Mark Horrell's Blog, page 43

When expedition operators should be taken with a pinch of salt

It was silly season in the media again last week, when the BBC latched onto another Everest story. But while the media were busy having their usual feeding frenzy, expedition operators didn't help by squabbling among themselves. Continue reading →

The Corno Grande Saga, Part 2

This is a short sequel to a post I wrote last month about a reconnaissance trip to the Gran Sasso massif in Central Italy, when we made an abortive attempt on 2912m Corno Grande from the north. Last weekend we had another go from the south. Continue reading →

Learning the alpine skills: another update about my book

It's been a while since I updated you on where I am with the book I've been promising to write about my journey from simple hill walker to Everest summiteer, so here's some more news along with a teaser from the book. Continue reading →

Is mountaineering in Nepal becoming too expensive?

Budget climbing on its way out, cried a headline in the Himalayan Times. Nepal has often been seen as a cheap destination for mountaineering, but this perception is changing. I look at the reasons, examine whether it's true and make some predictions. Continue reading →

Tilman’s expedition to Langtang

The great mountain explorer Bill Tilman made three treks in Nepal in 1949 and 1950. His first to Langtang was not successful in mountaineering terms, but as an exploratory journey it must have been as enjoyable as any he undertook. Continue reading →

A Gran Sasso reconnaissance

I was dimly aware of the Apennine mountains running down the spine of peninsula Italy, but I'd never given them much thought. I discovered the Gran Sasso massif is a hill walkers' paradise, with attainable mountains even in the depths of winter. Continue reading →

Creative peak bagging is the way forward

Last year was an unusual one for me. There were few real plans, and my travels ended up evolving out of necessity and opportunity, but I kind of liked it that way and I believe a combination of loose planning and going with the flow is the way forward in travel. Continue reading →

Toubkal and Ouanoukrim: a High Atlas winter wonderland

I thought I was done with the Atlas Mountains when I climbed Jebel Toubkal in Morocco 11 years ago. But the High Atlas in winter is very different from the sweltering dusty desert I experienced in the summer months, and I'm glad I returned. Continue reading →

Bill Tilman: Nepal’s very first trekking tourist

A few weeks ago I wrote about the history of Nepal and how it came to open its doors to tourism. In the second post in this series I introduce you to Nepal's very first trekking tourist, who was already a Himalayan veteran and an interesting character. Continue reading →

Merry Christmas from Morocco

The title is not a line you expect to hear in a Muslim country, but I've made an exception. If all goes to plan by the time you read this I'll be resting at Toubkal Refuge ready to make a Christmas Day ascent of the highest peak in North Africa. Continue reading →