nature
Bill Bryson’s best books – ranked | Atlas & Boots
There's a part in Notes from a Small Island where Bill Bryson describes a painful train journey to Milton Keynes. He is sat facing a "bleating woman" and her 10-year-old son, who keeps picking his nose, kicking Bryson's shins and staring at him with his "piggy eyes". Bryson tries to ignore the child but is irritated by his smug stare and "busy finger". When the train finally pulls into Milton Keynes, Bryson takes great pleasure in getting his rucksack from the overhead rack and dragging it across the boy's head The post Bill Bryson’s best books – ranked appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders | Atlas & Boots
Italy, a land of timeless beauty, is not only home to some of the world’s most captivating art, cuisine and architecture but also numerous volcanoes, which have played a central role in Italian life for millennia. The post Discovering Italy’s volcanoes: from active giants to ancient wonders appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 climate photographs that changed the way we see the world | Atlas & Boots
There are certain photographs that have changed the course of history. Usually, they are political: Tank Man in Tiananmen Square, Iraqi soldier on the Highway of Death, Napalm Girl in Vietnam. These photos are chilling but powerful. Climate photographs are less celebrated but often just as powerful. Below, we chart 10 climate photographs that have brought the primary crisis of our times into sharp relief. The post 10 climate photographs that changed the way we see the world appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
20 most beautiful mountains in the UK | Atlas & Boots
Alpine, Britain is not. In the UK, there are no sky-scraping summits; there are just 141 peaks over 1,000m (3,281ft), let alone the atmosphere-kissing eight-thousanders found in the great ranges of Asia. In fact, with an average mean elevation of just 162m (531ft), the UK is one of the world's lowest countries. The post 20 most beautiful mountains in the UK appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How just 15 minutes in nature can boost your well-being | Atlas & Boots
The average UK person spends just 7% of their time (or 86 minutes) outdoors during the work week. This is shocking to hear, but with our busy schedules, it’s no wonder many of us can only find a few minutes each day to get outside. The post How just 15 minutes in nature can boost your well-being appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
23 US national parks you can visit for free | Atlas & Boots
From a plethora of weird and wonderful sights to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, the US is rich with natural beauty. Of course, not everyone can afford to access that beauty given national park entrance fees, not to mention the cost of gear and transport. Thankfully, there are nearly two dozen US national parks you can visit for free. The post 23 US national parks you can visit for free appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Britain’s last remaining wild places
In Britain, wilderness has largely been abolished. The abolition began millennia ago. Between 7,000 and 5,000 years ago, around 75% of the UK was covered in forest. Then large-scale forest clearance started around 3100 BC when Neolithic agriculture was introduced. Now, the UK has around 13% forest cover, making it one of Europe’s least densely forested countries. The post Britain’s last remaining wild places appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
5 thrilling hiking trails in Málaga, Spain | Atlas & Boots
For many visitors, Málaga is simply a gateway to the crowded seaside resorts of the Costa del Sol. Relatively few will venture far from the beach. If they do, chances are they’ll head into the city which, after decades of being ignored by the masses, has undergone something of a reinvention. The post 5 thrilling hiking trails in Málaga, Spain appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska | Atlas & Boots
The word 'epic' does not do Alaska justice. The state is home to North America's largest mammals, national parks the size of countries and glaciers bigger than some US states. It is the least densely populated state in the USA; has 17 of North America’s highest mountains, 100 volcanoes, 3,000 rivers and over three million lakes. The post 11 best day trips from Anchorage, Alaska appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 countries that can save Earth’s most-threatened species | Atlas & Boots
As a child, I lived with cockroaches in my family home. Our entire street had an infestation and it was months before the council got rid of them. I have seven siblings and not all of us fit on the sofa, so some of us would watch TV from the floor and I remember things scuttling by right next to my hand, making me leap up and scream. Sometimes, one would scurry across my pillow right before bedtime. This, quite understandably, gave me a mortal fear of bugs. The post 10 countries that can save Earth’s most-threatened species appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How to behave at a campsite: 12 dos and don’ts | Atlas & Boots
Some of my most unforgettable moments have taken place under canvas. From unzipping the porch to reveal the needlepoint summit of Laila Peak on the K2 base camp trek to listening to the snap, crackle and pop of Greenland’s Russell Glacier under a midnight sun, these were experiences I could not have had in a hotel. The post How to behave at a campsite: 12 dos and don’ts appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
10 famous trees cut down by humans | Atlas & Boots
It was an act of vandalism that scandalised a nation. Britain’s iconic Sycamore Gap tree was cut down with a chainsaw in the early hours of 28th September 2023. The senselessness of the act was particularly poignant. There have been many famous trees cut down by humans, but there has usually been a reason: accident, protest, exploitation. In the case of the Sycamore Gap tree, it appears to be sheer malice. The post 10 famous trees cut down by humans appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
