Spring round up

Last autumn, when the weather was sub optimal, storm after vengeful storm sweeping in off the Atlantic – we were hunkered down in the Vertebrate bivvy working on guidebooks of all things. There were times when I questioned whether we’d ever enjoy going out again. An ever increasing pile of waterlogged shoes outside the door testament to the attempts to go out and play. Autumn turned to winter, at least there was less daylight to see the rain.

The new year renews enthusiasm. My best friend sent me some warm gloves and off up Kinder I went, -12 on the plateaux, arctic, bleak, the moment ephemeral in its glory. Crunching through the snow, spikes biting into the ice, I looked forwards, forgot the last year in that moment. A golden sun rising at my back.

I probably should say it was all that guidebook work over the proceeding months that had fired me up again. You’d of course expect me to say that. It might simply have been the gloves … but whatever it was I’m quickly going to share with you our brand new books for the coming months and hoping they’ll help you get out there.

First up is Mountain Walks Kinder Scout, a gem of a book. We’ve shaken up the walking guidebook template with this one – twenty years after publishing our first guide. The Kinder book is essentially fifteen walks, but the difference is in the variety. We’ve added in some accessible by all walking, some wildlife spotting tips, walks for all weathers and seasons, and even some big adventures for the keen people. We’ve used the queen of Kinder – Sarah Lister – to write it … if you know the Peak, don’t know the Peak, or are simply wondering what a train out to Edale might reveal then this is the guidebook for you.

Second up is Mountain Walks Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon, it was while doing the Welsh 3000s that I had the idea for this book – so many people were driven to climb Snowdon but little was available to show them more of the mountain. This guide has been written by someone with intimate knowledge of the region – Kate Worthington of RAW adventures fame. The guide aims to highlight everything good about being on the mountain, but also provide walks suitable for the season, the weather and the experience of the party.

Both these books are available now.

Due back from the printer in a couple of weeks is bike enthusiast Andrew Barlow’s Gravel Rides Lake District … fifteen rides in Cumbria from a quick blast to a circuit of the whole region! The Lake District of course is famed for its superb mountain biking but also has an extensive network of gravelly routes, a good efficient way to explore without the congestion of the roads and the overly hilliness of the mountain bike bridleways.

We also have on pre-order Smart Running. A thoroughly modern roundup of everything you need to improve/get more out of/even get faster with your runs. It follows up on our popular 1001 Running Tips title. It offers structured advice aimed to make runners more confident, through being a bit stronger and a bit fitter, but all the time making sure we stay motivated and uninjured (well less injured).

Finally, in the coming soon slot, Mountain Walks Yorkshire Three Peaks is almost at print – written by legend Hannah Collingridge – watch this space for announcements about it. We are well on the way to a first proof with Jo Moseley’s Stand-up Paddleboarding guidebook to the Lake District and I do believe we are working on a gravel guide to the Peak District… but that’s a secret.

See you out there.