We share our top 10 posts of the year, from the chilly peak of Denali to the frantic streets of the famed Pink City
This year, we celebrated 10 years of Atlas & Boots. When we first started the blog in 2014, it was mainly a way to stay employable so that when we returned to London after our big trip, it wouldn’t be impossible to find new jobs.
We didn’t know then that our little blog would grow to a quarter of a million readers per month. Sadly, we lost about half of them when the pandemic hit and never quite recovered them, but we’re still ticking along thanks to our loyal audience.
This year was notable for other reasons too. Peter successfully summited Denali, one of the coldest and hardest peaks on the planet, bringing him one step closer to his dream of climbing the seven summits.
For me, it’s been relatively quiet on the travel front with only two trips, but I did manage to finish my fifth novel. What Happens in Dark is out next year and may be my favourite yet.
We’ll soon be planning our next adventures but, for now, we’re taking pause and looking back at our top 10 posts of 2024.
1. Climbing Denali: a dream almost slips through my fingers
By Peter
Read Climbing Denali: a dream almost slips through my fingers
At around 6.30pm local time on Tuesday 28 May 2024, six grown men stood on the summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America, crying their eyes out. Among them was a triathlon athlete, a veteran of the Marathon des Sables, an Everest summiteer returning to Denali for his second attempt and our very own Peter.
In this post, he explains why climbing Denali was the hardest thing he has ever done. He recounts how, after training for over a year and spending a fortune on the expedition, he almost failed at the final hurdle – and why he kept going despite signs of frostbite.
2. A life lived inside: reflections on my mother’s past
By Kia
Read A life lived inside: reflections on my mother’s past
Earlier this year, I asked her mother if she has any regrets about her life. I don’t know the Bengali word for ‘regret’ so what I asked was, “If you could change anything about your past, what would you change?” She answered, “I would have gone outside more.”
Her answer made me deeply sad. It would be poignant coming from any elderly person, but it was especially so coming from my mother. In this personal piece, I explain why. I reflect on her answer and ask if regret of that magnitude can ever be undone.
3. In defence of climbing Everest
By Peter
Read In defence of climbing Everest
Everest is one of the most contentious topics in mountaineering. Some claim that it has become too crowded and commercialised. Others say that the risk is too high and that the reward of standing on top of the world is not worth putting lives in danger for.
In this piece, Peter argues that this is a paternalistic view and that westerners should look at their own hyper-commercialised mountains before turning their gaze on Nepal. He reflects on the criticism that is valid and suggests possible solutions based on his experience on other mountains.
4. Jaipur Cycle Tour: testing my mettle in the frantic Pink City
By Kia
Read Jaipur Cycle Tour: testing my mettle in the frantic Pink City
The legend of Jaipur is that it’s India’s first planned city. It’s said that esteemed architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya planned every detail of the city, from the orientation of the gates to the script above each building – all based on Vastu Shastra, an ancient Hindu architectural system that incorporates nature, sunlight and symmetry.
Sadly, Jaipur’s perfectly planned streets aren’t exactly cyclist friendly, as I found out while dodging teeming traffic, dense crowds, overzealous traders, barking dogs and a few wayward cows.
5. How to never break a zipper again
By Peter
Read How to never break a zipper again
Did you know that just one Japanese company makes over half of the world’s zippers? Chances are that if you take a look at a zipper on a piece of your outdoor gear – or any clothing for that matter – it will be inscribed with the letters YKK.
In this surprisingly absorbing piece, Peter shares a deep dive into the humble zipper. He breaks down the components, tells you how to spot quality and shows you how to rescue a pricey bit of kit.
6. On travelling solo as a small brown woman
By Kia
Read On travelling solo as a small brown woman
I have what has been described as “a sweet face”. Certainly, this has its benefits. I can get myself out of a low-level jam with a pleading smile or secure myself a discount when one isn’t usually available.
On the flip side, having a “sweet face” has some drawbacks. I am sometimes patronised, belittled, ignored or bullied in ways I don’t think those with resting bitch face often are. It doesn’t help that I’m 5’2” and weigh about 100lbs. In short, people think they can push me around – sometimes literally. In this post, I reflect on travelling solo as a small brown woman and why I don’t often enjoy it.
7. Countries where you can see tigers in the wild
By Peter
Read Countries where you can see tigers in the wild
A century ago, as many as 100,000 wild tigers roamed the planet but by the 21st century, that figure had plummeted by around 95% largely due to habitat loss and poaching.
In this post, Peter explores the very few countries where it is still possible to spot tigers in the wild. He laments the loss of these majestic creatures and asks if current conservation efforts can revive their numbers.
8. 10 famous trees cut down by humans
By Kia
Read 10 famous trees cut down by humans
It was an act of vandalism that scandalised a nation. Britain’s iconic Sycamore Gap tree was cut down with a chainsaw in the early hours of 28th September 2023.
The senselessness of the act was particularly poignant. There have been other famous trees cut down by humans, but there has usually been a reason: accident, protest, exploitation. In the case of the Sycamore Gap tree, it appears to be sheer malice. In this post, I dig into those other trees – including the oldest known to man.
9. Britain’s last remaining wild places
By Peter
Read Britain’s last remaining wild places
In the UK, wilderness has largely been abolished. It used to be that 75% of the country was covered in forest. Now, that stands at 13%, making the UK one of Europe’s least densely forested countries. In this piece, Peter goes in search of the last remaining wild places in this “green and pleasant land”.
10. Atlas & Boots’ top 100 travel experiences – ranked
By Kia
Read Atlas & Boots’ top 100 travel experiences – ranked
Our 2022 expedition to Antarctica is without a doubt our number one travel experience. It’s difficult to pick out one single experience, but among the best were crossing the Antarctic Circle, making landfall on the continent among a colony of Gentoo penguins, exploring the pristine Paradise Bay, navigating through stunning pack ice and colossal icebergs, observing penguin chicks on Barrientos Island and watching a baby humpback whale sleep off the bow of the ship. In this piece, we share what else made our top 100 travel experiences.
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