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Left Foot Right Foot

Step outside the city with Max Blackmore

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If you spend a lot of time in the city it can be easy to forget what exists beyond its limits. That’s where Left Foot Right Foot steps in. The website features walking guides that are simply written, accompanied by beautiful photography, and always focused on practicality. Designer and photographer Max Blackmore curates the site, managing a network of contributors around the world.

How did Left Foot Right Foot (LFRF) come about?

The idea came to me on a long road trip up the east coast of Australia. My girlfriend and I were trying to find the best places to hike, camp, etc… But the outdated shittyness of each states national park website made it harder than it needed to be. Especially when all you really wanted was honest relatable articles instead of the bland and fact heavy bushwalking or mountaineering guidebooks.

Do you do most of the LFRF content yourself?

I’ve definitely put a few of them together but I much prefer to work with other people’s writing and photographs. I’d say a majority of the guides are from other people though, we have about 20+ contributors at the moment but it grows every month.

What’s the ethos behind LFRF?

Simplicity.

Which is your favourite walk on the site?

For walking I’d say Maria Island in Tasmania is somewhere I’d happily go back and explore more. Actually, Tasmania as a whole is bloody tops. But one of my favourite guides to read on the site is Mt Bogong in Victoria. It’s written by Pip Jones who has a real larrikin way of writing, not a bad picture taker either. For visual favourites there a couple on the site from different parts of Patagonia that make me want to jump on a plane yesterday.

Did you always plan on having international walks featured? How did they come about?

Yeah I think so, I just figured why pigeonhole it as an Australian only thing. Plus I’m pretty sure every national park website in the world is bad.

What makes a good walk?

I don’t think you can tell everything from words and photos but I feel like the people I’ve managed to get on board give a very honest and barebones depiction of what to expect. Some places you just have to go and get the feel of. Like walking in the hills around Bled, Slovenia in winter, it’s an eerie place but there’s a feeling when walking on your own that is just inexplicable.

What is it about walking and hiking that you enjoy personally?

Finding places that give you that feeling explained in your previous question. Also pushing your personal limits either to do with fitness or fears etc.


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Have you got a bad memory from one of your walks?

Not much of a story, but one of the weirdest experiences was when I climbed up Mt Rinjani in Indonesia. But to do it in one day and catch the sunrise you have to leave at 2am, I don’t recommend doing it if you have had a recent bout of Bali belly.

What advice do you have to beginners looking to get outdoors?

Head to leftrightwalks.com!

  • Interview by: Mitch Parker
  • Photography by: Max Blackmore & Ashley Dwyer

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