you between the Easain The south-west corner of the Lakes is quieter than most and hills and the Grey Corries, meaning magnificent scenery combines coastal views with classic fell walking. Black Combe on all sides. The final stretch along is the highlight, but the lonely nature Loch Treig is also spectacular. of the region makes it an ideal DISTANCE 24km/15 miles place for long wanders. ASCENT 480m/1574km DISTANCE 11km/7 miles START POINT Spean Bridge ASCENT 600m/1968ft Station (GR: NN 222814) START POINT Silecroft MAPS OS Explorer 392 and 393 station (GR: SD 130819) PUBLIC TRANSPORT Spean MAPS OS Explorer OL6 Bridge and Corrour stations are PUBLIC TRANSPORT Silecroft on the West Highland Railway and Bootle stations are both on the Cumbria Coast Line

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024-025_10walks.indd 24 15/03/2012 16:05 Yorkshire Peak District Across the Dales Kinder Scout A three-day trip that takes you right through the Yorkshire Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the famous Dales, from Gargrave in the south to Grinton on the northern trespass with a hike on Kinder Scout. The northern edge. This trip packs in all the region’s highlights, from edge is a little wilder and this route also tests your high, stonewalled hills to bustling dales and villages. navigation skills with a crossing of the plateau. DISTANCE 65km/41 miles DISTANCE 14km/9 miles ASCENT 1830m/6003ft ASCENT 620m/2034ft START POINT Gargrave station (GR: SD 933536) START POINT Hayfields (GR: SK 035867) MAPS OS Explorer OL30 and OL2 MAPS OS Explorer OL1 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Trains to Gargrave on the Settle- PUBLIC TRANSPORT Bus to Hayfield; good connections from Edale. Carlisle line; Dalesbus connections from Swaledale. Wales South-west Moel Siabod Dartmoor’s southern moors Moel Siabod is a great day out, with a simple but A long walk over Ugborough Moor and Brent Moor on the interesting scramble to the summit. Its position just east southern edge of Dartmoor packs in the best of the region with of Snowdonia’s more famous peaks makes it the best place a lot of mysterious relics on top of a wild and windy moor. for views of its illustrious neighbours on a clear day. DISTANCE 24km/15 miles DISTANCE 10km/6.5 miles ASCENT 450m/1476ft ASCENT 620m/2034ft START POINT Ivybridge (GR: SX 696603) START POINT Capel Curig (GR: SH 732571) MAPS OS Explorer OL20 MAPS OS Explorer OL17 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Trains to Ivybridge; regular TRANSPORT Snowdon Sherpa bus to Capel Curig. buses from South Brent back to Ivybridge.

Half Moon loop Cornwall’s North Coast Hidden away in South Wales is a wonderfully secluded valley, It’s impossible to find bad walking in Cornwall and the county’s where wild ponies run free and buzzards circle overhead. Enjoy rugged northern coastline is the jewel in the crown. The over one long day or split over two with a night under the stars. section from Perranporth to Portreath is among the best. DISTANCE 30km/19 miles DISTANCE 17km/10.5 miles ASCENT 580m/1902ft ASCENT 300m/984 START POINT Pandy (GR: SO 334220) MAPS OS Explorer 104 MAPS OS Explorer OL13 START POINT Perranporth (GR: SW 656455) TRANSPORT Buses to Pandy from Abergavenny. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Regular buses between the two towns and to Redruth, the nearest station.

For full information on every walk, visit www.carfreewalks.org. May 2012 TREAD SOFTLY 25

024-025_10walks.indd 25 15/03/2012 16:06 tread softly Plane-free travel Concerned about your carbon emissions but still hoping to holiday abroad? Why not try 1 one of these hillwalking breaks…

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Ireland Norway WHERE TO GO WHERE TO GO Carrauntoohil, County Kerry Pilgrim’s Route from Oslo WHY WHY Ireland’s highest peak in the Follow a 400-mile hiking Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range is also route to Trondheim over the one of its most dramatic. Dovrefjell mountains. HOW TO GET THERE HOW TO GET THERE Ferry from Holyhead to Dublin (2hrs). Ferry from Harwich to Esbjerg (19 6 Train to Killarney (3.30hrs). hours). Train to Copenhagen (3hrs). Ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo (14hrs).

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France Italy WHERE TO GO WHERE TO GO Puy de Dôme, Massif Central, Dolomites, Southern Limestone Alps south-central France WHY WHY Dramatic mountains with gorgeous Spectacular volcano on the hiking routes. GR4 long-distance trail. HOW TO GET THERE HOW TO GET THERE Eurostar and Thello sleeper to Verona Eurostar to Paris (2.15hrs). Paris to (17hrs). Bus to Dolomites (2.5hrs). Clermont-Ferrand (3.30hrs) Map by Arid Ocean/Fotolia. Other pics iStockphoto Map by Arid Ocean/Fotolia. 7

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Hot air? Carbon offsetting is a controversial subject, with convincing (and occasionally vehement) arguments on both sides. The theory, when Austria it comes to personal travel, works WHERE TO GO that any carbon dioxide emissions Northern Alps or greenhouse gases released by WHY travelling is offset by money donated Follow part of the Northern Alps Path to a scheme promoting renewable from Salzburg energies or forestry projects. Options HOW TO GET THERE for carbon offsetting are often upsold Eurostar to Paris (2.15hrs). on the company’s website. Train from Paris to Munich (11hrs). It is often criticised for being merely Munich to Salzburg (1.30hrs). a touchy-feely way to make you feel better about the amount of carbon emissions and greenhouse gases used in plane journeys, while not actually solving the real problem – travel, in particular by air. The off setting of carbon emissions is often diffi cult to quantify and verify. However, the UK Government regulates carbon off set schemes and ones that meet the 6 5 criteria are linked to the ‘Approved Carbon Off setting’ brand, administered by DEFRA.

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4 Spain WHERE TO GO Cantabrian Mountains WHY Ferry to the 300-mile long range in Northern Spain. HOW TO GET THERE Ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao (24hrs).

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Morocco WHERE TO GO Atlas Mountains WHY Hiking heaven in North Africa. HOW TO GET THERE Eurostar to Paris (2.15hrs). Paris to Madrid (12hrs). Madrid to Algeciras (5hrs). Ferry to Tangier (1.30hrs). Tangier to Marrakesh (8hrs). Shared taxi to High Atlas Mountains.

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026-027_PlaneFree.indd 27 15/03/2012 15:32 tread softly Leave no trace Being environmentally conscious isn’t just about your purchasing or travel choices, it’s also about looking after the landscapes you love

The Countryside Code, the Scottish Outdoor “Leave No Trace asks people to explore There is a range of guidance on Access Code and the international not- their own outdoor ethic. We’re not saying: ‘do responsible hillwalking in the Countryside for-profit Leave No Trace movement all this, do that’. It’s a carrot not a stick. Code and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, advocate a minimal impact on the land and “It doesn’t matter whether you are as well as readily available advice from other offer guidance on how to take a responsible walking a dog, at an outdoors centre, organisations – however Leave No Trace approach to your outdoor activities. paddling or hillwalking, Leave No Trace is takes the next step and offers courses to TGO spoke to Myles Farnbank, one of the guidance for all users to interpret in context. people and trainers so they have the skills to few Leave No Trace Master Educators in the Leave No Trace hopes to increase people’s look after the countryside effectively. country, to find out about the central tenets awareness, particularly of wildlife. People For more details contact: of Leave No Trace and why it’s more relevant rarely go out to cause damage, often they are [email protected] or see than ever. just unaware of their impacts.” www.leavenotraceireland.org.

Tips for treading softly in the countryside

Respect wildlife All wildlife and farm animals should be left alone and as far away as possible. Dogs can harm sheep, especially pregnant ewes. All animals have an impact on the Plan ahead land, no matter how small. Clean up By carefully planning routes and Recent campaigns have highlighted timings, destruction to the landscape the need for safe disposal of organic can be alleviated. Hastily constructed waste such as banana skins, but it’s campsites where walkers haven’t common sense to take all rubbish reached their destination in time and with you. When camping, soap and the scars caused by unnecessary dishwater – if essential – should be fires can be minimised disposed of far from water. Human by thoughtful preparation. waste should be buried around 15 centimetres deep. Urine should be disposed of away from water. Leave what you find Leave No Trace say that rocks, plants and archeological artefacts should all be left where they are. Any digging, hammering of nails into trees or clearing of foliage should be left to an absolute minimum.

Travel and camp on durable ground What may look like the perfect spongy Minimise the ground could be home to rare mosses impact of fire and grass. Campsites cause damage to Leave No Trace advocate the use of places with lots of vegetation. Where camping stoves rather than campfires, there are lots of people, Leave No which can be very destructive to the Trace recommends concentrating the Consider other visitors ground and result in a high demand for camping area, but where there are few Leaving no trace also means leaving firewood. If a campfire is needed, build people it’s best to spread out. the wilderness as pristine as possible for one where there has been a fire other people to enjoy. Be careful not to before or use a fire pit. damage walls, fences and crops. Keep noise to a minimum.

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028_Tips.indd 28 15/03/2012 14:20 ADVERTISING FEATURE

PÁRAMO LADIES’ & MEN’S HALCON JACKET CARBON-BALANCED Working with the World Land Trust, Páramo contributes to Developed with nature professionals such as Joe Cornish off set all primary carbon emissions and protect rainforests. and John Aitchison, the Halcon is great for those wanting practical carrying space, with nine easily accessible pockets. Buy one get one tree! Fleece-lined collar and hand-warming pockets provide cosy Every Halcon sold plants a sapling with Trees for Life to comfort. The unique Analogy fabric is soft, quiet and fl exible restore the Caledonian Forest. – not only keeping the weather out but removing perspiration more eff ectively than other waterproofs, so you stay more Páramo is the only outdoor clothing brand awarded a ‘Best comfortable for longer. Buy’ in Ethical Consumer magazine’s review of outdoor gear, recognising Páramo’s ethical manufacturing as well as eco- BUILT TO ENDURE friendliness. Analogy waterproofs outlast conventional outdoor kit and don’t become obsolete over time: More info at www.paramo.co.uk or call 01892 786444 • Robust fabric survives in the wild • No membranes, laminates or taped seams to deteriorate “I’ve given the Halcon a really good test in torrential • Re-waterproof with Nikwax aftercare indefi nitely wind-driven Scottish rain. The jacket performed superbly!” • Not compromised by puncture – stick pins all over the John Aitchison Halcon, take them out and still stay dry in the rain!

THE RAB® GENESIS SLEEPING Genesis 2 £90.00 Comfort 5ºC The Rab® Genesis sleeping bags are a Limit of Comfort 0ºC Icebreaker was conceived and new synthetic insulated range comprising Extreme -16ºC designed around the philosophy of of 99% recycled materials by weight. The Weight: 1699g / 59.9oz (+50g / 1.7oz stuff sac) sustainability. It’s not just about latest available materials have been used, all Genesis 3 £100.00 using natural fi bres – it’s about based on 100% recycled polyester. The bags Comfort -1.5ºC a clear point of view around feature a Pertex® Classic Eco shell, an eco3D Limit of Comfort -7.5ºC environmental and social ethics, fi ll, Coats® EcoVerde thread, YKK® Natulon Extreme -25ºC animal welfare, consumption, and zip, and labels, Velcro and webbing all made Weight: 1990g / 70.2oz (+60g / 2.1oz stuff sac) our relationship with nature. from recycled polyester. The aim is to simplify and encourage recycling – a ‘how-to’ guide www.rab.uk.com We are committed to reducing our is even included on the care label. Any parts For stockists call 01773 601 870 environmental footprint by thinking long- which aren’t recycled are from Bluesign® term, designing sustainability into our products approved sources. The bags off er competitive and packaging, and improving our systems to levels of warmth to weight and are ideal for reduce waste and pollution. We see this as a environments where they may get wet and long-term undertaking, and know there is much where a down fi lled bag would be impractical. to learn and improve upon. Like nature, we The Rab® Genesis Sleeping Bag Range comes should always be evolving our business. in 3 temperature ratings. The eco3D recycled synthetic insulation uses an overlapping We produce garments made from a renewable shingle construction for consistent warmth. resource and work closely with partners, The bag is a wide mummy shape and has a farmers and suppliers to create garments in a large angled foot box for comfort. The bags highly ethical fashion. Our growers are required have 3/4 length zips with an anti-snag baffl e. to meet strict animal welfare conditions (such An internal collar & hood draw cord also as giving sheep free-range living conditions, add comfort and within the collar is a small THE ICEBREAKER TECH T LITE and supplying them with extra feed at times of security pocket. The bags are also supplied slow pasture growth). with a recycled stuff sac. The Tech T LiteL is an odour-resistant everyday Icebreaker www.icebreaker.com shirtshirt that thrivesthr on road trips, which is Genesis 1 £80.00 01572 772437 why we’ve giveng it a funky camper van Comfort 9.5ºC graphic.graphic. IdealIdea in warm to hot temperatures,, Limit of Comfort 5ºC itsits lightweightlightweig merino wool breathes andd Extreme -8ºC regulates moisturemo better than any cottonn tee. Weight: 1392g / 49.1oz Pack it alongalong for cold-weather adventuress as a (+40g / 1.4oz stuff sac) warm next-to-skinnext-to layer.

VAUDE’S NEW CHALLENGERALLLENNGER

VAUDE’s new Challengerr backpackbaackppack hahass wwonon a prestigiouspresttigious GOLDGOLLD award at this year’s OutDoorDooor AAwAwardsards CCeremonyereemony aatt tthehe ttratradede shshowhow in Friedrichshafen. The award was won in thee ccacategoryteegory of ‘prproductsroducts off highighgh ecological and sustainableblee vavaluealue’, as ththee babackpackckpack is mmamadede ffrofromm environmentally friendly bluesign® materials. The jury said: “The Challenger gets a GOLD award because it is The bluesign® standard, which has been successfully established made of sustainable certifi ed materials while maintaining all the in the textile department, guarantees environmentally friendly criteria that a good standard rucksack should.” production processes and is a signifi cant part of VAUDE’s Green The Challenger comes as one of VAUDE’s 15 new ‘bluesign® Shape product philosophy. This is VAUDE’s quality label for approved’ backpack models for 2012, and is specifi cally tailored products that feature special ecological manufacturing. for alpine use. It features VAUDE’s Anatomic Alpin suspension In 2012 VAUDE’s Green Shape product range has grown system which has a body hugging fi t, F.L.A.S.H. NT shoulder impressively to 30% across the board, from 16% in summer 2011. strap adjustment and detachable hipbelt to ensure perfect load 40% of the new range of apparel will meet these standards, which distribution. is a 10% increase on the current range. The Challenger also has a multitude of gear carrying options These products must be made of at least 90% organic cotton or including attachments for climbing gear, skis, ice gear and an recycled materials, coloured using the eco-friendly VAUDE ecolour external crampon compartment. The pack has zip access to the dyeing process or made to conform to the world’s most stringent main compartment and is available in a 30 or 40 litre capacity, textile standard bluesign® to earn the Green Shape quality label. both with a 10 litre expandable lid. For more information on VAUDE please visit www.vaude.co.uk.

GreenBuys.indd 1 15/03/2012 17:22 tread softly

Positive steps for the planet

Tanya Bascombe of the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) introduces her organisation and explains what its members are doing to make a difference around the world

As an outdoorsy type, I bet you probably an insignificant amount in itself, and usually consider yourself quite interested in green issues more than any one company would be able and conservation. But did you know that across to fund alone. Europe, an ever-expanding group of outdoor As awareness of climate change and the brands and retailers are raising money to put damage humans are doing to the environment directly into conservation projects worldwide? grows, so too the importance of the work of And that by this coming summer, and in just six EOCA increases. The more companies that short years of existence, they will have jointly get involved, the bigger the impact and the Verdale Forest in Sweden, raised and funded over €1 million of grassroots difference the industry can make to the great saved from logging conservation projects? outdoors that it depends on. So far there are only So far, the European Outdoor Conservation six years of work to show for it. Imagine what we Association (EOCA) has renovated trails in could look back on after 10 or 15 years. What a Macedonia, Scotland, Austria and Nepal; funded difference we could have made. Just a drop in the research into climate change and the use of ocean, you might say – but that drop is growing pesticides; protected wetland bog in Ireland; bigger every time a new member joins. restored, planted and saved forests in the Czech Republic, Bolivia, Sweden and West Cumbria; created and improved valuable and threatened Can I be part of this? wildlife habitats for elephants in India, brown Absolutely! There are a number of ways in which bears and wolves in Turkey, red squirrels in the you can get involved. To start with, encourage UK and falcons in Bulgaria; and cleared tonnes your favourite outdoor brands and retailers to of rubbish from mountains worldwide. And sign up to EOCA and support conservation. Our that’s just for starters! website also contains competitions, information Membership is open to any company on how to be a conservation volunteer, how to operating within the European outdoor industry. donate to EOCA, and very importantly, lots of One hundred percent of membership fees, advice on how to ensure that you cause minimal together with any other money raised, go directly impact on the great outdoors as you enjoy into the projects that are nominated and voted exploring it. for by the members themselves. Not only that, but you can also help EOCA There are currently just over 70 members of choose which projects to support: log onto our the Association, stretching from Norway to India website www.outdoorconservation.eu each and from Spain across to the Czech Republic. spring, and you can vote for what you consider to Conservation organisations can apply for grants be the most worthwhile conservation projects. If of up to €30,000 for specific projects designed you hurry, you might still catch the voting for the to conserve specific species or habitats – not 2012 projects (ends 1st April).

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030-031_ViewpointEOCA.indd 30 15/03/2012 16:40 UK Projects funded to date

The projects supported by EOCA are located worldwide. Here is a brief description of some of the funded projects that are based in the UK

Conservation and Restoration in Snowdonia, Wales Nominated by Mountain Equipment, funded totally by Original Buff S.A. Working to ensure that the Snowdonia National Park remains in great condition as a home for native fl ora and fauna, and as a top outdoor visitor destination, this project aims to provide opportunities for people to participate in practical conservation work through the control and eradication of non-native invasive plant species, and maintenance and repair of the most heavily used footpaths.

Wild Ennerdale – Woodland and Red Squirrel Conservation, UK Nominated by Berghaus, funded totally by Original Buff S.A. The ancient oak and birch woodlands of the Ennerdale valley in the Lake District, Cumbria, are rich in species including ferns, mosses and the threatened native red squirrel. This project is protecting and expanding these woodlands, protecting the native red squirrels, and providing opportunities for people to share these special woodlands.

Lake District Path Repair, UK Nominated by Lowe Alpine Fix the Fells carried out vital work on two of England’s most iconic mountain routes – Striding Edge (Helvellyn) and Scafell Pike. The work safeguarded delicate high plateau ecologies and ensured that these stunning walks continued to be safe and beautiful, by repairing path erosion, rerouting paths, protecting rare and threatened species, and engaging volunteers.

Yorkshire Three Peaks Route, UK Nominated by Snugpak Replanting The Three Peaks Challenge is a very popular 24-mile Atlantic walk in the Yorkshire Dales. Through this project, the Rainforest, Brazil Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust is creating a better route for part of the circular walk. By doing this, it will also protect and restore an important peat habitat.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust Pembrokeshire Bumblebee Path Project Human-Predator Conflict project The UK’s bumblebees have suff ered huge declines in Namibia due to widespread habitat destruction. Major pollinators of wildfl owers and many agricultural crops, their continuing loss will result in sweeping changes to the countryside with catastrophic knock-on eff ects for other wildlife. This project created wildfl ower-rich habitat to support rare bumblebees along a new 10km section of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. By connecting key sites, this attractive route through spectacular scenery will help prevent the national extinction of the shrill carder bee.

For a list of current members and all of the projects EOCA has supported since its formation, please have a look on the website www.outdoorconservation.eu

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030-031_ViewpointEOCA.indd 31 15/03/2012 15:36 European Outdoor Conservation Association So close to putting our first €1million into conservation

MEDIA PARTNERS PARTNER

Find out how the outdoor industry is conserving The Great Outdoors and get involved at: www.outdoorconservation.eu

TGO_Eco_Supp_Ads_May12.indd 10 15/03/2012 15:55