Category Archives: Vintage

Feet across Australia – A daring 2300 km walk across Australia

When 2 brothers and 3 girls spent 4 months crossing the continent on foot by an inland route in 1973, they became the first recorded party to do so since Burke and Wills. They were also probably the first in which all party member walked every step of the way and still remain as the only party to cross the final salt-flats and mangroves (two more camps) and stand on the beach of the Gulf of Carpentaria. A ‘highlight’ of the walk was their struggle along the flooded Birdsville Track.

Quote: Stephen Graham: The Gentle art of tramping

The less you carry the more you will see, the less you spend the more you will experience. In tramping you are not earning a living, but earning a happiness. There is perhaps no greater test of friendship than going on a long tramp. You discover to one another all the egoisms and selfishnesses youContinue reading “Quote: Stephen Graham: The Gentle art of tramping”

Quote: Robert Cortes Holliday

Holliday published fifteen books, including The Walking-Stick Papers (1918), Men and Books and Cities (1920), Literary Lanes and Other Byways (1925) “The best, the most exquisite automobile is a walking stick; and one of the finest things in life is going on a journey with it” – Robert Cortes Holliday

Excerpt Of Walks and Walking. Chapter XXII – Practical Details

The basics rarely change when wayfaring. If you want to read the entire text goto Of Walks and Walking Tours: An Attempt to find a Philosophy and a Creed by Haultain – Free Ebook. And now for some hints on the practical details of walking tours of more arduous character and more extended length.—Suit theContinue reading “Excerpt Of Walks and Walking. Chapter XXII – Practical Details”

Excerpt: Of Walks and Walking Tours. The Walking Tour.

In this excerpt Harold articulates the timeless joys of the longer distance walk. The pedestrian of today still shares the same philosophy and creed. It is one of the building blocks the constitutes journey and indeed contributes to one of the glorious mysteries of walking.

Excerpt: Of Walks and Walking Tours. An attempt to find a philosophy and creed.

This is an excerpt from a delightful vintage book by the said author. Haultain circles around all facets of walking during his time in the 1900’s. As one works one’s way through the book the reader will be struck by the fact that not much has changed with our vocation throughout the years. You will be smitten with the long gone turn of phrase. More passages of text will appear over time.

The Mountain Men of the 1930’s – Adventures in the Scottish Hills

This podcast comes from the bbc  Scotland Outdoors. Archive from 1980 featuring Jock Nimlin, Tom Weir, Robert Grieve and others. Some wonderful recollections of adventures in a simpler time. There is much to be gained from those who adventured before us. If you’re sitting back listening to this and getting glassy eyed about the past,Continue reading “The Mountain Men of the 1930’s – Adventures in the Scottish Hills”