The annual Gore-tex fest that is the Outdoors Show opens this Friday.
The celebration of everything climby, walky, paddly and generally open airy takes place in that hub of the outdoors world, Birmingham.
You can be sure there will be lots of expensive clothing in this year’s garish colours to ogle at, GPS toys to play with, and ‘celebrities’ to listen to.
Organisations as diverse as the Scouts, the Ramblers’ Association, the Royal Marines Commandos and Jenning’s Brewery will be tempting visitors.
Top names at the show include climber Leo Boulding, Everest summiteer Doug Scott, 8,000m king Alan Hinkes and Julia Bradbury who, if certain commentators are to believed, has single-handedly caused thousands of unsuspecting townies to endanger their lives on the Lakeland fells.
You can also listen to the ramblings of actor Brian Blessed and hear from Simon Yates, who famously cut the rope to plunge fellow Andean climber Joe Simpson into The Void.
If a hands-on experience is more your style, you can build an emergency shelter, test your survival and navigation skills and try your hand at kayaking.
The Ordnance Survey Outdoors Show opens its doors at the NEC at 10am on Friday, 14 March and finishes at 5pm on Sunday. Tickets cost £16 per day on the door for adults, £9 for under 16s.
Full details are on the Outdoors Show website.
