A long weekend escape from Sheffield to the Scottish Highlands. Fuelled by curry, pints, folk music and early starts. Two blue-sky days in Glen Coe delivered snowy ridge-lines, sharp climbs, quiet moments, and a timely reminder of why good layering, clear weather windows and time outside still matter.

Every now and then you share a moment with a place, a person or both that will stick with you forever. This weekend I had one of those moments, freezing my knackers off halfway up Coniston Old Man eating a lukewarm dehydrated meal. It had been a prime November day in the lakes. Pissing round with your mates whilst bagging Wainwrights, living on your own time with not a care in the world - The kind of day you long for throughout the week. The hike was steady and the Wainwrights were out in all their glory, the rain even held off for the most part.  The pitch was flat and secluded and even though I accidentally left Nappers tent zip open for him to freeze to death (Sorry mate but still your fault), it couldn’t have been a better place to kip for the night. And as we sat there, shivering, debating whether 6:30pm is a credible bedtime for three fully-grown adults, the most amazing thing happened.   The thick cloud that suffocated the mountains for most of the day split perfectly, showcasing the most incredibly beautiful, nearly-full moon that seemed so close you could almost pick it out of the sky. The cold no longer mattered, the body no longer felt tired and any of the stresses of everyday life just melted away. In this moment, with my two mates, there was nothing else to do apart from watch the sky perform this show, which seemed to be for our eyes only. And that got me thinking, it’s moments like these that keep you coming back for more. Yes we got pissed wet through the following day, had no gas to cook breakfast and had no water until our mouth was dryer than the Sahara, but does it matter? Absolutely bloody not. Would I do it all again? In a heartbeat. There are so many people on this planet who will never experience those moments the mountains offer so often, the ones which put everything into perspective. Whether they care or not is another story, but having shared many of these moments throughout my time, i can firmly say the world would be a better place if everybody spent more time connecting to nature in this way. It’s with this mantra that Summit Systems was born. Making lightweight, stripped-back quality kit to help people seek those soul soothing moments with nature.  And that’s our mission, to motivate people to get off their screens, get out there and experience what truly matters. Over and Out  

Start: Coniston Grid Reference: SD 30197 97594 Route Type: Circular (Anti-Clockwise) If bagging Wainwrights is your hustle, this one is not to be overlooked. This route ticks off seven over the course of 23.5k and 1600m of elevation whilst delivering what every good expedition in the Lakes should - Incredible pitches and killer ascent. Tucked far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Windemere whilst still being accessible, Coniston was once home to a thriving Coppermine that dates back to Roman times. Nowadays however, the area is more accustomed to seasoned hikers and adventurists.  Standing tall behind the town, the Coniston Fells are the perfect playground for any explorer and can be conquered in one expedition, or, as we would recommend, over two days to experience everything this changing landscape has to offer. From the village, head East towards the fells. Be prepared for the ascent out on Coniston towards Walna Scar car park as it is not for the faint hearted. Upon arriving at the car park, take the steady pull up towards the first Wainwright of the day, Dow Crag. From Dow Crag onwards the route stays high along the ridgeline towards Coniston Old Man which can make for some simply incredible viewing should the weather play ball. Once at the summit, we recommend descending around 200 metres towards the tarn to pitch up. This spot offers the evening solitude of the mountains and a morning view you want on repeat.   From here, re-trace your steps up the Old man, before continuing anti-clockwise to Brim Fell, Grey  Friar, Great Carrs, Swirl How and finally Wetherlam, where you will make the steady descent back to Coniston via the old Coppermines. Once back, settle into The Crown for some heart-warming pub grub and a beverage of your choice whilst you thaw out in front of the fireplace. As with all expeditions in the Lakes, the weather can turn quickly, so make sure you have spare warm, dry layers, adequate waterproofs, suitable footwear and enough gas to cook your dinner Pro Tip: Take a pair of Swimmers for the descent as the Coppermines offer the most beautifully refreshing plunge pools en-route back to the village. Over and Out