Peter Watson, Author at Atlas & Boots

Peter on the summit of Aconcagua in an orange down jacket

Climbing Aconcagua: my third seven summit

3rd November 202419th February 2020 by Peter Watson

Climbing Aconcagua was the culmination of a 10-year journey and the next step towards realising my ultimate dream: climbing the seven summits

At around 2pm local time on 19th January 2020, I stretched out my hand and tapped the top of the simple aluminium crucifix that marks the summit of Aconcagua at 6,961m (22,837ft).

Looking at the winter climbs taking place at the time in the Himalaya and Karakoram ranges of Asia, and given that our summit time corresponded to around 11pm in Nepal and Pakistan, it is safe to assume that for a few brief moments on that Sunday afternoon, I was the highest person stood on Earth.

Things to do in Bonaire: our top 12 picks

28th December 20225th February 2020 by Peter Watson

We explore the best things to do in Bonaire, from pink lakes to secluded beaches and first-rate diving and snorkelling

Bonaire, a Dutch municipality in the Leeward Antilles of the Caribbean Sea, is known for its rich marine life, exceptional dive sites and desert landscape interior.

Bonaire is surrounded by a fine coral reef that lies meters from the shoreline, making it a snorkeller’s dream. The reef is a designated national marine park and is easily accessed via numerous entry points clearly marked on shore.

Calm amid the chaos in Colombo Sri Lanka meditation

How to find calm amid the chaos in Colombo, Sri Lanka

7th April 20221st February 2020 by Peter Watson

Colombo isn’t as frenetic as other Asian capitals, but it’s still a busy working city. Here are five ways to find calm amid the chaos at any time of day

Home to nearly six million people, Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. There is no metro or tram system so there’s no escape from the rumbling buses, tooting tuk-tuks and tinted cars that clog the wide boulevards.

Scuba diving movies: 23 of the best underwater flicks

28th November 202125th January 2020 by Peter Watson

We list the best scuba diving movies of all time, from thrilling underwater epics to Hollywood blockbusters featuring incredible subaquatic scenes

With the dark depths of the ocean as a backdrop, the threat of a turbulent sea and an ever-dwindling air supply, scuba diving should be ripe for spectacularly tense movie plots.

Diving the Sonesta plane wrecks in Aruba

28th December 202222nd January 2020 by Peter Watson

Diving the Sonesta plane wrecks in Aruba was eerie and surreal, but ultimately thrilling

I’m hopeless at fish identification. My memory is awful and I don’t like diving with a fish ID slate – it just becomes a piece of clutter to add to the essentials (pressure gauge, regulators, dive computer and my camera). As such, unless it’s a lionfish, grouper, clownfish, whale, dolphin or shark, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to identify it.

Things to do in Oman: our top 12 picks

9th April 20201st January 2020 by Peter Watson

We explore the best things to do in Oman, from modern Islamic architecture to the jagged peaks of its wild interior

Oman is an intriguing blend of the modern world and old Arabia. Unlike some of its neighbours, overdevelopment is yet to saturate the country. Lying on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, sharing borders with the UAE, Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

Cappadocia was one of our top-instagram-shots-2019

Our top Instagram shots of 2019

16th January 202328th December 2019 by Peter Watson

Our final blog post of the decade takes a look at our top Instagram shots of 2019

Kia has already ruminated on how 2019 has been a strange one for us. She’s spent so much time focused on her book that I have travelled without her to Nepal, Greenland and Pakistan. These were all multi-week trips meaning we spent more time apart in 2019 than ever before.

Best things to do in Muscat: 9 must-sees

9th April 202025th December 2019 by Peter Watson

We explore the best things to do in Muscat, Oman’s delightful oceanside capital

Pinched between the mountains and the ocean, Muscat is a refreshing take on the skyscraper-choked cities of the Gulf States. The Omani port capital may not have the overt glitz of its high-rise neighbours, but it exudes an understated charm and natural beauty rarely seen in the more popular cities of the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.

Unknown treks: 10 off the beaten trail adventures

31st August 202214th December 2019 by Peter Watson

From remote deserts to polar escapes, these unknown treks will get you far off the beaten trail

I spent 10 years living in London, riding the crowded tube to work, fighting for space with those around me and standing in queues at bus stops, supermarkets, anywhere really – I am British after all.

Naturally, this inspired daydreams of escaping it all and running off to the wilderness with only my backpack, tent, camping stove and a handful of freeze-dried meals.

K2, the Savage Mountain, is a Second Seven Summit

22 interesting facts about K2

13th July 202420th November 2019 by Peter Watson

We share the most interesting facts about K2, gathered from years of reading, writing and dreaming about this notorious mountain

Rising from the Baltoro Glacier in the heart of the Karakoram is K2, one of Earth’s most remarkable mountains. Revered in the mountaineering world, the pyramidal peak is the ultimate challenge for climbers.

The world’s elite alpinists have attempted its treacherous slopes. Several have conquered the summit, but many have lost their lives.

Everest vs K2 base camp: which trek is right for you?

19th April 202313th November 2019 by Peter Watson

Everest vs K2 base camp – what’s the difference? We compare the two classic treks

Since the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, followed by K2 in 1954, the Himalayas and its satellite ranges have become far more accessible to trekkers. The 4,000km crescent of mountains that stretches from Kyrgyzstan to Burma was once solely the domain of professional mountaineers.

Best treks in Pakistan: 5 great adventures

4th August 20216th November 2019 by Peter Watson

We take a look at the best treks in Pakistan, from classic base camp journeys to snowy high pass odysseys

Having just returned from the K2 base camp trek in Pakistan with my interest in the Karakoram well and truly stoked, I thought I’d explore some additional hiking itineraries for my next trip to this beautiful country.

Tips for trekking to K2 base camp: a complete guide

5th November 202430th October 2019 by Peter Watson

Our tips for trekking to K2 base camp, gathered from the many questions our readers sent in

Before, during and after my K2 base camp trek in Pakistan, Atlas & Boots received dozens of questions about the experience via email and social media. We’ve collated them below in a comprehensive Q&A which includes all our tips for trekking to K2 base camp.

K2 base camp trek: a walk among giants in the Karakoram

12th January 202416th October 2019 by Peter Watson

The K2 base camp trek is a stunning journey to the foot of a legendary mountain in the Pakistani Karakoram

The K2 base camp trek through the mighty Karakoram mountains of Pakistan is one of the world’s finest high-altitude treks. Earlier this year an opportunity arose to join Lost Horizon Tours and Treks on a trek to K2 base camp combined with a crossing of the Gondogoro La Pass.

20 interesting facts about the Arctic

13th July 202412th October 2019 by Peter Watson

A series of interesting facts about the Arctic, prompted by our recent trip to the Greenland ice sheet

Our first trip to the Arctic Circle delivered more than we had hoped for: stunning Northern Lights, a close encounter with Arctic reindeer and a night-time husky hike replete with husky puppies. Based in the city of Tromso, however, we saw little of the wilderness that defines the polar regions.

19 interesting facts about Greenland

13th July 20249th October 2019 by Peter Watson

We share the most interesting facts about Greenland collected on a visit to the spectacular polar region

My recent trip to Greenland was defined by highs and lows – literally and metaphorically. My up-and-down adventures trekking the Arctic Circle Trail were thrilling but also tinged with bitter disappointment when I failed to complete the trek due to a wildfire.

K2 base camp gear list: all you need for this epic trek

5th November 20246th October 2019 by Peter Watson

Our extensive K2 base camp gear list includes everything you’ll need for this epic trek to the second-highest mountain on Earth

Having just returned from my K2 base camp trek in Pakistan, I thought sharing my complete K2 base camp gear list as a point of reference for future trekkers would be helpful.

8 best things to do in Ilulissat, Greenland

31st August 20222nd October 2019 by Peter Watson

Our selection of the best things to do in Ilulissat will help you make the most of your time in this breathtaking part of the world

Ilulissat is the Greenland of glossy brochures. Smatterings of multi-coloured houses, iceberg-strewn waters, majestic sled dogs and gigantic glinting glaciers all contribute to the region’s raw photogenic appeal. It is quite simply one of the most spectacular environments on Earth.

things to do in Ilulissat whale watching

Hiking around Ilulissat in Greenland: a complete guide

31st August 202225th September 2019 by Peter Watson

Hiking around Ilulissat is the quickest and easiest way to get close to the immense icefjord that fringes the town

Ilulissat in Greenland is utterly unique in its location at the mouth of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ilulissat Icefjord. Nowhere else in the world is it possible to wake up at a hotel, eat breakfast and then stroll down to such a giant body of ice.

Icebergs at midnight in Ilulissat Icefjord

Under the midnight sun: iceberg sightseeing in Ilulissat

13th August 202418th September 2019 by Peter Watson

Iceberg sightseeing in Ilulissat is best done at night, not by moonlight but beneath the Arctic’s infamous midnight sun

Ilulissat is the Greenland you’ve always imagined. Positioned at the mouth of the 40km-wide Jakobshavn Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq) itself buttressed by an immense icefjord, Ilulissat’s sprinkling of multi-coloured houses on the picturesque iceberg-strewn Disko Bay is one of the most wondrous settings on Earth.