We share our prime 10 posts of the 12 months, from the chilly peak of Denali to the frantic streets of the famed Pink Metropolis
This 12 months, we celebrated 10 years of Atlas & Boots. Once we first began the weblog in 2014, it was primarily a technique to keep employable in order that once we returned to London after our huge journey, it wouldn’t be unimaginable to seek out new jobs.
We didn’t know then that our little weblog would develop to 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 readers monthly. Sadly, we misplaced about half of them when the pandemic hit and by no means fairly recovered them, however we’re nonetheless ticking alongside due to our loyal viewers.
This 12 months was notable for different causes too. Peter efficiently summited Denali, one of many coldest and hardest peaks on the planet, bringing him one step nearer to his dream of climbing the seven summits.
For me, it’s been comparatively quiet on the journey entrance with solely two journeys, however I did handle to complete my fifth novel. What Occurs in Darkish is out subsequent 12 months and could also be my favorite but.
We’ll quickly be planning our subsequent adventures however, for now, we’re taking pause and searching again at our prime 10 posts of 2024.
1. Climbing Denali: a dream virtually slips by my fingers
By Peter
Learn Climbing Denali: a dream virtually slips by my fingers
At round 6.30pm native time on Tuesday 28 Could 2024, six grown males stood on the summit of Denali, the very best peak in North America, crying their eyes out. Amongst them was a triathlon athlete, a veteran of the Marathon des Sables, an Everest summiteer returning to Denali for his second try and our very personal Peter.
On this put up, he explains why climbing Denali was the toughest factor he has ever achieved. He recounts how, after coaching for over a 12 months and spending a fortune on the expedition, he virtually failed on the closing hurdle – and why he stored going regardless of indicators of frostbite.
2. A life lived inside: reflections on my mom’s previous
By Kia
Learn A life lived inside: reflections on my mom’s previous
Earlier this 12 months, I requested her mom if she has any regrets about her life. I don’t know the Bengali phrase for ‘remorse’ so what I requested was, “In the event you may change something about your previous, what would you modify?” She answered, “I might have gone outdoors extra.”
Her reply made me deeply unhappy. It might be poignant coming from any aged individual, nevertheless it was particularly so coming from my mom. On this private piece, I clarify why. I mirror on her reply and ask if remorse of that magnitude can ever be undone.
3. In defence of climbing Everest
By Peter
Learn In defence of climbing Everest
Everest is likely one of the most contentious subjects in mountaineering. Some declare that it has develop into too crowded and commercialised. Others say that the chance is simply too excessive and that the reward of standing on prime of the world isn’t value placing lives in peril for.
On this piece, Peter argues that this can be a paternalistic view and that westerners ought to take a look at their very own hyper-commercialised mountains earlier than turning their gaze on Nepal. He displays on the criticism that is legitimate and suggests doable options based mostly on his expertise on different mountains.
4. Jaipur Cycle Tour: testing my mettle within the frantic Pink Metropolis
By Kia
Learn Jaipur Cycle Tour: testing my mettle within the frantic Pink Metropolis
The legend of Jaipur is that it’s India’s first deliberate metropolis. It’s stated that esteemed architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya deliberate each element of the town, from the orientation of the gates to the script above every constructing – all based mostly on Vastu Shastra, an historic Hindu architectural system that includes nature, daylight and symmetry.
Sadly, Jaipur’s completely deliberate streets aren’t precisely bike owner pleasant, as I discovered whereas dodging teeming visitors, dense crowds, overzealous merchants, barking canines and some wayward cows.
5. by no means break a zipper once more
By Peter
Learn by no means break a zipper once more
Do you know that only one Japanese firm makes over half of the world’s zippers? Likelihood is that in the event you check out a zipper on a chunk of your outside gear – or any clothes for that matter – will probably be inscribed with the letters YKK.
On this surprisingly absorbing piece, Peter shares a deep dive into the common-or-garden zipper. He breaks down the elements, tells you the best way to spot high quality and reveals you the best way to rescue an expensive little bit of equipment.
6. On travelling solo as a small brown lady
By Kia
Learn On travelling solo as a small brown lady
I’ve what has been described as “a candy face”. Definitely, this has its advantages. I can get myself out of a low-level jam with a pleading smile or safe myself a reduction when one isn’t often out there.
On the flip aspect, having a “candy face” has some drawbacks. I’m generally patronised, belittled, ignored or bullied in methods I don’t suppose these with resting bitch face typically are. It doesn’t assist that I’m 5’2” and weigh about 100lbs. In brief, individuals suppose they’ll push me round – generally actually. On this put up, I mirror on travelling solo as a small brown lady and why I don’t typically get pleasure from it.
7. Nations the place you’ll be able to see tigers within the wild
By Peter
Learn Nations the place you’ll be able to see tigers within the wild
A century in the past, as many as 100,000 wild tigers roamed the planet however by the twenty first century, that determine had plummeted by round 95% largely resulting from habitat loss and poaching.
On this put up, Peter explores the only a few nations the place it’s nonetheless doable to identify tigers within the wild. He laments the lack of these majestic creatures and asks if present conservation efforts can revive their numbers.
8. 10 well-known bushes minimize down by people
By Kia
Learn 10 well-known bushes minimize down by people
It was an act of vandalism that scandalised a nation. Britain’s iconic Sycamore Hole tree was minimize down with a chainsaw within the early hours of twenty eighth September 2023.
The senselessness of the act was significantly poignant. There have been different well-known bushes minimize down by people, however there has often been a purpose: accident, protest, exploitation. Within the case of the Sycamore Hole tree, it seems to be sheer malice. On this put up, I dig into these different bushes – together with the oldest identified to man.
9. Britain’s final remaining wild locations
By Peter
Learn Britain’s final remaining wild locations
Within the UK, wilderness has largely been abolished. It was once that 75% of the nation was lined in forest. Now, that stands at 13%, making the UK one in all Europe’s least densely forested nations. On this piece, Peter goes searching for the final remaining wild locations on this “inexperienced and nice land”.
10. Atlas & Boots’ prime 100 journey experiences – ranked
By Kia
Learn Atlas & Boots’ prime 100 journey experiences – ranked
Our 2022 expedition to Antarctica is indubitably our primary journey expertise. It’s tough to pick one single expertise, however among the many finest had been crossing the Antarctic Circle, making landfall on the continent amongst a colony of Gentoo penguins, exploring the pristine Paradise Bay, navigating by beautiful pack ice and colossal icebergs, observing penguin chicks on Barrientos Island and watching a child humpback whale sleep off the bow of the ship. On this piece, we share what else made our prime 100 journey experiences.
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