I Love The Outdoors Interview Series #24

There are so many great bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and photographers out there creating amazing outdoor content on a daily basis.

Not only did I want to personally get to know them better, but I also wanted to explore their outdoor influences and passion for nature.

Thus, we’ve launched the I Love The Outdoors Interview Series.

If you are interested in participating in the series, please contact us and let us know!

Table of Contents

Steve Cleverdon

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hey, I’m Steve. I’ve just turned 35, and I live on the South coast of England with my other half, Becci, and our two young boys, plus our crazy cocker spaniel Max.

2. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

I love multi-day hikes, which include nights camping beneath the stars.

When I was younger I would go on epic hikes, covering hundreds of miles, spending every night in my tent, but in recent years, since having kids, my adventures now tend to fit neatly into a weekend or the occasional night midweek whenever I feel the urge, I will pack a small bag and hike to a secluded spot on the South Downs for a night of wild camping, then be back home before the kids wake in the morning.

Sometimes, the best adventures are those brief, stolen moments amidst the daily grind.

3. Where is your favorite trail?

I Love The Outdoors Interview Series #24 – Steve Cleverdon — Morning view on the GR20 in Corsica as we follow the mountain trail along the ridge heading south.

Back in 2013, I was joined by my friend Paul, also known as my, “brother from another mother” (we share the exact same birthday), who flew over from New Zealand to hike the GR20 in Corsica with me.

Not for the faint-hearted, this trek is commonly referred to as “Europe’s toughest hike” or “one of the top trails in the world.”

The GR20 passes diagonally over the mountains of the small Mediterranean island, from north to south.

The trek took us approximately 2 weeks to cover the 180km stretch of the trail.

This trail was particularly memorable for the fact that both myself and Paul celebrated our 25th birthdays together, sitting atop a mountain.

4. Where is your favorite camping spot?

I’ve very recently made a last-minute decision to escape to the Brecon Beacons for a weekend of hiking and camping in Wales.

It was on this trip that I discovered my now favourite spot for wild camping.

Located in the west of the Brecon Beacon is the black mountain range which is where you’ll find a small lake (or Llyn in Welsh) known as Llyn y Fan Fach and the perfect location to pitch a tent.

The mountains behind the lake provide an epic backdrop to this incredible camping spot. It’s also a great place for a spot of wild swimming or as a starting point to hike the Black Mountain.

5. What was your first outdoor memory as a kid?

I can’t really pinpoint one exact memory as I was always outdoors, wading through streams in the woods on dog walks with my mum, playing in the waves along the beaches of the south coast, or exploring small lanes and cycle paths with my dad.

I was fortunate to grow up in an area of outstanding natural beauty, within minutes of my front door I could find myself in open fields or climbing trees in the woods so every day was a new adventure for me.

6. Who was your biggest outdoor influence?

In my early years, it would have definitely been my mum. We were always walking or building forts outdoors, but as I grew older and started looking to expand my horizons one adventurer stands out above the rest, and that adventurer would be Alastair Humphreys.

I first heard of Al in my early 20s as he was in the process of cycling around the world. He spent over 4 years cycling across the continents, seeing so much of the world on a shoestring budget.

Following his adventure inspired me to take on my own grand adventure which led me to walk the entire length of New Zealand in 2010.

In recent years Alastair has become more widely known for coining the term “micro-adventure” – which is, in essence, a short, low-cost, and simple adventure, yet still challenging, exciting, and, most importantly, fun that anyone can do.

For me, micro-adventures provide my adventure fix in between my longer stints away in the mountains.

Other inspirations over the years include Ed Stafford who walked the Amazon, Mark Beaumont who has broken the world record for the fastest cycle around the world numerous times, Bear Grylls, famous for his outlandish survival shows, and of course, Sir David Attenborough, who I grew up watching as he shared the wonders of the natural world.

7. What was your all-time best camping or hiking experience?

It’s got to be the GR20 in Corsica again.

Although not the longest hike I’ve ever done, it was certainly the most rewarding.

I loved the fact that the route was so remote, only passing through a few tiny villages along the way meant you really felt as though you were truly alone in the vast mountain landscape.

8. Who is your favorite person to camp or hike with?

More often than not, I’m a bit of a lone wolf when it comes to getting outdoors.

Not because I don’t love the company, it’s just tough planning around other people’s schedules, and I just want to get outdoors.

This year, I have enjoyed getting away with a few friends who are new to climbing mountains and sleeping outdoors.

First to Snowdonia in Wales, then later in the year, we visited the Lake District in the north of England.

It’s always fun sharing my passion with other people, and so far, everyone who has joined me seems keen to join me again.

9. What is your favorite piece of gear & why?

I love a great cup of coffee, which is why my favourite piece of gear is my Aeropress Go.

I often pack it alongside a flask of hot water so that I can enjoy a really tasty brew wherever I am while on the go.

Perfect for a celebratory cuppa on top of a mountain or for a much-needed hit of caffeine when waking up pre-dawn to watch the sunrise from inside my tent porch,

10. What do you love about the outdoors?

This is a tough one to put into words. When I’m outdoors my mind empties, all my worries disappear, and I feel at peace yet alive at the same time.

As I mentioned earlier, I often adventure alone.

Personally, I really enjoy my own company and the solitude allows me much-needed headspace to recalibrate.

I also love the physical challenge that often comes with being outdoors and the sense of accomplishment whenever I complete a big adventure.

The mountains are my happy place and where I feel the most content but a close second to this would be floating down a river on my paddleboard at sunrise.

11. What outdoor places are on your bucket list?

So many places… In the UK, I would love to get up to Scotland again. I scratched the surface a few years ago when I hiked the West Highland Way but it only left me hungry for more.

Whilst the UK has its fair share of mountain ranges, they are pretty small in the grand scheme of things, so over the next few years, I plan to visit the Alps and conquer some of Europe’s tallest peaks. I would particularly love to visit the Dolomites region in Italy.

Further afield the list is endless, there really is too much to see, However, I do have loose plans with a good friend to hike up to Everest base camp for his 40th birthday in a few years’ time. Fingers crossed we can make that a reality!

12. What is your goal as an outdoor content creator? How can we support you, & where can we find your content?

My ultimate goal as an outdoor content creator? To break free from the confines of the 9-to-5 and immerse myself in the great outdoors around the clock.

I would love to fill my days trekking up mountain trails, sleeping under starlit skies, or sharing my knowledge on topics, such as the best hiking equipment or gear to pack for a night of wild camping via my blog.

One day, my dream is to share more of my adventures on film, but that’s a chapter I’ll hopefully unfold in 2024, when I plan to transition fully into this adventurous lifestyle.

You can support me by simply following me on

Steve, thanks for the great interview and for participating in the I Love The Outdoors Interview Series!

If you are interested in participating and sharing your story, please contact us and let us know!

I Love The Outdoors Interview Series #24 – Steve Cleverdon