
Charlie Lyon
Charlie is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for hiking, biking, wild swimming and active travel. She recently moved from Bristol to South Wales and now refuses to leave home without one of the following: lightweight hikers, wetsuit, mountain bike, tent. Having bought a fixer-upper that backs on to protected woodland, her love of nature and wildlife has intensified and the dark skies have kickstarted a new fondness for stargazing.
Latest articles by Charlie Lyon

“They're as trainable as dogs” – honeybees in Joshua Tree National Park to become vital arm of search and rescue missions
By Charlie Lyon published
Bees that can detect water in lost hikers' sweat will be tagged with GPS trackers to help locate missing persons

"He lives on in the lives of the people he saved and those he coached and mentored" – climbers pay tribute to mountain rescue legend
By Charlie Lyon published
David Whalley, who has died at the age of 72, was one of the UK’s most experienced mountain rescuers

Miracle escape for hiker who "fell like a rag doll" down a mountain in Scotland
By Charlie Lyon published
Erik Krasovskis was saved from serious injury, possibly even death, when he landed on a small, rocky ledge

The best hiking shoes: capable summit-baggers and fast-paced walkers
By Pat Kinsella, Charlie Lyon last updated
We've tested the best hiking shoes to see how they hold up in challenging conditions – including techy terrain, steep scrambles and boggy trails

Female Iranian climber reportedly forced to move to Spain following backlash after competing without covering her hair
By Charlie Lyon published
Elnaz Rekabi is thought to have fled her homeland to avoid further persecution

Watch the dramatic air rescue of a hiker who was injured in a canyon in Zion National Park
By Charlie Lyon published
Airlift teams managed to save the hiker by helicopter from the narrow gully that is a popular tourist spot

Could drones really replace sherpas on Everest? Successful trials see drones carry 33lbs of equipment to Camp 1
By Charlie Lyon published
The return trips could be used to remove trash from the mountain, but not everyone approves

Polar users listen up – you can now sync TrainingPeaks workouts and plans to your sports watch
By Charlie Lyon published
The new integration is available across Polar's current lineup of sports watches and some past models

Gigantic rockslide closes major highway into Yosemite – see photos of the mammoth debris pile
By Charlie Lyon published
The clear-up operation is so gargantuan that highway officials won't predict road reopening time

The best cheap GPS watches 2025: log your adventures without depleting your savings
By Cat Ellis, Charlie Lyon last updated
If you're looking to improve your trail-running, climbing fitness or optimize recovery between hikes, you'll need one of the best cheap GPS watches. Here's our pick

"The snow was so heavy I could hardly open my eyes" – Chinese hiker warns hikers off perilous trail after surviving for 10 days by eating toothpaste
By Charlie Lyon published
The deadly Ao-Tai trail in northwest China is closed to travelers but that doesn't stop people attempting it

Strava users can share URL links again as fitness giant removes unpopular “safeguarding” measures
By Charlie Lyon published
However, most historical links won't be reinstated

The best changing robes 2025: cocoon yourself post-swim in a protective layer
By Charlie Lyon, Rosee Woodland last updated
The best changing robes will let you discreetly slip out of your wet stuff while helping you stay warm and dry

“It was more of an expedition than a race” – watch the moment a Norwegian runner becomes the first ever finisher of the brutal 293-mile Arctic Spine Race
By Charlie Lyon published
Leif Abrahamsen had to crawl on his hands and knees through a storm during the eight-day ordeal

"They were in the wrong place at the wrong time" – watch the dramatic helicopter rescue of mountaineers injured by avalanche in the Scottish Highlands
By Charlie Lyon published
It took a team of 15 to rescue the climbers who had been hit by a collapsing cornice. Here's how to keep safe on unpredictable winter terrain

The most comfortable hiking boots and shoes 2025: lightweight, cushioned hikers for happy feet
By Charlie Lyon, Rosee Woodland published
We bring you the most comfortable hiking boots and shoes for blissful, pain-free miles on the mountain

How to watch Celebrity Bear Hunt: stream the reality TV show to see celebrities try to outrun survival expert Bear Grylls
By Charlie Lyon published
Watch 12 celebrities become prey for legendary extreme adventurer, Bear Grylls, from anywhere in the world

Kevin Costner takes to the wilderness again in 'Yellowstone to Yosemite', a new docuseries on the birth of the National Parks
By Charlie Lyon published
Costner's journey follows the 1903 Yosemite expedition of president Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir

Two hikers shot and robbed on a scenic California trail in wilderness area close to US-Mexico border
By Charlie Lyon published
Mexican cartel members are suspected of stealing cell phones and backpacks of the US and Canadian citizens

"I'll be hiking in the mountains by this time next year" vows hiker who underwent double amputation after a minor campsite burn
By Charlie Lyon published
The determined adventurer has promised not to give up his passion after an extraordinary case of sepsis caused by a burn forced him to undergo below-knee amputations

“If you really love the thing you are doing, you must be willing to die” – new season of Extreme podcast explores why people risk lives to summit mountains
By Charlie Lyon published
The BBC’s Extreme: Peak Danger series explores the thrilling, yet deadly, world of high-altitude mountaineering

Adventure tourism under threat and environmentalists up in arms after government lifts coal mining ban in Canada's Eastern Rockies
By Charlie Lyon published
The prospect of renewed impact on land and water ecosystems has sparked public outcry and protests

A wild swimmer marries a river in an award-winning documentary that highlights locals' fight to protect it from pollution
By Charlie Lyon published
The UK-made film has been hailed as an inspiring piece of creative activism and aims to boost a campaign for an area of the River Avon to get Designated Bathing Water Status
All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture!