fort william MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL & FINLAY WILD
Four years ago I embarked in earnest on a new project, Northern Horizons. I didn’t expect it to take four years, and there have been plenty of lows as well as highs along the way. But this last weekend saw the culmination of all that has gone into the book, realised at the Fort William Mountain Festival, with the official launch held on Friday, 14 February.
It had been a busy week. The day before, I had been privileged to meet with Finlay Wild to discuss Northern Horizons - I’ve never been one to put people on a pedestal, but it’s hard not to find yourself in awe of the achievements of someone who has quite literally, set new standards in hill running and pushed far beyond the boundaries of what many once thought possible.
I was similarly humbled in the presence of John Fleetwood, who kindly provided the foreword for Northern Horizons. Simply put, the huge rounds completed by John, in winter as well as summer conditions, dwarf anything most of us will ever contemplate. What a pleasure to talk with Julie Carter too, before she spoke at the festival on Sunday, along with John.
The reception Northern Horizons has received so far has been overwhelming in many ways, and quite surreal after so long working on what has been very much a private affair. But it is also true that so many have contributed in one way or another to Northern Horizons, and the end result would be so much less, if not for them.
Links to the first reviews can be found here.
Northern Horizons is now in stock and available from the Scottish Mountaineering Press as well as selected retailers.
