Author Archives: MART IN THE HILLS

About MART IN THE HILLS

Hillwalker with dodgy knees and dodgier sense of humour. Lover of the outdoors, Lakes, Highlands, Cheviots, nature, good food, real ale and leaf tea.

Hillwalking in the 1980’s – My First Mountain, Great Gable and Wasdale, no gear and no idea!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Everyone remembers their first mountain, mine was 32 years ago when my mate Alan suggested we drive up to a place called Wasdale in the Lake District. We were staying at my late Grandads bungalow near Blackpool, Alan’s parents were … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District, The Early Walks 1980 - 2000 | Tagged eighties, first hill, first mountain, Great Gable, Lake District, pint, Scafell Pike, Wasdale, Wasdale Head, Wasdale Head Inn | 21 Comments

Snowy Haweswater Skyline Circuit – Selside Pike, Branstree, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, High Street and Kidsty Pike

Posted on April 11, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Another chance of a Sunday Lakes day brought the usual shite Sunday weather forecast however this time the decision making point at the pub on Saturday night saw a welcome late improvement. This Lakes trip was definitely on, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Branstree, Gatescarth Pass, Harter Fell, Harter Fell route, Haweswater, High Street, Kidsty Pike, Lake District, Mardale Common, Mardale Head, Mardale Head circuit, Mardale Head route, Mardale Ill Bell, Nan Bield Pass, Selside Pike, Social Hiking | 2 Comments

Winter Wainwrights afternoon – Barrow and Outerside plus Ard Crags and Knott Rigg – (inc snow posing tips)

Posted on March 23, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Last Sunday involved an escape to the Lakes for the first time since mid November! Now thats a long time to be Lakeless, 18 weeks in fact or 126 days! This included three failed attempts this year which were cancelled … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Ard Crags, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg route, Ard Crags route, Barrow, Barrow & Outerside route, Knott Rigg, Knott Rigg route, Lake District, Outerside, Social Hiking | 2 Comments

Cheviots Trip Report – Green Bumps; Barrowburn, Shillhope, Border Ridge, Windy Gyle, The Street and Heavy Artillery (12 miles)

Posted on February 18, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

After 3 months without a big walk circumstances & the weather finally came together and I made the 75 min drive up to the White Bridge at Slymefoot in the Upper Coquetdale Valley of the Cheviots. Having done most of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills | Tagged Barrowburn, Cheviot Hills, hiking, Shillhope Law, Slymefoot, Social Hiking, The Street, Trows, Upper Coquet, Windy Gyle, Windy Gyle route, Windy Gyle The Street | 9 Comments

Another Quick Wintry Walk on the High Section of Hadrians Wall

Posted on February 10, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

This was only my third opportunity to get out walking this year and once again the forecast of heavy rain or snow in the Cheviots meant a late change of plan. Instead of potentially becoming snowed in up the Coquet … Continue reading →

Posted in Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland | Tagged Dipton Mill, Hadrian's Wall, Housesteads, Housesteads routes, Northumberland, Routes from Housesteads, Short walks on Hadrians Wall, Steel Rigg, Sycamore Gap, Winshields Crags | 6 Comments

SNOW – Extracts from the diary of an Englishman in the Highlands

Posted on January 22, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

(ok it’s not original, someone emailed me this yrs ago, but worth a laugh when snowy) Extracts from the diary of An Englishman in The Highlands December 20th:- It’s started to SNOW! The first of the season & the first … Continue reading →

Posted in Random Stuff, Scottish Highlands & Skye | 2 Comments

New Years Day Walk on Hadrians Wall – then ale at Dipton Mill Inn

Posted on January 2, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Happy New Year everyone! I hadn’t been unleashed outdoors for 7 weeks, so was determined to grab a quick New Years Day walk on Hadrian’s Wall, before reluctantly returning to work. This is my ‘training walk’ of 7.5 miles from … Continue reading →

Posted in Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland | Tagged Dipton Mill, Hadrian's Wall, Hadrians Wall routes, Housesteads, Northumberland, Routes from Housesteads, Sycamore Gap | 5 Comments

Classic Cheviots Circuit from Slymefoot, Barrowburn, Border Ridge, Windy Gyle, Lamb Hill and Wild Goats. (15 miles)

Posted on October 28, 2012 by MART IN THE HILLS

It’s time for a Cheviot’s Report, and there’s nowhere better to start than on my favourite top Windy Gyle. I first visited the Cheviots 15 years ago doing the standard Cheviot & Hedgehope walk from Langleeford. The boggy peaty ground … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheviot Hills, Northumberland | Tagged Barrowburn, Cheviot Hills, Mozzie Law, Slymefoot, Social Hiking, Trows, Upper Coquet, Windy Gyle, Windy Gyle from Trows, Windy Gyle route | 15 Comments

Two Men Alone on a Mountain (only one does Twitter) – The Curious Tale of Sgurr Na Stri

Posted on October 18, 2012 by MART IN THE HILLS

Scotland Trip Day 4, Saturday night and one full day left in the Highlands. Driving back from the day’s fun on Waterstein & Neist we agreed it was crucial that once back at the guest house I immediately hooked up … Continue reading →

Posted in Scottish Highlands & Skye | Tagged Loch Coruisk, midge, pint, Route tracking, Sgurr na Stri, Sgurr na Stri from Sligachan, Sgurr na stri route, Skye, Sligachan, Social Hiking, Tweeting on mountains | 22 Comments

Waterstein Head and Neist Point – in Search of Sun, Highlands Trip Day 3

Posted on October 13, 2012 by MART IN THE HILLS

Saturday morning started bright with patches of blue sky, however rain was expected to move in soon so once again it was time to scour the forecasts desperately in search of some inspiration. The bad weather was approaching everywhere with … Continue reading →