New Members
David Jordan
When I first walked the Pacific Crest
Trail in 2016 , providing updates for Brian Johnson ’ s comprehensive guidebook to the route , I had little idea that in 2023 I would do so for a second time , becoming one of less than 200 people to ever walk the 2650 miles more than once . This time I was researching the route for my own complete re-write of the guide , in a new format , which I hope will be available in late 2024 .
In between I spent four summers in Italy thoroughly researching the Grande Traversata Delle Alpi for a new edition of that guide , as well as working with Cicerone to produce one of the new ‘ short walks ’ series of guidebooks to my own beautiful little corner of the world on Arnside and Silverdale AONB .
Of course , writing is not new to me , I ’ ve spent many years writing corporate communications , strategies , speeches , and bids across the public , private and third sectors . Now , embracing the adventure of freelancing , I ’ m keen to use my skills and experience to write more for those with a passion for being outside , and perhaps to inspire and tempt a few newcomers out of the door along the way too .
Anna Taylor
Iam a writer , activist and public speaker based in the Yorkshire Dales . I have written widely on climate justice , and my work has been published in The Guardian , The Independent , VICE and i-D magazine , as well as contributing to two books on the topic . More recently , I have shifted into the world of outdoor writing - a special thanks must go to Chris Scaife from Descent for helping to facilitate this by making me Youth Correspondent !
When I ' m not writing , grumbling about the climate crisis , or leading a group of ( also grumbling ) school kids up Ingleborough , I can usually be found squeezing through muddy potholes , bivvying in sub-zero temperatures and doing generally miserable activities ' for fun '. I also volunteer with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust , which has sparked a passion for rewilding . Mountains and writing share equal halves of my heart , so conjoining the two brings me immense joy . I love both journalistic and creative nonfiction writing : in the latter , I enjoy breaking the boundaries of traditional nature writing by exploring the ugly , grotesque and painful . Nature is not a perfect thing ( and neither are we ).
outdoor focus / winter 2023 3