Rucksack Recon

Hiking and hill equipment reviews

  • The Art of Connection

    Welcome to Rucksack Recon – the hillwalker’s haven with a hint of grit.
    I’m Wayne ‘Skid’ Marks – ex-Grenadier Guard, mid-50s, and still chasing the ridgelines, summits and escarpments like they owe me money. After years of service, I found something grounding in the mountains – the silence, the views, and the brutal honesty of a steep incline that doesn’t care what rank you were. This blog is where I unpack all of that. You’ll find real-world gear reviews, trip write-ups, route ideas, and musings from the trails – all seasoned with military discipline, veteran resilience, and a deep love for the outdoors.

    Rucksack Recon isn’t about smashing personal bests or summit selfies – it’s about putting one foot in front of the other, clearing your head, and learning a thing or two from the path beneath your boots. Whether you’re a fellow veteran, weekend walker, or just someone who knows the best conversations happen at the top of a windy hill, you’re in the right place.

    Because out here, there’s always Just one more mile! and if you’re lucky, there’s a biscuit at the end of it. If not… well, you’ll walk faster next time.

  • Once, we pushed ourselves over hills with heavy packs and heavier thoughts — eyes down, minds racing, always chasing the next objective. But out here now, it’s different. No orders. No pressure. Just fresh air, open trails, and the quiet kind of freedom you only find in nature. Beyond the Obstacle is a space for veterans and kindred spirits to reconnect with the outdoors, not to break ourselves — but to rebuild. Slower steps, clearer minds, and heads held high. The mission now is peace, perspective, and that steady calm only the hills can offer.