Christopher Nolans beautiful The Odyssey reinvents one of historys greatest adventure stories for the big screen, but theres one place that deserves just as much

The National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) began as part of Irelands National Outdoor Recreation Strategy Embracing Irelands Outdoors, which was launched in November 2022, to encapsulate 2023 - 2027. As one of the speakers said during her presentation this year, for fear of death by steering committee, Im mostly going to be reflecting on my takeaways from the event, while sharing with you a couple of photos from the incredible Marble Arch caves that I got to explore beforehand (as truth be told, we all know what the inside of a conference room looks like). View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize 1. The lens with which I see the Irish landscapeThe Irish landscape has been romanticised since long before we existed as an independent nation, and so tourism of our outdoors was never really a decision we made, but something that we took as a silver lining from the harsh realities of colonial impact.However that does not mean we had, within our own cultural identity and experience, a history of outdoor recreation. Going up the mountains was, until very recently, a niche pastime - or something you had to do as someone who worked the land. And I can say this with some authority, as even though Im only in my early 30s, the change weve gone through in the last 12 years is huge, never mind the previous decades (I also wrote my master thesis about it). In my short time living in this outdoors-focused space, Ive seen my fair share of intrepid project developments, and shiny new launches. Several of them I was hopeful for, but many of them I ended up disappointed by. Sometimes we prioritised the creation of new over the maintenance of what we already had. Sometimes, something good was created, but not rolled out or promoted on a country-wide scale, and so would fade away to be forgotten. And then sometimes, a project was slowly being crafted by many large groups and organisations, only to have someone completely unaware of how to go about development barge through with their own vision and cause catastrophe through ignorance. Each county had a different way of building trails and developing outdoor infrastructure. It became a mental gymnastics exercise remembering which area was managed by which department across different regions. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize Which is all a lot of context for me to be able to say - something feels different this time. I missed the first NORC in Sligo, but spoke on a panel at Limerick last year, and came purely as an attendee this year in Cavan. As Ive driven home both years, Ive had the same feelings.2. Turning that lens on the nowIts hard to pinpoint the exact changes. I think its partially that, in this post-covid space, weve finally recognised the importance of our outdoor spaces on a legislative level. Our wilder outdoor places took a hammering during COVID, and while that high intensity recreation has now levelled off, I suspect it will never dip back down to what is was before. As someone who already spent a lot of time outside, it felt like during COVID all of the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and others in the outdoor sector were just trying to manage the volume of people going outside, and keep them (and the habitats) as safe as possible. Now that theres been some time to breathe, those at a higher governmental level (hello Dept. for Rural, Community Development and the Gaeltacht), are backing the work of those on the ground. Not only is everyone working to sing off the same hymn sheet - theyre now all being given the same music to work with too. I know so many wonderful, passionate people working to make the Irish outdoors a better place for recreation and conservation, and all they have needed were the backing and guidelines to build from.Things arent perfect - I think a lot of these individuals are still doing the jobs of five people, and that sentiment was reflected during the consultation workshop that Outscape ran at the conference. Schemes that are currently pilot programmes (like the Outdoor Recreation Officers) are wanted across all 26 counties; and trail crews like the teams who worked on Croagh Patrick and the Wicklow Mountains are seen as a necessity for both accessibility and conservation island-wide. 3. Looking forwardsOne of the final comments I heard in this workshop was someone asking, who is the target of the strategy, and how are we going to look at communicating what we have, to those who its being made for?This is an important question. How do we expand our cultural mindset so everyone has a good baseline when it comes to responsible recreation? How do we make the shift from consumers, to stewardship? Communication at the end of a long project is often the hardest part, as the slow dissemination through media and conversations is not easily measured.Which is partially why Im here. Let me tell you some of the progress to date from this work, and how you can get involved in shaping your outdoors.Every county has developed a County Outdoor Recreation Strategy, with 20 counties at the stage of Outdoor Recreation Committees, and at least 3 counties having completed their county level plans.Find links to County Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORPs) at the bottom of this article. E.g.: The launch of Sligos Plan: https://www.independent.ie/county/sligo/sligo-launches-irelands-first-outdoor-recreation-plan/a/150067772.html The Outdoor Recreation Officer pilot has launched, is running in 6 counties, and as I already mentioned, is being eagerly watched by all.Three new areas will be included in the Mountain Access Project (more below the CORPs), as well as a three year pilot of the Uplands Recreation Scheme introduced for the Reeks.The amendment to the Occupiers Liability Act now features more definitions for a distinct category of Recreationist, as well as a Voluntary Assumption of Risk, protecting land owners and hopefully encouraging more understanding towards those of us looking to explore the outdoors.How you can now help shape your outdoor spaces is to look up where your county (or the area you go for recreation) is in its development of a county outdoor recreation plan. Depending on what stage they are at, there may be forums you can attend, or submissions you can make. Having attended forums and stakeholder strategies in the counties around me, I can promise that you attending is a good thing for everyone. These plans need people to attend, to give input and feedback, to highlight how your sport or activity exists in that area.As Helen Lawless said in her piece for the Mountain Log; your knowledge of Irelands outdoor places can really add value to this process. The County Outdoor Recreation Plans are being developed through a collaborative process [and] as participants in outdoor recreation may travel from outside the county to avail of cliffs, caves, mountains or other amenities, the process should be inclusive of both the local community and those that regularly visit the area.At the time of writing, most counties should be getting close to establishing a Stakeholder Forum. This is somewhere for all interested people and organisations, including clubs that are active in the county, an opportunity to have their voice heard and to receive updates on what is happening in the county. - Helen Lawless (Helen also provides great recommendations in the form of a list of things to consider in relation to development when attending different meetings). Live illustration of the conference created by Ruth Graham I left the conference feeling hopeful and inspired. I left ready to learn more, and excited to try and distill things down in a way I can share online. Below youll find links to (or info about what stage theyre at) all the different county plans, and other interesting reads. County Outdoor Recreation Plans: Links to completed, draft plans, or related articles to the County Outdoor Recreation Plans (CORPs), as off 15th July 2026. Longford: published plan for 2025 - 2030Louth: have combined their Outdoor Recreation Plan with their Play Policy and Local Sports Plan to create one Active Louth project, which is not at its final stages of development. Mayo: published plan for 2026 - 2030Meath: CORP at final stagesMonaghan: published plan for 2025 - 2030Offaly: publish plan 2025 - 2029Roscommon: like Leitrim, they developed an Outdoor Recreation Strategy in 2023 before the existing format for CORPS was established.Sligo: published plan 2026 - 2030Tipperary: completed but not launched yet.Waterford: published plan 2025 - 2030 Westmeath: is being finalised with hopes of launching shortlyWexford: the public consultations for Wexfords CORP happened in March 2026, so a final plan is still a while away.Wicklow: published plan 2025 - 2030 Carlow: published plan 2025 - 2030Cavan: published plan, but broken link to PDFClare: Publicly visible draft of plan Cork: currently has a tender out for the development of their CORP (published June 2026)Donegal: published Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 - 2029 Dublin - Fingal: County Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025 - 2030Dublin - south: Because Dublin is a city, its less clear how / whats applicable. There is the Dublin Mountains Partnership Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026. Galway: is currently at the consultation phase, with 5 public consultations scheduled for this August 2026. Kerry: currently at the initial development stage of their CORPKildare: they had public consultations last year, still working on the CORP development.Kilkenny: is completed, but hasnt been launched yet.Laois: has completed their plan, and are awaiting final reports. They are hoping to launch is Autumn 2026.Leitrim: Leitrim had an existing outdoor recreation scheme that they are seeing out before considering a new one. Limerick: published plan for 2025 - 2030 The Mountain Access Project & Upland Recreation SchemeThe Mountain Access Project was launched in 2008 to work on developing access to upland areas for recreation. As far as Im aware, up until recently, the Reeks were the primary pilot area for this scheme (also an area of Galway, who have since decided to not continue with the scheme). In 2024, the Dept. RCDG put out a call for applications for new areas to apply. While I dont know conclusively which areas applied or have been successful, I have found a Comeragh Mountains Outdoor Recreation Strategy and Action Plan.These guidelines from Comhairle na Tuaithe for Mountain Access Projects is both easy to read, and really informative. The Reeks in Kerry have moved onto a different branch of the Mountain Access Project - the Upland Recreation Scheme. Only announced at the start of this year, this is a 3 year pilot that will fanincally support the landowners in managing recreational access, as well as fund the development and management of upland paths by the Helping the Hills programme for 2 years. Recently, I brought some friends hiking in the Reeks for the first time, and they were shocked to learn that these mountains are privately owned. They know that most land and upland areas in Ireland is private, but they had falsely assumed that these mountains were part of the national park. Over 64,000 people access these mountains every year, and I hope that a scheme like this will only have positive outcomes. The goal of the two-year Helping the Hills work programme is to provide training in upland path development, build the capacity of organisations to address path erosion in upland areas, and to capture and share learning from recent projects. The Helping the Hills Network was chosen as it consists of stakeholders active in upland path management. Mountaineering Ireland will take the lead responsibility for delivery of the programme. Reference links & Related Reading:National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC) Resources 2026: https://linktr.ee/embracingirelandsoutdoors Embracing Irelands Outdoors - National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/policy-information/embracing-irelands-outdoors-national-outdoor-recreation-strategy-2023-2027/Sport Ireland - Embracing Irelands Outdoors PDF: https://www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2022-11/Embracing%20Irelands%20Outdoors.pdf Ellie Berry, On Foot: Introduction: https://www.ellieberry.com/blog/2021/on-foot-thesis-intro Photography and Ireland by Justin CarvilleOutscape and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy for Ireland: https://out-scape.com/work/national-outdoor-recreation-strategy-for-ireland/ Our Rural Future: Minister Humphreys announces 2 million in funding to develop Outdoor Recreation at a County LevelFunding of over 400,000 per year is also being made available by the Department of Rural and Community Development for new Outdoor Recreation Officer posts in 6 Local Sports Partnerships Clare, Longford, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Waterford.This is part of a 3-year pilot programme which is being delivered in collaboration with Sport Ireland. These officers will provide expertise and guidance to the outdoor recreation sector in the county and will co-ordinate the development and the delivery of the County Outdoor Recreation Plan in their county.https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/press-releases/our-rural-future-minister-humphreys-announces-2-million-in-funding-to-develop-outdoor-recreation-at-a-county-level/ Croagh Patrick - Helping the Hills video (2023) from Mountaineering Ireland: https://youtu.be/YvClSrPBXxs?si=JN233JIMT7CKzPbFSugarloaf Trail Restoration Project, WicklowThe Sugarloaf Project is a long-term environmental initiative focused on conserving one of Irelands most iconic landscapes. Rather than creating a path for convenience, weve built it to protect the mountain the path is a happy coincidence of sustainability. Through sensitive planning, restoration, and upland path building, the project reduces the spread of human impact, enhances biodiversity, and ensures this landscape can thrive for generations to come.https://www.sugarloafwicklow.ie Updates to the Occupiers Liability Act: https://revisedacts.lawreform.ie/eli/1995/act/10/revised/en/html#SEC4Sligo launch of their Outdoor Recreation Plan: https://www.independent.ie/county/sligo/sligo-launches-irelands-first-outdoor-recreation-plan/a/150067772.htmlGuidelines for Development: County Outdoor Recreation Plans from the Dept. RCDG: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/county-outdoor-recreation-plans-guidelines-for-development.pdf Mountain Access Project (MAP) https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-rural-and-community-development-and-the-gaeltacht/publications/mountain-access-project-map/ Climbing Cuilcagh & the stairway to heaven, my write up of a romanticised mountain

Long summer evenings are perfect for slower coastal walks, where sea air, open views and golden light turn a simple route into something memorable

Thinking of heading to the Alps for the first time? Chamonix-based mountain guide Will Harris talks us through the things to think about when planning your first alpine adventureThe European Alps are perennially popular with mountaineers, and for good reason; they offer an extensive range of mountain activities from short hikes to multi-day alpine climbs, and by looking beyond the honey-pot destinations its possible to find relative solitude. Bigger in scale and more committing in nature than the mountains found at home, they demand a greater level of fitness and extra skills. Venturing into them for the first time can be daunting; how do you choose the right routes to try, and what about the extra dangers posed by glaciers and seracs? The good news is that there are mountains to climb regardless of your level of experience back at home, particularly if a qualified mountain guide is hired to lead you through your first alpine experiences. In this article we are going to consider some of the factors to think about when heading off on your first trip, be that with or without the assistance of a mountain guide. Were focussing here on mountaineering on snow and rock, but the Alps is also a great destination for multi-day hiking, and for experienced UK hillwalkers is very accessible without the assistance of an international mountain leader.Guided or unguided?For a first-time visitor to the Alps the major decision to make is whether to employ the services of a mountain guide, for either part or all of the trip. A good way to think about his is to consider what you want to do with your trip, and what skills you already have. If you come from a UK climbing background you may already be well practiced in climbing on rock, snow and ice, and know how to navigate in poor weather and generally look after yourself in the mountains. In this case, after some time spent learning how to travel safely on a glacier you may feel confident to venture out alone. Alternatively, recognising that you need to brush up on your skills in these areas you may decide to hire a guide.Hiring a British Mountain Guide is a great way to get startedMountain guides hold the highest qualification available in the outdoor industry, and provide both guiding and instruction. They know the areas in which they work very well, and by having a handle on current conditions can choose the venues and routes most suited to your aims and abilities. To make the most of your time with a guide its important to discuss what you want to get from your trip with them in advance, with the guide then shaping your time in the mountains to meet your needs.It may be that you would like to enjoy your climbs without spending time learning additional skills, happy for the guide to lead you up routes, maximising your enjoyment and allowing you to complete routes that would otherwise be beyond your level of experience. In this case the guide is there to do just that, to help you to make the best use of the available time and get in as much great climbing as possible.Alternatively, you may aspire to climb with your partner on more challenging routes but recognise that you lack some of the skills needed to get there. A guide will be able to spend time teaching the skills that you need to progress to climbing independently, whilst also allowing you to sample alpine routes whilst safe in the knowledge that someone else is keeping an eye firmly on safety.Those aged 18 to 30 should consider applying for a place on a Conville course, a series of subsidised courses designed to give young climbers the skills that they need to safely progress to the Alps. Not only will you get to learn from experienced British Mountain Guides, but you will meet lots of other young, motivated climbers at the campsite in Argentiere where the courses are based.PreparationClimbing big alpine peaks is hard work, with long summit days on little sleep, often the day after a steep hike up to a hut. To get the most out of your trip, and more importantly to make sure that you enjoy it, put effort into being fit before you leave home. On classic alpine routes the ability to haul your way up the overhang at your local climbing wall isnt relevant; what you need is the ability to maintain a steady pace when walking up hill for an extended period, whilst carrying a rucksack. This doesnt mean that you need to engage in a serious training programme at the local gym, but rather gives you a great reason to get out in the hills in the UK and complete some longer outings. Big days out scrambling, trying to get in at least 1000m of height gain over several hours, will be perfect preparation. Equally, use this time to test out gear, break in new boots and brush up on skills such as navigation and using a rope whilst moving together on scrambling terrain, which will come in useful when you get to the Alps.AcclimatisationMany climbers arrive in the Alps and jump straight onto 4000m peaks, and whilst some people will cope will with this, many wont. As we climb to higher altitudes the lower atmospheric pressure means that less oxygen makes its way into our bloodstream with each breath. Our bodies adapt to this through the process of acclimatisation, but this takes time. When we try to shortcut this process by rushing up high too soon we are at risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS), which is to say that we will experience symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea and an inability to sleep. AMS is a potentially serious condition, and if you start to recognise these symptoms in yourself or others then the only sensible option is to descend to the last altitude at which you felt well.Walking out onto the Midi ridge in ChamonixNo one wants to spend their holiday feeling like they have a hangover, especially without getting to drink the booze first, so to maximise enjoyment (and safety) a sensible approach to acclimatising should be adapted. This shouldnt however be seen as a chore, but instead as a reason to explore some of the lower peaks that the Alps has to offer. By spending the first few days of your trip climbing on peaks at around 3000m, combined with a night or two sleeping at around 2000m, you will acclimatise well, meaning that you can step up onto the bigger 4000m peaks in comfort.Choosing a venueThe European Alps are huge, comprised of different massifs each with their own distinct character. Last-minute flexibility in choosing where to head based on conditions is a great advantage, but its good to have some ideas about the valleys that you would like to visit. Many Brits flock to the honey-pot of Chamonix, but other areas should be considered, often offering more suitable options for a first alpine trip. The mountains in Switzerland running from Arolla to Saas Fee have some great, easy accessible classic mountaineering at modest difficulty. If big rock routes on flawless granite sound like your idea of fun then look at the Bragaglia, or combine the Salbitschijen with the peaks above Andermatt. If the weather takes a turn for the worse then it may be worth driving for a few hours to find better options, for example, the Ecrins often have better weather when deepest Switzerland is soaked in rain.Where to now? Route-finding is a vital skillRoute planningSuccess in the mountains is based on good planning, from choosing the right route to making sure that you are in the right places at the right times. This demands a flexible approach, making the most of what the weather throws at you.Conditions on routes change throughout the season, from year to year. Through the summer snow melts away, making snow-based mountaineering routes potentially more hazardous but bringing alpine rock objectives into shape. This process differs from year to year, all depending on the recent weather. The trick selecting an appropriate route is then choosing an objective that suits your skills and ambitions and is also in good condition.To find up to date conditions reports cast your net wide, checking reports provided by guides bureaus both online and at their offices, read blogs, check forums such as UKClimbing.com, check what people have logged recently on websites such as camptocamp.com, and speak to other climbers that you meet. If you hear that a route is in good condition, then think about what similar routes might also be in good shape.On the legendary Cosmiques RidgeOnce you have selected a route, do as much research into it as you can. Use guidebook times as a rough estimate to help you to work out when you need to set off in the morning, remembering that it is safer to descend snow slopes and cross glaciers when they are well frozen. This often means a super-early alpine start, allowing you to be back at the hut by late morning.Sleeping up highThe scale of many Alpine mountains, along with the need to finish descending snow slopes early in the day, means that an overnight stay up high is needed before an early departure. Luckily, the Alps is well served by an extensive network of huts providing accommodation for eager climbers. Staying in a hut high in the mountains can be as much of a highlight as the climbing itself, often beautiful buildings located in glorious locations, serving delicious food. Huts are staffed in season, managed by a guardian heading a small team of assistants who work hard to make sure that dinner is served on time and guests enjoy their stay. Hut guardians are often extremely knowledgeable about the surrounding areas, and are usually willing to update guests on current conditions and give advice about routes. Keeping to the following guidelines will ensure that you have a smooth stay in a hut:Book ahead: It is best practice to call ahead to book a place, instead of turning up and hoping that there is space. Popular huts often fill up during the busiest periods. Cancellations: Huts will have their own cancellation policy, but as a rule you should try and give 24 hours notice if you choose not to visit. Make sure that you let hut wardens know if you arent going to turn up.Sleeping: Bring a silk sleeping bag liner to insulate yourself from the blankets provided, both for your comfort and to keep blankets clean. In the morning remember to neatly fold blankets away.Alpine bunks: In many huts you will be sharing alpine bunks, wide beds with several people sleeping in them. The chances are that someone will be snoring, so remember your ear plugs!Mountain hut etiquette is something youll learnThere are some routes that are not easily reached from a hut, and for these a bivouac, or bivi for short, will be the best option. This simply means that you will sleep outside, often using a waterproof bivi bag over your sleeping bag in place of a tent. Sleeping out in the mountains can be an amazing experience, and with good gear and a well-practiced system a good nights sleep can be had. As you progress to longer, steeper and harder routes it may be necessary to bivi mid-route, tied onto ledges. Biviing or camping in the mountains can be a great way to save money for those with limited funds, but make sure that you pay attention to local bylaws which may forbid camping in certain spots.There are plenty of small unstaffed bivi shelters scattered around the alps, some of which will have blankets and cooking equipment. Places in these basic shelters are filled on a first come first served basis, so to get a space in popular places such as Fourche Bivouac on Mont Maudit it makes sense to get there early. These smaller shelters are usually in places unserved by larger huts, and can often provide greater solitude without the need to carry extra equipment to bivi outside.Alpine hazardsClimbing in the Alps can be a deeply rewarding experience, but there is no escaping the fact that the alpine environment features additional hazards to those found in the UKs mountains. Its up to each individual to decide what level of risk they are willing to be exposed to, deciding when to turn bac based on your own observations, not what other people are choosing to do.Glaciers: The rivers of ice which cascade down alpine mountains make travelling through them magical, but the crevasses that line them pose a real threat. Crevasses, or deep cracks in the ices surface, are often hidden by a thin layer of snow known as snow bridges. To fall through a bridge into a crevasse unroped can be fatal, so its essential that you know how to properly rope up for glacier travel, and how to construct the anchors and pulley system needed to extract someone should they fall in. As glaciers retreat, an ever-quickening process accelerated by global warming, they leave unstable moraine banks of earth and precariously balanced rock on their banks where care should be taken, paying attention to areas of potential rock fall.Practising crevasse rescue techniquesSeracs: A serac is a hanging cliff of ice which are prone to collapse, formed when glaciers meet steep slopes or cliffs. Some seracs can look reasonably benign, whilst others are more active, yet all can fail catastrophically, releasing an avalanche of frozen blocks. The safest way to deal with seracs is to avoid travelling underneath them altogether, yet many classic routes such as the Trois Monts on Mont Blanc pass underneath them. It is up to you to decide what level of risk you are willing to accept, but if you do choose to pass underneath seracs then make sure that you do it quickly, limiting your exposure time.Rockfall: Loose rock can be encountered in the mountains back at home, but the scale on which it can be found in the Alps means that it can be a much greater problem. As the permafrost that holds alpine mountains together thaws in hot summers rockfall can become a serious threat on many routes, with things becoming more dangerous throughout the day as snow melts, releasing blocks. Try and find out what current conditions are like, passing areas of potential danger quickly, early in the day when temperatures are cool.Weather: Hardened winter climbers will be used to going out in the Scottish mountains in challenging (awful) weather, but on alpine scale mountains this isnt an option. During the summer months it is common for violent afternoon thunder storms to build, with lighting posing a serious threat to those caught up high. Another good reason to make sure that you are safely off the hill early in the day.A few basic skills will take you to places like thisHave an adventureAlpine climbing is deeply rewarding, travelling to beautiful places with great friends to push yourself hard on big mountains. Remember the old saying that the best alpinist is an old alpinist, and always be prepared to turn back if time is running away, conditions are poor or things just dont feel right. Dont epic, instead build a base of experience upon which later exploits can develop. And finally, enjoy one of the best holidays around.Useful website and booksJonathan Conville Memorial TrustJCMT offers alpine training to young people between the ages of 18-30 and these include several courses preparing for, and starting out, alpine climbing in the Alps.More info: www.jcmt.org.ukBritish Mountain GuidesFor ensuring your first alpine sortie is successful (and safe) or for attempting routes that are beyond your current skill level, hiring a British Mountaim Guide is highly recommended. There are plenty of BMG members living and operating in the Alps, so get in touch and explain exactly what youd like to achieve on your upcoming trip.More info: www.bmg.org.ukRoute infoThere are several great sites for checking out routes in advance, and checking current conditions in specific areas or routes. These include UK Climbing (www.ukclimbing.com), Camp To Camp (www.camptocamp.com) and Summit Post (www.summitpost.org).BooksThere are several mountaineering books that contain specific sections on alpine mountaineering and some of the best of these include Bruce Goodlads Alpine Mountaineering, Alun Richardsons Mountaineering and Pete Hills The Complete Guide to Climbing and Mountaineering. All are available on Amazon and other online stores.

Whilst the past few weeks may have been too hot for most of us to step outside for too long, spending some time basking in the sunshine has been proven to be beneficial

There's a particular kind of walk that most of us rarely get to do. The one that starts at first light, before the car parks fill and the best viewpoints get busy

Festival Camping in an RV: The Essentials Nobody Tells You

We check out the latest version of Petzls SWIFT RL headtorch with Reactive Lighting technologyReviewSpecsGalleryRetailersPetzl never stand still when it comes to their headtorch range, and while models such as the NAO, SWIFT, ACTIK and TIKKINAhave been in the range for a long time, the periodic updates that take place mean that each iteration is lighter and more powerful than the previous one, plus in the case of this latest SWIFT RL theres also one or two new tricks up its sleeve.There are three models in the current Petzl range that bear the SWIFT name, however while the SWIFT RL and SWIFT RL CLASSIC are closely related, the SWIFT LT is quite a different kettle of fish, being much lighter (43g) and less powerful (380 lumens) than the RL versions, and not offering Reactive Lighting either. The difference between the RL and RL Classic is merely the headband; the CLASSIC comes with a more conventional stretchy band while the RL comes with a stretchy cord that shaves a couple of grams off and is operated by moving the two rubbery toggles back and forth. Its worth noting that both torchs straps are interchangeable, so you can purchase and swap over to the other kind if you wish (SWIFT CLASSIC headband costs 9.80, SWIFT RL costs 11).SWIFT RLs headband can be replaced or swapped out for the Classic headbandWhats new?We last reviewed the SWIFT RL the original model back in 2019, and you can read that review HERE. There was also a minor-ish update in 2024 that upped the max power from 900 to 1100 lumens, swapped out the micro-USB charging port for a USB-C and simplified the locking mechanism, however the general look and functionality remained the same. This new version, however, looks considerably different, with a futuristic-looking array of bulbs/lenses in the style that was first introduced on the IKO, and now can also be found on the latest NAO RL, and an arrangement where the removeable battery sits next to the bulb unit with an airgap/heatsink in between, with both parts moving together in the cradle. Its a clever design that means you can just swivel the head unit within the cradle and detach the battery for charging (and swap for another if you have a spare), though unlike the CORE system theres no provision for using standard batteries.There are plenty of other positive changes under the bonnet too; weight has been reduced to 92g from 100g, and the max power on the latest version is now up at 1200 lumens, though despite this charging time remains at 5 hours. One totally new feature is the new BOOST feature which is exclusive to the SWIFT RL (for now), and is the first time Petzl have included this type of feature on a torch. This, as its name suggests, gives you a brief burst of max power before returning to the previous setting (this feature can be switched off if not required).All modes are controlled via one buttonOperationOnce youve (fully) charged the SWIFT RLs battery for the first time, and adjusted the strap to your liking, its time to light up and it couldnt be simpler. Theres just one button to control all the torchs functions, and by default it cycles through the white light modes in non-RL mode when you first switch on Max Burn Time, Standard and Max Power while to switch to Reactive Lighting mode, you just hold the button for 2 seconds (same again to switch back to non-RL mode). The use of the word standard in the user manual is slightly confusing, as it refers both to the middle lighting setting (in terms of power/battery life) plus the non-RL lighting mode using a different term (e.g. Regular) for one or tother would tidy things up a little I reckon.To go into red lighting mode, just hold the button for 4 seconds (and another 2 for red strobe), and to get the 6-second burst of max power using the Boost function, just double-tap on the right side of the torch. Finally, to lock the torch, hold the button for 6 seconds, and to unlock again you can either hold the button for 4 seconds or tap it 4 times.It sounds like a lot of button pushing on paper, but to be honest, you very quickly get used to the SWIFT RLs operation, and accessing the various modes and settings becomes second nature before very long.The SWIFT RLs bulb/lens array, a style first seen on the IKOIn useAs already mentioned, the latest SWIFT RL increases the max power from its predecessor to 1200 lumens, and gives a maximum distance of 168. This is quite a step up from the next most powerful torches in the Petzl range, the ACTIK CORE and ARIA, which both have a max power of 625 lumens (giving a max distance of 115), and not far off the performance of the range-topping NAO RL, which has a max power of 1500 lumens, and max distance of 200m. In short, its pretty damn powerful!The new BOOST function is a welcome feature, but its worth noting that this is only available in Standard mode (where the max power is normally 800 lumens), giving you a 6-second burst of 1200 lumens which is the standard high setting in RL mode. We generally left the torch in Reactive Lighting mode during testing, but there are times when you might prefer to be in Standard mode such as in rain or mist where the RL may be a bit too responsive to the conditions.The RL headband is great for wearing directly on your head or on top of a beanie, however we found it a bit slippy when used with a helmet so climbers/mountaineers may want to consider buying the Classic version, or buying the Classic headband separately as this will grip better on the helmet. But generally we really liked the headband, and being able to swap these over and also just take off to be washed once in a while is really handy.VerdictAlthough it bears the same name as its predecessor, the 2026 SWIFT RL is a brand new torch rather than merely an update. However, its basic concept remains the same a powerful-yet-light, single-unit (no separate battery pack) headtorch with Reactive Lighting that is ideal for running and climbing while also being suitable though possibly over-speced for walking too (though admittedly, no-ones ever going to complain about having too much power!).We really liked its new, more techie look, its simple, one-button operation, and all the little details such as the 5-segment battery level indicator, the carry bag that doubles as a tent lantern, and the removable/washable headband. For single-day missions, the SWIFT RL is the business.What its not quite as suitable for perhaps is multi-day backpacking, trekking or mountaineering trips, the main reason being its battery. Unlike Petzls CORE headtorches, you cant use normal batteries with the SWIFT RL, and the replacement/spare batteries (R2250) cost about twice what a spare CORE battery costs (58 compared to 29). Of course, if youre not constrained financially and have a decent recharging capability then you could take several SWIFT RL batteries with you on a trip, however we cant help thinking that a lower-powered CORE-based torch such as the ACTIK CORE would be a better bet for these kind of outings.For what it is intended for though, the SWIFT RL is a superb headtorch that improves on its predecessor in numerous ways. Highly recommended!More info at: www.petzl.comSPECSBrightness: 1200 lumens (ANSI FL 1 STANDARD)Weight: 92 gTechnology: REACTIVE LIGHTING or STANDARD LIGHTINGBeam pattern: MixedEnergy: Lithium-ion 2250 mAh battery (3.85 V / 8.47 Wh), rechargeable via USB-CCharging time: 5 hWatertightness: IPX4 (weather resistant)Certification(s): CEFEATURESUltra-powerful and intelligent headlamp:Excellent weight-to-power ratio: 1200 lumens and 92 g1200 lumens allowing you to see up to 168 meters awayChoose from two lighting modes: REACTIVE LIGHTING or STANDARD LIGHTINGLonger burn time, greater visual comfort, and less manual operation with REACTIVE LIGHTING mode, which uses an ambient light sensor to automatically adjust brightness and beam pattern, optimizing battery usageDesigned to power through long activities with a minimum 7-hour burn time at medium brightness in REACTIVE LIGHTING mode6-second BOOST mode activates with a quick double tap on the side of the lamp to help you navigate the terrain on your routeUltra-thin, comfortable, and modular headband:Split construction headband (Petzl patent) is easy to adjust and provides optimal support when youre running or skiingComfort foam can be removed to decrease weight and increase air flow depending on your needsHeadband with reflective cord helps you remain visible, even in low lightMade entirely with recycled materials and can be removed, washed, and replacedDesigned for dynamic outdoor activities:Simple to use:Single button controls the ON/OFF, lighting modes, brightness, and locking functionsThe SHELL LT ultra-light storage pouch can be used to turn it into a lanternLOCK function prevents the lamp from turning on during transit or storageR2250 battery is rechargeable via USB-C (charging cable not included) and has a battery charge indicatorFive-level gauge for precise monitoring of the battery charge levelRepairability: Headband, pouch, and battery are available as spare parts to help extend headlamp lifespanSearch for a Petzl stockist near you at:https://www.petzl.com/GB/en/Sport/Dealers

Welcome to the Lake District National Park, Englands largest and perhaps best-loved protected wild space. Home to soaring mountains, tucked-away little villages and the iconic