In 50 wide-ranging tales of adventure and misadventure, Ralph Storer takes his usual quirky look at the peculiar pursuit of messing about on mountains. Walking, climbing, mountain biking, caving... he's tried it all but admits to expertise only in the lost art of festering. With room also for contemplation and argument, his 50 Shades will amuse, inspire and inform.

Follow in his footsteps as he roves from the Lake District to the Alps, from Snowdonia to Scandinavia, from the Scottish Highlands to the deserts and canyons of America. Warm to his intrepid exploits of derring-do and not-so-derring-do as he gets snowbound in a tent, gets stuck on ice falls and in caves, and falls off mountain bikes and sand dunes.

Culled from not-yet-a-lifetime of eclectic escapades both at home and abroad, his highly entertaining experiences will resonate with anyone whose aspirations outstrip their ability.