Lester M

50+ years of Backpacking, all over the UK and Europe- more recently in the Californian Sierra.  Favourite places?  Scotland, the Haute Savoie, Pyrenees and Tahoe. 

Pre-MTB off road cycling nut.  Lots of bike touring and racing- nowadays abbreviated to day excursions, due to worn knees.

My goal is to remain fit enough to walk every day, for as long as I can.  Old injuries mean I can no longer rock or ice climb, paddle for long periods, or wriggle out of a cave system.  I also want to wear out all of my outdoor clothing mountain:-)  Some of that stuff is crazy-durable.

I spent many years introducing young people to outdoor pursuits and I still like to tag along with groups occasionally and lead, when appropriate.  I still carry emergency gear, in the hills and am often dismayed, by how often I have to assist poorly equipped folks, with obvious stuff, like a hot drink, hat, or bivvi bag.  Exposure is exposure- in August or December, on the river bank or 3000 feet up a hill.