As the UK summer gets tantalisingly close, many of us break out of the indoor gym and opt to exercise outside instead.
Inspired by the talent on display in last month’s Army Photographic Competition, Soldier quizzed Service snapper and self-confessed hiking fanatic Cpl Vincent Price (RLC) about the hobby that fires him up.
The serviceman’s Instagram account @victor_papa_photography_ showcases spectacular imagery from his routes across Scotland and beyond.
We caught up with the Lancashire lad to find out how his passion helps him be the best soldier he can...
What’s the deal with all this hiking, then?
I just love it! My wild spirit came from growing up in Shropshire where there was a lot of open space and from going camping with my family. When I joined the army as an infanteer I gained new skills like fieldcraft, navigation and fitness, but I lost my adventurous spark. I found it again when I got posted to Cyprus in 2018, though, and me and my wife explored pretty much every area of the island. Since then I’ve been obsessed.
Do you go alone or in a group?
When I served with the Mercians I would go out on the mountains with a lot of the recce platoon lads. But I also do a lot of solo hiking. Whenever I’m in mountains alone, that’s my therapy. It’s a way of forgetting everything. When you go out, you’re only focused on what’s there, what you’re doing, the weather conditions and whether you have the right gear.
Did the walking get you into photography?
I guess that’s why I got a camera in the end. I was always taking pictures on my phone and was happy doing that for a long time, but it wasn’t doing the views justice and a photographer I served with in the Mercians suggested I get a camera. Eventually I did and it was absolutely worth it.
So how did you go from enthusiastic amateur to changing trade?
I met someone who was serving in the army photographic trade and realised that it was a thing. I then went on to work as a unit photographer in the Scots Guards but had to wait two years before I could transfer over to the Royal Logistic Corps because the role hadn’t gone live on Digital Transfer. However, that gave me two-and-a-half years to build up my experience and create a portfolio.
The images on these pages are UK hikes you have done in your downtime. What’s your favourite route?
Scotland – all day long. I love anywhere in the Highlands and have also done some fantastic hikes in Wales. But mostly I am in the Lake District (pictured above). Helvellyn is a favourite.
What is it about Scotland that you love so much?
It’s one of those places where the weather forecast never seems to be accurate. It’s changeable – but I like that and it makes for good photos. I am more of a fan of the moody pictures.
What’s been your most memorable hike in the north?
The Ring of Steall across four Munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000ft). We got caught in a snowstorm on an eight-hour hike in May-June time and it was really coming down. Bad weather is a different kettle of fish up there.
Any other good expeds?
I did the National Three Peaks Challenge with the Scots Guards carrying a 50kg casualty training dummy between us to raise money for charity. Adventurous training trips are always good too. I did three months in Oman, and at the end I got to capture the most memorable AT package as unit photographer. We did mountain biking, sailing, hiked the Jebel Shams balcony trail and summitted Jebel Shams itself (the tallest mountain in Oman, 3,009m). We wild camped before reaching the summit, where I witnessed the most stunning sunset I have ever seen in my life (see overleaf).
What benefits does hiking have? Has it impacted on the day job?
Yes. When I was an infanteer, fitness and being able to operate in different terrains was vital. Hiking helped with being robust in hilly environments. Being a photographer still requires being physically fit as we are right in there capturing the action with all our kit. Hiking has also taken me out of my comfort zone, and this can help with resilience, not just physically but mentally too. It has helped me improve my navigation, too – being able to read a map and use a compass to recognise reference points and contours on the ground is a big part of being a soldier.
Have you passed your passion on?
Yes, I’ve taken friends to mountains in the Lakes to learn how to hike (shown).
What’s the most photogenic Army training location, do you think?
It’s got to have been Canada – getting that cable car up the ski slope in Banff. The landscapes there were amazing. Kenya is always a great one for scenery, too – desert but with rocky areas. In the Infantry I went to a lot of the same locations, but now I’m an army photographer I’m looking forward to seeing some different places.
Is it always scenery that you focus on in your images?
Not at all, army photographers have to capture people at work. And in my spare time I have been experimenting with street photography too. I’m starting to really enjoy the close-ups. People make pictures more interesting.
What are your top tips for anyone who wants to get into hiking?
Start by going with people who are experienced and then once you gain the confidence, go solo. Research your route, whether it’s via a map or an online GPS route. Make sure you check the weather as packing the right kit for the conditions is vital. It doesn’t need to be the most expensive, but it certainly makes a difference. Choose quality over quantity. The basic kit that’s always needed, as any soldier knows, is a daysack, wet and warm kit, enough food and water, appropriate footwear, map and compass/GPS (both for the long hard hikes), small first aid kit, headtorch and sun cream.
