Outdoor guides author Reynolds dies, aged 78

Guidebook author Kev Reynolds has died following a four-decade writing career.

He passed away on 10th December aged 78 after a long illness following heart and lung problems, his publisher Cicerone Press has announced.

Jonathan Williams, Cicerone publisher and director, paid tribute to the author, saying: “Kev wrote many guides for Cicerone over a period of more than 40 years and was a great contributor to the outdoor world through his books and lectures, where his infectious enthusiasm, deep knowledge, understanding of local people, innumerable stories, fine photos, ability to communicate, and essential decency allowed him to touch the lives of many.  

“He was the leading authority on the Pyrenees and author of books that even French experts admired. Likewise, he was a leading writer about the Alps (pictured, below right), with many guides to his name, and was the creator of new treks such as the Walkers’ Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt. He explored Nepal and the Himalayas extensively over the course of 20 long trips. He wrote widely too about England, including Kent, Sussex, and the Cotswolds, from his base in what he termed as the ‘Kentish Alps’.” 

Williams said that Reynolds also delivered lectures in winter to various groups and “introduced many to the outdoor life”.  

The author continued to travel across far-flung areas in his later years. Williams said: “Latterly, he wrote several books of reminiscences about his explorations of Nepal and the Alps that allowed him to touch the lives of walkers, trekkers and mountain lovers. Kev was recognised by his peers as one of the leading writers in his field.”  

Reynolds was a member of various organisations including holding an honorary life membership of the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild (OWPG) and became one of two recipients of its lifetime achievement award.  

Williams added: “Full as it was, Kev’s outdoor exploration and writing was only a part of his life. As husband and father, active member of his church and community, he touched many lives, and will be fondly remembered and sorely missed. Trekkers will continue to ask, ‘What does Kev say?’, but we shall not see his like again.”