Scratch & Co. The Great Cat Expedition, known latterly to only the keenest Lake District and Wainwright aficionados, is now available once again for readers to enjoy. For years the rare, classic mountaineering novel was only appreciated by those with enough spare funds, with some copies exchanging hands for several hundred pounds.

Walking on mountains gives people in this club an immense amount of pleasure.  The familiar haunts of The Lake District and other 'home' mountains give a feeling of security and of a re-acquaintance with old friends.  Walking a familiar fell in changing seasons makes it like ascending the peak anew.  However, it is new adventures which spark new vigour.  As such the Hiley's recent jaunt with dog sleds in Alaska or James Batchelor's ascent of Kala Pattar in the Himalaya are two such adventures other less mortals might never consider.  If you do get itchy feet to try out something new, you need a decent guidebook and I have found one particular publisher really useful. This is in no way a sponsored advertisement feature but a quick discussion on a great little publishing house.  Do you have your favourite books or publisher?  Let us know.