Winter has taken hold of the UK over the last couple of months, and for many that has meant the end of their outdoor adventures. But for me, winter is the best time to get outdoors. The rivers, mountains and roads are quiet and free from jabbering tourists and have an etheral beauty when coated in snow or frost. Winter is a time to get outside and explore the world in a new way, not to cower away from it. Here are some of the adventures that I have done in winter, and some things that I have learned from doing them
Admittedly winter hadn’t properly began, but in October, I headed up to Wales for some white water canoeing on the River Banwy. The weather, whilst not freezing, was cold enough to make the prospect of going for a swim truley dreadful (at least for those of us who didn’t have drysuits). Despite this less than ideal weather, exploring the river was fantastic. The water levels tend to be higher in witner as there is more rainfall: this makes paddling a whole lot more exciting and interesting. Also, the already quiet river was empty, allowing us to enjoy wildlife that would be very rare in the busy summer months.
A week later, I headed up to the Lake District for some hostelling and hiking. The nights were cold, but the mountains were even more beautiful than normal. They were quiet, refreshing and exciting and provided a nice challenge and a refreshing change from the swealtering slopes of alpine giants. During the trip, we headed up Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route, a truly stunning walk with some fantastic views, despite it’s lack of remoteness. Then, we ventured into the remote hills behind Skiddaw, enjoying a two day expedition staying away paths for almost all of it. We wild camped on a small flat(ish) section of Blencathra and enjoyed some night navigation. I hadn’t done much night nav before, and this was my favourite part of the expedition. It allowed me to see the hills in a totally new light, and put my naviagation skills to the test.
After a painful month spent without going outside all that much, I headed up to Hertfordshire with some mates for a bushcraft camp. The weather was cold, the days were short, but good company and great food made for a fantastic experience. Sleeping outside in winter, with nothing but a bivvy bag protecting you from the rain and wind, was an experience that I will never forget. It made one feel reminice over doing this night after night with none of the technical equipment that we take for granted as our ancestors once did.
Each one of these trips has been fantastic, and has presented a different challenge and experience than summer adventures. For me, they are more memorable, that slight element of suffering and discomfort makes the experience somehow more enjoyable. It makes me feel like I’m setting off on a real adventure, away from the comforts of every day life and into harsh weather. If you have spent this winter inside, afraid of the cold, it’s not too late to go and explore and enjoy the winter while it lasts.
Oscar Outdoors 