For people not familiar with blogging, blogs are basically like online diaries. Anyone can sign up to have a blog, and at times it seems as though very nearly everyone has one. If you can imagine it then there is probably a blog for it somewhere; that is how varied the bloggersphere is.
Over the last few months the UK Outdoors Blogger scene has expanded considerably, increasing numbers from barely a handful to double digits. At the Outdoors Show later this month a group of these UK outdoors bloggers are meeting up, and, with tongue in cheek, they've called the get together the "UK Outdoors Bloggers Con 07".
When you visit the blogs you may find you recognise one or two of the names, because several of them are regular contributors to the OM forums; others are even more famous like Cameron McNeish. To name but a few, there is the Alan Sloman blog covering his Lands End to John O'Groats walk that started recently, Andy Howells' excellent writings, the photography of Bearded Git, and the blog boundary pushing of Aktoman. As you can see, the subject matter varies even if it is based around the outdoors.
What does come across when reading these blogs is that there is a sense of community, a respect and love for the outdoors. Most likely this is the reason some of these blogs were started, to share that passion and to fuel the authors' own passion while not out on the hills.
Below is a list of links to UK Outdoors blogs to get you started:
http://www.alansloman.blogspot.com/
http://walkaboutuk.blogspot.com/
http://londonbackpackers.blogspot.com/
http://aktoman.blogspot.com/
http://bgontheweb.spaces.live.com/
http://www.skunkbag.co.uk/blog/index.php
http://mikepitt23.spaces.live.com/
http://maverickapollo.blogspot.com/index.html
http://www.cameronmcneish.co.uk/diary/
http://www.alpinechallenge.info/
http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/
Although strictly not a UK based blogger, I've included this one as it is relevant to the UK scene and specifically the ever growing lightweight movement.
http://lighthiker.wordpress.com/
And of course you can read my blog at http://whitespider1066.spaces.live.com
I have to warn you that once you start reading these blogs they are very addictive and you will be back again and again.
Just to make it worse, OM is going to publish a weekly blog round-up, so keep your eyes open on Friday morning for the highlights of the last seven days' worth of outdoor blogs!
Happy reading...
Bearded Git (NOT Photographer of the Month!)
