After taking early retirement from his career as a physics and sports teacher, Brian Johnson found time for three thru'-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2700-mile round-Britain walk, six hikes across the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, a hike along the Via de la Plata from Seville to Santiago, and a single summer compleation of the Munros (Scotland's 3000ft mountains), as well as climbing all the Corbetts (Scotland's 2500-3000ft mountains) and the Grahams (Scotland's 2000-2500ft mountains). He completed a 2200-mile cycle tour of Spain and France and multi-week canoe tours in Sweden, France, Spain and Portugal. In his younger days, Brian's main sport was orienteering. He competed at a high level and coached both Bishop Wordsworth's School and South-West Junior Orienteering squads. He also surveyed and drew many orienteering maps. He walked and climbed extensively in Britain, the Alps, the Pyrenees and California, often leading school groups. As a fanatical sportsman and games player, Brian competed to a high standard at cricket, hockey, bridge and chess. His crowning achievement was winning the 1995/96 World Amateur Chess Championships.

Brian hiked under the trail name of Ancient Brit. Sadly, Brian passed away in 2021.