Category Archives: Lists

12
Oct
2010

Expedition kit list for Iceland

15 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Iceland, Kit, Lists, Packraft
I have had quite a few questions concerning the equipment we used for crossing Iceland. Here then is the kit list. If I had more cash or was more of a gear geek then I would change a couple of things. But I hope that it proves helpful. I’ve added links where I think they [...]

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11
Oct
2010

Top 10 highs and lows of an expedition across Iceland

5 comments
Posted in Iceland, Lists, Packraft
The nice people at Ooh.com asked me to write down some of the ups and downs from Iceland. Here they are: 1. Discovering that one of the most varied, deserted, beautiful wildernesses I have ever been to is only three hours away from London with Iceland Express. 2. Carrying 25 days of food meant serious [...]

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06
Oct
2010

List of my favourite blogs

24 comments
Posted in Lists, Writing
I love reading books, and think that I always will. Thanks so much for all your suggestions on books for me to read back on Monday. But the explosion of quality blogs in recent years means that I now also spend about 10 minutes each morning scanning through the list of blogs I subscribe to. [...]

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20
Sep
2010

List of good surf destinations close to London

6 comments
Posted in Lists
Twitter is an excellent tool for getting rapid answers. Almost instantly you receive answers and opinions from a broad range of people, such as here when I asked for recommendations for surfing spots close to London. Twitter is mostly used for time wasting and pointless irrelevance. But it can be very useful. I decided to [...]

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16
Sep
2010

The things the last 10 years have taught me

8 comments
Posted in Lists, Motivation
David Hieatt founded the clothing company howies. He is now integral to the wonderful Do Lectures that begin today. Here are some of the things the last decade has taught him: If we can’t do the basics amazingly well, nothing else will matter. Be brave with your ideas. And fight like a brave to make [...]

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21
Jul
2010

Travel advice from Dervla Murphy

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Posted in Lists, Travel
A wonderful list from the opinionated (but cool) travel writer Dervla Murphy. Click here to read it in full. The individual traveller’s “age of adventure” has long since been ended by “S&T” (science and technology: an abbreviation that dates me). Now our planet’s few remaining undeveloped expanses are accessible only to well-funded expeditions protected by [...]

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07
Jul
2010

4×9 List

4 comments
Posted in Lists
A quirky little idea to blast out on a blog post. Here’s my list: Four jobs I’ve had in my life - Ice cream seller - Sandwich board wearer - Teacher - Motivational speaker Four Movies I can watch over and over - Top Gun - Austin Powers - Into the Wild - When we [...]

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28
Jun
2010

What is the best expedition backpack?

26 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Kit, Lists
During my preparation for next month’s expedition to Iceland I did a lot of research into what was the best large pack out there. Here are some of the good ones I found. Dana Design Astralplane Gregory Denali Pro, Gregory Massif, and Gregory Wind River Osprey Xenith and Osprey Crescent Aarn Bodypacks; the Load Limo [...]

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22
Jun
2010

Top 10 bits of kit for a long walk

7 comments
Posted in Expeditions, India, Kit, Lists
10 of the best bits of kit that I took to India. 1. Orthotic insoles and trainers Profeet and Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 £149 (insoles and fitting), £68 / 252 grams (shoe) I used to associate long distance running and walking with inevitable injuries and pain. No longer. Since I began using Profeet’s orthotic insoles [...]

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02
Jun
2010

What I’m listening to on my iPod

8 comments
Posted in Lists, Ramblings
Trying to choose my favourite ten pieces of music is impossible.
25
May
2010

8 Expedition Photography Composition Tips

5 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Lists, Photography, Travel
Much more important than having a good camera is thinking a little bit harder about the composition of your photographs. So here are my top photography composition tips. Click on the links for examples or watch the video below for explanations. Rule of thirds Lines Angles Fill the frame Focal point Active space Framing Flash [...]

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19
May
2010

I Am What I Am – Roz Savage

3 comments
Posted in Channel Rowing, Lists, Motivation
Some interesting thoughts from ocean rower Roz Savage: o Don’t waste mental energy asking yourself if you CAN do something. Just do it. You’ll surprise yourself. I did. o Be clear about your objectives. Ignore others, stay true to yourself and measure success only against your own criteria. I was last to finish the race [...]

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07
Apr
2010

Ten Impossible Adventures

18 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Expeditions, Lists, Travel
If time and money and skill were no object, and if I definitely would not die, then these are some of the trips that I would love to do… 1. The first unsupported return journey to the South Pole 2. A first ascent of a big Himalayan peak: I don’t usually crave to be First, [...]

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28
Mar
2010

14 reasons why I love travelling by bike

1 comment
Posted in Cycling, Lists, Travel
I have spent about 5 years cycling in about 70 countries. Why? Here’s 14 reasons why I love travelling by bike. 1. It’s cheap 2. The freedom 3. Does not damage the environment 4. It’s hard work! 5. It’s slow but not too slow, fast but not too fast 6. It opens you up to [...]

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11
Mar
2010

Finish the sentence

17 comments
Posted in Lists, Polls, Ramblings
One of my most popular blog posts was when I asked you what books you were reading at the moment. Today I thought I’d canvas your opinion again. All I’m asking you to do is to copy and paste these four sentences in the comments section and finish them off: I am inspired by I [...]

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02
Mar
2010

See Imitation as a Compliment, Competition as an Incentive

2 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Lists, Motivation
My advice for people who are trying to make their way in a niche, whatever the niche may be. - don’t be jealous of the success of others. Give praise where it is due and set about working even harder to catch them up. - don’t big yourself up more than within the acceptable bounds [...]

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17
Feb
2010

16 Ways to Get Motivated When You’re in a Slump

4 comments
Posted in Lists, Motivation
I couldn’t be bothered to write my own list today so here’s someone else’s tips on what to do when you’re not feeling motivated! 1. One Goal. Whenever I’ve been in a slump, I’ve discovered that it’s often because I have too much going on in my life. I’m trying to do too much. And [...]

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11
Feb
2010

How to run a marathon: 10 tips

5 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Lists, Marathons, Running, Training
This is the time of year when many people are training for their first marathon. So here are my 10 easy tips to running a faster marathon time. It’s not aimed at expert runners, nor is it for people who only want to cross the finish line. The list is for people like me – [...]

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03
Feb
2010

Wild, wonderful places to sleep

13 comments
Posted in Best Bits, Humour, Lists, Travel
In praise of the humble bivvy bag: some of the stupid (yet wonderfully memorable and uplifting) open air places I have slept. - On a swimming platform out in the bay in San Sebastian - On the terraces of Biarritz rugby stadium (a bit of fence climbing required here!) - In a (new) sewage pipe [...]

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20
Jan
2010

Yet another list of Top Travel Books!

3 comments
Posted in Books, Lists, Travel
I wonder how many years I will need to wait until I ever get myself onto somebody’s list of Top Travel books?! A long time, I fear, if I am competing against books as good as these. Whoever picked these books for the Telegraph chose well. On the Road by Jack Kerouac As I Walked [...]

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