This is the first, (and possibly the last time) this blog will quote the ‘Journal of Theoretical Biology’.

But according to the Thaindian News web site, a new study maintains that: ” While traversing steep hillsides, trekking on a straight line might seem like the shortest route, but its the zigzag course that provides the most efficient and fastest way for humans to go up or down hilly terrain.”

Of course, old hands in the hills have known this for years. But it is nice to get official confirmation.

See the full article here.

outdoorsmagic have a seasonally appropriate and informed article about the contents of your winter backpack.

Good advice, as always, not forgetting the further observations in the accompanying, 89, (at time of posting) comments.

(Most of which seem to concentrate on the topic of nutrition in the hills. And including to this reviewers eyes, and palate,some fairly unkind words about that confection of confections; Kendal Mint Cake!.

Here’s a wonderful post about brasher shod walker Christopher Lambert crossing Europe with a sketchbook in his backpack. (Here's a link to find out more about this charming book on Amazon. And as an added bonus, a direct link to Christopher's site.)

Beautiful stuff. Many thanks for the heads up to Katherine Tyrrell at the TravelSketch blog.