Alex Foxfield
Alex is a freelance adventure writer and mountain leader with an insatiable passion for the mountains. A Cumbrian born and bred, his native English Lake District has a special place in his heart, though he is at least equally happy in North Wales, the Scottish Highlands or the European Alps. Through his hiking, mountaineering, climbing and trail running adventures, Alex aims to inspire others to get outdoors. He's the former President of the London Mountaineering Club, is training to become a winter mountain leader, looking to finally finish bagging all the Wainwright fells of the Lake District and is always keen to head to the 4,000-meter peaks of the Alps. www.alexfoxfield.com
Latest articles by Alex Foxfield
What is a satellite communicator? The purpose and functions of these potentially life-saving devices
By Alex Foxfield published
What is a satellite communicator? We take a look at why this technological tether to the rest of the world might be essential for your wilderness expeditions
What is glamping? We indulge in the aspects of glamorous camping
By Alex Foxfield published
What is glamping? All you need to know about glamping, including how environmentally friendly it is and how to create your own DIY glamping experiences
What are contour lines on a map? Plus, how to use them and their origins
By Alex Foxfield published
What are contour lines on a map? We journey to the origin of contour lines, explaining what they are and how you can use them to sharpen your navigation
Best trees for firewood: for steady, safe and satisfying campfires
By Alex Foxfield published
A guide to the best trees for firewood, so that you can achieve a steady, safe heat for your campfire or wood-burning stove
How to chop firewood: split your campfire fuel with ease
By Alex Foxfield published
Knowing how to chop firewood with or without an axe or maul will enable you to fashion pieces perfect for the campfire
How to orientate a map: let us point you in the right direction
By Alex Foxfield published
We guide you on how to orientate a map – with or without your compass – so that you can navigate your way through the backcountry
How to keep your tent clean while camping: a guide on keeping dirt out of your shelter
By Alex Foxfield published
Read our guide on how to keep your tent clean while camping, so that your backcountry bolthole remains dirt free, tidy and a pleasant space to sleep in
How to clean a pocketknife: keep your blade shiny and in working order
By Alex Foxfield published
Knowing how to clean a pocketknife will enable you to keep your blade in top condition, as a dirty knife is unhygienic and potentially unsafe
Are tent heaters safe? In a word, yes – if you're sensible. Here’s why…
By Alex Foxfield published
Are tent heaters safe? We study the options for heating your shelter and consider what you can do to make them as safe as possible.
How to clean camping cookware: keep your utensils pristine while being kind to the planet
By Alex Foxfield published
How to clean camping cookware in an environmentally conscious way whether you’re car camping or heading off into the wilderness
How to clean your hiking stove: remove stubborn stains and keep your stove in optimum condition
By Alex Foxfield published
How to clean your hiking stove: a dirty stove not only looks bad but also won’t cook as effectively, here are our tips to ensure top performance
How to store camping gear: tips and tricks to keep your kit in tip-top condition
By Alex Foxfield published
Our guide on how to store camping gear means your equipment will be bright and ready rather than damp and miserable when it comes out of winter hibernation
How to pitch a tent: our tips for quick, secure assembly wherever you decide to pitch
By Jen and Sim Benson, Alex Foxfield published
Knowing how to pitch a tent properly will make your camping trip all the more enjoyable – get this aspect correct and the rest will take care of itself
AKU Rock DFS GTX: a hybrid hiking / approach shoe featuring innovative double lacing
By Alex Foxfield published
A fully-featured beast of an approach shoe, the AKU Rock DFS GTX is just as happy and capable on wet and wild trails as it is on sun-drenched rock
How to store firewood: make your campfire fuel dry and keep it that way
By Alex Foxfield published
Knowing how to store firewood correctly can make all the difference when it comes to igniting and sustaining that all-important campfire
Types of belay device: the tools that keep us safe on the crags
By Alex Foxfield published
With different types of belay device out there, we look at the pros and cons of each and consider which you should use for different styles of climbing
How to choose a backpacking tent: venture into the wilderness with the right shelter
By Alex Foxfield last updated
Our guide to picking the optimum backpacking tent for your adventures, whether you’re going solo or thru-hiking with buddies
How to store climbing rope: using a rope bag, taking coils and correct storage
By Alex Foxfield published
We reveal how to store climbing rope, the benefits of having a rope bag, how to coil your rope efficiently and where, and where not, to store it
What is ice climbing? We uncover this wild, adrenaline inducing pursuit
By Alex Foxfield published
What is ice climbing? We break the ice to reveal the many facets of the thrilling world of ice climbing
Sighting compasses: what on earth is that mirror for?
By Alex Foxfield published
We take a look at sighting compasses, detailing how they work and considering their advantages and disadvantages compared to standard baseplate compasses
Hiking whistles: why you should have one and how to signal for help
By Alex Foxfield published
We consider hiking whistles, probably the most underrated and potentially vital piece of equipment in your backpack
What is sport climbing? Its history, legendary locations and what you’ll need
By Alex Foxfield published
What is sport climbing? We delve into the development of sport climbing, the world's most popular approach to rock climbing
What is top roping and how does it differ to other approaches to rock climbing?
By Alex Foxfield published
What is top roping? We consider the different methods, where you can do it, the ethics and what sets it apart for lead climbing