Following Russ Moorhouse’s #Trailof100nights

Inspired by a quote from Scottish writer Nan Shepherd, who said that “no one knows themountain completely who has not slept on it”, Russ Moorhouse is passionate about combining climbing with wild camping. Having become the first person to climb and camp on the 214 Wainwright peaks in the Lake District National Park in 2021-22, Russ’s current challenge is to scale and wild camp on the 100 biggest or best mountains in the UK - ‘the ultimate mountain bucket list’.

Having set off in late August, one of his recent ascents was Y Garn; Russ’s experience and understanding of the terrain ensures helpful advice to enthusiasts, which he passes on in his posts: “Y Garn is a mountain in the Glyderau and translates as the rock or the cairn. Sitting in the central position of Snowdonia there are amazing views of Crib Goch and Snowdon in one direction, Tryfan’s broadside in the other and the imposing face of Pen Yr Ole Wen sits across the Ogwen valley. When climbed from this side it is chewed and craggy. The other side slopes down more gently to Nant Peris. One of the Welsh 3000s it sits on the ridge that runs over the Glyders to Tryfan and if you are not a camper this makes an excellent full days walk and scramble.”

He’s equally knowledgeable about Roseberry Topping in the North Yorkshire Moors. “One side of the summit is cut away and leaves a jagged cliff. This makes the hill visually stunning when viewed from the north. The name dates back to the Viking settlements and is in honour of Odin the Norse God of War. It's only 15 minutes walk from the bottom to the top and is worth the time and effort tenfold. In fact if you climb up and down 48 times it's the same as scaling Everest.”

When it comes to wild camping, Russ not only writes about his own experience, it’s packed with practical tips too: “Wild camping spots exist around Llyn Idwal (at Y Garn) if you are arriving late or don’t want to carry heavy kit to the summit. Also another ledge around a smaller lake higher up is a good option but the very best spot is behind the pointy summit. I was joined by my hiking buddy Bronwen @bronners.h for this camp and we pitched on a large flat piece of grass that exists as an island in a sea of rocks. We had got lucky with the weather; a summer heatwave and it was a night of sunsets and silhouettes. Alarm clocks were set for 5am and the number of people watching the sunrise on the summit was in double figures. That many people can’t be wrong. This is definitely a mountain you should spend at least one night sleeping on…”

Russ quit his banking job in the pandemic to climb and wild camp - swapping five days a week at a desk for five days a week in the fresh air. Since then Russ has become a kora ambassador, and it’s his chosen kit for this next adventure - “camping through all seasons I know I'll be keeping warm whether I am on a Scottish Island camp, in the Lake District or in rugged Wales”.

Be sure to follow Russ as he documents 100 nights on 100 mountains, staying warm and dry in kora.

Russ's favourite pieces are the Yushu Crew, Yushu Zip, lightweight Neema LS Crew base layers which go perfectly with the Stratam Vest and Stratam Hooded Jacket mid layers.

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