FATMAP is an outdoor adventure platform and high-resolution 3D map for both web and mobile (iOS and Android).

It allows you to plan your routes, download them to your device and then see them in HD, giving you the best view of your hike or climb.

Three of my favourite walks are below and I would love to know if you’ve walked them and what you think.

Click on the maps to interact with the walk, and see pictures from the routes.

You can check out more fantastic walks  here.

Ingleborough from Clapham

Cautley Spout and Calf Top

Whernside… the old way!

WILL YOU TIP ME A BREW TO KEEP THIS SITE RUNNING?

Thank you to the many people who have kindly bought me a brew as encouragement to keep this blog and my work going!

The post My favourite routes with Fatmap appeared first on Mascarandy Media.

In the past I’ve posted ‘year reflection’ pieces that look back at year successes and highlights.

This time round, I’m focusing on the future and the here and now.

So here goes:

Fatmap:

It’s great to be part of the FATMAP family.

FATMAP is an outdoor adventure platform and high-resolution 3D map for both web and mobile (iOS and Android).

Over the coming weeks I have been commissioned to post a number of my favourite routes on the site – challenging and gentle and I really look forward to sharing them with you.

The first is here, go ahead, download on your phone, enjoy and above all let me know what you think of the route.

SplashMaps:

In December, we announced an affiliate partnership with SplashMap.

The innovative company designs  wearable, washable, all weather maps for the real outdoors.

Basically, any map – Ordnance Survey etc – can be printed onto fabric that can be worn or stored in your pack.

And as it’s fabric, it will take the best of the British weather too!

I’ll be scribbling a product review of the map shortly but in the meantime, use the link  and support one of our partners.

New Book:

50 Gems of Cheshire is set to be published in April.

Available to pre-order from my store, it features 50 of the best places to visit in Cheshire and several interviews with some of the people behind the Gems.

Like 50 Gems of Derbyshire, some will be familiar … others not so and I guarantee you’ll learn something new!

You can find out more here.

OWPG & TGO:

I’ve been a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild for a number of years now and it is something I am really proud of being part of.

The affiliation has opened the door to a whole host of differing advice and people and I am honoured to be a member.

I’m convinced the association allowed my work to be considered by other publishers and outdoor companies – and my recent inclusion in the TGO Blogger Network.

TGO Magazine is a must read and the link above directs you to some great work by fellow authors.

Check it out.

Sign Up For Our Newsletter:

Simple one… receive an occasional email from Mascarandy with what we have been up to, the odd competition, snippet, list of stuff, top 10s and much more… no spam. Promise.

And Finally…

I really appreciate you taking time out to read this post.

The proceeds of every book, picture and postcard sold on the site goes back into writing more books, taking more pictures and creating more postcards.

If you can’t buy a book, picture or postcard (yes, I’ve said it again) then would you buy me a brew to keep this site up and running?

Yes? Nice, I take sugar in tea or alternatively you can click on the button below.

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50 Gems of Cheshire is due out at the end of April next year.

Stalybridge Buffet Bar

The first was Stalybridge Buffet Bar which dates back to 1885, one of the very few remaining Victorian station buffet bars. This was one on the list a long time ago, via a recommendation and it didn’t disappoint. 

The bar itself is decorated, no … more festooned in old signs, memorabilia, historic artefacts from the railway … but it’s tastefully done. And the selection of beers etc on sale is superb, as is the food. Away from the bar there is a more formal dining area too, but not too stuffy that you would feel out of place nipping in and having a quick bite.

It really is not to be missed and worth the special trip for sure.

Hack Green

My second visit on ’50 Gems’ was to Hack Green Nuclear Bunker. I’d been in touch with the curator Lucy Siebert for a while and finally landed on a date that suited us both. When I arrived (this place is certainly secret as my sat nav had a nightmare) Lucy was taking a tour so I pretty much had the run of the bunker to myself.

All I can say – as I don’t want to spoil the chapter in the book and your visit – is that it brings home the planning and preparation for what would have happened after a nuclear attack. It’s non-political, very informative, stark and bloody frightening in places too. 

It opened my eyes on any preconceptions I might have had … you just have to go and take a look. 

Some of the equipment may look outdated but it’s still operational as well. Sobering … although it’s not hooked up to the national network as times have moved on of course.

We hope?

Brew With A View

Finally, in-between these visits I made my way to my happy place – Gaping Gill in the Yorkshire Dales. This is a well known pothole in the Dales and many a visitor has gone passed it, and looked into its depths, when trudging up Ingleborough. 

In fact, you can get winched down it on two separate occasions in the year – Spring and Summer Bank Holiday.

I’ve always picked my time to head up through Trow Gill and beyond as a result and a misty afternoon was the ideal time to do so. I saw one person on the way up and no one on the way down as I came back into Clapham as the night drew in.

It gives me time to think; up in that expanse, and listen to Fell Beck as it makes its way down the hole.

Grizzly’s Adventure Blends

I also had the opportunity to try out some of Grizzly’s Adventure Blends’ products – a company I’m hoping to link up with in the New Year.

Their Mint Hot Chocolate was my tipple of choice and it seemed to fit in well with the rushing of Fell Beck and the cold whipping around Gaping Gill’s shakehole.

It’s pretty easy to make too – I opted for hot water (sourced out of the beck of course before boiling) instead of milk and it made it a powerfully tasting hot beverage. Not for the feint-hearted for sure. Quite an adult drink too in its richness and it certainly powered me back down to Clapham.

You can see an ‘Insta Story’ of the brew being made here – just head to #brewwithabrew Highlights.

Next up for me to try is the Breakfast Blend Tea and Orange Hot Chocolate.

Hopefully, via a Kelly Kettle … more to follow on that.

A Favour To Ask…

It’s Christmas and I very rarely do the hard sell so I won’t do that here.

Kinda.

Everything in my store has been written and photographed by myself and, in the case of the books, all commissioned.

Every penny I make on these products goes back into Mascarandy so I can continue to grow the ‘brand’, get out, walk and write, and be more attractive to the likes of Grizzly’s and Splash Maps (see below).

Visiting those partners helps them help me. 

I try and price everything so it is competitive compared to the high street and Amazon and offer free postage (and packing too). 

So if you’re looking for a unique Christmas Gift, or a bloody good read, then check out Splash Maps below and my Shop.

Finally…

It would be really really really good if you could sign up to my newsletter! 

Everyone does this don’t they? You click on to a website and there it is, a sign up button.

So why should you do it here?

Well, you’ll receive the very latest news direct to your inbox including trip reports, gear reviews, blogs and what’s happening with book launches and signings.

There will also be competitions and discounts in my store.

And, we promise, there will no Spam and you can opt out at any time.

That a deal? Simply input your email address below!

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The innovative company designs wearable, washable, all weather maps for the real outdoors.

Basically, any map – Ordnance Survey etc – can be printed onto fabric that can be worn or stored in your pack.

And as it’s fabric, it will take the best of the British weather too!

Check out the links below to find out more and support one of our partners!

The post Mascarandy Partners With SplashMap appeared first on Mascarandy Media.