Sidetracked Volume 27 Cover Reveal. We selected this image by @vegard_aasen firstly as the project is quite remarkable and a unique unison of adventure, creativity and environmental messaging. Plus, it’s a gorgeous image! From Vegards website: ‘Light lines is an art project with the objective of showcasing humans interacting with wild nature in a new and unique way. The project will showcase iconic Norwegian mountains through fine-art landscape photographs. By combining action sports and landscape photography, the project offers a playful twist to classical nature stills. By equipping skiers with headlamps and using a long exposure technique, the at-dusk scenery of the descents creates the base of this project. ​ The dreamy backdrop of some of Norway's most famous mountains is inviting, but the light lines are a reminder of the power and impact we, as humans, have on these landscapes. We hope to invite the viewer to reflect on the traces that we leave behind us.’ #mountainscape #mountainstories

SIDETRACKED VOLUME 27 SNEAK PEEK. Pre-order available now in our shop. #adventure #exploration #expedition

GOING DEEPER Deep within the mountains of Dominican Republic, a large range of rugged karst extends throughout the heart of the country, crossing into Haiti. Abundant caves have been noted by the local residents with one of the caves being reported to be the deepest in the Dominican Republic and potentially to be the deepest cave in the Caribbean Islands. With over half a mile of rope, over 50 bolts/hangers, and diving gear, Adam Haydock and team were able to successfully affect an expedition to map, photograph, LIDAR, and explore the frontier of Catanamatias Cave. Find out how they pulled off the arduous and demanding expedition and found a oneness within all of us in Sidetracked Volume 27. Story and photography: @ahaydock1 #caves #exploring

STORIES BEHIND THE GEAR: BLUNDSTONE Blundstone has remained steadfast in its commitment since 1870, crafting boots that withstand the test of time and support the unique journeys of those who wear them. ‘Our purpose has always been to enable people to walk life their way,’ Adam says. ‘With 153 years of stories behind us, we know that while our boots won’t change the world, the people that wear them just might.’ In our Field Journal, @harrietosborne talks to @blundstone_uk #outdoorliving #everywherelifetakesme

BEYOND THE WALLS ‘The 80° wall above us, plastered in paper-thin petals of white lichen, was blank. I could see faint nubbins protruding here and there and subtle undulations rippling through the sandpaper-rough black granite, but beyond that nada, kaput. Hanging at the belay to my left, my partner Matt McGeever, sweaty with streaks of dirt on his face, had the same look of worried frustration.’ In Sidetracked Volume 27, Beyond The Walls: Pushing forward the frontier of Malawi’s rock climbing scene by attempting an ambitious first ascent on the granite walls of the Mulanje Massif. Story: @michael_levy_climbing Photography: @kiran_kallur #rockclimbing #mountainstories

AMAZING GRACE There are no roads up here, no settlements, just a land populated by polar bears and caribou, black bears and wolves. Its cold seas thrive with minke whales and orcas, char and humpbacks. The Inuit homeland we’re entering is today protected as the Torngat Mountains National Park, the only Canadian national park run entirely by Inuit staff. It’s 9,700 square kilometres of true wilderness. There are no roads up here, no settlements, just a land populated by polar bears and caribou, black bears and wolves. Its cold seas thrive with minke whales and orcas, char and humpbacks. For the last few years, annual visitor numbers have averaged around 550. A Journey through the Torngat Mountains National Park: This story was first published in Sidetracked Volume 16 Written by @danieljneilson Photography @dave_howells_photo #mountainstories

Stories Behind the Gear: Lizard Lizard was founded in Italy by shoemaker Luca Pedrotti over 30 years ago. Inspired by lizards darting in and out of streams in the Dolomite Mountains, he combined the breathability of a sandal with the performance of a shoe to enable people to explore without limits. In our Field Journal @harrietosborne chats to @lizardfootwear Product Manager Peter Cable about the Ultra Trek, a high-performance sandal designed for big adventures on mixed terrain. Images: @lizardfootwear #outdoorgear #outdoorlifestyle #forlifeonthemove

STRONGER WITH TIME Joffrey Maluski sets out on a winter fatbike traverse of Iceland. Facing deep cold and extreme storms, he has no choice but control what he can and adapt to the rest. After 913km and 28 days, including a total of 148 hours of cycling, Joffrey Maluski reached Bjargtangar – and completed his winter fatbike traverse of Iceland. The coldest temperature he recorded was –21°C. Story and photography by @joffreymaluski Written by @alex_roddie Stronger With Time is available in Sidetracked Volume 27. #expedition #adventure #explore

METEORA My dad, used to bring me and my brother to the valley. Here we developed a close bond with nature and played hide and seek among the endless little paths winding through its complex ways. It was on one of those childhood days, when I was nine years old, that I first remember seeing an actual climber on one of those walls, tiny as an insect far above – and in my mind I pretendeded to be an explorer myself, seeking a route upward on steep rock. It's a memory I have always carried with me. The valley reminded me of the labyrinth in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. Thousands of tiny, romantic paths lined by an impenetrable frieze of trees and bushes shape tunnel-like routes, that expand for many kilometres. It's easy to get lost. Meteora, by @annouki was featured in Sidetracked Volume 19. #adventure #exploretocreate #mountainstories

JOURNEY ON THE TIGRIS By the time we arrived at the headwaters, I had been navigating along a theoretical river for nearly two years. The expedition had taken up so much of my life that on good days I dreamt of floating on a boat, mid-Tigris, watching Iraq drift by. In Sidetracked Volume 27 Leon McCarron and Emily Garthwaite conduct a source-to-sea descent of the Tigris – perhaps the world’s most inaccessible river. Written by @leonmccarron Photography by @emilygarthwaite #adventure #exploring

STORIES BEHIND THE GEAR: Gill - in pursuit of high performance. We chat to @gillmarine Product Development Director, Matt Clark, and Marketing Director, Sally Streeting, about how founder Nick Gill transformed his passion for sailing into a world-leading multi-discipline marine clothing brand, prioritising performance, safety, and durability to withstand one of the most challenging, remote, and extreme environments on the planet. This story is now available in our Field Journal. Written by @harrietosborne Photographs courtesy of @gillmarine #sailing #outdoorgear

THE EDGE OF CHINA When a baby is born, a new tree is planted in their honour, and when a person dies, their tree is used to make the coffin. Juniper smoke blows on the cold air, snowy white against the dark mountain outline backlit against a dawn sky. Today marks Losar, Tibetan New Year, the most celebrated festival on the Tibetan Plateau. A time for renewal, for bringing in the light and chasing the darkness – a symbol of new beginnings. The Edge of China is featured in Sidetracked Volume 27. Story and photography by @catvinton #mountainstories #documentaryphotography