Viv Crow best outdoor feature
After dropping slightly, we climb again – this time to the top of Stanage Edge, a four-mile-long cliff of exposed gritstone. Amar runs his hands along the rocks, feeling the fantastic shapes created by weathering and erosion. One, mushroom-like, perches on a pedestal.“ Oh wow! This one’ s got a big gap underneath. How is that staying up?! How far back does it go?” He crouches and uses his stick to work out the dimensions of the cave-like cavity.“ It’ s so funky with all these curves. I didn’ t know anything like this existed.” He’ s never seen these surreal rock formations on Instagram or the pages of BBC Countryfile Magazine. The rock’ s grippiness, so appealing to climbers, proves irresistible and he uses the tiered grooves to climb to the top, just strides from a 60ft drop.“ It’ s so tactile!” he calls on his way up.
Later, as we descend gentler terrain towards Hathersage, Amar explains he wants everyone to have the opportunity to share this passion for the outdoors.“ There are simple things we can do to make people feel more welcome, like replacing stiles with gates for people in wheelchairs.” His work with the Ramblers and his visibility is also about changing perceptions.“ When you’ re blind, you have your own preconceptions – you think,‘ I can’ t do that’.” He says it’ s the same for people with other disabilities, and for those from ethnic minorities, all under-represented in the countryside.“ But then people see this blind Asian guy, and he’ s actually the president of Ramblers! They realise the countryside could be for them too. That drives me – opening up the world for everybody.” ing a new ing outside in natural f this being available on of the outdoors ne’ s writing and the autiful.
ABOVE Amar beside some millstones near Stanage Edge in the Peak District
Feature first published in BBC Countryfile magazine Photograph: Phil Sproson, philsprosonphotography. com
Winter 2025 OUTDOOR FOCUS 19