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- čas přidán 5. 09. 2019
- This adventure began with a map. Or perhaps it began with a bike ride -- I can't remember any more. It doesn't really matter, I suppose, but good ideas do tend to brew when either a map or a bicycle is involved.
A few years ago I spent a glorious week in Scotland, riding my bike and sleeping in remote mountain bothies. My only sadness was that I did not have more time for I remember slurping noodles one evening, looking up at the extraordinary shark fin skyline of Suilven and longing to camp up on the summit. The mountain rose out of the hummocks and heather and scattered lochans of Assynt into a breathtaking ridge like a magnificent grey castle, capturing both my eye and my imagination. But time was short and I had to leave the peak unclimbed.
Back home, I work in a small wooden shed. On my desk, amongst the clutter of To Do lists and empty tea mugs, is a small, framed relief map of Suilven. I have looked at it fondly every day since that bothy ride.
The third prod towards this adventure came when I was making a film with my friend Tem a couple of years ago. We endured (and enjoyed) perhaps the windiest wilderness camp of our lives, up on the ridge of Quinag in the Highlands. In the distance stood Suilven once again. Tem and I began chatting about the idea of one day catching the overnight sleeper train up from London to climb the mountain and camp on top. I have sat with Tem and beer in all sorts of bars around the world talking about how good that would be.
But oftentimes the trouble with modern life is not a lack of enthusiasm for challenges nor inspiration for exciting ideas. The problem is how busy we all are, and the real difficulty comes in separating the urgent from the important and then making adventure happen. We need to do what we can, with what we have, and do it now.
And so when Brompton contacted me to help showcase the freedom that their folding bicycles give, I knew this was my opportunity to turn the dream into action at last. I have been using a Brompton bike to explore the wilder parts of Britain for almost a decade, so I knew that it would be ideal. Suilven, here we come!
Bicycle: www.brompton.com/bikes/specia...
This captures everything I love about adventures.
That was the best spent 2mins of my life in a long time,all the best🚴🏻🍷👍
On the Microadventure Bucket List 👍🏽
That's what you call an adventure!!
Magic👏
What a video. From hell to heaven. I was the same. When I was 14, I lived in Hertfordshire and my Dad gave me a map, of the Lake District. Wow hills, didn't know they existed. Just had to visit and walk them. It was the start of an addiction to hill walking. Since, have climbed all the Munros and many others, and confess Suilven is my favourite, in what is probably my favourite part of the world.
Brilliant mate. Love the Brompton. I did the Jogle with 1029 miles this year on mine. Needed 11 days. Also carried whole my stuff with me. Great and inspiring video. Cheers from Austria, Helmut
Hi Al,
We would like to say that you Sir are awesome. Thank you for sharing a few truly freaking inspirational moments from your adventures. We love your videos, books and seriously appreciate your emails. Thank you and we ALWAYS look forwards to more. Warm regards, Gavin & Amanda, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia.
Awesome, Suilven is top of my to-do list ⛰👍
soaring brilliance
Really enjoyed this. Simple and beautiful.
Brilliant video, very inspirational!
Beautiful film
Some great cinematic shots! Do wish it had been a longer video considering that. Such a special place,
Amazing!
Lovely, simple, relaxing to watch.Cheers, Steve aka The Talking Fly
Magical place, unfortunately wasn't able to climb it when there.
Would love a vid of your kit you took, as didn't look much given the remoteness.
Nice to see you and Tem back 'in the nature'
ha!
Nice man! 👍
I may have just adjusted my next vacation plans. Cheers
Awesome
hello from mountainless florida usa. awesome video. would you classify that trip as a grand microadventure...or a micro grand adventure?
@Alastair Humphreys Is there a route map to be found of your bike travel across the continents? Read the books many years ago, but can't remember if you took the faster or more scenic routes. Interested in an adventure in Central Asia
Nice quality and was cool ,but would of been nice to have a little more video of the top and the surrounding areas , was like a blink
What type of kayak was that?
Alpacka packraft
nice
2 mins of me going..😮😮...
What is the inflatable kayak used there?
This is very inspiring! Who was filming? Or was it just the two of you?
It was the two of us filming. We had another friend along to help with carrying gear etc.
@@al_humphreys Wow! You both are very talented with filming. I saw your This Is Great Britain short film too. I love how you share the story of life and adventure in rural places. Do you get the weird looks from people when you were filming on the train and then on the train platform?
Amazing like always! This foldable bike, what is it?
The new Brompton Explore.
@@al_humphreys Thank You! , Just bought three of Your books, can't wait for delivery!
Brilliant. 👍 Really is a special mountain. If you've got a spare 15 mins check out my recent video from Suilven. Was lucky to wake up to a spectacular cloud inversion. Love your work, cheers for making. Atb, Graham
Cool adventure! Thanks for sharing. (video quality was only 360p, was that intentional?)
That might be because it has only just uploaded? Should be 4K.
Ah! Maybe I was too keen. Will check back soon. lol
Check again now.. and all versions are now available... looks MUCH better in HD! :)
What train station did you cycle from?
Let me phrase it like this: “how come I haven’t seen any girlfriends in your videos?”
Why the need for a fire? I don't understand why people go somewhere stunning and then try and burn it down? Its sad that so many beauty spots in Scotland are scarred by fire damage and other signs of bad camping practice. Spoils an otherwise great film Mr Humphreys. Please set an example (Rule 1, Leave no trace. dont be a d*** etc).
Hi Andy, I too am a big fan of 'Leave No Trace'. The fire was lit on a stony river bend - the next time the river levels rose with rain every trace of it will be gone forever.
I agree with "don't be a dick". Maybe you should take a hike and read your comment again. With a bit of wisdom you could see the irony.
Thanks Alastair, its a great film, it would be good if your excellent approach was made clearer in the film. Perhaps others who are inspired by this wont "get" it like we do?
Cookie, i said it was a great film. Im not "bringing it down". Its constructive feedback. Alastair knows exactly what I am talking about. We are seeing increasing damage due to indiscriminate camping practice and we need influencers to spread the right message about leaving no trace. Walked along the shore of loch lomond recently?
@@velosaurus the challenge I face is between trying to make the best films I can (and fires look gorgeous) with trying to set an example in the outdoor community. My aim is to do a good enough job of the latter via books, blogs, social media etc., that my audience get the hang of Leave No Trace in all that they do (and therefore free me up to have a pretty-looking fire in a film). Not easy, I accept that.
@Alastair Humphreys Is there a route map to be found of your bike travel across the continents? Read the books many years ago, but can't remember if you took the faster or more scenic routes. Interested in an adventure in Central Asia
@Alastair Humphreys Is there a route map to be found of your bike travel across the continents? Read the books many years ago, but can't remember if you took the faster or more scenic routes. Interested in an adventure in Central Asia
Here's my map: www.alastairhumphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/3015371536_137d52c1d8_o-1-1230x833.jpg