Alt/Lines

22/11/2021

Congratulations to all who completed the ultra marathon this weekend.

There was a 24 hour cutoff to complete the 80 mile course following the Yorkshire Wolds Way from Hessle to Filey, passing through many of the regions wonderful wild spaces.

08/11/2021

A small boat is anchored in the shallows off the island of Krk, Croatia. The warm water, surrounded by mountainous island landscapes, is perfect for swimming, sailing and exploring.

Activity: Sailing
Location: Krk, Croatia
Duration: 1 Day

26/10/2021

Deep in the South Pacific lies the vibrant Spine Cheek Anemonefish, residing in the colourful Bulb Tip Anemone.

In Issue 1, showed us some scuba diving highlights from the South Pacific.

In case you missed it, Issue 1 is still available on our website, free to view for all ✌️

21/10/2021

In Issue 1, went off in search of the elusive snow leopards which reside somewhere amongst the mountain peaks of the Himalayas, learning about the conservation efforts in place to protect these vulnerable animals along the way.

“Like all excellent adventures, this one started off in a pub with jugs of beer, stained maps and a desire to go for a wander”

19/10/2021

One of the highlights from the Issue 2 photo gallery.

“In the ever-flowing volcanic Caribbean Island of St Lucia lie Azure Vase sponges and arrays of fans scattered across the prehistoric landscape”

Activity: Scuba Diving
Location: St Lucia

📷 Photography by

14/10/2021

It’s an unfamiliar perspective of the surfers at Gwithian Beach, with the lush, burnt oranges of sunset reflected and mixed with the tropical blues of the sea.

📷

12/10/2021

Today we’ve launched our online print shop!

It’s a celebration of the wild environments that we love to explore, and of the dedicated photographers who transport us into these places.

A limited selection of photographic and framed prints are currently available featuring images and photographers who have been featured in the first 2 issues of Alt/Lines Magazine.

25% of all profits from our online shop are donated to conservation projects and charitable causes aligned with our core values.

Whilst the magazine will remain online only (for the near future at least), there is no substitution for seeing great photography in print - we hope you agree!

Featured Photo by

11/10/2021

Plenty of people out in the water throughout the last weekend, making the most of some mixed conditions.

📷 Photos by

08/10/2021

It’s no secret that the textile industry contributes to social and environmental issues around the world. The scale of these issues however, is frightening.

Textile production is responsible for 10% of all global CO2 emissions, uses huge quantities of freshwater reserves, and toxic chemicals used in production processes are disposed of in ways which pollute and directly harm our ecosystems.

1kg of cotton - roughly equivalent to a pair of jeans - can use up to 20,000 litres of fresh water to produce. It’s difficult to comprehend this figure knowing that 750 million people around the world do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Pressure is put on farmers to produce greater quantities of natural fibres, and fossil fuels are required in the production of synthetic materials. Workforces and natural environments are exploited in equal measure to fulfil an ever-growing demand for clothing consumption, destroying ecosystems, societal health, and economic welfare of the most vulnerable all in one go.

We all need clothes, and with the launch of our clothing shop, we felt it necessary to talk about sustainability of the textile industry. We’re proud that the clothing options we offer put fair trade initiatives and sustainable practices at the highest priority. This is a hugely complex problem which we do not want to trivialise and can only encourage you to find out more about the issues we’ve touched upon.

Below are five considerations that we think about when buying new clothing items. It’s not perfect, but it’s a starting point.

Consume Less
Buy Better Quality
Look for Fair Trade Certificates
Choose the Right Materials
Repair or Donate

Read in full on alt lines.co.uk (link in bio)

27/09/2021

"We encourage you to head out to your local wild place and observe. Remove the headphones, stop looking at splits on your watch, leave that epic descent for later. Observe your surroundings; the role the trees, shrubs and soil all play in creating the ecosystem. You’ll soon discover the impact of modern society. At that point, it's your choice what to do next.”

We’ve spent a fair bit of time hearing from recently, and with good reason. We’ve all got a part to play in caring for those wild environments that we so often like to explore. In ‘Meet the A-Team’, we hear about the merry band of renegades, rascals and rewilders who take it upon themselves to restore the wilderness to its natural glory.

Meet The A-Team
✍️ Words:
Photography: , courtesy of

24/09/2021

"The Chatter Challenge () is an annual winter open water swim challenge which runs over five months, from 1st November to the 31st March encompassing fun, friendship, community, raising money for charity and some superb free kit. You can either swim, socially swimble, dip, body board or play about in the water. The Chatter Tribe welcomes all abilities and thrives on smiles, kindness, encouragement, and support. There is no set distance to swim, or minimum time to spend in the water.”

Continue reading on altlines.co.uk (link in bio).

Activity: Open Water Swimming
Location: Anywhere
Duration: An Hour

✍️ 📷 Words and photography: Jacqui Croskery

23/09/2021

“Growing up by the sea, I always felt drawn to the water whenever I needed some headspace. Underwater, I’d found the environment I could escape to, the place where I could truly relax.

Blue Health can be defined as the idea that being near or on water is good for physical and mental health.”

My Ocean Therapist
✍️ 📷 Words and Photography:

20/09/2021

“There’s a certain sense of pride in coastal communities such as Tynemouth. An appreciation that access to this coastal ecosystem comes as a benefit to the residents lucky enough to call this place home”.

The Wave Project is a charity that provide surf therapy courses with the aim of improving the emotional and physical wellbeing of children and young people, in doing so introducing many to the ocean for the first time.

Go Far, Go Together
✍️ Words: .parsons.00
📷 Photography: courtesy of

17/09/2021

"Our events are about reminding participants why they started running on trails and why they continue to love the sport of trail running today. For us it’s about the sense of adventure, the feeling that we are going to places and seeing views and landscapes that most others don’t. To us, the best souvenir is reliving the memories of deserted mountain tops or beautiful secluded woodland trails, or reminiscing about the times when you’ve enjoyed a smile to yourself while getting battered by the weather on an isolated moorland track.”

In ‘Going the Extra Mile’, Mark talks about the importance of accelerating the running community’s transition towards sustainability.

Words and Photography: Mark Marchant

16/09/2021

Fantastic day out on the Tyne for a sneak peak at the new experience. Great blend of paddling, cooking and survival skills, leaving no trace of our visit there.

14/09/2021

"For some, the challenge is the heights. For others, it’s the exposure to a different environment; the unknown. In a short space of time, a coasteering adventure allows for immense levels of personal growth, achieved through continually testing and redefining comfort zones.

But whether your aim is to overcome fears or simply to feel the exhilaration of an adrenaline filled adventure, coasteering is an experience like no other.”

We went along with to experience a coasteering adventure in the North Sea.

✍️ Words and Photography: Alt/Lines

13/09/2021

“The black dog has no hesitation coming to the beach with me, and even in to the shallows. But it doesn’t follow me in to the deep water, into the waves. My mind doesn’t allow it to. All it allows, all it has space for, is to think about the water, the air, the sights, sounds and smells. And if it’s a tougher swim, just getting back to shore. Survival. Of the mind, and body.”

In the first article of Issue 2, David opens up about the benefits cold water swimming has had on his mental health, body confidence and sense of belonging. It takes courage to write so honestly and make yourself so vulnerable. If you’re in a similar situation, we hope this article shows you that you’re not alone and there are supportive and accepting communities all around us.

✍️ Words: David Potts
📷 Photography: Jane Barnacle

11/09/2021

10/09/2021

Issue 2 is out now! Here’s a flick through preview to whet your appetite, but be sure to head to altlines.co.uk to read in full 😃

10/09/2021

Out Now! Issue 2 - available online, free to read at altlines.co.uk (link in bio).

Thanks to everyone involved for making this possible, we sincerely hope you enjoy reading this selection of articles.

Please let us know what you think. Your feedback let’s us know how we can improve for the next issue and bring more meaningful and inspirational stories to you.

Contributors:





parsons.00

06/09/2021

Issue 02 - launching this Friday - includes articles on wild swimming (), coasteering (), trail running (), surfing (courtesy of in Tynemouth) and free diving (). Plus we hear from and about their on going efforts to tackle the problem of litter in our wild places.

As will always be the case, the articles we publish use outdoor adventure as a platform to discuss wider ranging issues. This time round we’re exploring the connection between the ocean and our mental wellbeing, discussing the environmental impact of race events, empowering youth through outdoor activities and exploring how we connect with the environment each and every time we set foot in the outdoors.

Get Friday 10th September in your diary and read the full issue online, completely free, at altlines.co.uk.

03/09/2021

1 week to go! Make sure that Friday the 10th is in your diaries for the launch of Issue 02 and set aside some serious reading time 🤩

Until then, we’ve got a few previews coming up to whet your appetite 😋

“The outdoor community become ambassadors, stewards and custodians of wild places every time they reach down to dislodge single use pollution from the earth attempting to reclaim it.”

Meet The A-Team
✍️ words by

27/08/2021

Coming soon 😀!

We’re super excited to announce that Issue 2 is on its way, just 2 more weeks to wait…and maybe with a few more extras coming on our website too 👀

It’s really humbling to know how many people support us, believing in the purpose of our magazine and sharing our values - now we can’t wait to share the work of our talented contributors and dedicated members of the outdoors community with you all!

On the cover: 📷

13/08/2021

The summer mountain leader qualification is often mentioned as a desired qualification for outdoor jobs and for taking part in expeditions, but who is it for and what does it involve?

tells us a little bit about her recent Mountain Leader training week with

Read in full on altlines.co.uk

11/08/2021

Abstract views from the water on a coasteering trip with

More on this coming soon!

Activity: Coasteering
Location: Eyemouth, Scotland
Duration: 1/2 a Day

10/08/2021

Easdale is the smallest inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. The sheltered waters of its abandoned slate quarries warm quickly in the sun and are a dream for wild swimming.

Location: Easdale Island
Activity: Wild Swimming
Duration: 1 Day

06/08/2021

This week, mountain biker and A-TEAM member Rosie Holdsworth talked to us about riding, running, litter picking and the joys of connecting with new people in the cold and soggy outdoors.

“Trash Free Trails are working hard, not only to remove single use pollution from our wild places, but to better understand the drivers that get litter there in the first place.

Every little really does help; so if you notice litter when you’re out on your local loop, don’t wait for someone else to come along and pick it up, chances are they won’t; scoop it up and take it home to recycle it”

Read in full on altlines.co.uk

03/08/2021

A picturesque island backdrop for whatever water sports take your fancy.

Activity: Kite Surfing
Location: Ganavan Sands
Duration: 1/2 a Day

23/07/2021

is a community focussed, non-profit organisation making a positive impact on the environment by protecting the trails we love. Their mission is to reduce single-use pollution on our trails and wild places by 75% by 2025 and reconnect people with nature through purposeful adventure.

This week we’re speaking to Dom Barry. In addition to Dom’s involvement with Trash Free Trails, his role working with Forestry England ensures his local trails in Dalby Forest are maintained as a clean and inspiring place for all to enjoy.

Read the journal in full on altlines.co.uk

20/07/2021

The Grey Lake lies within the Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. Its glacial waters and huge floating icebergs are part of an internationally recognised biosphere reserve.

Kayaking is definitely one of the best ways to experience these southern ice fields.