Let's win winter!
So what’s winning winter all about? Well, it’s taking what you normally do in the summer and doing it when the clocks go back too.
Winning winter is finishing work as dusk falls and heading out for a run anyway; rising early and cycling up to your favourite spot to watch the sun come up over the hill; staying at the crag a little later than you probably should on a school night.
Let’s stop being afraid of the night time, embrace the unfamiliarity of the nocturnal world, and win winter.
Fear of the dark isn’t irrational.
Our caveman brains are wired to be apprehensive of things that go “growl” in the night. Wanting to curl up under a blanket and sit in front of the fire all winter is understandable.
What a missed opportunity this is! The hills are still there all winter, waiting, but somehow different. Paths that you’ve trodden countless times take on a phantasmagorical quality, familiar landscapes are rediscovered, newly remarkable, and you get that unrivaled feeling of freedom and space that can only be found out in nature after nightfall.The sights and sounds, the familiar locations and journeys all take on a completely new perspective.
Also, we don’t live in caves anymore. Ok, maybe the odd person lives in a cave, but that’s their business...
If it’s cold we have warm, protective clothes. If it’s wet we have waterproofs. If it’s dark we have lights. Lots of lights. Lightweight lights, powerful lights, camping lights, bike lights and lights you can go running in. The only thing you actually need to be afraid of is running out of batteries (cough, we sell those too).
The right light for you will be one that offers you the best balance of brightness, weight and battery life. Obviously this depends on what you’re up to, check out our guide to headtorches.
Night Running
Everything is a little different at night - the same roads you may have trotted along before could be totally pitch black, the quiet forest track for after work training suddenly looks nothing like you remember. Well that's all part of the charm, you feel like you're on that little bit more of an advenutre and if you want to take it up into the fells or mountains it will give a new test for your navigation skills!Pacing over pastoral terrain that we know like the backs of our hands by day, but by night it reveals a new and mysterious character, perfect for exploring.
Climbing, Bouldering and Mountaineering
Drop a grade and head to all the spots close to work for an evening session with friends. Grab a powerful torch and light the way for a friend. Alternatively get out on the hill a few hours before anyone else and bag the first ascent that day. Climb or walk all day and only come down when you're done, if the days not long enough just ensure you have your headtorch handy. Getting up a little earlier in camp to cook breakfast under lamp light before trekking across the still frozen snow and ice up in the highlands this Winter will guarantee some amazing sites. Sunrise from the summit of your favourite munro has got to be worth that extra cup of coffee.
Mountain Biking
Longer nights don’t mean less trails. If anything, you get more trails: trail by night, and trail by day. Trails by night are quieter and quicker, the twists and turns that you’re accustomed to suddenly take you by surprise. Alert, responsive, senses heightened; exhilarating.Think that red trail you whizzed through the other day was easy? Try it after sunset and let us know how you get on! Biking with limited vision adds a whole host of new challenges on technical trails. Good lighting and warm layers are a must.
General Camping
Who said that camping is just for fair weather? Wrap up warm, cook up an extra big hearty soup, and savour that extra bit of time for gazing at the stars and squeeze in that extra night away. In winter we often hear about taking half a day off to get somewhere in the light to pitch the tent, or finishing a day on the hill a bit early to get back and cook in the light. Or possibly even forgoeing the camping and booking somehwere inside.
For the animal lovers
There is a vast array of creatures that keep hidden until sundown, and the early evenings are a perfect opportunity to grab a Filo down jacket (and perhaps a MytiMug for coffee) and go seek them out.
Bat Hunts
Bats are most active during warmer months so get in there quick before they snuggle down for winter.There are many bat hunts/ walks that you can just tag along with across the UK. The walks are regularly run at many National Trust sites. However, if you fancy something a bit more informal, take a stroll around your local area, they can be found in towns and cities as well as the countryside. Barns, bridges and trees are popular roosting spots for bats!
Owl Walk
For something a little more feathered, try an owl walk. Many of the walks include some up-close and even hands-on experience with the owls.
Headtorch Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items for the kids to find in the garden (or other specified outdoor space) after sunset such as leaves, rocks, bugs and flowers. Don’t forget to hide some glow sticks for added magic! Variations such as finding specific colours or species can be used for older children.
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