Hikerdelic Journal

Friday Film - Wild (2014)

If you’ve ever headed out for a big walk with just a pack and a desire for a bit of soul-healing solitude, Wild will feel like a kindred spirit. Pub-chain heiress Reese Witherspoon (lol jk about the pubs) plays Cheryl Strayed, a woman who takes on the Pacific Crest Trail alone after life knocks her sideways, via loss. It's not a film about hiking despite an array of recognisable gear paraded throughout its 2 hour running time. It's more about someone using the outdoors and all of its extremes as an antidote to what has gone wrong in her life. Whether it's the self-inflicted breakdown of her relationship or the traumatic loss of a loved-one, the outdoors has a handy knack of presenting whichever treatment you need to help get over it. And in Wild there's a true story we can all relate to. The cinematography is stunning, and it really shows off why the Pacific Crest Trail is so beloved. You can almost feel the dust, the sun, the weight of the trail. But beyond the environment and the challenges nature can chuck in front of us, this film shows solitude in a positive light. Long passages feature very little in the way of dialogue yet still hold your attention.Like all memorable movies, Wild's strength lies in its ability to reflect real-life scenarios back to us in a way we understand, whether it be the literal scenarios ("Shit, I've brought too much gear") or the spiritual benefits to be gained from reconnecting with nature and using it as a tool to rebuild yourself. Give it a watch. You'll like it.

The 1977 Yosemite Dope Lake incident

Every now and then, you come across a story that feels more like a fairytale than real life. And along the long, winding trail of climbing mythology, a few tales stand out - not for superhuman feats of endurance, but for their sheer surrealism. Chief among them is the most infamous, far-fetched, and mind-blowing story of them all: the Yosemite airplane crash of 1977, better known as Dope Lake. Ask anyone about Dope Lake and you’ll get a different version of the story. But here are the facts: in the dead of winter, a Beechcraft twin-engine plane - crammed to the wings with Mexican red-hair marijuana - lost its bearings in a snowstorm and crashed into the frozen expanse of Yosemite’s Lower Merced Pass Lake. The wreck sat quietly beneath the ice, holding not only the bodies of the two pilots but an estimated 6,000 pounds of weed, shrink-wrapped and waiting. Word didn’t take long to travel. News of the crash filtered through the trees and into Camp 4 - the infamous stomping ground of Yosemite’s dirtbag climbers, who spent their days scaling granite walls and their nights dodging Park Rangers. Suddenly, a new kind of expedition presented itself. Allegedly tipped off by a radio call relayed by a climber’s Park Ranger girlfriend, a small group of dirtbags set out on the initial hike to the crash site. What they found was nothing short of a miracle: a plane embedded in a frozen lake, surrounded by bales of high-grade hash. They hauled back as much as they could carry and made their way - slowly and carefully - back to Camp 4. Their return sparked something close to a second Gold Rush. Word spread like wildfire, and soon climbers from across the region were making pilgrimages to Dope Lake - some reportedly bringing chainsaws to cut through the ice and free the bales. Supposedly, some dirtbags walked away from the affair with their pockets well-lined, and there are rumours - unsubstantiated, of course - that this is how Yvon Chouinard got Patagonia off the ground. Not saying we buy that… but it's a good story. The product itself, by all accounts, was absurdly potent. Joints were known to singe eyebrows on lighting, thanks to jet fuel soaking into the bales during the crash. Sadly, though, the high times didn’t last. Eventually, the DEA caught wind of the operation and shut it down. But by then, the legend had taken root. Dope Lake became climbing folklore - a hazy crossroads of wilderness, rebellion, and wild opportunity. Slogan tees appeared, emblazoned with: “I got mine at Lower Merced Pass.” The tale even helped inspire the 1993 musclebound mountain thriller Cliffhanger - well worth a watch, by the way. Stories like Dope Lake don’t come around often. And to us, they represent the raw, unpredictable magic of the outdoors. One day you’re climbing El Capitan; the next, you're hauling 30 kilos of jet-fuel-steeped weed out of a frozen lake.

Radio Hikerdelic #16

We're back with another list of ten songs we've enjoyed of late. We share them here in the belief you might like them, too.

Friday Film - The Heroes of Telemark (1965)

Based on a true story from WWII, this cinematic classic stars the iconic Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris. On paper, it’s a wartime sabotage thriller; on screen, it’s also two hours of rugged mountain missions, cable cars, and some of the finest cold-weather kit ever committed to film. It features a procession of chunky knits, and parkas and smocks made from natural cotton fibres, way before synthetics became a menswear mainstay.Aside from the aesthetic though, this is just a really good film. It’s based on the story of Norwegian resistance fighters who risked everything to stop Adolf's baddies from developing an atomic bomb. In 1942, Norway was occupied by the Germans, who used the isolated location of the Telemark mountains to pursue their plans. The local resistance had other ideas though, one of whom - Knut Haukelid - was American born. It was his memoirs published in 1947 and later revised in 1953 which formed the basis for this story of sabotage.As the biting cold continues to prevail here in the UK, you could do a lot worse than load up iplayer and give this a watch. Then, if you're as obsessed as us, do your best to dig out the 1948 film which this is technically a remake of. Produced by native Norwegians, Kampen om tungtvannet actually features some of the original heroes playing parts. There's never a bad time to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made by our ancestors either.

Hikerdelic Heroes - #002 - Gwen Moffat

Ever heard of Gwen Moffat? If yes, congrats. You already know about one of the most unique figures in British outdoor. If the answer us no, let us explain.Long before the nomadic #vanlife crowd ganged up and made us all envious of their freedom and flexibile lifestyle, Gwen Moffat kicked against convention.Born in 1924, Gwen's generation were expected to conform to gender stereotypes, staying at home and taking pride in keeping house. She chose to make her mark as a climber, writer, wanderer, and teacher. Her life was bohemian in the truest sense: sparse, mobile, deeply connected to nature and weather and guided by those wholesome chance encounters that seem to punctuate life in the outdoors.She often lived without a permanent home, carrying what she needed, trusting her own resilience and the generosity of the world. Long before the phrase “off-grid” was coined, Gwen was already living a version of radical simplicity rooted in self-reliance and faith that the world would reward her endeavour.While she achieved a lot, it was never about being a pioneer for performative reasons or vanity. It was just a case of enjoying the lifestyle so much she naturally became an authority at a time when the outdoors was dominated by men. Indeed, she became the first female British Mountain Guide in 1953 and was known to often climb barefoot.Gwen earned a living from her skills in the hills but also from writing. Her honesty and warmth, documenting her adventures without bravado led her to becoming an acclaimed author, publishing an autobiography in 1961, before embarking on a career writing crime fiction, loosely based on her own experiences.As if to serve as a lesson for a life well-lived, Gwen Moffat will celebrate her 102nd birthday this summer and for that reason we'll give her the final word, taken from BMC's Summit magazine."Longevity isn’t how many years you’ve lived, it’s how you’ve spent them. In youth the fun is enhanced by danger; in old age by serenity."

Hikerdelic Hike 001 - Todmorden 30/11/25

It's been a long time coming but last week we braved the testing conditions in the town of Todmorden, just over the Lancs/Yorks border. Our pursuit took us to see the Bridestones that inspired these t-shirts.A smashing time was had by all and we're already looking forward to the next one.

Hikerdelic x Allpress Espresso Manchester

We may be more associated with the gently energetic pursuit of hiking, but most people don't limit themselves to one hobby interest, so why should we?The last couple of days have seen us set up camp in the wonderful Allpress Espresso, located near New Century Hall on Dantzic Street. It's a 5 minute walk from our office and has provided a really nice change of backdrop to our own daily grind. Yes, that is a coffee pun. Sorry, not sorry. Anyway, as part of our link up with Allpress, this very morning saw us combine with our occasional collaborator Tom Reynolds for a social 5k run, at the slightly ungodly hour of 7.30am. For those of us who hung up their running shoes after half a mile, the prospect of that type of early morning energy is alien. But even viewed vicariously through their enthusiasm and appetite to start the day on the front foot, it was great. The fact they wore our hats and came in to our Archive Pop Up event and bought numerous tees and jackets was a bonus.Here's how it all went down anyway, through the lens of our own jogging enthusiast Andrew Lee. If you're at a loose end in tomorrow (29th Nov) we're still at Allpress and if you're lucky there will still be some bargains left. Perhaps more importantly though, the belated arrival of our collaborative tees has finally taken place. Utilising our existing Comfrey tees, this limited edition version bears both our name and that of Allpress and they're only available in store at the aforementioned Manchester location. So think on.

Friday Film - Nuts in May (1976)

If you’ve ever had a campsite argument over misplaced tent pegs or tried to cook a proper meal on a dodgy camping stove, Nuts in May will feel uncomfortably familiar. Though not strictly a film in the way others on this list are, it's not something we can help but recommend.Mike Leigh’s cult classic follows Keith and Candice-Marie, a painfully earnest couple trying to live out the perfect wholesome countryside retreat. Roger Sloman and Alison Steadman pull off proper memorable turns in the lead roles, to a backdrop of nature walks, educational lectures, and the occasional meltdown over firewood etiquette. It's so relatable for anyone who grew up in that era and ever went on a family camping holiday.Beyond that, Nuts in May because it captures the brilliant absurdity of British camping culture in that time. It’s not glamorous, but it’s gloriously real: muddy boots, wet socks and that universal tension between “getting away from it all” and realising you’ve brought all your problems (and your partner) with you. The thing about camping holidays is despite all of their benefits, they're rarely quite as relaxing and enjoyable as they promise. Whether it's the weather, practical problems or the realisation that you don't really like other humans, Nuts in May gets it bang on.The film is a slow burn, in the best sense. If you're used to watching big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, this will be an uncomfortable departure, but stick with it. It starts off gently, with birdwatching, fossil-hunting, and memorable folk songs by the fire. It's at this point you realise there's an underlying humour that'll stick with you long after you've finished watching. Keith spirals into comic chaos as fellow campers, motorbikes, and differing philosophies of life enter the scene. Style-wise, it’s a goldmine of British practical clothing from the 1970s. The knitwear! The anoraks! The rugby shirts! The sensible walking boots! The "plimsoles for clambering about the rocks". It’s seventies outdoor chic at its finest, before a plethora of performance fabrics turned our heads, before ultralight everything. Just hardy British layers, questionable yet cool hats, and a sense of pride in being at one with nature (even if it’s only Dorset). If you’ve ever admired vintage hiking gear or wax jackets that look better with age, this one’s for you.Like many of Mike Leigh's creations the strength of this film lies in the complex characters it tells the story of. We've all met Keith and Candice-Marie at some point. There are lots of films that feed into the DNA of Hikerdelic, from star-studded epics to quirky cult classics. This is defo the latter.

Inner Circle - Sam Matthew, Peaks and Pubs

Sam is one of those people we've watched from a safe distance for a while now. One of those people where you think "He seems sound, him". Once we'd plucked up enough courage to test out that assertion, we were relieved to find that is absolutely the case. Read on to find out more about the latest addition to our Inner Circle...Thanks for this, Sam. Where do we start? How about where you're from and what you get up to most days?I'm Sam, I'm 31, and I'm from Manchester. Lived all over the gaff over the years. from Burnage, to Davyhulme, Stretford, to Chorlton. Currently living in Tyldesley (which no one has ever heard of!). It's the home of bangin' pies, cheap pints, shit takeaways, and we have the guided busway. So my house is worth 10k more than it was a few years ago, Get in.As for what I get up to, well you'll either find me up a mountain, or down the pub, so the account name pretty much does what it says on the tin. I live for the outdoors, and earning my vices. If I'm not hiking, or running on the trails, or enjoying a cold one, then chances are you'll find me taking pictures of sandwiches. I run the social channels for Manchester's very own Bada Bing. Best butties in town, and the perfect carb load for outdoors adventures. Your story is a pretty familiar one. Lockdown boredom, bit of self-reflection, the great outdoors etc. But each tale is unique, so tell us how you discovered you really, really like hiking?Yep, the age old tale. We're so predictable aren't we!? I'm very much an all-or-nothing person, and when I'm into something it becomes my entire personality. For years, that was drinking culture, in all forms; necking pints, away days, my entire weekends revolving around chasing the next pub. But in my mid 20s I wanted to start doing more with not only my weekends, but my time, and my whole life. I swapped a few hungover weekends for weekends outdoors. What started as a steady stumble around a reservoir slowly became bigger mountains, and bigger challenges. I couldn't get enough of how it made me feel- before, during, after. Not something you get from the weekend piss ups. Mine and my Mrs' first big multi day hiking trip was the NC500, and that changed my outlook on everything. And from then onwards, I've just constantly wanted to see what we have right here on our doorstep. And then eventually led me to exploring European landscapes, and beyond. How much of a part does geography play in what you get up to? We're so close to the Peak and Lake District plus North Wales, it's almost rude not to indulge in the isn't it?Oh, it play a huge role! I always ellude to the fact that the North of England is the perfect hub for the outdoors. I can get to the Peaks and the Yorkshire Dales in under an hour, the Lakes in little over and hour, and Snowdonia in 90 minutes or so. It's not lost on me how lucky I am to be from this part of the country. I've met so many people from different outdoors communities, and most tend to have to travel a lot more than I do. It played a massive part in how I managed to do this along side my full time job for the first year. I was absolutely pumping out content, and brands couldn't believe I had a 9-5. Managed to go full time with content creation this year, and it's been the best year of my life. You seem to be good at social media, what's the secret?Years of practice, trial and error. There isn't a magic formula (unfortunately). Although I could definitely have told you a trick or two to grow your accounts if you asked me a year ago. Nowadays the algorithm is mental, so you just gotta post and see what sticks. You have to ignore posts that flop, move on and post the next thing. I actually had an online vintage clothing business for 7 years, where I did all things socials on top of all the usual day to day stuff. We actually managed to grow to around 72k on IG on there to, so i've definitely got a good lump of experience behind me. The main thing I would say though, is that imposing your personality within your socials definitely helps. Everyone tries to follow trends, but nobody can be you. And you tend to build an audience when your consumer relates with you as a person, before your brand. Running, hiking and drinking. What else do you get up to? Are you a secret philatelist or one of those eccentric people who dresses up as a soft toy? Can neither confirm or deny either of those. But those three pretty much take up 90% of my time. I'm also a huge Manchester United fan, so I watch my fairshare of football. Nowhere near as much as I used to, but I don't think that's ever something that leaves you. As mentioned, I also run Bada Bing's socials, so I'm quite the sandwich enthusiast too. I also love clothes. I worked in fashion for about 12 years, and ran my own vintage clothing company. You'll always find me hunting for bargains in the Lake District charity shops, and I love a car boot! Tell us about your recent run around Old Trafford. How did that come about?When I was closing in on 70k followers on Instagram, I remember thinking 'this is mad, I could almost fill Old Trafford'. Then the idea came to me that I could run 74.31km to celebrate hitting the milestone of being able to fill the UK's biggest club stadium with my followers, with the capacity being 74,310. I've ran a few ultras this year, and I ran 80km not too long ago so I knew I had it in the legs. I didn't want the challenge to be a complete vanity fest, so I got in touch with the Manchester United Foundation to see if they'd like to get behind it and I could raise some money for a good cause along the way. The backed it the whole way, and even gave me a shirt to run in on the day. I even featured on the club's official account a couple times. Didn't know that was happening, couldn't believe it. Stuff of dreams, at the theatre of dreams. I couldn't find any records online for longest distance ran around the outside a football stadium so I registered it with GWR. Only cost £6.50 and I should find out soon whether it is or not. If I get that, then I think my life will have officially peaked. You've been regularly spotted wearing our Petroglyph beanie of late. Not bad is it?I've not took it off for a few weeks, I can't lie. Should probably wash it soon, mind.. It's a banger. I don't often suit hats and the fit on this is perfect for me, so it's become a staple. Gave it it's debut on a recent wild camp, and it was perfect to keep my head warm as it's lined. I've also got the Mendelian jeans, and they're class too.What's next for you? More peaks and pubs? Anything else beginning with a 'p' you might add to it in 2026?More outdoors challenges for me. I've ticked off a fair few mad feats this year, and I don't intend on slowing down. I want to complete the Cairngorms 4000s, I want to hike in a few more countries. And I also want to run my first 100km race, and potentially my first 100 miler if my legs are still working. I'd love to get out to UTMB next year, and I have something cooking in the background that might just make that dream a reality, so we'll see. Don't think my brain can handle any more personality extensions, so think it'll just remain peaks and pubs for now!

Inner Circle - Emily Short

It's been a few weeks since our last Inner Circle. In case you've never seen these before, we basically ask one of our extended community to share some words and pictures, focusing on their favourite Hikerdelic bits, as well as telling us more about themselves. Our latest subject is Emily Short, a nature-lover who has the privilege of calling the Lake District National Park her home. Her appreciation for what we do caught our attention, so we got in touch and asked her to tell us a bit more about herself. So Emily, tell us about yourself? You're up in the Lake District aren't you?Yes, that’s right! I’ve been based here in the Lake District national park for about four years after moving between the north east and Cumbria my whole life, and I honestly can’t imagine living anywhere else now. Growing up fairly rural, being out in nature was like my playground, so having the fells, lakes and forests right on my doorstep feels like such a privilege. I spend most of my free time hiking with my dog, birdwatching, and sharing snippets of everyday life in the lakes! Living in that part of the world, you're surrounded by amazing views and spoilt for choice in terms of walks and hikes. But where do you like going best?That’s such a tough one because there’s so much to see here. I think it depends on the mood and the weather. I love the Langdale Valley for its classic dramatic Lakeland scenery, but on quieter days I like to head out to the Western Lakes; places like Ennerdale or Wasdale for a dip, where it still feels a bit wild and untouched. The more lowkey walks are SO underrated though, the little hidden woodland gems and waterfalls, as my hiking journey has developed I’m definitely less concerned with bagging mad peaks, and more fulfilled when I’m looking for mushrooms and birds, lying in the moss, or dipping my toes in the river.Does your location influence the type of clothing you're drawn to?For sure, I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with fashion, layering, textures, patterns and materials…but living somewhere infamous for its extreme and unpredictable weather, I’ve had to adapt practically into my wardrobe. I’m a sucker for natural fibres that last a lifetime, staple pieces that can be styled time and time again, cool accessories that add something different without compromising function. Outdoor wear doesn’t have to be boring or bland, and I never want to lose myself or my personal style whether I’m hitting the city or the fells! How did you get into being a content creator, and is it a full time thing for you?It started quite naturally and accidentally really, I was sharing my walks and adventures online just for fun, and people seemed to enjoy following along. It grew from there into something more intentional, something that motivated me to get out and get creative, it pushed me to try new things and get out of my comfort zone. I love the creative side of it, it’s genuinely become an outlet for me as well as a way of connecting with like minded people; the photography, the storytelling, playing with cool shots and perspectives. It’s definitely a hobby for me just now, but I’m always looking for opportunities to expand my content and connect with cool people! What is your favourite Hikerdelic item?That’s hard to narrow down! I’m a big fan of the Petroglyph range; it’s perfect for adding an interesting statement to a more basic outfit. I’m also a sucker for the Graphic Tee’s, they have that retro, outdoorsy feel that Hikerdelic does so well. Ok, if you’re going to force my hand, I’m going to have to pick my new Hikerdelic X MessyWeekend Anthony sunglasses just because I’m yet to find an outfit they don’t complete and I always feel so confident and ‘ME’ in them. What do you have planned for 2026?Although I’m keen to explore more of the UK National Parks (there are still so many corners I haven’t seen) it’s a huge goal to do some international hiking. I’d love to take my camera further afield and maybe do some collaborative projects that combine my love of nature, photography, and practical, purposeful fashion. Would love to get behind someone else’s camera and do some styling shoots too! I have so many goals, but mostly, I just want to keep sharing authentic outdoor adventures and encouraging people to go outside! Check Emily's Insta hereShe's on TiKTok too, here, look.

Friday Film - The Eiger Sanction (1975)

This week’s pick takes us high, literally. The Eiger Sanction follows Jonathan Hemlock (Clint Eastwood) on a perilous climb of the legendary Eiger North Face in Switzerland. It’s part spy thriller, part mountaineering epic. It's like James Bond would be if it wasn't quite as James Bond-y. You know what I mean? There’s the tension of espionage, but nothing hits quite like the raw, vertigo-inducing climbing sequences, naturally all done while wearing appropriate attire. If you're one of those menswear nerds who references clothing in films (like we do), you're probably already on this. The outerwear and climbing kits here are a 70s peak-style masterclass: wool sweaters, leather boots, vintage crampons, and rope-and-carabiner setups that at least to this inexperienced climber, look authentic. It’s rugged, practical, and somehow effortlessly stylish, and something of a departure for Eastwood. So for this Friday, grab your warmest jacket, imagine the wind whistling through the Alps, and cue up The Eiger Sanction, if only so you can knowingly nod next time your jacket-obsessed mate refers to it when going on (and on) about his new winter jacket.

Friday Film - Stand by Me (1986)

Stand by Me is the ultimate coming-of-age journey, a timeless tale of adventure (and misadventure) which follows four young lads who set out one summer to find a missing kid.It’s part road movie, part memory, a bit of a love letter to adolescence, when the responsibilities of adult life felt like years off. You should watch Stand by Me because it captures that magic of being outdoors when you’re young: the freedom, the laughter, the danger that feels thrilling but real. The fact they've told their parents they're camping out in each other's back gardens when they're actually hiking multiple miles is relatable. Based on Stephen King's 1982 novella 'The Body', Stand by Me is one of those films I'm amazed some people haven't seen. Maybe I've seen it enough times to make up for them. What makes it special isn’t the plot, but the feeling. Rob Reiner’s direction hits every nostalgic note without ever getting too sweet. The kids talk, fight, joke, swear and stick together in a way that feels completely relatable, like every group of friends who’ve ever wandered out of town and come back changed. Outdoors-wise, this is set in a time and place slightly less recognisable, especially if like us you're from the North West of England. King often uses the fictional town of Castle Rock in his writing and this is no different. There’s a simplicity to it that feels right at home in the Hikerdelic world. Neat but worn-in denim and tees, rolled-up sleeves, canvas rucksacks, all weathered by sun and adventure. The wardrobe is impeccable and it's proof that outdoor style doesn’t have to be technical to be timeless. This was, after all, set before the advent of synthetics.As the wintry weather makes us think twice about that big walk we had planned, you can still get your dose of adventure vicariously through Stand by Me.