Longform
The adventure film camera comparison no one asked for: Olympus Trip 35 vs. Olympus XA2
Looking for a film camera for your adventures? Balking at the cost of a new Pentax 17? Look no further than the Olympus Trip 35 or XA2... but which is best? 💡A reminder that I am now cross-posting entries on both alexroddie.com and Substack. For more info, read this
Freezeframe – one last journey into the Cairngorms before the world changed
Five years ago, with the first Covid lockdown imminent and a perfect forecast, I decided to seize the opportunity to complete a long-dreamed-of Cairngorms traverse in perfect winter conditions... 🌄Author's note: A version of this story was first published by The Great Outdoors magazine in 2021. At the
The Second Chance
For someone who grew up in the flatlands and was only able to get to the hills occasionally, the dream of living in the mountains was always a seductive one. My first chance came in 2008 when I was 22 years old. In 2008, I was uncertain about a lot
Home scanning 35mm film, the quest for cheaper analogue photography, and bringing the past back to life
Getting into the details of my own analogue revival.
A fastpacking circuit in the Cairngorms
51km through the Cairngorms with running shoes, a lightweight pack, and a mindset that wasn't quite hiking and wasn't quite running but something distinct from both.
2022 in review: looking back at a Big Year for my adventure, photography, writing, and a lot more
My traditional massive end-of-year blog post covering everything in 2022 I haven't had time to write about yet.
Last months in Lincolnshire
I have learned more about my relationship with mountains by 11 years living in Lincolnshire than I ever did when I lived in the mountains.
Personal connections, a season for repairs, and my grandfather's watch
As an antidote to Black Friday, here's a look at a few items of personal and family significance that have stood the test of time – and which I'll continue to repair and maintain. We make true connections with very few items in our lives. Is this the most important aspect of sustainability?
The End of Winter: hiking the Cape Wrath Trail in February 2019
"Genuine silence is rare and special in our hyper-connected era. You might discover something about yourself and the world around you if you take the time to listen."
The Meaning of Adventure: Hiking the Haute Route Pyrenees
If I could never tell anyone about this trip, never publish anything about my experience or share any of my photos, would I still put myself through this?
