Trail Magazine Gripes

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Sorry for the rant but what do other readers of this group think?

That you know little about the timelines of monthly magazines?

My error. The article actually appeared in the December issue which went on sale at the beginning of
Novemeber. A follow-up article would therefore have been expected in the January (current) issue.

news.bbc.co.uk3241172.stmOpen ↗

"BogTrotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:LerCb.563$IW2.337@newsfep1-
gui.server.ntli.net...

Quoted message said:

One of the articles in last months Trail magazine sparked a controversey

so

Quoted message said:

much so that it attracted criticism from Mountain Resuce Teams and even Chris Bonnington. Yes,
you know the one I am talking about - the article that received extensive coverage in the
national press.

Where then is the follow up article in this month's mag? Most readers

would

Quoted message said:

have expected at the very least either a justification for the offending piece, a forum providing
a space for readers views or perhpas some recognition of the stooshie that the article created.
But no, it appears that this particular episode has been airbrushed by the editorial team.

In the same edition (Novemeber) the front page boldly asked whether we punters were getting ripped
off when it came to buying kit. Inside there was an albeit interesting article on levels of
customer service and advice provided by well-know retailers. I had expected however, (on the basis

that

Quoted message said:

the article was about getting ripped off), something along the lines of

'why

Quoted message said:

does every retailer (High Street and online) seem to sell branded items at identical prices. In
other words is there price fixing going on in the industry. I suppose that was asking too much
given the mags advertising base.

Sorry for the rant but what do other readers of this group think?

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I subbscribe to Trail, I find the magazine on the whole informative and interesting, if Trail were
to recommend I go up Ben Nevis in swimwear I have enough intelligence not do so. I expected to see
something about the snow-free controversy in this months issue, but I got mine about 7-10 days ago
and assumed it had been published too early to allow for late inclusions. I presume they'll print
something in the next issue. As for price fixing, I find that on the whole, yes, the High Street
appear guilty, but no more so than any other retailer. I've found massive savings online. Trail is a
magazine, I/you/we are the ones who have to use initiative/experience/brains when planning a walk
and while carrying out the walk. I suppose my mindset is not to blame others for my mistakes, I
accept responsibility.

KRO Who's accepting responsiblity for setting my alarm for 4.30 *pm* and now replanning for Tuesday,
still the weather must be better, mustn't it?

I missed the last issue, what was all the fus about? Angus

--
Fantastic Self Catering Accommodation in the mountains of Andalucia.
Visit www.holiday-spain.biz

"BogTrotter" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

One of the articles in last months Trail magazine sparked a controversey

so

Quoted message said:

much so that it attracted criticism from Mountain Resuce Teams and even
Chris Bonnington. Yes, you know the one I am talking about - the article
that received extensive coverage in the national press.

Where then is the follow up article in this month's mag? Most readers

would

Quoted message said:

have expected at the very least either a justification for the offending
piece, a forum providing a space for readers views or perhpas some
recognition of the stooshie that the article created. But no, it appears
that this particular episode has been airbrushed by the editorial team.

In the same edition (Novemeber) the front page boldly asked whether we
punters were getting ripped off when it came to buying kit. Inside there
was an albeit interesting article on levels of customer service and advice
provided by well-know retailers. I had expected however, (on the basis

that

Quoted message said:

the article was about getting ripped off), something along the lines of

'why

Quoted message said:

does every retailer (High Street and online) seem to sell branded items at
identical prices. In other words is there price fixing going on in the
industry. I suppose that was asking too much given the mags advertising
base.

Sorry for the rant but what do other readers of this group think?

---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
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In message <[email hidden]>, "John, Pauline & Hannah."
<[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

In my opinion, the best outdoor magazine is...TGO, but I no longer take it due to the rather biased
political rantings of Caner McNeish the Editor. I now subscribe to Trail and enjoy every part of
it. Maybe when TGO gets another down to earth Editor who realizes he does not own the land North of
Carlisle, then I will take TGO again, if only for the rather wonderful gear tests by our very own
Chris Townsend, now, there is a real outdoor person, oh what the heck, real outdoor man! All the
best, John. pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

Thank you for your praise!

This might be the appropriate place to point out that TGO now has a link with Outdoors Magic
(outdoorsmagic.comoutdoorsmagic.comOpen ↗) and there is a thread about readers opinions on TGO read and
responded to by Cameron McNeish and the deputy editor John Manning (who I doubt read this
newsgroup). Anyone who wants to post their opinion on TGO can do so on Outdoors Magic though you do
have to join (which is free).

I don't think Cameron thinks he owns Scotland! Some of it's mine!

"marc" <marccdimspamremovedimspamto [email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Sorry for the rant but what do other readers of this group think?

That you know little about the timelines of monthly magazines?

That we shouldn't be surprised that "Trail" Magazine (and most other mags) are only in business to
enrich their shareholders and don't give a **** for what anyone thinks, as long as they can sell
enough magazines.

If you don't like what they say, don't buy it!

btw if you want the world's best walking related publication I heartily recommend that paragon of
Fanzines, "The Angry Corrie": I am in no way connected with them other than as an occasional reader:

bubl.ac.uktacOpen ↗

Regards and festive whatevers...

Rab

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"Jhimmy" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

One of the articles in last months Trail magazine sparked a

controversey so

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

much so that it attracted criticism from Mountain Resuce Teams and even Chris Bonnington. Yes,
you know the one I am talking about - the

article

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that received extensive coverage in the national press.

Could someone ....er explain, coz, I rarely buy the magazine or buy newspapers as well. I only
pickup these newsgroups 2-3 times a week. Am I missing out on life?

See the "Trail Snow Free Article Slated on BBC" thread of 27/11/03. Mag said there wasn't likely to
be any snow in the Lairig Ghru in winter and Chris Bonnington plus others felt the need to say "No,
you can't say that cos people are idiots and can't think for themselves"...or something like that.
No you're not missing out.

Thanks Andy for the info.

My thoughts are that the Lairig Ghru is hard even in summer (that's where my left knee problem seems
to have started.). It's long with no escape route out. Even the Charlmain Gap is a bugger, having to
climb over all those boulders.

I've never been in Ghru in winter, but surely I seem to recall a lot of photos with deep snow in the
Ghru - hey! Maybe it doesn't snow in winter, but in spring instead!

The only book of Munros I've got is "The Munros" by Cameron McNeish. On Page 124 there's a photo of
the Devils Point and what looks like...snow in the Ghru further on.

Jhimmy.

Rab said:

"marc" <marccdimspamremovedimspamto [email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Sorry for the rant but what do other readers of this group think?

That you know little about the timelines of monthly magazines?

That we shouldn't be surprised that "Trail" Magazine (and most other mags) are only in business to
enrich their shareholders and don't give a **** for what anyone thinks, as long as they can sell
enough magazines.

If you don't like what they say, don't buy it!

btw if you want the world's best walking related publication I heartily recommend that paragon
of Fanzines, "The Angry Corrie": I am in no way connected with them other than as an
occasional reader:

bubl.ac.uktacOpen ↗

Regards and festive whatevers...

Rab

And a new one is just out! And its free from any ramblings or outings of Munros from yours truely,
so an even better read!

Richard Webb

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 15:49:34 +0000, Jhimmy <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thanks Andy for the info.

My thoughts are that the Lairig Ghru is hard even in summer (that's where my left knee problem
seems to have started.). It's long with no escape route out. Even the Charlmain Gap is a bugger,
having to climb over all those boulders.

I have had a big struggle in there, having to go over a top to the side - why? "non existant" snow
drifts of course!

Richard Webb

"RJ Webb" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Rab said:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

btw if you want the world's best walking related publication I heartily recommend that paragon of
Fanzines, "The Angry Corrie": I am in no way connected with them other than as an occasional
reader:

bubl.ac.uktacOpen ↗

Regards and festive whatevers...

Rab

And a new one is just out! And its free from any ramblings or outings of Munros from yours truely,
so an even better read!

Richard Webb

And it only costs 50p per edition, and isn't full of adverts. IMHO the best value read going.

SB

Quoted message said:

On Sun, 14 Dec 2003 15:49:34 +0000, Jhimmy <[email hidden]>
wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

escape route out. Even the Charlmain Gap is a bugger, having to climb over all those boulders.

I agree, it's a horrible place. It reminds me of my forays into breakers yards, scrambling over used
cars to get to the one I want the parts from!

Regards: Jim Ford

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And a new one is just out! And its free from any ramblings or outings of Munros from yours
truely, so an even better read!

Richard Webb

And it only costs 50p per edition, and isn't full of adverts. IMHO the best value read going.

SB

Forgot to say... This month, its on new improved high quality paper (not glossy of course). A good
one, editorialy as well.

Richard Webb

In my opinion, the best outdoor magazine is...TGO, but I no longer take it
due to the rather biased political rantings of Caner McNeish the Editor. I
now subscribe to Trail and enjoy every part of it.
Maybe when TGO gets another down to earth Editor who realizes he does not
own the land North of Carlisle, then I will take TGO again, if only for the
rather wonderful gear tests by our very own Chris Townsend, now, there is a
real outdoor person, oh what the heck, real outdoor man!
All the best,
John.
pbase.comjohn28julyOpen ↗

I stopped buying trail magazine about 6 months ago when they started to do what I call 'reissues'
i.e. articles appearing everything 12 months - one about bearings / route planning had been done 12
months previously, and another one the month after about safe use of crampons and ice axes. However,
I still get the occassional email from trail about articles to appear in the magazine and was a
little bit shocked when I was asked about what I felt about the mountain rescue service. From what I
gathered it looked like it was something that the government (or national body) was going to
introduce but never heard any more about it until I saw this post today.

Regarding being ripped off with prices - we all don't need 3 layer goretex XCR jackets at £250+ have
a shop around I got a ME paclite 3 jacket for £80 last weekened - yes it was a second but the only
fault was a very small crinkle between the pocket and zip which is hardly noticable - one small
crinkle saved me £100!!!!!! Also the net can get us cheap prices, I know that sometimes we all need
to see the item first but some kit we can see in a shop and then but online at 10%+ discount, but
yes, some kit you won't buy online due to speciality or other circumstances i.e. boots!

You also have to remember that it isn't the kit that helps you get around the hills, you need a
brain as well, i.e. if you can't use a compass then a £30 one is just as effective as a christmas
cracker compass, so use you brain and shop around - the same goes for all kit. Yes, some kit is
better than others but 1) not always the dearest is best 2) if you can't use it then it is of no
use. Also, do we actually need all this kit or new thangled devices, we got by last year without it
so why the need for it this year!!! (he says just like last year when he went out a bought a GPS -
but only for safety purposes and also because I do scouts and the new scheme hasa section about
knowledge of GPS's)

Anyway enough for now. Season greetings and happy new year to all!

Cameron McNeish please take note of this string of messages, you may learn something before you
leave TGO! Regards, John.