April, 2017
Fashion Revolution Week – a few words from our founder, Nick Brown
Fashion Revolution Week is an initiative commemorating the Rana Plaza tragedy which occurred on 24th April 2013, killing 1138 people and injuring many more and bringing light to gravely unethical practices in the fashion industry. During the weeklong campaign, people are encouraged to ask their favourite clothing brands #whomademyclothes on social media.
Do you know who made your Analogy Jacket? Read on to find out.
Capturing a fleeting moment on Skye
I was delighted to find that Páramo had chosen my image of the fleeting light as their prizewinner from the images in this year’s Take a View Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards book.
The Mother of all Mountains
I made the decision to climb Everest back in 2014. I’d already reached the summit of Manaslu, the world’s 8th highest mountain, in September 2013. Before that I’d said no to Everest swayed by the negative journalism, the commercialism, the ‘buy your way onto the mountain’ attitude – but, probably, most of all because I did not think I was capable. However, I decided that I’d said no too many times in my past life – I had never even thought I was capable of walking up Snowdon in years gone by! I wanted to climb Everest to test my capabilities, face my fears and do it for everyone who I’ve had the pleasure of leading up a mountain, in the UK and abroad.
Owling in Páramo
Now that we’re into April, this breeding season’s owling is well into its swing. Owling is the name our group gives to the activity of putting up nest boxes and monitoring them for these magnificent birds. In the UK, Barn Owls, Little Owls and Tawny Owls breed inside pre-existing cavities, such as tree hollows and outbuildings, but all will breed in nest boxes. Short-eared Owls are ground nesters and Long-eared Owls prefer to breed in old Magpie and Crow nests.
I started owling in 2006 and have been hooked ever since. I get immense joy seeing owls up close, but am predominantly driven by a desire to provide additional nest sites for them, to ring any chicks, and to contribute to the BTO’s nest record scheme. Whilst ideally we’d like all owls to breed in natural cavities, research has shown that a shortage of suitable nest sites can limit owl numbers. Furthermore, at some sites, especially in modern farm buildings, nest boxes can provide a more secure nest site compared with semi-exposed sites without vegetation.
Zero footprint
Occasionally I have a plan when I walk out from my house, an image I’ve imagined in the moments between sleeping and waking or an inspiration sparked by something I’ve seen, but most of the time I simply pack up my gear, call the dog and head outside.
Páramo confirmed 2017 Official Kit Partner for British Exploring
Páramo is supporting British Exploring during their 2017 expeditionary year as official kit partner. British Exploring CEO Honor Wilson-Fletcher commented: ”British Exploring is working to raise awareness of environmental issues through our programmes, and to ensure that we leave no trace behind us when we visit wild, remote and fragile environments. It’s a particular pleasure for us to work with an organisation whose brand is about both technical excellence, always a priority, and ethical manufacturing.”
British Exploring will stage 7 expedition programmes in 2017 for young people, visiting the Amazon, Himalayas, Yukon, Spanish Badlands and Iceland – as part of their work as a Youth Development Charity.
Simon White, Chief Leader Expeditionary Year Iceland 2017 gives his perspective on the work of British Exploring and the Páramo partnership…
