Assynt tests mountain marathon contestants

If you headed for Assynt in the search for peace and solitude, you might have been disappointed to have been in the company of more than 450 entrants in the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, which calls itself the connoiseurs' mountain marathon.The event, which took place on the weekend of 17-18 June, pits the navigational wits and stamina of the competitors in a different area each year.

Your chance to take part in the ultimate wilderness walk

Fancy taking part in a giant relay to celebrate Britain's wild country?The John Muir Trust is asking participants to cover 2 500 miles walking, running, cycling, paddling and sailing while making the least possible environmental impact.The good news is: you don't have to cover all 2 500 individually.

Head for Wasdale for weekend fun

Fancy a bit of fun in one of Lakeland's finest valleys while helping a good cause?Get yourself to Wasdale Head for the weekend starting Friday 21 July and you can join in the activities planned to raise cash for the local mountain rescue team.There's free camping next to the Wasdale Head Hotel, with a beer festival (not free!) and live bands.Saturday morning, you'll have the chance to witness an attempt by Charles Potter to swim the whole length of Wast Water underwater - feat never before accomplished.The day culminates with an auction of goodies donated by members of the public and outdoor firms.

Mighty midges meet their match?

There's a new weapon in the fight against the scourge of Scottish mountains.No, it's not a pronunciation guide to Gaelic toponomy, though that would be useful enough.

Nevis cleanup strikes strange note

Ever wondered why the hills are alive with the sound of music?Volunteers from the John Muir Trust taking down the numerous cairns littering the summit plateau of Britain’s highest mountain may have found the answer.

Mountain rescue helicopters face uncertain future

Britain’s search-and-rescue helicopter bases face closure in six years’ time.Tony Blair’s Labour government plans to privatise the service in 2012, with no guarantee that the current military and coastguard bases will continue to provide cover from the bases they now do.The new service will be run under a private finance initiative (PFI) which have been so successful in building up massive profits for companies providing hospitals with overpriced new buildings and landing the health authorities and therefore the taxpayer (ie us!) with decades of debt.

Survey aims to tick the right boxes

Wanted: men in running shorts; hairy legs preferred.The Mountaineering Council of Scotland put grough on to a survey in which the ticks are more than the usual instance of just filling boxes.The Heather Trust – that’s a trust interested in heather moorland rather than named after a woman of that name – is conducting research into ticks, the annoying little beasts that attach themselves to various bits of our anatomy and feast on blood.The trust says there’s anecdotal evidence that their prevalence is increasing and wants to find out it that’s true.

Take a grough trip to the underworld

This weekend sees the end of the winch meet for the Craven Pothole Club at Gaping Gill, Yorkshire most impressive underground attraction.

Ramblers aim to get Britain on its feet

The Ramblers Association’s fifth annual attempt to get Britons off their backsides and on to their feet is approaching.Welcome to Walking Week is the national festival to coax people into taking up walking.