The first thing Valaisans will tell you about their region is that they get, on average, 300 days of sunshine per year. Compared with my home in the Scottish Highlands, that’s an extremely good average. So, any opportunity I have to spend time in Valais, I bring my best sunglasses and say oui or ja! Although, this time, I brought goggles.
At 7,000mm, life has a different perspective. At a London launch event for Gallet watches, Sidetracked interviewed Benjamin Kellett about his endurance paragliding adventures, managing risk, and being part of a timekeeping heritage that dates back to the Wright brothers.
Sidetracked Volume 37 brings together a new collection of stories from creative adventurers who understand what it takes to commit, but who also appreciate the little things. As Matt Sharman writes: ‘I slowed it down, and the experience was deeper for it.’
We speak to paraglider Benjamin Kellett about his endurance paragliding adventures, managing risk at 7,000m, and his connection to Gallet watches....
A pre-dawn climb to Lochnagar on Balmoral's royal estate – in Buffalo Systems kit – delivers an unexpected reward: a rare 12-point Royal stag and a sunrise worth every wet step....
Jenny Tough walks along Japan's Kumano Kodo and experiences rebirth rituals, a Yamabushi monk, pack rafting, and a fire ceremony beneath Nachi Falls...
A guide to Japan's Kumano Kodo pilgrimage – walking, packrafting, and cycling through shrines, onsen, and ancient forest....
Altberg rose from the ashes of one of Britain's last shoemakers. Thirty-five years later, this family bootmaker continues to expand while maintaining its craft. ...
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