Ash Routen
@ashrouten.com
🧭 Adventure Journalist at ExplorersWeb
🗺️ Fellow of RGS
✍️ Bylines in Nat Geo UK, The Guardian, Sidetracked, Outside
🔬Research Fellow in Public Health, PhD
🌐 https://ashrouten.com
🗺️ Fellow of RGS
✍️ Bylines in Nat Geo UK, The Guardian, Sidetracked, Outside
🔬Research Fellow in Public Health, PhD
🌐 https://ashrouten.com
A fun story I worked on recently. Before Alex Honnold and Netflix's skyscraper stunt, a more introverted breed of climber was free soloing buildings through the night.
"The Origins of Buildering: The Students Who Climbed England’s University Spires After Dark"
explorersweb.com/the-origins-...
"The Origins of Buildering: The Students Who Climbed England’s University Spires After Dark"
explorersweb.com/the-origins-...
October 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
A fun story I worked on recently. Before Alex Honnold and Netflix's skyscraper stunt, a more introverted breed of climber was free soloing buildings through the night.
"The Origins of Buildering: The Students Who Climbed England’s University Spires After Dark"
explorersweb.com/the-origins-...
"The Origins of Buildering: The Students Who Climbed England’s University Spires After Dark"
explorersweb.com/the-origins-...
In 2023, 25-year-old German cyclist Max Roving set off eastward from his hometown in northern Germany, aiming to “go as far as I’d like, or can afford.”
explorersweb.com/traveling-th...
explorersweb.com/traveling-th...
October 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
In 2023, 25-year-old German cyclist Max Roving set off eastward from his hometown in northern Germany, aiming to “go as far as I’d like, or can afford.”
explorersweb.com/traveling-th...
explorersweb.com/traveling-th...
Video #1 from packrafting in Assynt last week. A stony beachside camp with the hulking mass of Suilven looming in the background. I’d spent a few hours making very slow progress through a headwind and whitecaps to this point, so the calmer evening was a welcome respite.
October 2, 2025 at 6:54 AM
Video #1 from packrafting in Assynt last week. A stony beachside camp with the hulking mass of Suilven looming in the background. I’d spent a few hours making very slow progress through a headwind and whitecaps to this point, so the calmer evening was a welcome respite.
Now back home from five days of slow travel packrafting through Assynt, northwest Scotland. Paddling along Lochs Veyatie and Fionn, portaging to, and circling every inch of Sionascaig and its web of smaller lochs and lochans.
September 29, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Now back home from five days of slow travel packrafting through Assynt, northwest Scotland. Paddling along Lochs Veyatie and Fionn, portaging to, and circling every inch of Sionascaig and its web of smaller lochs and lochans.
Yeah his model graphed out is like a parabola. As you add more food (and thus range in terms of days), the distance first increases, reaches a peak at the sweet spot, then curves back down as the food "penalty" overwhelms you. But as Dial suggests, this doesn't account for your pack lightening.
September 18, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Yeah his model graphed out is like a parabola. As you add more food (and thus range in terms of days), the distance first increases, reaches a peak at the sweet spot, then curves back down as the food "penalty" overwhelms you. But as Dial suggests, this doesn't account for your pack lightening.
In this new paper colleagues and I argue that ring-fencing paid work time for physical activity is a pragmatic strategy that would provide employees with the opportunity to be more active, likely without harming productivity.
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
September 2, 2025 at 9:17 AM
In this new paper colleagues and I argue that ring-fencing paid work time for physical activity is a pragmatic strategy that would provide employees with the opportunity to be more active, likely without harming productivity.
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
journals.humankinetics.com/view/journal...
Resharing this old piece for a new audience. Guinness World Records is losing credibility in adventure sports - awarding dubious records, demoting trailblazers like Messner, and pushing commercial stunts over real feats.
explorersweb.com/guinness-wor...
explorersweb.com/guinness-wor...
August 5, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Resharing this old piece for a new audience. Guinness World Records is losing credibility in adventure sports - awarding dubious records, demoting trailblazers like Messner, and pushing commercial stunts over real feats.
explorersweb.com/guinness-wor...
explorersweb.com/guinness-wor...
🆕 Our new BMJ opinion piece 🚨
Failing to collect ethnicity data in research fuels health inequalities.
⚠️ Without it: misdiagnosis & unequal care.
📈 UK (but not US) regulators are acting to improve diversity in clinical trials.
🔗 www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Failing to collect ethnicity data in research fuels health inequalities.
⚠️ Without it: misdiagnosis & unequal care.
📈 UK (but not US) regulators are acting to improve diversity in clinical trials.
🔗 www.bmj.com/content/390/...
July 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
🆕 Our new BMJ opinion piece 🚨
Failing to collect ethnicity data in research fuels health inequalities.
⚠️ Without it: misdiagnosis & unequal care.
📈 UK (but not US) regulators are acting to improve diversity in clinical trials.
🔗 www.bmj.com/content/390/...
Failing to collect ethnicity data in research fuels health inequalities.
⚠️ Without it: misdiagnosis & unequal care.
📈 UK (but not US) regulators are acting to improve diversity in clinical trials.
🔗 www.bmj.com/content/390/...
The Pinch of Salt Path author Raynor Winn has published a rebuttal on her website.
www.raynorwinn.co.uk?fbclid=PAQ0x...
www.raynorwinn.co.uk?fbclid=PAQ0x...
July 9, 2025 at 5:10 PM
The Pinch of Salt Path author Raynor Winn has published a rebuttal on her website.
www.raynorwinn.co.uk?fbclid=PAQ0x...
www.raynorwinn.co.uk?fbclid=PAQ0x...
Thankfully I haven't watched or read The Pinch of Salt Path. Surely they could have made the story a bit more challenging and dramatic. Toddling along the South West Coast path in your 50's is a luxury holiday. Much better to amputate your own leg and then try climbing K2 in winter. Amateurs.
July 7, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Thankfully I haven't watched or read The Pinch of Salt Path. Surely they could have made the story a bit more challenging and dramatic. Toddling along the South West Coast path in your 50's is a luxury holiday. Much better to amputate your own leg and then try climbing K2 in winter. Amateurs.
Another developer consultation in the post for our local area where green belt is now grey. Is the biodiversity net gain claim pictured below just a licence to tarmac over nature?
June 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Another developer consultation in the post for our local area where green belt is now grey. Is the biodiversity net gain claim pictured below just a licence to tarmac over nature?
I don’t think I’ve previously camped on summer solstice, so I made the effort to get out there last night. A new camp spot for me, in the Northwest corner of the Peak District. I’ve walked this ridgeline before but it’s even better when you can sit there and watch the sun melt into the horizon 👌
June 22, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I don’t think I’ve previously camped on summer solstice, so I made the effort to get out there last night. A new camp spot for me, in the Northwest corner of the Peak District. I’ve walked this ridgeline before but it’s even better when you can sit there and watch the sun melt into the horizon 👌
An old but brilliant piece on North Pole Trekkers with the catchy headline:
'If it's explorer season, why can't we shoot them?'
www.uphere.ca/articles/if-...
'If it's explorer season, why can't we shoot them?'
www.uphere.ca/articles/if-...
June 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM
An old but brilliant piece on North Pole Trekkers with the catchy headline:
'If it's explorer season, why can't we shoot them?'
www.uphere.ca/articles/if-...
'If it's explorer season, why can't we shoot them?'
www.uphere.ca/articles/if-...
Take me back ❤️
Finnish Lapland, March 2025
Finnish Lapland, March 2025
May 10, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Take me back ❤️
Finnish Lapland, March 2025
Finnish Lapland, March 2025
Another really enjoyable walk and camp in a quieter side of a busy part of the Peak District. Looking forward to more nights under canvas in the coming months ✌️
April 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
Another really enjoyable walk and camp in a quieter side of a busy part of the Peak District. Looking forward to more nights under canvas in the coming months ✌️
After completing our 11 day circular ski tour of a frozen lake Inarijarvi in Finland last month I promised friends I'd share a few photos from our journey. Here's four scenes from different locations on the lake. You can see more on Instagram (@ashrouten).
April 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
After completing our 11 day circular ski tour of a frozen lake Inarijarvi in Finland last month I promised friends I'd share a few photos from our journey. Here's four scenes from different locations on the lake. You can see more on Instagram (@ashrouten).
😂😂😂 they’re currently covered for winter travel mate!
March 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM
😂😂😂 they’re currently covered for winter travel mate!
1/3 - For some, sledding expeditions are all about athletics. For me, it’s about connecting with the land and its inhabitants. That’s why I was so pleased to spot a small herd of reindeer on our recent Lake Inari adventure.
March 24, 2025 at 9:19 AM
1/3 - For some, sledding expeditions are all about athletics. For me, it’s about connecting with the land and its inhabitants. That’s why I was so pleased to spot a small herd of reindeer on our recent Lake Inari adventure.
My pleasure Dave. What were you up on Ellesmere for? Here's a couple of my favourite northern outhouses, on the west coast of Greenland.
March 20, 2025 at 7:27 PM
My pleasure Dave. What were you up on Ellesmere for? Here's a couple of my favourite northern outhouses, on the west coast of Greenland.
On our recent Lake Inari ski expedition, morning snowfall often gave way to brilliant sunshine and ethereal light that is typical of the far north. Here’s just one example of a superb camp on this frozen gem in Finnish Lapland.
March 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
On our recent Lake Inari ski expedition, morning snowfall often gave way to brilliant sunshine and ethereal light that is typical of the far north. Here’s just one example of a superb camp on this frozen gem in Finnish Lapland.
I’m just starting to process the images from our Lake Inari expedition. Moments like this scene really crystallise for me that my purpose and meaning in life is to be found through adventure. Spending time on the land and making hard physical effort to travel and make shelter gets inside you.
March 19, 2025 at 9:07 AM
I’m just starting to process the images from our Lake Inari expedition. Moments like this scene really crystallise for me that my purpose and meaning in life is to be found through adventure. Spending time on the land and making hard physical effort to travel and make shelter gets inside you.
Last night in the cabin in 🇫🇮 following our sled journey and nature lays on a parting gift 👌
March 14, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Last night in the cabin in 🇫🇮 following our sled journey and nature lays on a parting gift 👌
Our Lake Inari arctic adventure is now at a successful close. Something like 205km in just under 11 days, including a tent day. We were blessed to have great weather and some wonderful camp spots. More images to come in due course 🇫🇮✌️
March 13, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Our Lake Inari arctic adventure is now at a successful close. Something like 205km in just under 11 days, including a tent day. We were blessed to have great weather and some wonderful camp spots. More images to come in due course 🇫🇮✌️
Pleased to have been a part of this new paper from the UK Health Data Research Alliance, which presents five recommendations for improving data collection for inclusive health research. It resulted from 4 workshops with relevant stakeholders and public members.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
February 24, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Pleased to have been a part of this new paper from the UK Health Data Research Alliance, which presents five recommendations for improving data collection for inclusive health research. It resulted from 4 workshops with relevant stakeholders and public members.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Preet Chandi not going to the North Pole this year. An update to follow on from my article for ExWeb on the difficulties of planning this journey.
explorersweb.com/1-million-to...
explorersweb.com/1-million-to...
February 17, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Preet Chandi not going to the North Pole this year. An update to follow on from my article for ExWeb on the difficulties of planning this journey.
explorersweb.com/1-million-to...
explorersweb.com/1-million-to...