Mountain Inspiration

A BMC TV production with Mary-Ann Ochota, supported by Marmot. Want to wander lonely as a cloud with your pooch for company? This walk over High Street, so called because of the Roman Road which once ran right across its spectacular plateau, is a stile-free treat, with some of the most stirring views in the entire English Lake District.

A poem I wrote that describes being raised as a woman in the mountains, accompanied by a painted animation. A film by Ailsa Brock @ailsabrock

‘Walk On’ follows the journey of Wilderness Guide and Explorer, Eliza Brown’s 20 day epic to become the first known person to travel the length of the Scottish highlands with a pack pony. Eliza initially attempted the route last year on foot but a dislocated kneecap on day two led to the abrupt abandonment of her mission. This year, aided by Pansy the Fell Pony, Eliza tries once more to tackle the 400km of mountainous and boggy terrain to the reach to northern coast of Scotland, a route which has seen more people fail than succeed. This story documents the characters that help her along the way as well as inviting people to rediscover and connect with their more primal selves as Eliza promotes the importance of self- sufficiency in the wild. What begins as a quest to prove herself as a wilderness guide evolves with every step further North into something much greater and more meaningful than simply testing herself. A film by Grace TSP @Dark.Art.Pictures Featuring Eliza Brown @elizabrownexplore

Mary-Ann Ochota faces her fears on the hardest of all Scottish Munros: Skye's famous Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Cuillin Ridge. What is pushing her towards this inaccessible pinnacle? Why does she want to reach something that cannot be reached? What does she hope to achieve?

Why do we need wild places? Four artists head to the remote Scottish bothy of Shenavall in an evocative call to the wilderness. This BMC TV production is from the team that brought you the award-winning Operation Moffat. Supported by our friends Lowe Alpine, this short film features four women who travel to the remote Shenavall bothy in the highlands of Scotland. Filmmaker Jen Randall follows wild-swimming-video-artist Natasha Brooks (star of Blue Hue), acclaimed Sheffield artist Tessa Lyons and poet Claire Carter (as seen in Operation Moffat) as they explore the surrounding wilderness.

iWalk to escape. Why do you walk? An inspiring short film, made for BMC TV by the late, talented Ben Winston:

An inspiring short film on why we should all go wild. This is a meditation on wilderness, featuring outdoor instructor Ailsa Orlik.

Blackdog Outdoors are a mental health charity that brings people together in wilderness to walk, climb and escape from the noise and bustle of everyday life. Join them as they lead a group along Snowdonia's Nantlle Ridge, finding joy, companionship and the inner peace that only a day out in the hills can provide.

The mountains of Western Scotland can be imposing to some, but to others their remote and seemingly endless nature have a meditative appeal. An avid and capable climber, Kirsty Pallas takes to the outdoors to offer her assistance as part of Mountain Rescue, an organisation made up entirely of volunteers. This film puts a face to one of Oban’s local heroes, looking at her life, background and ambitions, and her connection to the mountains that she loves.

Patience: climber overcomes breast cancer and returns to climbing

Scrambling / mountaineering chat part 1 is a long one, even by my standards, sorry. I chat about how I got in to scrambling and the kit I take and why. Part two will be about some scrambling techniques, and will be a lot shorter!

Four British women take on the challenge of the famous Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) races in Chamonix, France. This short film by Seventwenty Productions follows Nikki Barnard, Milly Voice, Katy Dartford and Kaz Williams as they tackle the highs, and lows, of ultra-distance running.

Come along and run some ridges with Kilian Jornet around the dramatic mountains of Åndalsnes, Norway. Shot over the course of 24 hours, get a glimpse into the passion and mindset that sets Kilian calmly in tune with nature where others are not...

What's it really like to fly at 7,000 m, crossing frozen mountains, soaring massive rockwalls and forging new cross country routes on a paraglider in the Himalayas? To find out, adventure filmmaker Alun Hughes joins high altitude paragliding star John Silvester on a tandem paraglider and goes 'col busting' in the Karakoram. Leaving the comforts of Snowdonia, UK, Alun embarks on a journey into the frozen world of extreme altitude paragliding. Installing themselves in Karimabad in the now fabled Hunza valley of the Karakoram Highway, Alun straps himself to the front of Silvester's tandem paraglider and together they commit themselves deep into previously unflown terrain. The footage they bring back from their adventure is nothing short of astonishing. This gripping adventure film documents not only an extraordinary pilot and the cutting edge of high altitude Himalayan paragliding, it also introduces a growing subculture of paragliding that has never been explored before. The Birdman of the Karakoram won the prize for human adventure at the 2009 Coupe Icare film festival in St Hilaire, France. This film is part of The Alun Hughes Collection. BMC TV is hosting the films of the The Alun Hughes Collection here on our YouTube channel. All films remain copyright Alun Hughes.

As one of the hardest routes up Snowdon, it is appropriate for experienced mountain walkers who are comfortable with heights. It is not a route for novice hill walkers. How to scramble Crib Goch: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-crib-goch

Dan Aspel tackles Jack’s Rake, the ever-popular slanting scramble in the heart of one of the Lake District’s most appealing valleys. From Langdale, hike up to the cool waters of Stickle Tarn. Once here the route leaps right out at you, as it cuts across the face of Pavey Ark, the imposing wall of rock that dominates the skyline from this point. Although technically a Grade 1 scramble, this is not a route to be underestimated. The ascent is steep from the off and the growing sense of exposure to your left-hand side as you climb upward can be unnerving for the inexperienced. The rock is often wet and slippery too, meaning that slow, steady and secure progress is essential. Because of this and the route’s enduring popularity there are slips, accidents and even fatalities here every year – so caution is advised at all times. However, approach Jack’s Rake safely and you’ll discover a natural scrambling line of supreme mountain drama and consistent interest. This is a deservedly celebrated route. How to scramble Jack's Rake: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-jacks-rake

Dan Aspel brings you a guide to this classic Helvellyn ridge scramble in the Lake District, a popular introduction to grade 1 scrambling. It requires good weather, appropriate footwear and a head for heights. How to scramble Striding Edge: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-striding-edge

Dan Aspel enjoys glorious conditions as he tackles this little-known but spectacular ridge scramble in Snowdonia, an ideal introduction to grade 1 scrambling. It requires good weather, appropriate footwear and a head for heights. How to scramble Llech Ddu Spur: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-the-llech-ddu-spur

In this video, featuring some incredible aerial footage of some breathtaking mountain scenery, Ben Weeks tackles the "best walkers' route up Britain's highest peak" - the CMD Arête on Ben Nevis.

Take a trip along the stunning ridge of Aonach Eagach in Glen Coe, Scotland. The Aonach Eagach is a serious grade 2 scramble.The ridge is long, committing and extremely exposed. Good weather, appropriate footwear and scrambling experience are required. How to scramble Aonach Eagach: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-aonach-eagach

While both ridges are popular introductions to scrambling, both are high mountain routes which require good weather, appropriate footwear and a head for heights. How to scramble Tryfan's North Ridge: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-tryfans-north-ridge

Ben Weeks takes on the challenge of Threading the Needle: a short but serious scramble behind one of the Lake District's most iconic mountain features: Napes Needle on Great Gable.

Sharp Edge traverses precipitous terrain and becomes extremely slippery when wet. Good weather, appropriate footwear and a head for heights are required. https://www.thebmc.co.uk/how-to-scramble-sharp-edge