Two interesting articles published this weekend - one on solo trekking and bothies in Scotland, another one the dangers of trekking and risk assessment
The perfect getaway for lone rangers
I break out of the forest and start struggling up the bulky shoulder of Corserine. It is early and though my spirit is willing my flesh feels decidedly weak after a night in a sleeping bag and reheated coffee for breakfast. The sky is bright but the sun is still well behind the ridge above me, and it is cold. I turn round; to the north I can see Loch Doon, and to the west the broken vertical face of Mullwharchar, the curious amoeba shape of Loch Enoch and behind that the Range of the Awful Hand. As I watch, suddenly the sun strikes the very top of the Merrick and turns it to fire. The Galloway hills run away into infinity, green, tan, gold and, in the far distance, dark blue. There is no one and nothing, just me and the enormous view and the silence. I turn back to my hill and climb up towards the sun. http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/nov/09/walking-holidays-travelling-solo-scotland
Whose life is it anyway? How safety first culture takes risk out of adventure sports
The idea is to test the body and mind against the harshest of conditions, to give everything in the attempt to cross the finishing line but also to have the guts to call it a day when the going gets too tough. http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/08/life-and-style-uk-news
