Hi All,
I wanted to ask people who or what got you interested in the outdoors pursuits that we all participate to some extent or other ? I thought it would be interesting to see what inspired people and see if that has changed down the years.
For myself it was a chance reading of a book 'Backpacking' by Showell Styles when I was 11. It was a revelation. Neither of my parents were outdoorsy types (both Londoners) and this book told me of the joys of carrying your home on your back and through that, being able to visit parts of the world less travelled. He also wrote a book called 'Backpacking in Alps and Pyrenees' that still makes for a good guide book and read in it's own right.
He advocated using a staff and was mocked - until everyone started using walking poles. He was of the generation that, because they weren't well off, innovated, invented and modified their kit to suit their needs rather than have 4 rucksacks and 12 waterproofs. From a time before built in obsolesence, this year's colours and must-have and where if it weren't wore out or broke then it wasn't necessary to change/fix it.
He also wrote something like 160 books including period Naval novels, childrens books etc under his name and 2 pseudonyms(?).
A great guy, sadly missed (2005) and a man who quite literally changed my life. I wish I'd met him to tell him of the places I had visited thanks to him.
Dave
I wanted to ask people who or what got you interested in the outdoors pursuits that we all participate to some extent or other ? I thought it would be interesting to see what inspired people and see if that has changed down the years.
For myself it was a chance reading of a book 'Backpacking' by Showell Styles when I was 11. It was a revelation. Neither of my parents were outdoorsy types (both Londoners) and this book told me of the joys of carrying your home on your back and through that, being able to visit parts of the world less travelled. He also wrote a book called 'Backpacking in Alps and Pyrenees' that still makes for a good guide book and read in it's own right.
He advocated using a staff and was mocked - until everyone started using walking poles. He was of the generation that, because they weren't well off, innovated, invented and modified their kit to suit their needs rather than have 4 rucksacks and 12 waterproofs. From a time before built in obsolesence, this year's colours and must-have and where if it weren't wore out or broke then it wasn't necessary to change/fix it.
He also wrote something like 160 books including period Naval novels, childrens books etc under his name and 2 pseudonyms(?).
A great guy, sadly missed (2005) and a man who quite literally changed my life. I wish I'd met him to tell him of the places I had visited thanks to him.
Dave