A short film for Sidetracked Magazine produced in partnership with Fjällräven, sharing my experience of taking pthe Fjällräven Classic UK with my dog Bilbo. This 65km trek through the heart of Scotland’s Cairngorm mountains was the first iteration of the Fjällräven Classic series and it was spectacular⁠.

For the full story click here.

Film by Jamie Barnes

Photos by Ian Finch

This film was kindly supported by Fjällräven.

In late June 2022, I headed up to Arctic Sweden for a week of trekking by myself through some of my favourite mountains, from Nikkaluokta to Abisko along a popular section of the Kungsleden (or King's Trail).

But if this adventure served as a reminder for anything, it's to expect the unexpected. What is it they say about the best laid plans?

What was supposed to be a week of epic mountain landscapes and glorious wild camping quickly turned into a week of mosquito-infested blistering heat (by Arctic standards) - not quite the challenges I anticipate when I go into this environment.

Regardless of those unexpected challenges, I still had an amazing week. I'm forever saying I'm the best version of myself up here, and that is fully true of this week. My time in these mountains not only inspires and fulfils me, it reminds me just how capable and strong I am... Even if that reminder is delivered via mosquitoes!

The Wild Girls' Club is kindly supported by Fjällräven.

Welcome to the Wild Girls’ Club. The term 'club' is used loosely - in this case, it's just three women who really love adventuring in wild places.

In late Autumn 2021, my friends Sophie, Carry and I decided to pop up to Arctic Sweden for ten days of mountains, glaciers, incredible places to camp, and hopefully at least 30cm of snow if the forecast proved accurate…

Unfortunately, it didn't. It seemed the Arctic had something else in store for us. Something a bit soggier but altogether more hilarious.

This short film is all about the pure joy of adventure, regardless of how many times you have to change plans or how wet your feet get. It's about just how much fun it can be to get out with some good friends, and just how important that friendship is when things get miserable.

Film by Anna Blackwell Illustrations & animations by Sophie Nolan.

Refuge [noun] : A place that gives protection or shelter from danger, trouble, unhappiness etc.

In October 2020 I travelled to Arctic Sweden to spend just over a week trekking by myself. These mountains are my happy place, somewhere I’ve been countless times and for much longer periods.

The first six days of this adventure were spectacular, the sort of days I dream about: wilderness, reindeer, snow-capped mountains, not a trace of another person.

However, after almost a week, unexpected snowfall forced me to confront the reality of undertaking adventures in remote and unpredictable mountains such as these…

Thank you so much to Ellis Brigham and Lowe Alpine for supporting this film and my other adventures over the last few years.