What sparked my return to the fells?
I got into wild camping and mountaineering at a young age as that is what I just did, and this was facilitated by spending 20 years in the military that allowed me to do a mountaineering/climbing leader/instructor courses and go on many adventure training expeditions during works time and being paid at the same time. However, at some stage I stopped wild camping and then fell walking and became fat and unfit, giving away my tents, climbing gear, and much of my mountaineering gear.
I looked back and realised that my last wild camp was 2005 in the Lake District and last hike was in 2007, up Pendle Hill (557m). Despite giving away lots, I did keep a few items as sub consciously I always knew I would be back in the fells. So I still have a bag full of various sleeping bags and a few rucksacks I will eventually dig out and use.
Fast forward to 2020 and lockdown I stumbled upon a wild camping video by Paul Messner that led me to many other You Tubers to inspire me to get out of my nice comfy chair in my office at home. And within days of the re-opening of our country I had booked a Lake District hotel and spent a few days in the beautiful outdoors doing a few little walks. To me the outdoors is as many say here and other channels: it is my therapy, it is my healing, it is my safe place.
So many thanks to Paul Messner; David Roberts aka Dave Outdoors; Nath and Trev from Summit or Nothing, and many more You Tubers!