A few summers ago we walked past the swimming hole of Black Moss Pot in the Lake District’s Langstrath valley, and spotted a bloke sizing up a jump from a ledge that we figured gave him around a 50/50 chance of hitting the water without picking up serious injury.
After we suggested it might not be the smartest move he’d make that weekend, he smiled and said, “I pay my taxes, I’ll call Mountain Rescue if anything happens.”
I’m glad to report he didn’t jump, and also that we gave him an update on how the process works in the unfortunate circumstance that he ever might need to make that phone call. The key point being that taxes don’t pay for Mountain Rescue, and that his emergency call would be passed through to a team of unpaid local volunteers who, alongside regular jobs, dedicate their free time to rescuing people in the mountains.
They raise money to pay for their own kit, go out in all weather, at any time of day or night, 365 days a year, and deal with nightmare situations most of us couldn’t even imagine. They’re the true heroes of our hills, and the wonderful interview with team member Al Read (see below) in your new issue of Trail sums that up way better than I ever could.
As ever though, there’s much more to enjoy in an action-packed magazine, from a lowly and lovely alternative to climbing Ben Nevis, all the way down to planning winter mountain trips and three magical Alpine treks to plan for next summer. Enjoy the issue!
Oli Reed, Trail editor
Bienvenue to Ben Venue
Lesser-known Ben Venue is a far better first Scottish hillwalking experience than Ben Nevis, argues our long-baffled Glasgow-dwelling writer Fliss. Find out why she can’t stop coming back to this impressive little viewpoint in the South Highlands.
In praise of Yr Wyddfa
The massif formerly known as Snowdon has its detractors – hikers who focus on its negatives and decry it as a spoiled mountain. Ben Weeks is here this month to tell you why they’re wrong, and why we should all celebrate Wales’ highest peak rather than slate it.
How to bag a winter Munro
As ever, Sarah Ryan fills your head full of expert tips and tricks to plan your mountain adventures in a fun, safe and exciting way. This month she passes on her experience of planning to climb Scottish Munros in winter, plus how to kick steps when hillwalking in snow, and what 3 bits of mountain kit you should never leave home without.
Mountain Rescue: making THAT call
As mentioned above, this month we caught up with long-time Mountan Rescue Team Leader Al Read to find out what chain of events are triggered by an emergency call. Right from the person who picks up the phone, all the way through to the wider team planning and excecuting the rescue, then the debrief that follows. It’s a truly fascinating read.
Shadow hunters of the mountains
This month marks the start of a new column by our resident nature expert Tom Bailey, where he’ll be picking out his upland wildlife highlights from each month throughout 2025. He kicks off the year with foxes – the shadow hunters of our mountains.
3 alternative Alpine treks
You’ve read all about big hitters like the Tour du Mont Blanc and the GR20 before, so this month Laura Collins picks out three long-distance walks through France and Switzerland that would make great additions to your warm weather bucket list.
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Every issue of Trail is packed with award-winning writing and photography, mapped mountain routes, expert reviews of all the latest outdoor gear, interviews with the biggest names in outdoor adventure, and expert advice from mountain pros on how to improve your hill skills.