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Outdoor
FOCUS
Contents
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New Members This month we welcome David Jordan and Anna Taylor to OWPG
Book Reviews Roly Smith reviews the latest outdoor books
Big Weekend 2023 Kevin Sene , Big Weekend Organiser , re�lects on a magical island visit
Big Weekend Gallery Members share their photo ’ s from the Big Weekend
The Golden Eagle Award Rhiane Fatinikun and Black Girls Hike UK
Technical Innovation Award BUILT TO SEND for their X3 Alpine ultralight pack
Digital Lisa Drewe wins Highly Commended for her website www . islandeering . com
Technical Feature James Forrest on his awardwinning piece How hiking gear became cool
Guidebook David Lintern , on his triumphant book Scottish Wild Country Backpacking
SO LONG …
All things must pass . It was December
2016 that I was asked if I ’ d like to edit Outdoor Focus . You ’ ll enjoy it , I was told . It ’ ll be fun . Well , why not I thought and so I said yes . And now , seven years and twenty-eight issues later , it ’ s time to step down . From spring 2024 onwards , Outdoor Focus will be edited by Alex Roddie .
Outdoor Focus will be in good hands as Alex is editor of Sidetracked magazine , as well as writing books for Vertebrate Publishing and gestalten . Alex also writes features , op-ed and gear reviews for The Great Outdoors magazine . From now on , it ’ s Alex who you ’ ll need to contact if you have an idea for an article . Get in touch with him – alex @ alexroddie . com – by 1 February if you have something in mind for the next issue .
For now though , I ’ d like to thank everyone who has contributed to Outdoor Focus since 2017 , particularly regular contributors and those who heroically came through when something was needed at the last moment . You all helped make the task enjoyable . And fun .
David
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Outdoor / Travel Feature Mary-Ann Ochota writes about her award-winning article
Photography See James Rushforth ’ s winning photography portfolio : From the Air
Big Weekend Gallery
See more members ’ photos from this year ’ s Big Weekend
Scotland meet-up
Felicity Martin reports on a recent members ’ walk in Perth
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Cover James Rushforth
A perfectly still evening at Lago di Braies . See James ’ s award-winning photography portfolio on page 18 .
The Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild is the only UKbased association of media professionals working largely or entirely on outdoor subjects . Our members cover every �ield of activity and all corners of the globe . They include writers , journalists , �ilm makers , photographers , publishers and editors , all with a passionate interest in the outdoors . For more information visit www . owpg . org . uk .
All images and text copyright the authors . Unauthorised use and / or duplication of this material without express and written permission is strictly prohibited .
Editing / design David Taylor ISSN 2043-8591 print ISSN 2043-8605 online
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