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winter microadventure christmas

Christmas Microadventure Challenge

 

Over the past few summers I have been trying to rally people to tackle a summer solstice microadventure. It has been a pleasant success, with loads of people heading for the hills. This year lots of people have been tackling a microadventure each month as part of the Year of Microadventure challenge.

Setting the idea as a challenge was a great way of galvanising people to action. People who quite liked the idea of sleeping on a hill but would not ordinarily do it were motivated to get outdoors and try something new.

So here is a challenge for you:

A winter solstice microadventure.

The 21st December is the shortest day of the year. The day is short, the night is long. But if the weather is fresh and clear this can be a beautiful season. The sun lies low in the sky, backlighting or silhouetting the world beautifully. And the night is cold and long, filled with stars and the greedy knowledge that you own this night while everyone else is tucked up indoors frittering their lives in front of X-Factor Xmas Specials. You are out there, beneath the glory of the heavens (and – perhaps – freezing your arse off wishing you were back home in front of the telly).

Most people have a chunk of time off somewhere between now and early January. Why not spend one of those nights out on a local microadventure? Head out of town with a friend or two. Climb a hill. Crack open a box of 50%-reduced mince pies and a few beers. Earn your Christmas Dinner. Work off your Christmas Dinner.  Do whatever you like. But why not try to squeeze one last night in the wild into these last few nights of the year? Reflect on the year just passed, scheme for the year ahead.

Have a look at the video above – it might give you a couple of ideas.

If you decide to do a winter microadventure, pop your pics and stories on Facebook,  Twitter or Instagram. Make sure to use the #microadventure hashtag to share your story with everyone else. Have a look here to see what everyone else has been up to.

I will keep an eye on all of this. I’m™ll send a book, a DVD or a t-shirt to the best / dumbest / hardest / most luxurious / most fun submissions. There’™s a good chance nobody at all will do this, but I suspect that if you decide to give it a go then you won’™t regret it.

I’mve done this for the past few winters, and here’s how I spent one evening: not exactly suffering! Nor was this one, complete with bacon!

So, please, do consider a night under the stars this Christmas time. It’™s entirely compatible with nights out at the pub or friends’™ houses. It’™s compatible with getting home for a full day of putting up the Christmas decorations. It’™s so easy to do, but so memorable, refreshing and fun!

Work out where you need to be to see the sunrise (use this great link). Tell somebody where you are going and when you’™ll be back. And then go!

The Challenge Rules

Here’™s the stuff you’ll need, complete with links to help you if you need more information:

  • Sleeping bag. Don’™t buy anything special. Just go with what you have and add as many jumpers as necessary.
  • Sleeping mat. If you suspect you will not do a lot of camping just buy one of these cheap ones. Really makes a difference to your warmth in winter.
  • Bivvy bag. There are cheapmedium and expensive options. This explains everything you need to know. If you’™re worried about rain take a basha too.
  • Woolly hat. Santa hats get bonus points.
  • Waterproof clothes.
  • Warm clothes. Christmas jumpers get bonus points.
  • Torch.
  • Toothbrush (put the toothpaste on at home and wrap the brush in clingfilm) and toilet paper.
  • Food and water.
  • Mince pie. Whisky.

Winter solstice microadventure

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Comments

  1. Please remember people to leave no trace. Especially people from London or big cities, they tend to think that there is rubbish collection every Sunday in the hills, you know.

    Reply
  2. Gary Nixon Posted

    Hi there Alastair comments/blob!
    As a blog virgin, I am pleased to say this is my first one!
    I microadventured at Dawlish Warren sand dunes in Devon on 28th December. A fantastic night where the sea was rough, but me and my bro-in-law were safe and warm. Beautiful sunrise at 8am, quick cuppa then a 12 mile ride back up the picturesque Exe Estuary home for a fry up!
    Now my 8 year old wants to do a micro adventure after a night ride in Haldon Forest!
    Cheers for your enthusiastic web site which is very inspirational…except walking around the M25!!
    Cheers
    Gary

    Reply
    • Alastair Posted

      Good luck taking your child out – pick a dry night and it will be fun.

      Reply

 
 

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