Search results for ""vertebrate publishing ltd""

In July 2014 the greatest cycle race in the world visited God’s Own County of Yorkshire. The 101st edition of the Tour De France started in Leeds and spent two days cycling over 240 miles through the county.Inspired by Yorkshire’s wonderful landscape and history A Bicycle Ride in Yorkshire is an illustrated guide to the route of Le Tour Yorkshire, by cyclist, writer and artist Heather Dawe. It is a guide to riding the route, to the sights and landscape seen along the way and to the rich cycling heritage found on Yorkshire’s roads.Beautifully illustrated with Heather’s paintings, the route is brought to life. On the first day Le Tour departed from Leeds into the rolling scenery of the Yorkshire Dales, past the breweries of Masham to finish in the spa town of Harrogate. Day two began in the historic city of York, from where it explored the industrial valleys of the South Pennines, skirting the Peak District before finishing in the steel city of Sheffield.A Bicycle Ride in Yorkshire is an essential read for any cycling, Tour de France or Yorkshire aficionado.

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'Ever since I first set foot on rock at the tender age of seven years, climbing has been the most important thing in my life. In fact I would go so far as to say it is my reason for living and as long as I am able to climb I hope I will. It is from climbing I draw my inspiration for life.' On 14 June 1990, at Raven Tor in the Derbyshire Peak District, twenty-four-year-old Ben Moon squeezed his feet into a pair of rock shoes, tied in to his rope, chalked his fingers and pulled on to the wickedly overhanging, zebra-striped wall of limestone. Two minutes later he had made rock-climbing history with the first ascent of Hubble, now widely recognised as the world's first F9a. Born in the suburbs of London in 1966, Moon started rock climbing on the sandstone outcrops of Kent and Sussex. A pioneer in the sport-climbing revolution of the 1980s and a bouldering legend in the 1990s, he is one of the most iconic rock climbers in the sport's history, In Statement, Moon's official biography, award-winning writer Ed Douglas paints a portrait of a climbing visionary and dispels the myth of Moon as an anti-traditional climbing renegade. Interviews with Moon are complemented with insights from family and friends and extracts from magazines and personal diaries and letters.

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Running is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy, relieve stress and experience new places. The Good Run Guide is your companion to the great running to be found in some of the most scenic locations of England and Wales.Run through the stately grounds of Chatsworth in the Peak District; traverse Hadrian's Wall on the Scottish Border and visit the breath-taking castles of coastal Northumberland. Explore coastal coves in the north Cornwall; summit Pen-y-ghent in the Yorkshire Dales or escape the hustle and bustle of the City along the banks of the Thames.Experienced runners Louise Piears and Andy Bickerstaff, two of the founders of the Good Run Guide, the UK's leading independent running website, have hand-picked 40 of their favourite runs.Ranging in length from 3.4 to 10.7 miles (5.4 to 17.2 kilometres), there are routes for runners of all ability and fitness levels, on a range of surfaces.Each run features details of the run distance, the flat equivalent distance, difficulty, hilliness, climb rate, terrain and other useful information so you know exactly what you're undertaking before you set off. There is also a bespoke map, annotated with route descriptions and key route features, to aid navigation.

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'The last descent and I can't let myself think it's in the bag. Anything could happen, take it easy, take no risks. Just get to the finish and win.''The challenge and anticipation that pushes me to try harder. The obsessive urge to achieve. It's not all about winning. Why do I do it?'Growing up in Bristol, Heather Dawe was 17 when she started running. Having fallen in to the teenage trap of smoking and drinking she resolved to do something about it, not knowing then where it would take her.A climber since her youth, an obsession with wild places and the mountains was engrained in her DNA. Moving to Leeds to study, she began to compete in fell races and mountain marathons, joking in the pub one night that she could race at the highest level.Being hit by a car doing over 40mph while cycling would have ended many athletes' dreams, but Dawe's drive pushed her even harder. Hard enough to make her pub joke a reality, hard enough to win Elite Mountain Marathons, to win the Three Peaks Cyclo-cross race and to complete the Bob Graham Round. Pushing harder still, she entered the Tour Divide - racing the 2745-mile route of the Continental Divide in North America as she to sought to discover her physical - and emotional - limits.Dawe writes of what it takes to compete in adventure races; the training, the sacrifice, the mistakes that must be made in order to learn and develop. An intensely deep and personal book, Adventures in Mind explores what drives a woman - living with her partner and their child, working 9-5 - to push so hard and so far; into herself, and into the wild.

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Day Walks in the Yorkshire Dales is the fourth title in Vertebrate Publishing’s series of compact and portable hillwalking guidebooks. This book showcases 20 circular walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, between 6 and 11 miles (10 and 17 kilometres) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities.The routes are split into three geographical areas – south, east, and north – and include walks to the Dales’ most regarded beauty spots, such as Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Brimham Rocks and Hardraw Force, as well as the trio of sought-after peaks Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.The author of this guidebook, Bernard Newman, is a freelance outdoor writer and photographer, and former editor of the internationally acclaimed Mountain magazine. A Yorkshire Dales local and graduate geologist, in his route descriptions he explores the incredible geology that has created the breathtaking scenery on show in the Dales.Each route in this guide is described with easy-to-follow directions and details of distance, navigation information, refreshment stops and is plotted on clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 mapping.Reprinted in 2019 with updated mapping and revisions.

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West Yorkshire Mountain Biking - South Pennine Trails features 23 of the best mountain bike rides in West Yorkshire, between 10.5km and 32km in length, suitable for all levels of mountain bikers. The routes are split into four sections: Calderdale, Bradford, Kirklees and City of Leeds. Explore wild moorland, plunge into steep and deep wooded valleys, cruise through the heart of industrial Yorkshire and speed along some of the best singletrack in the country. As with all new Vertebrate MTB guidebooks, this title features industry-standard Ordnance Survey mapping, and is illustrated with stunning action photography. Researched, ridden and written by local expert and MTB journalist Benjamin Haworth, each route features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings, and refreshment stops and local knowledge. Also included is a detailed Appendix.

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‘A fascinating account of a man of great humility and remarkable courage.’ – The Daily Record. The Cairngorm mountains in Scotland are a magnet for climbers and walkers. John Allen spent more than thirty years in the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team saving the lost and injured, and in Cairngorm John he shares stories of life and death, alongside discussions of hypothermia, first aid, new technology and rescue dogs. Allen's book is a must-read for anyone who spends time in the great outdoors, whether as a casual hillwalker or as part of a mountain rescue team. This latest edition includes additional photographs and new chapters discussing how mountain rescue has developed in the early years of the twenty-first century.

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North York Moors Mountain Biking – Moorland Trails is the fully updated second edition of the bestselling guide to some of the finest mountain biking in the North of England. Featured are over 20 of the best mountain bike rides in the North York Moors, between 10 and 76 kilometres in length, suitable for all levels of mountain bikers.The North York Moors National Park contains some of the most beautiful moorland scenery in the UK – sea views, hidden villages and valleys, wild and bleak moors. It also contains some of the country's best mountain biking with wild and fast moorland tracks, technically demanding singletrack and intricate and exciting forest riding.Researched, ridden and written by moors local Tony Harker, each route features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps; easy-to-follow directions; details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings; stunning action photography; refreshment stops and local knowledge. A Bonus Section includes information about the man-made trails at Dalby Forest and Sutton Bank, Top Tens and a detailed Appendix. Also included is a link to downloadable GPX files.

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There are few more beautiful places than Scotland’s winter mountains. But even when most of the snow has melted, isolated patches can linger well into summer and beyond. In The Vanishing Ice, Iain Cameron chronicles these remarkable and little-seen relics of the Ice Age, describing how they have fascinated travellers and writers for hundreds of years, and reflecting on the impact of climate change.Iain was nine years old when snow patches first captured his imagination, and they have been inextricably bound with his life ever since. He developed his expertise through correspondence (and close friendship) with research ecologist Dr Adam Watson, and is today Britain’s foremost authority on this weather phenomenon.Iain takes us on a tour of Britain which includes the Scottish Highlands, the Southern Uplands, the Lake District and Snowdonia, seeking elusive patches of snow in wild and often inaccessible locations. His adventures include a perilous climb in the Cairngorms with comedian Ed Byrne, and glorious days spent out on the hills with Andrew Cotter and his very good dogs, Olive and Mabel.Based on sound scientific evidence and personal observations, accompanied by stunning photography and wrapped in Iain’s shining passion for the British landscape, The Vanishing Ice is a eulogy to snow, the mountains and the great outdoors.

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In 1998, Paul Pritchard was struck on the head by a falling rock as he climbed a sea stack in Tasmania. Close to death, Pritchard kept himself going with a promise that he would 'at least attempt to live'. The Mountain Path is an adventure book like no other, an exploration of a healing brain, a test of will and a triumph of hope.

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Running Challenges by Keri Wallace showcases 100 of the best runs across England, Scotland and Wales, from inspiring 5Ks through to epic multi-day ultras.

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Day Walks in East Anglia features 20 routes between 5.7 and 13.9 miles (9.2km and 22.4km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Researched and written by outdoor adventure expert Anna Paxton, this book covers walks around the must-see sites of East Anglia, including The Broads and Norfolk Coast Path, and takes you to lesser-known spots too, while exploring the rich history, heritage and wildlife of the area.See the seals and stroll along the dunes at Blakeney Point, explore nature reserves at Titchwell Marsh and Upton Broad, admire grand houses such as Blickling Hall, walk alongside windmills and waterways on The Broads and explore the historic settlements of Norwich and Bungay.Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and navigation information, and refreshment stops and local information.

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The white dome of Mont Blanc looms over France, Italy and Switzerland, and it is no wonder that the 169-kilometre Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) has captured the public imagination to become one of Europe’s most popular long-distance trails. The TMB appeals to people who have different levels of experience and travel at all speeds, and this Vertebrate Publishing Guidemap is unique in that it caters for four categories of user, providing custom itineraries for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners. This lightweight, waterproof, durable and easy-to-use folding map features all the essential information for a successful TMB, including 1:40,000-scale mapping for the anticlockwise route starting and finishing in the town of Les Houches, south of Chamonix. It also includes nine route variations, a detailed elevation profile and route planner, safety advice, terrain information and an accommodation directory, and a link to a GPX file download.

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Day Walks in Fort William & Glen Coe features 20 routes between 4.4 and 14.4 miles (7km and 23.2km) in length, spread across the Scottish Highlands. Researched and written by experienced and knowledgeable authors Helen and Paul Webster, founders of the Walkhighlands website, the walks range from gentle rambles to more challenging day walks, all through grand and impressive landscapes.Split into four sections – Glen Coe & Glen Etive; Kinlochleven & the Mamores; Fort William & the Great Glen; and The Road to the Isles – this guidebook explores the best that the Highlands has to offer.Together with stunning photography, each route features Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps, easy-to-follow directions, details of distance and navigation information, and refreshment stops and local information.

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Tour du Mont Blanc is the definitive guidebook for one of the most famous long-distance treks in the world. This trek circles the entire Mont Blanc massif, passing through spectacular scenery in France, Italy and Switzerland. You’ll traverse high mountain passes, see stunning glaciers, pass azure lakes, wander through tranquil green valleys and alpine pastures, with snow-capped peaks visible above.Written by Tour du Mont Blanc expert Kingsley Jones, this guidebook includes unique customised timings to enable accurate itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners, allowing you to plan your Tour du Mont Blanc at a pace to suit you.You’ll find everything that you need to plan and undertake your Tour du Mont Blanc, including travel information, navigation, accommodation options, equipment and safety, food and drink, as well as useful extra information such as wild swimming locations and trekking tips.Together with amazing photography, the route includes clear and comprehensive directions, refreshments stops, accommodation and local points of interest, and is accompanied by bespoke 1:40,000-scale maps. Route variations are also included.

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Scottish Island Bagging by Helen and Paul Webster, founders of Walkhighlands, is a guide to the magical islands of Scotland.Focusing on the ninety-nine islands that have regular trips or means of access for visitors, plus fifty-five other islands which have no regular transport but are still of significant size or interest, the authors have described the best ways to experience each one. Of the islands featured, many are household names – Skye, Lewis, Bute – while some, such as the isolated St Kilda archipelago and the remote Sula Sgeir, will be unknown to all but a hardcore few.When it comes to things to see and do, the islands of Scotland have it all. Wildlife enthusiasts can watch out for otters, orcas and basking sharks, while birdwatchers in particular are spoilt: look out for the rare corncrake on Islay, sea eagles on Mull, or sight puffins, gannets, storm petrels and many other seabirds on any number of islands – although beware the divebombing bonxies.Foodies can sample Arran or Westray cheese, the many islands’ world-renowned seafood or learn about the whisky making process and sample a wee dram on a distillery tour.While the human history may not stretch back in time as far as the geology of these ancient lands, it is rich and varied: visit the 5,000-year-old Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, or Mackinnon’s Cave on Mull, following in the footsteps of Samuel Johnson and James Boswell. You can even stay in the house on Jura where George Orwell wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four.Hillwalkers can bag a Munro, walk the wild clifftops or take in the sights, or you could just escape from it all on one of the dozens of beautiful and deserted beaches – before joining the locals for a ceilidh into the wee hours.Well served by ferries and other transport links, getting around is easy. You could even take the world’s shortest scheduled flight. In Scottish Island Bagging, let Helen and Paul Webster be your guides to these enchanting isles.

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Lord Purdey was shaking with anger. 'Bring back the lynx? Over my dead body!'The environmental protestors murmured, and Rory stepped forward. 'Your hunting has destroyed our hills and left them treeless wastes, devoid of wildlife. It's time that changed.''Listen, you lentil-eating cat lover,' Purdey barked through the megaphone, 'men like me own Scotland. If we want to kill anything that moves and turn the whole damn place into a theme park, we'll do it.'Someone from the group of protestors hurled a turnip. It struck Purdey and he crumpled to the ground. Just as the archaic class system he represents must eventually fall, Angus thought with a grin.In his first two bestselling books, The Last Hillwalker and Bothy Tales, John D. Burns invited readers to join him in the hills and wild places of Scotland. In Sky Dance, he returns to that world to ask fundamental questions about how we relate to this northern landscape – while raising a laugh or two along the way. Anyone who has gazed at the majesty of the Scottish mountains will know this place and want to return to it. Now, as wild land is threatened like never before, it’s time we asked ourselves what kind of future we want for the Highlands.

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The ability to climb cracks is at the core of a climber’s craft. Crack Climbing by Pete Whittaker provides a single point of reference for all crack climbing techniques, regardless of the grade you climb. Pete is widely regarded as one of the best crack climbers in the world, having made dozens of cutting-edge first ascents and hard repeats, including the first ascent of Century Crack (5.14b) in Canyonlands, Utah. In this book, Pete has drawn on years of experience to demonstrate the many different techniques and to give you an understanding of when, why and how to use them. Develop these skills with confidence and your climbing standard will improve. The book is split into easily accessible sections on techniques for different widths of cracks, including finger cracks, hand and fist cracks, offwidth cracks and chimneys. Pete looks at the basics, including the hand jam – the essential technique in any crack climber’s repertoire – right through to advanced techniques such as the sidewinder and the trout tickler. Step-by-step practical information and how-tos are supplemented with tips and tricks from Pete alongside illustrations by Alex Poyzer and photographs. Additional chapters cover how to tape up, as well as essential gear and equipment. Pete has also interviewed some of the world’s top crack climbers so that you can learn from the best. Gain insights from Lynn Hill, Alex Honnold, Barbara Zangerl, Peter Croft and more.Master the craft and advance your climbing. It’s time to jam!

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‘The idea of owning anything except the experience is hubris.’Unknown Pleasures is a collection of works by the climber and award-winning author Andy Kirkpatrick.Obsessed with climbing and addicted to writing, Kirkpatrick is a master storyteller. Covering subjects as diverse as climbing, relationships, fatherhood, mental health and the media, it is easy to read, sometimes difficult to digest, and impossible to forget.One moment he is attempting a rare solo ascent of Norway’s Troll Wall, the next he is surrounded by the TV circus while climbing Moonlight Buttress with the BBC’s The One Show presenter Alex Jones. Yosemite’s El Capitan is ever-present; he climbs it alone – strung out for weeks, and he climbs it with his thirteen-year-old daughter Ella – her first big wall.His eye for observation and skilled wordcraft make for laugh-out-loud funny moments, while in more hard-hitting pieces he is unflinchingly honest about past and present love and relationships, and pulls no punches with an alternative perspective of our place in the world. Unknown Pleasures is Andy Kirkpatrick at his brilliant best.

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First on the Rope – the acclaimed English translation of the French fiction classic Premier de Cordée by Roger Frison-Roche – is a tale about the harsh lives of mountain guides and their families in the French Alps in the 1920s and 1930s.An ascent of Mont Blanc as porter with his uncle leaves young Pierre further convinced he wants to be a mountaineer, breathing the crisp, pure air and soaking up the splendour of the wild landscape. But his family have other ideas. Chamonix is becoming ever more popular with tourists wanting their thrills on the slopes, and they all need somewhere to stay. Running a hotel, however, is not Pierre’s idea of fulfilment.Among the glittering peaks and desolate passes, wonderful sunsets and wild winds, tragedy strikes across the Vallée Blanche on the Dru: a brutal storm leaves sadness and destruction in its wake. Can the onset of spring and the hope it brings rebuild Pierre’s passion for climbing?First on the Rope epitomises the rhythm of mountain life, the clanking cowbells and the gurgling streams set against the formidable grandeur of the ice and rock. Equip yourself for an immersive and emotive experience in the high Alps.

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Chris Bonington Mountaineer is a photographic autobiography, documenting over sixty years of climbing the world’s most beautiful and challenging mountains. Few climbers can match Bonington’s climbing achievements. He is one of the most accomplished and respected climbers in the world.In this 2016 revised edition, which features over 500 photographs, we are given a frank perspective into the surreal, majestic and occasionally tragic corners of his incredible mountaineering career. Whether in the Arctic, the jungle or on an 8,000-metre peak, Bonington’s stunning photography and engaging conversational prose take us through the detail of daily life on expedition, the action of the climbing and the grandeur of the mountains.From his foundations – climbing in Snowdonia, the English Lake District, and the Highlands of Scotland – Bonington takes us to the Alps and on his expedition apprenticeship in 1960s Nepal. This quickly leads to trips to Patagonia, the Karakoram, the Amazon, Baffin Island and the River Nile, before the meat of his career on the big walls and 8,000-metre peaks of the Himalaya – with his leadership of the expeditions that made the first ascents of the south face of Annapurna in 1970 and the south-west face of Everest in 1975, and culminating in his own ascent of Everest in 1985. The greatest challenge and survival story of all is his first ascent and epic descent of The Ogre in Pakistan with Doug Scott. Bonington’s undying hunger for adventure leads to later exploratory trips to Greenland, India and Morocco, and a return to the scene of one of his defining first ascents, the Old Man of Hoy, with world-class adventure climber Leo Houlding.The result is a penetrating insight into the motivations and fears of a driven climber who set out year after year from a life of comfort and success to test himself amongst the world’s most savage mountains. Chris Bonington Mountaineer is a must for anyone with a passion for exploration, mountains or climbing.

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Imagine an alien came down to Earth, stuck a probe into a climber’s brain – one who’d been climbing for over thirty years – and then transmogrified the contents into a big book of climbing tips. Well, 1001 Climbing Tips by Andy Kirkpatrick is just such a book.This is no regular instruction manual – it’s much more useful than that. This is a massive collection of all those little tips that make a real difference when at the crag, in the mountains, or when you’re planning your next big trip. It’s for anyone who hangs off stuff, or just hangs around in the mountains. These tips are based on three decades of climbing obsession, as well as nineteen ascents of El Cap, numerous Alpine north faces, trips to the polar ice caps, and many other scary climbs and expeditions.The following areas are covered: Basics, Safety, Big Wall, Ice, Mixed, Mountain, Training, and Stuff.

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Lake District Mountain Landscape is a spectacular photographic perspective on the Lake District from award-winning mountain photographer and filmmaker Alastair Lee. More than five years in the making, it is a work of extraordinary commitment and originality.With an emphasis on the mountain heights, Lee captures the otherworldliness and majesty of the 'English Alps' in all seasons and conditions. An experienced climber, Lee brings all his skill and tenacity to the task of capturing sunrise from the summits of the highest peaks in England, moonlight on icy slopes and seas of cloud filling the familiar valleys of Lakeland.Ascents of seemingly unscalable crags such as Pillar and Gimmer Crag are celebrated, and 360-degree panoramas in ethereal upland light from high peaks including Helvellyn, Bowfell and Great Gable are complemented by a series of identifying sketches. In a book which is full of revelations for Lakelanders and visitors alike, Alastair Lee renews and redefines the magic of this much-loved landscape.

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The Great Mountain Crags of Scotland is a celebration of climbing in Scotland's wild places, compiled by Guy Robertson and Adrian Crofton. Featuring contributions from many of Scottish mountaineering's great writers and climbers, and beautifully illustrated with breathtaking photography, it delves deep into the heart of some of the oldest mountains on Earth. This is a book for anyone with an interest in Scotland's wild places, where the mountains and cliffs, rather than the climbs, take centre stage, transporting the reader far from towns and cities, and deep into the wilderness. The crags are the tallest, steepest and most majestic anywhere in the British Isles. They are all situated in a high mountain environment, and always a good hike from the nearest road. A visit to any of these great crags is therefore a worthy end in itself. For those wishing to venture onto the crags, all the climbs described are highly adventurous, relying solely upon leader-placed protection. Many of the crags and climbs are described and illustrated here in detail for the very first time. Among these pages are accounts of some of Scottish mountaineering's greatest triumphs, but also accounts of necessary failures - chasing elusive conditions, knowing when to go down, when to return. The authors relate their personal experiences of these cliffs and the climbing, and contained here are real treasures: schoolboy Dave MacLeod soloing on The Cobbler in winter after catching the train from Dumbarton, Mark McGowan's gripping first-hand account of soloing Shibboleth on Slime Wall of Buachaille Etive Mor, Grant Farquhar's recollections of a cherished first ascent on the Great Prow of Skye's Bla Bheinn, Es Tresidder falling under the spell of Creag Meagaidh's Pinnacle Face, and Brian Davison's 15-year waiting game for the first winter ascent of Mort on the Tough-Brown Face of Lochnagar. Split into four sections - The South West Highlands, The North West Highlands, The Islands and The Cairngorms & Central Highlands - this book features unique contributions from, amongst others, Nick Bullock, Rick Campbell, Jason Currie, Brian Davison, Kevin Howett, Julian Lines, Martin Moran, Andy Nisbet, Simon Richardson and Tony Stone. Each section is accompanied by an original poem by Stuart Campbell, and renowned author and mountaineer Andy Cave has contributed the foreword.

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Mountaineering in the Ecrins Massif showcases the Ecrins' most beautiful summits through a selection of the area's best lower grade snow, rock and mixed climbs.Authors Frederic Chevaillot, Paul Grobel and Jean-Rene Minelli have chosen 25 classic Ecrins routes – graded between F and AD – that have come to be regarded as classics due to their quality, their altitude or, simply, their easy access.These routes provide the essential pleasures of mountaineering: getting off the beaten track, enjoying the pure mountain air and delighting in the charms of the high mountains. Most of these routes are at the boundary between hiking and technical alpinism and should be within the capabilities of any fit hiker-mountaineer.Routes and peaks featured include: the Aiguille du Goleon; the north ridge of the Aiguille Dibona; the south ridge of Pic Coolidge; the north-east face of the Meije Orientale; and the traverse of the Barre des Ecrins ridge, plus many more.Each route features a detailed and comprehensive route description, a sketch map and a route summary detailing the start point, difficulty, timings, height gain, best time of year and the gear required. A conscious decision was made to limit the selection to relatively easy climbs, and so the routes described in this book – a mere fraction of the climbs in the magnificent Ecrins Massif – should be within the capabilities of almost all mountaineers.

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Great British Bike Rides is a celebration of British road cycling.Author Dave Barter brings together 40 of the best road rides in England, Scotland and Wales, searching out the country's most celebrated routes, toughest climbs and most scenic roads.The rides are challenging, they are adventurous, and they are quintessentially British – tackle the classic Fred Whitton in the English Lake District; pit yourself against fearsome climbs inspired by the Dragon Ride in Wales; and feast upon Scotland's stunning scenery following wild roads through Assynt and across Skye.Already a fanatical cyclist, author Dave Barter packed in his job and hit the road, embarking on a 9000-mile tour of Britain to bring together the best riding the country has to offer. His cycle routes are devised specifically for this book, enchaining unforgettable climbs, quiet roads and stunning scenery.Each ride is accompanied by detailed route information, bespoke mapping and a statistical breakdown including every detail the committed cyclist requires. The book is complemented with a set of downloadable GPX files to further aid navigation.Join the cycling revolution and discover the best road cycling in Great Britain.

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Freedom Climbers is the multi award-winning book by Bernadette McDonald, now available in the UK and Ireland thanks to Vertebrate Publishing. Freedom Climbers tells the story of the extraordinary Polish adventurers who emerged from under the blanket of oppression following the Second World War to become the world's leading Himalayan climbers. Although they lived in a war-ravaged landscape, with seemingly no hope of creating a meaningful life, these curious, motivated and skilled mountaineers built their own free-market economy under the very noses of their Communist bosses and climbed their way to liberation. At a time when Polish citizens were locked behind the Iron Curtain, these intrepid explorers found a way to travel the world in search of extreme adventure - to Alaska, South America and Europe, but mostly to the highest and most inspiring mountains of the world. To this end, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nepal became their second homes as they evolved into the toughest Himalayan climbers the world has ever known. In her most engaging book to date, renowned and award-winning author Bernadette McDonald weaves a passionate and literary tale of adventure, politics, suffering, death and - ultimately - inspiration.

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Day Walks in Snowdonia showcases 20 circular routes, between 5.5 and 12 miles (9km and 19km) in length, suitable for hillwalkers of all abilities. Additionally included in a Bonus Section are two of the UK's classic scrambles: The Bochlwyd Horseshoe and The Snowdon Horseshoe.The routes are split into three areas – Northern Snowdonia, Central Snowdonia and Southern Snowdonia – and include walks to the most iconic and beautiful peaks in the National Park, including; Snowdon, Y Glyderau, the Carneddau peaks, Moel Siabod, Cnicht, the Rhinogs, and Cadair Idris.The author of this guidebook, Tom Hutton, is a Wales local, keen hillwalker and outdoors journalist. Each route in this guide is described with easy-to-follow directions and details of distance, navigation information, refreshment stops and public transport information, and is plotted on clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 mapping. Also included is a detailed Appendix.

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Cycling in the Peak District - Off-Road Trails and Quiet Lanes is a guidebook for the leisure cyclist, mountain biker and family rider. It is for the cyclist who values fun, good views and lunch stops over grimaces, a racing heartbeat and aching legs. It is a book of enjoyable cycle rides. Eighteen routes, between 9 and 23km in length, explore the traffic-free lanes and off-road trails of the Peak District.Taking in quiet roads, dedicated cycleways and some of the more amenable off-road riding in the area, the routes explore every corner of the Peak; limestone dales, open moors, gritstone crags and tiny villages – they're all there. Never too long, too difficult or too remote, they are great fun and are challenging for riders of all ages and abilities. The guide also includes suggestions on where to ride with children and a section on where to ride along dedicated cycleways away from the traffic.Written by local riders Tom Fenton and Jon Barton, the rides are clearly described using step-by-step instructions and feature original maps, route profiles and local information.

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Having documented the famous cycling climbs of France and Italy, Simon Warren completes his trilogy on cycling’s Grand Tour nations with the 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs of Spain. Packed full of the legendary roads on the Spanish mainland which have found fame in the Vuelta a España, such as the Angliru, Puerto de Velefique, Lagos de Covadonga and the mighty Pico Veleta, the featured climbs travel the length and breadth of the country – from the Pyrenees, across the Basque Country to Asturias, around Madrid and down through Cataluña to Andalucía. The book also travels out to sea to cover Mallorca and the Canary Islands. These perennially favoured destinations for cyclists searching for year-round sun are home to some extraordinary climbs, from Sa Calobra on Mallorca, to Teide on Tenerife, and the incomparable Roque de los Muchachos on La Palma.

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Approaching retirement and frustrated with her job, Siobhan Daniels made a BIG decision: to start living life on her own terms. Rather than hiding from life’s challenges, she bought a motorhome and drove off to find them.Retirement Rebel is Siobhan’s honest and uplifting story of how one woman stepped off the merry-go-round of life, slowed down and started enjoying the journey. Of how she sold up, packed up and hit the roads of the UK with no real plan, embarking on a positive-ageing adventure and hoping to inspire women across the country with her message that retirement could actually be the start of life’s adventures. With no shortage of mishaps and hardships along the way – not least being commanded to ‘stay at home’ during the Covid lockdowns, despite always being at home wherever she was – Siobhan’s story can inspire us all. Her message is that we can make simple lifestyle changes to feel happier and more fulfilled. Because at the end of the day, age shouldn’t be a barrier to having an adventure.

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Swimming Wild in Scotland by Alice Goodridge is an informative and inspiring book for both new and experienced wild swimmers, featuring over 100 of the best wild swimming spots across the Scottish mainland and islands. Drawing on her vast experience as a long-distance swimmer and open water swimming coach, Alice has hand-picked locations to help you experience Scotland at its wild and rugged best. Scotland has a plethora of choice when it comes to wild swimming – you could take a dip in one of the stunning lochs of the Cairngorms, splash around in the river pools on Arran, step out from a deserted white sand beach on remote Great Bernera, swim right up to a waterfall on the River Pattack, or, for something a little different, swim in flooded quarries on Easdale or delight in the easily accessible tidal pools in Fife. Alice digs into the detail of what makes a fantastic wild swimming location, sharing her in-depth knowledge of exactly where to get in the water, where to safely swim once you’re in, the best time to swim if tides are a consideration, what to expect underfoot as you get in for your swim, and, just as importantly, you’ll be aware of any potential hazards. Armed with all this essential knowledge, you can relax and enjoy your swim, with all the preparation and research taken care of. This is all backed up by clear Ordnance Survey and custom maps, information on parking and public transport, and details of enticing cafes to enjoy a post-swim hot chocolate. Flick through this book, drawing inspiration from the stunning photography, as Alice brings each fantastic swimming location to life. Whether you’re an experienced wild swimmer or just dipping your toes in the water for the first time, you’ll find plenty to inspire your next adventure.

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‘The brain is the most important muscle for climbing.’ – Wolfgang GüllichMastermind by climbing legend Jerry Moffatt is a guide to mental training for climbers. Drawing on his own personal experiences from an international climbing career spanning three decades, as well as inspiring stories from the current elite of the sport including Alex Megos, Adam Ondra, Alex Honnold and Barbara Zangerl, Jerry invites climbers and other sportspeople to explore and maximise their mental potential. This updated edition features a new foreword by American climbing legend Chris Sharma. Broken down into easy-to-read sections, including Mind Control, Self Image and Visualisation, Mastermind will help you utilise the power of your mind to make the most of your existing strength, technique and ability so that you can perform under pressure – not just in climbing, but in all sport.

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Great British Gravel Rides pays homage to the very best gravel cycling across England, Scotland and Wales.Markus Stitz has curated a collection of 26 routes across Britain – each a favourite route of a passionate gravel cyclist. You can join round-the-world cycling men’s record holder Mark Beaumont in East Lothian, experience a different side of East Anglia with ultra-endurance racers and GBDURO20 winners Josh Ibbett and Gail Brown, embark on a coast-to-coast trip across Scotland with round-the-world cycling women’s record holder Jenny Graham, or see the best of the Scottish Borders with diversity in cycling champion Aneela McKenna.Each route gives an insight into what each cyclist loves about gravel riding – what inspires and motivates them – and why they believe it qualifies as one of Britain’s best gravel rides. A detailed route description of the trail is then provided, including interesting information about the local area, exactly what to expect on the route, details on the best places and attractions to explore, recommendations for the best local cafes and pubs and a list of local bike shops, should they be needed. With inspiring photography showcasing some of the best gravel trails in the UK, as well as bespoke maps and downloadable GPX files for each route, this is the essential companion for any gravel rider.Whether you want a challenging pedal through the country’s awe-inspiring landscapes or a more leisurely day out in the saddle, let Great British Gravel Rides help you explore the best gravel cycling of Great Britain – your adventure begins here!

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There are few more beautiful places than Scotland’s winter mountains. But even when most of the snow has melted, isolated patches can linger well into summer and beyond. In The Vanishing Ice, Iain Cameron chronicles these remarkable and little-seen relics of the Ice Age, describing how they have fascinated travellers and writers for hundreds of years, and reflecting on the impact of climate change.Iain was nine years old when snow patches first captured his imagination, and they have been inextricably bound with his life ever since. He developed his expertise through correspondence (and close friendship) with research ecologist Dr Adam Watson, and is today Britain’s foremost authority on this weather phenomenon.Iain takes us on a tour of Britain which includes the Scottish Highlands, the Southern Uplands, the Lake District and Snowdonia, seeking elusive patches of snow in wild and often inaccessible locations. His adventures include a perilous climb in the Cairngorms with comedian Ed Byrne, and glorious days spent out on the hills with Andrew Cotter and his very good dogs, Olive and Mabel.Based on sound scientific evidence and personal observations, accompanied by stunning photography and wrapped in Iain’s shining passion for the British landscape, The Vanishing Ice is a eulogy to snow, the mountains and the great outdoors.

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Bikepacking England by Emma Kingston contains 20 great multi-day mountain bike adventures across England.Explore ancient holloways and hunt for fossils in Bridport and the Jurassic Coast, tackle the stiff climbs and spectacular singletrack of the Dark Peak, discover stunning coastal scenery on the Isle of Man or Exmoor or traverse the rolling countryside around the Ridgeway and Chilterns – every corner of England has a different experience to offer.Each route includes all the information you need to help you plan your ride, points of interest along the route, food recommendations and accommodation options, in addition to stunning photography and overview mapping. Downloadable GPX files of the routes are also available, including optional routes and shortcuts. This book is full of practical tips and advice for both experienced bikepackers and those who want to try it out for the first time, including lots of information on wild camping.Let Bikepacking England inspire you to get out there on your bike with your tent and enjoy the best bikepacking adventures that England has to offer.

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Big Trails: Great Britain and Ireland Volume 2 is the second volume of this inspirational guide to the most iconic long-distance trails in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands.The twenty-five routes featured in this book comprise more of the best trails in Great Britain and Ireland. From some of Wales’s best views on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path and the magnificent moorlands of the Two Moors Way (Devon Coast to Coast) in South-West England, the routes go to Scotland’s wild moors on the Southern Upland Way and over high cliffs on Ireland’s Burren Way. In the shadows of Lakeland peaks on the Cumbria Way and around five islands on the Channel Island Way, the book incorporates the highlights of Great Britain and Ireland, from its centre to its outermost edges.Big Trails books are designed to inspire big adventures. Rather than being carried along the route, this guide provides everything you need to plan and explore further, including a general overview of the trails, specific technical information, overview mapping, key information and stunning photography. As well as this, each route specifies approximate timings devised using the Jones–Ross formula, which allows for custom itineraries to be generated depending upon the speed of the user. Whether you’re walking, trekking, fastpacking or running, let Big Trails: Great Britain and Ireland Volume 2 be your guide.

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The 162-kilometre South Downs Way begins in Winchester and traces a ridgeline along the rolling, green South Downs to the coast at Eastbourne. It is rightly regarded as one of the finest long-distance trails in England. Predominantly bridleway, the trail is generally wide and hard-surfaced and can be walked at any time of year. The South Downs Way appeals to people who have different levels of experience and travel at all speeds, and this Vertebrate Publishing Guidemap is unique in that it caters for four categories of user, providing custom itineraries for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners. This lightweight, waterproof, durable and easy-to-use folding map features all the essential information for a successful South Downs Way, including 1:40,000-scale mapping for the linear route starting in Winchester and finishing in Eastbourne. It also includes a detailed elevation profile and route planner, safety advice, terrain information and an accommodation directory, and a link to a GPX file download.

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Big Trails: Great Britain & Ireland is an inspirational guide to the most iconic, spectacular and popular long-distance trails in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.The twenty-five featured routes will take you across the best of the British Isles. From the South Downs Way in South-East England and across Wales's mountains in the Cambrian Way, the book delves into the heart of Scotland on the West Highland Way, along the Causeway Coast Way on Northern Ireland’s coast, and into southern Ireland on the Beara Way.The book is designed to inspire big adventures. Rather than being carried along the route, this guide provides everything you need to plan and explore further, including a general overview of the trails, specific technical information, overview mapping, key information and stunning photography. As well as this, each route specifies approximate timings devised using the Jones–Ross formula, which allows for custom itineraries to be generated depending upon the speed of the user. Whether you’re walking, trekking, fastpacking or running, let Big Trails: Great Britain & Ireland be your guide.

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Lake District Mountain Biking – Essential Trails is the full third edition of the bestselling guide to some of the finest mountain bike riding in the UK.Featured are over 20 of the best mountain bike rides in the Lake District, between 12 and 60 kilometres in length, suitable for all levels of mountain bikers.Explore classic rides around Walna Scar, High Street and Borrowdale, and discover several lesser-known gems. Ride moorland singletrack, tackle massive climbs and rattle along some of the rockiest trails you’ll ever encounter on two wheels. Enjoy lakeside cruises, picturesque valleys and 360-degree panoramas.Researched, ridden and written by local riders Richard Staton and Chris Gore, each route features clear and easy to use Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps; easy-to-follow directions; details of distance, timings and difficulty gradings; and refreshment stops and local knowledge. A Bonus Section includes information about the man-made trails at Whinlatter and Grizedale, Top Tens and a detailed Appendix. Also includes downloadable GPX files.

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Over fifty years ago, renowned British hillwalker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright described 214 peaks in the English Lake District in his seven-volume illustrated Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Like the Munros in Scotland, bagging all the Wainwrights has become a popular and significant challenge for walkers and runners, often taking many years in fits and starts because of the absence of a clear plan for how to link them together. With this problem in mind, Peak Bagging: Wainwrights by Karen and Dan Parker features forty-five routes designed to link up these iconic fells so you can enjoy the challenge of completing them at your own pace – over years, months or even just a few weeks. It presents not only the most efficient routes for completing the Wainwrights as quickly as possible, but does so in such a way that each route is a fantastic walk or run in its own right. The featured routes include a round of the Scafells, and the Glenridding Horseshoe, taking in Helvellyn and Catstycam. The routes are split into seven sections, reflecting Wainwright’s seven Pictorial Guides, and to simplify logistics, all of the featured routes are circular with an emphasis on making practical links between the summits. In addition, the book is packed with useful information, including 1:40,000-scale maps, elevation profiles, public transport and parking details, refreshments, downloadable GPX files for each route and custom timings for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and runners. Also included are overview details of Steve Birkinshaw’s then-record-breaking sub-seven-day Wainwrights run in 2014 – current record holder Sabrina Verjee completed the round in under six days. Whatever your timescale for completing the 214 Wainwrights, Peak Bagging: Wainwrights is the indispensable guide to this British hill challenge.

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‘It’s all about the flavours.’ Cook Out by Harrison Ward – aka Fell Foodie – is the ultimate outdoor adventure cookbook. Harrison presents over 80 of his easy-to-prepare gourmet recipes that will keep you fuelled all day long. This is al fresco cooking you can really enjoy, whether you’re out on a day walk, wild camping or simply relaxing in the campsite. Cook Out is split into easy-to-follow sections and illustrated throughout with stunning photography by Kenny Block. For breakfast why not try American-style pancakes or Tiroler Gröstl, a delicious Austrian breakfast hash, followed by a posh fish finger sandwich for lunch? For dinner, there are suggestions for one-pot meals including Tuscan bean stew and pork belly ramen, or go all out with Harrison’s ‘summit specials’, like a delicious chickpea, spinach and coconut curry, or sausage and fennel tagliatelle. Puddings are also covered, with Harrison’s personal takes on classics like rhubarb crumble and apple fritters, as well as a complete range of adventure snack recipes. There’s also campstove and equipment advice, and tips and tricks throughout from Harrison’s years of outdoor cooking experience. Cook Out – packed with big flavours for your big adventures.

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‘He appeared, without a word, in the tent’s entrance, covered in ice. He looked like anyone would after spending over twenty-four hours in a hurricane at over 8,000 metres. In winter. In the Karakoram. He was so exhausted he couldn’t speak.’Of all the games mountaineers play on the world’s high mountains, the hardest – and cruellest – is climbing the fourteen peaks over 8,000 metres in the bitter cold of winter. Ferocious winds that can pick you up and throw you down, freezing temperatures that burn your lungs and numb your bones, weeks of psychological torment in dark isolation: these are adventures for those with an iron will and a ruthless determination.For the first time, award-winning author Bernadette McDonald tells the story of how Poland’s ice warriors made winter their own, perfecting what they dubbed ‘the art of suffering’ as they fought their way to the summit of Everest in the winter of 1980 – the first 8,000-metre peak they climbed this way but by no means their last. She reveals what it was that inspired the Poles to take up this brutal game, how increasing numbers of climbers from other nations were inspired to enter the arena, and how competition intensified as each remaining peak finally submitted to leave just one awaiting a winter ascent, the meanest of them all: K2.Winter 8000 is the story of true adventure at its most demanding.

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The Climbing Bible: Managing Injuries is a guide to injury prevention and rehabilitation for climbers. The author, Stian Christophersen, is an internationally renowned climber and practising physiotherapist with over 15 years' experience specialising in the treatment of climbing injuries. The third book in the bestselling Climbing Bible series.

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Gravel Rides Peak District showcases 15 gravel bike rides in the Peak District National Park. Written by Peak local Hetty Kingston, the routes feature Ordnance Survey maps and easy-to-follow directions. Also includes a detailed appendix and downloadable GPX files.

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‘Mountains have given structure to my adult life. I suppose they have also given me purpose, though I still can’t guess what that purpose might be. And although I have glimpsed the view from the mountaintop and I still have some memory of what direction life is meant to be going in, I usually lose sight of the wood for the trees. In other words, I, like most of us, have lived a life of structured chaos.’Structured Chaos is Victor Saunders’ award-winning follow-up to Elusive Summits (winner of the Boardman Tasker Prize in 1990), No Place to Fall and Himalaya: The Tribulations of Vic & Mick. He reflects on his early childhood in Malaya and his first experiences of climbing as a student, and describes his progression from scaling canal-side walls in Camden to expeditions in the Himalaya and Karakoram. Following climbs on K2 and Nanga Parbat, he leaves his career as an architect and moves to Chamonix to become a mountain guide. He later makes the first ascent of Chamshen in the Saser Kangri massif, and reunites with old friend Mick Fowler to climb the north face of Sersank.This is not just a tale of mountaineering triumphs, but also an account of rescues, tragedies and failures. Telling his story with humour and warmth, Saunders spans the decades from youthful awkwardness to concerns about age-related forgetfulness, ranging from ‘Where did I put my keys?’ to ‘Is this the right mountain?’Structured Chaos is a testament to the value of friendship and the things that really matter in life: being in the right place at the right time with the right people, and making the most of the view.

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In Extreme Scotland, award-winning adventure-sports photographer Nadir Khan takes us on a jaw-dropping tour through Scotland's epic mountain landscape. Nadir showcases his work with some of the best adventure athletes in the world - including Ines Papert and James Pearson - in a portfolio that has placed him at the forefront of adventure-sports photography in the UK. From the icy walls of Ben Nevis's frozen north face to the raging seas of the north coast, Scotland plays host to world-class adventure sports of every discipline. Ice climbing, kayaking, ski-touring, trail running, surfing, mountain biking and rock climbing are all captured beautifully in this fitting testament to Scotland's outstanding landscapes and adrenaline sports. Alongside contributions from climber and author Nick Bullock, Tom Livingstone, Elana Bader, Mike Pescod, David Canning and Stuart B. Campbell, Nadir gives us an insight into his photographic inspirations, and shares insights and approaches to composition and other elements of his photography.

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Highly Commended, Outdoor Book category, Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild Awards for Excellence 2019We are all climbing where we are and with the gear we use in no small part due to Tony Howard’s quest for adventure.Tony Howard rose to fame in 1965 as a member of a group of young climbers from northern England who made the first British ascent of Norway’s Troll Wall; a climb described by Joe Brown as, ‘One of the greatest ever achievements by British rock climbers’. Tony went on to design the modern sit harness, now used worldwide by most climbers. He founded the company Troll Climbing Equipment but never stopped exploring. Quest into the Unknown is his story.Tony has dedicated his life to travelling the world in search of unclimbed rock faces and remote trekking adventures. The scale of his travels is vast: he has visited all of the North African countries, much of the Arab land of the Middle East, the mountainous regions of Scandinavia, Canada and the rocky spine of the Americas, the Himalaya, remote Indian provinces, South East Asia, Madagascar, South Georgia and Antarctica. This book, the last word in adventure travel, takes the reader from Tony’s youth spent developing the crags of the English Peak District, via whaling ships in the Southern Ocean, thousand-mile canoe trips in the Canadian Arctic, living amongst the Bedouin in the rocky mountains of Jordan, to the isolated opium tribes of Thailand.Tony Howard’s Quest into the Unknown is the jaw-dropping account of a life of adventure that is the very definition of true exploration.

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