Stuart Banner

We had some extremely sad news at the weekend, when we heard that OUTDOORSmagic member Stuart Banner - better known as 'Fellstrider' - had died from a suspected heart attack while in the hills.

Stuart, 50, was on an OUTDOORSmagic reader scrambling course in Langdale on Saturday when he collapsed and died, despite the best efforts of the instructor and two other OM members who were with him.

You only have to look at Stuart's personal web site at www.fellstrider.com to see that he had a deep love of the hills and particularly the Lake District. His OM gallery album contains shots from a walk in the Helvellyn area just a couple of weeks ago, including this lovely shot of Cofa Pike from Fairfield.

Stuart left a wife and five children and we'd like to offer them and his friends our condolences and deepest sympathy at this awful time.

We'd also ask you to spare a thought for the instructor who did everything in his power to help and the two OM members who were present.

Words always seem inadequate at times like this, but we'll think of Stuart next time we're on the hill and a few words from his web site:

'The Lake District is the place where I like to spend my weekends. I love it. The sheer magnificence of the place enthrals me.'

Something I think that rings true for us all.

Take care out there.

Jon and everyone at OUTDOORSmagic