The Expedition Journals

Hiking with a toddler has fast become one of the most rewarding ways to spend time together outdoors with my son. There is fresh air, muddy boots, plenty of discovery, and usually at least one unexpected snack stop. The key to hiking with a one year old is not to overcomplicate it. With the right kit and a little planning, family hikes can be a wonderful way to get outdoors and release stress. Here are five essentials that make a big difference when you are heading out on the trail with a little one in tow; personal recommendations that have made a real difference to me. 1. Osprey Poco Plus/Premium Rucksack I purchased a second hand Osprey Poco AG Plus child carrier when my little one turned one year old. These are brilliant rucksacks, worth their weight in gold to get you out on the trails and start stomping some miles. The latest version of the AG Plus is the Osprey Poco Premium , but my 'vintage' version shares most of the same attributes. The Osprey Poco AG Plus Ruck...

Life is nothing if not a series of challenges. Challenge keeps you alive and kicking: pushing boundaries and training hard, so you can kick down doors that would otherwise be left firmly shut. One of the hardest parts of a challenge though, is gauging where to set the bar. Too high, and you will not achieve. Too low, and it is not truly a challenge. The #WildWight was an adventure challenge of a new kind; for both myself, and for my trek buddy Fraser. It was ambitious… 114 kilometres of fast hiking over two days, with a lot of elevation. I have done long treks, but nothing quite to this level. It was achievable, but unfortunately on this attempt it proved to be a bar too high… We began at 06:30 at Ryde Pier. The sun was coming up, and a strong westerly wind was immediately in our faces as we turned onto the Coastal Path that we would follow for the duration of the day. Past Quarr Abbey, through Wootton, and onwards to East Cowes. The time passed quickly as we chatted about a...