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ashrouten.com
Ash Routen
@ashrouten.com
2.2K followers 910 following 810 posts
🧭 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
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ashrouten.com
Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · Nov 17
Hello new Bluesky friends 👋

I’m Ash, an adventure writer by day and a University academic by night.

I live in the Leicestershire countryside in the UK and am available for assignment.

My main interest is Arctic travel. Here’s a few pix from a sled trip in Norway from earlier this year.
Reposted by Ash Routen
sarahjdavis.bsky.social
A great chat about modern day adventure, expedition and exploration and what these terms mean these days along with the different drivers people have for doing them. Love that it was recorded RGS expedition archive! So apt
ashrouten.com Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 3d
It was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity!

open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:06 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
dermotncosgrove.bsky.social
Good interview with @ashrouten.com scientist, adventurer, journalist, shower of knees.

open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Reposted by Ash Routen
gregwingo.bsky.social
Great listen if you think about adventure, exploration, and expedition (and what they mean) as much as I do!
ashrouten.com Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · 3d
It was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity!

open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:17 PM
ashrouten.com
It was a real pleasure to speak with the Adventure Podcast about the state of modern expedition culture. The episode was recorded in the Royal Geographical Society’s expedition archive room for extra authenticity!

open.spotify.com/episode/5gQ5...
Episode 219: Ash Routen, The State of Exploration
open.spotify.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
christownsend.bsky.social
A promotion for my books. It's that time of year! #hiking www.christownsendoutdoors.com/2025/12/my-h...
My Hiking & Backpacking Books
New edition packed with photos never published before. It's the time of year for my annual book promotion. If you're looking for a book abou...
www.christownsendoutdoors.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
ashrouten.com
For regular readers of ExWeb, I won’t be posting here for a little while. I became a father to a beautiful daughter a few weeks ago. She came five weeks early but is all healthy and happy. I’m off writing duties for a bit, but will be sharing ExWeb stuff over on Instagram inbetween nappy changes ☺️
December 5, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Reposted by Ash Routen
garyglx5.bsky.social
Not a big fan of this type of venture but wishing O'Brady safe travels. Thx @ashrouten.com for the coverage.
ashrouten.com Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · Nov 15
Colin O’Brady has begun his attempt to ski completely across Antarctica, or almost completely. The American arrived at Union Glacier last weekend, where he carried out final equipment checks and packed his sled before flying to his starting point.

explorersweb.com/antarctica-r...
Antarctica Roundup 2025-6: O’Brady Kicks Off Crossing But Starts Slightly Inland » Explorersweb
The American flew from Union Glacier to the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf at roughly 79°S -- close to, but not directly on, the heavily crevassed coastline.
explorersweb.com
November 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
ashrouten.com
Colin O’Brady has begun his attempt to ski completely across Antarctica, or almost completely. The American arrived at Union Glacier last weekend, where he carried out final equipment checks and packed his sled before flying to his starting point.

explorersweb.com/antarctica-r...
Antarctica Roundup 2025-6: O’Brady Kicks Off Crossing But Starts Slightly Inland » Explorersweb
The American flew from Union Glacier to the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf at roughly 79°S -- close to, but not directly on, the heavily crevassed coastline.
explorersweb.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:29 AM
ashrouten.com
So pleased to see my PhD student publish her second paper on an increasingly important topic in a post-Covid world.
November 5, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
newclimber.bsky.social
Our biggest ever buy one get one free bundles have just gone live. secondsandsales.com/collections/...
November 4, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
garyglx5.bsky.social
If you're an Everest climb watcher, here's an alt quest that may be of interest. @ashrouten.com reports.
ashrouten.com Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · Oct 31
The first wave of skiers is heading south to Antarctica to begin their expeditions. Compared with last year, there are a few more longer sled journeys.

My latest for ExWeb. I'll be covering the season until late December before other commitments take over.

explorersweb.com/antarctic-ex...
Skiers Head South as the 2025–26 Antarctic Expeditions Begin » Explorersweb
The busy Antarctic season is highlighted by two long crossings, two round trips to the South Pole and back, and an unusual absence of guided tours.
explorersweb.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:55 AM
ashrouten.com
The first wave of skiers is heading south to Antarctica to begin their expeditions. Compared with last year, there are a few more longer sled journeys.

My latest for ExWeb. I'll be covering the season until late December before other commitments take over.

explorersweb.com/antarctic-ex...
Skiers Head South as the 2025–26 Antarctic Expeditions Begin » Explorersweb
The busy Antarctic season is highlighted by two long crossings, two round trips to the South Pole and back, and an unusual absence of guided tours.
explorersweb.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
damianshields.bsky.social
Uath Lochans from Farleitter Crag, a recent one from an early stakeout overlooking these bonnie lochans. A long chilly wait before the warm light finally broke through the dreich and spread over the Inshriach forest #Scotland #Cairngorms #Rothiemurchus www.damianshields.com
Uath Lochans from Farleitter Crag, a recent one from an early stakeout overlooking these bonnie lochans. A long chilly wait before the warm light finally broke through the dreich and spread over the Inshriach forest #Scotland #Cairngorms #Rothiemurchus www.damianshields.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:55 AM
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-...
October 29, 2025 at 1:50 PM
ashrouten.com
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...
October 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
ashrouten.com
Excited to share that I’ll be speaking at Expedition Finse 2026, taking place 20–22 February 2026 at Hotel Finse 1222, Norway 🇳🇴

There’s a great lineup of speakers including British broadcaster Ben Fogle. More details in the below 👇

www.ashrouten.com/blog/talk-at...
Speaking at Expedition Finse 2026 — ASH ROUTEN
I’m pleased to share that I’ll be giving a talk at Expedition Finse, which takes place from 20–22 February 2026 at Hotel Finse 1222 in Norway. Expedition Finse is an annual festival, run in collabora...
www.ashrouten.com
October 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
garyglx5.bsky.social
Great Lakes followers, a good read here. Check out the map to see how daunting the trek was. h/t @ashrouten.com for sharing.
ashrouten.com Ash Routen @ashrouten.com · Oct 22
After 480 days and 7,810km of paddling, 24-year-old Peter Frank has completed a canoe journey around most of the Great Loop the “wrong way.” Beginning and ending in Escanaba, Michigan, the U.S. adventurer wrapped up his journey on October 20.

explorersweb.com/pirate-paddl...
'Pirate Paddler' Completes 7,810Km Canoe Journey Around Eastern U.S. » Explorersweb
After 480 days, 24-year-old Peter Frank has canoed the “wrong way” around most of the eastern U.S.'s inland Great Loop waterway.
explorersweb.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:28 PM
ashrouten.com
After 480 days and 7,810km of paddling, 24-year-old Peter Frank has completed a canoe journey around most of the Great Loop the “wrong way.” Beginning and ending in Escanaba, Michigan, the U.S. adventurer wrapped up his journey on October 20.

explorersweb.com/pirate-paddl...
'Pirate Paddler' Completes 7,810Km Canoe Journey Around Eastern U.S. » Explorersweb
After 480 days, 24-year-old Peter Frank has canoed the “wrong way” around most of the eastern U.S.'s inland Great Loop waterway.
explorersweb.com
October 22, 2025 at 10:41 AM
ashrouten.com
So pleased to share one of my favourite pieces I’ve written for ExWeb - a dive into the incredible world of rock climbing giant strangler fig trees in Costa Rica. So cool!

explorersweb.com/climbing-tre...
Climbing Giant Trees in Costa Rica’s Cloud Forest » Explorersweb
Noah Kane does not climb up branches like a curious kid nor use the rope techniques of a canopy scientist. He climbs on trees like a rock climber.
explorersweb.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
markhorrell.bsky.social
Really useful stuff from @ashrouten.com.
Saved me from another disappointing night out 🍺

TL;DR if you're thinking of drinking your own Fosters, do it before you get thirsty.
explorersweb.com/drinking-pee...
Survival Stories Get It Wrong, Drinking Pee Won’t Save You » Explorersweb
By the time you’re dehydrated enough to consider drinking urine, the urine will be so concentrated that it’s just too salty.
explorersweb.com
October 14, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Ash Routen
sarahbpolar.bsky.social
2026 calendar available NOW! I only have 9 copies available on the website, and a few more I'll be taking to the Shackleton Autumn School at the end of the month.

I hope you like sea ice and tallships!
Svalbard 2026 Calendar | Barnard Polar
An extremely limited edition A3 size calendar of photographs from my time on the Arctic Circle expeditionary residency in Svalbard. I hope you like sea ice and tallships!**As the situation with US tar...
www.barnardpolar.shop
October 14, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by Ash Routen
supergios.bsky.social
BLEA CALM - first dawn at Blea Tarn in the Langdales on Saturday morning. A short spell of colour before the fog and mist descended for the weekend.
#FSprintmonday #Sharemondays2025 #Appicoftheweek #SonyAlpha #landscapephotography
@fotospeed.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 7:16 AM
ashrouten.com
On October 1, Balin Miller died when he accidentally rappelled off the end of his rope in Yosemite. We examine the flawed media reaction to his death.

explorersweb.com/balin-miller...
How a Climbing Tragedy Became Social Media Content » Explorersweb
On October 1, Balin Miller died when he accidentally rappelled off the end of his rope in Yosemite. We examine the flawed media reaction to his death.
explorersweb.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:21 AM
ashrouten.com
Does the desperate act of drinking your own pee actually work, or is it just a survival myth that refuses to die? Well here’s my answer 👇

explorersweb.com/drinking-pee...
Survival Stories Get It Wrong, Drinking Pee Won’t Save You » Explorersweb
By the time you’re dehydrated enough to consider drinking urine, the urine will be so concentrated that it’s just too salty.
explorersweb.com
October 10, 2025 at 12:35 PM