I know most comments are on Facebook but some of us are still here on the message board

Alan Sloman gave me a tip before my first Challenge in 2006. We were having a drinks break on the Snake Pass Spring Gathering walk, a month before my first crossing, and I told him of my plans to reduce my pack weight by taking a bivi bag not a tent. He talked me out of it. I was grateful, a few weeks later, as I listened to the 3rd successive night of torrential rain on my flysheet while camping at Inveroran.

He also helped me on my last crossing in 2021. I was mentally strained after the horrors of the first Covid year and he, with Barbara and Lindsay, gave me the much needed confidence and non-judgmental support to keep going.

The Pre-Walk Daunders taught me a lot about different approaches to long distance walks. I'd assumed it was all about the walk ...... but soon learned it is also about the cafe, the pub, and the brew stop. I always had to take extra fuel for my stove when walking with Alan. :smile:

Always keen to share an opinion - but (usually) backed up with fact - I enjoyed our chats about a plethora of topics. Wind farms spring to mind!

I'll miss Alan.

Just everything Judith said.

He was a friend (predictive text was trying to do that as fiend).
It must have known Al too.

He didn't suffered fools gladly, so no idea why he took me under his wing.

I have been lucky enough to know this utter lunatic for years, and to have walked with him and suffered his company on many occasions.

Oh how I miss his parting and how I will never be able yo have that banter again.
Then again, I did get that banter for years.

R.I.P my old mucker and friend.

You have left a void in my life and heart..

Who knew I liked you that much, you old bugger!

❤️❤️

Although Alan’s passing was not unexpected it was still a shock. I counted him as a true friend and he was always good company on the walks we did together and the couple of times we went to Lord’s to watch cricket. He was a major reason I did my Challenges and a source of valuable advice. It feels strange that we won’t meet again. However, I will cherish the good times we had backpacking together. Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.

What a sad day.

I have met Alan on each of my seven crossings and although we not always agreed, I enjoyed the lively conversations we had on the challenge and occasionally online. Alan was a fine character and contributor to the challenge we will have to do without. Thanks Alan for all the lessons learned and the joy we shared.

Rolf

I'm so sorry to hear this.

Alan was SUCH a character, and a great friend to me over the years. I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all his friendly advice and encouragement. I'm sure we all do!

Found out about this sad event this morning.

Rosie and I had never met with Alan when he wasn't smiling and happy. He always had a cuddle for Rosie (but never for me strangely!). He will be missed by so many people including us. A fun man to walk with and fine company.

R... and a kiss from Rosie Alan.

I signed on to the message board (which I may have used once) to seek route advice for my sixth crossing in May. But of course I immediately saw the news of Alan Sloman's death and the long list of tributes. I'll save my advice solicitation for another time, but I will add my condolences to Alan's family and my thanks for the good fortune of having known him slightly.

I met Alan, Phil Lambert, and Andrew Walker on my first crossing in 2014 (or was it my second the next year?) The couple of days I spent with them remains, for me, the Greenwich Mean Time of TGOC encounters--people with interesting life stories they were willing to share, fonts of useful hillwalking information, and hilarious (and also serious) commentary about things around them, including each other.

I met Alan at least once after that, but not on my last two crossings (2019, 2022), much to my regret. I did, however, mine his knowledge (but didn't try patience, apparently) in several long e-mail exchanges about a route he described on his blog that I wanted to try. He was as generous and funny as ever.

Alas, I won't see Alan again. I won't forget him either.

So sorry to hear this, rather late in the day. I had the pleasure of meeting Alan a few times over the years and it WAS always a pleasure. As others have said, generous with his time and knowledge to challenger or would be challengers, always having a story in the pub, and a character that you'd not soon forget.

My routes never passed the cheese and wine meets and I guess now they never will. I'll raise a glass to him in May.

Rob