On Getting Lost ...
Ronald Turnbull best outdoor book
The rocks of Bristly Ridge descend to the wide and important saddle at the base of the next hill , which is Tryfan . Bristly Ridge is a splendid scrambling route , quite steep and with a few airy moments . The rock is sound and rough , and there are plenty of handholds and footholds . But in rain and wind I wasn ’ t fancying those airy moments . So I headed to the easier way , the wide gully running down beside the ridge on its right hand side . There ’ s a big , zigzag path , or rather multiple paths , their top marked by a sprawling cairn .
The cairn is slightly down from the top of the slope , and in the mist I passed above it without seeing it . Once I realised this ,
I turned left , down the slope , to meet the zigzaggy path now somewhere below me . At once I found a small sheep trod , and followed it down for a while . But the main path down here is a big , eroded one , all loose stones and gravel . As I still hadn ’ t found that main path I started slanting left towards it .
The slope was quite steep , but not steep enough to be worrying . The downhill direction was a bit wrong , more northwest than northeast , maybe I needed to head back to the left a bit more . It was raining , and my hands were cold . I really didn ’ t want to get out my map , and my glasses , and put on my glasses , and verify this stuff which I knew anyway . So I carried on downhill . I still didn ’ t find the big zigzag path .
Okay , I could head back up and find the sprawling cairn and start again from there . But I ’ d been going downhill for quarter of an hour now , and I really didn ’ t want to . I carried on downhill .
I still didn ’ t find the big zigzag path .
This was in the days before GPS mapping on the mobile phone . I did have an early
The Hillwalking Bible
GPS device , which I carried to record 8-digit grid references for the readers of my guidebooks . As a competent map-andcompass man , I certainly didn ’ t need to use the thing for finding my own way with .
I took out my GPS device . I asked it for my current grid reference . I took out my map , and my spectacles , and worked out where the grid reference was at . Just as I had it figured out , the cloud rose enough to save me the trouble .
Readers paying very close attention may have worked it out already . But it isn ’ t so easy for wet and tired walkers , however competent we believe ourselves to be with our compasses and maps . When I ’ d passed the instantly recognisable rocks at the top of Bristly Ridge ? Well – I hadn ’ t . I ’ d passed some other rocks instead . When I ’ d failed to see the sprawling cairn at the top of the path because it was just down the slope in the mist – I ’ d actually failed to see it because it wasn ’ t there at all . I ’ d turned downhill on the nearer , left-hand side of Bristly Ridge instead of the further , right-hand side .
above left Well equipped walkers ( who happen to be OWPG members ) heading into some dirty weather on Crib y Ddysgl , Snowdon above Descending to Loch Ossian , Central Highlands . Bad weather navigating , when you get it right , is extremely satisfying . by Ronald Turnbull : published by Conway 2024
The judges said : A good concept , with the writer ’ s distinctive mix of informality and authority . Masses of good practical accessible advice ; down to earth and realistic . Attractive design and layout ; author ’ s own photographs bring a welcome authenticity .
The walking routes are useful when included within a chapter to demonstrate certain physical landscape features / possible escape routes , illustrating the depth of planning a successful walking route should entail .
A worthy stand out winner .
Winter 2024 – 25 OUTDOOR FOCUS 17