Over the past few years I really pushed my boundaries and threw myself into new activities, some tough hikes and incredible far-off travels. After pushing my comfort zone far bigger than it used to be, I donʼt want to let it stagnate and shrink back down.
Read more: 25 Goals for 2025Iʼm not a huge one for New Yearsʼ resolutions – I lost count of how many times I vowed to keep my room tidy as a child! However, Iʼm setting 25 goals for 2025 to kick-start the year, and hopefully set me on track for some great adventures over the next 12 months.
Have a scroll to see what I hope 2025 has in store for me…
Climbing
2024 wasnʼt the best year of climbing for me, as with all my travels and work away I struggled to get into a regular routine. Iʼve also had a lot of struggles with my head game, and didnʼt really feel much urge to push myself to progress. After a bit of stagnation, I want 2025 to be the year I see some improvements!
1. Lead 6a outdoors
It seems a tad disingenuous to tart my list with something Iʼve already done (Iʼve led Dreams In Which Iʼm Dying at Giggleswick North), but that was quite a while ago and admittedly quite soft for the grade! I want to get back on the rock and get to this grade again, preferably without being scared!
2. Lead 6b indoors
Iʼve led up to 6a indoors, but I seem to have a mental block when the grade gets any higher. I hope getting plenty of mileage in the lower grades will get me more comfortable with pushing myself.
3. Toprope/autobelay 6c indoors
Iʼve dogged my way up a few 6cs in my time (not counting an incredibly soft 7a I flashed once!), but I want to keep working on the harder grades. Getting more experience on the horrible holds and hard moves will hopefully mean I can eventually do a route clean.
4. Lead some severe trad routes
I actually started my climbing journey with outdoor trad, but I got out of the rhythm in 2024 and didnʼt get round to leading much. I want to get back into it by getting some solid severe leads in, as well as working on my anchor building skills.
5. Go on a climbing holiday
I climbed in Italy on two occasions in 2023, and it was great to try some different rock in warm and dry conditions – and of course having a daily gelato. I want to head somewhere different in 2025 and enjoy some sunnier sends than Iʼm used to in the UK.
6. Try a training plan
Iʼve never managed to commit to any kind of structured training for climbing, and I generally just do whatever I feel like at the time. I want to make a plan and stick to it, which will hopefully help to drive some progress for my other goals.
Walking
2023 and 2024 were some great years for hiking for me, so Iʼm setting goals to make sure my walks in 2025 are just as fulfilling.
7. Tick off some more Wainwrights
Iʼm not a full Wainwright bagger, but I have been keeping a rough record of the summits Iʼve been to over the past few years. I didnʼt manage to get to the Lake District in 2024, so Iʼm hoping I can squeeze in a few visits in 2025 and do some classic and lesser-known routes.
8. Do the Edale Skyline
One thatʼs been on my list for absolutely ages but Iʼve never managed to commit to. Once the days are a bit longer Iʼll be sure to get it down in the diary and finally get my boots on the trail!
9. Do regular solo walks
As much as I love going out into the hills with my friends and loved ones, thereʼs nothing quite like a solo hike to clear the head. I like being able to go as fast or as slow as I like, not worrying about doing too many photo or snack stops, and also no pressure of trying to show someone a great route that
turns out to be a horrible bog fest!
10. Lead guided walks
In August 2024 I successfully passed my assessment and became a qualified Hill and Moorland Leader through the Mountain Training Association. Iʼm yet to actually do anything with my qualification yet, so I want to organise some group hikes in 2025.
11. Do a multi-day walk
I love the challenge of multi-day hiking, and the simple challenge of just getting from A to B. I did the majority of the Pennine Way last year, so finishing that off is definitely on the cards. Maybe Iʼll get inspiration for another route as well!
12. Average 10,000 steps
Although I love getting out and hiking, Iʼm very guilty of having a minimal step count on those days Iʼm not out in the hills. Iʼm fully aware that 10,000 steps is a completely arbitrary number, itʼs a good target to push me to get out and get those steps in on those days where I donʼt have anywhere to be or go.
13. Walk 1,000 kilometres
I hit the heady heights of 1,500km in logged hikes last year, although that was with the benefit of 8 months off work, and three of those being in New Zealand! I want to carry on the momentum and get some significant mileage under my belt in 2025, and it will be a good way to motivate me to explore
new areas too.
Outdoors
14. Camp ten times
I love a night under canvas, and spent plenty of time in my tent while I was travelling round New Zealand. Admittedly it can be a bit less fun in the colder and wetter world of Britain, but I love the flexibility and value for money a camping trip gives. Thereʼs nothing like unplugging and getting closer to nature, especially if a campfire is involved, and I hope to regularly camp throughout 2025.
15. Get into trail running
In 2022 I did my first ever organised running event, the Rob Burrow Leeds Half-Marathon. During my training I spent plenty of time plodding up and down the canal towpath, which cemented in my mind how much I prefer running over varied terrain. Although Iʼm in no rush to do a road running event again, I want to dedicate more of my outdoor time to running, if anything for keeping myself hill-fit for those harder ascents.
16. Get some coaching
Itʼs never too late to keep learning, and I want to keep building on my skills through 2025. Although I always pick up tips and tricks from the more experienced people I often hike and climb with, it can often be useful to get professional guidance. Iʼm currently thinking about either lead outdoor climbing or winter hill skills, or both!
Career
17. Regularly condense my hours
Iʼm lucky enough to have flexible hours as a benefit of my job. Being able to work longer hours and clock off early on a Friday opens up more time for adventure, so I intend to make full use of it throughout the year. More time to spend outside is never a bad thing!
18. Launch a company
Iʼve had lots of ideas on starting a little something on the side but Iʼve never been brave enough. Now Iʼve got my HML qualification under my belt, maybe this will be the year I finally put my big girl pants on.
Travel
19. Go on a city break
I loved hopping around different cities during my 2023 interrailing trip, exploring the history, culture and of course the food! Although my travels have mostly been nature-based, I want to get some city action in 2025 too.
20. Visit some proper mountains
I got my first experience of hiking in ʻproperʼ mountains when I did the Tour du Mont Blanc in 2022. For someone more used to the Yorkshire Dales or the Lake District, the scale simply took my breath away. Since then Iʼve hiked more peaks and passes in Patagonia and New Zealand, and Iʼm itching for more.
Lifestyle
21. Be more mindful about consumption
After living out of a rucksack for the best part of a year, Iʼm now far more aware of the sheer amount of stuff I have in my life. The downside of having hobbies is having a lot of kit, but there are definitely parts of my life where I can cut down and be more streamlined.
22. Get into a better eating routine
Iʼve been working away for most of the week since October, and it can be hard to eat healthily when youʼre staying in pubs and hotels for most of the time. My stint of fieldwork comes to an end in April, and Iʼm looking forward to getting back into a much healthier routine – lots of veg, plenty of water, and
less pastry!
23. Keep on top of healthy habits
I use the app Habitica to help motivate me to do the things that are good for me! Each task ticked off gets you points, which you can trade for set rewards. Childish, yes, but also effective! I set myself daily non-negotiables, such as making my bed or going outside, and also include healthy habits like drinking water, eating fruit and veg, and reducing my screen time.
Writing
24. Post regularly on this page
Iʼm not even sure how long ago I bought this domain, but Iʼm yet to be able to get into a routine enough to post regularly. Iʼve got plenty to say, but I definitely need to try harder to get those words up onto the pages!
25. Try out some longform writing
Other than writing long and dull technical reports for work, I havenʼt written anything long and structured for years. I want to get my head down and explore some topics in more depth, and hopefully turn into a better writer in the process.
Now Iʼve set out my stall with my goals for 2025 Iʼm hoping it will keep me motivated and accountable.
Check in again this time next year to see how I got on!
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