As is irritatingly frequent, I have decided to blog about my gear again - apologies but I love it. I have recently taken delivery of the following items:
1) The Ultra-Sil Daypack from Sea to Summit
2) The Montane Featherlite Marathon Running Jacket (too small - sent back for a size-up!)
I already have my X-talon 240's (for my feet - google for more info), and I am awaiting delivery of the Rig7 Tarp from Alpkit.
I'm also awaiting delivery of my daughter's first backpack - a Little Life Ladybird - she's only 23 months old so a bergen was unwise.
My TGO Challenge gear list is taking shape but I still haven't gone for a new rucksack yet - for mine is the rather weighty MACPAC Pursuit Classic 55 @ 1.8kg! I just can't encourage my conscience to agree to discard the kiwi wonder in favour of a lighter stateside pack. Golite, Gossamer, ULA etc all have my attention. Darn it - it never ceases. There's a new force in physics - Gear-avity. I just can't escape it.
I know I'll get by just fine with the MACPAC so it'll will just allow me to experience another weight saving for the next big challenge after TGOC 2012.
So its now time to test the kit thus far with a short trip to the Lake District. I'm heading into Langdale for a foray onto the Pikes, after a wee (very lightweight) dash up onto Lingmoor Fell on Friday pm. I am struggling to wait to get out into the hills again.
I'll subject you all to another blog when I am back with some feedback on the various bits of kit. I might even do a bit of audioblogging if I can get my head around it.
Oh, and I'll elaborate on my accidental involvement on a Yorkshire Three Peaks event due in June this year too. How do I get involved in these things!
Monday, 21 March 2011
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Fuel Price Protest 1/4/2011
You may have heard about a protest involving not filling up on 1/4/2011.
Hitting the fuel stations won't work.
FIRST - its not their fault. The FUEL stations make maybe 5p a litre in profit, so around £3.50 per tank full.
The rest is partly overheads, but mainly DUTY and VAT.
SECOND - the fuel stations are, in the main, privately owned. By people like you and I. They just sell a brand and try to make a living, like you and I.
THIRD - they don't set the prices - the fuel companies do that.
So, what say we ALL write to our MP to ask them to REDUCE fuel duty. Keep the duty flexible so that fuel price follows the inflation rate. Still a tough pill to swallow but alot better than the way things are at present.
If we all write they are DUTY BOUND TO LISTEN, and to do something about it.
Google "contact your MP" and get writing.
Please - assuming that this is not a bit of April-Tom-Foolery that is.
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Hitting the fuel stations won't work.
FIRST - its not their fault. The FUEL stations make maybe 5p a litre in profit, so around £3.50 per tank full.
The rest is partly overheads, but mainly DUTY and VAT.
SECOND - the fuel stations are, in the main, privately owned. By people like you and I. They just sell a brand and try to make a living, like you and I.
THIRD - they don't set the prices - the fuel companies do that.
So, what say we ALL write to our MP to ask them to REDUCE fuel duty. Keep the duty flexible so that fuel price follows the inflation rate. Still a tough pill to swallow but alot better than the way things are at present.
If we all write they are DUTY BOUND TO LISTEN, and to do something about it.
Google "contact your MP" and get writing.
Please - assuming that this is not a bit of April-Tom-Foolery that is.
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- Posted using BlogPress
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
TGOC 2012 to Gear!!!
I seem to have developed a fault. Everytime I read more (or listen to) info about TGOC I appear to drift into the subject of gear.
Is this some kind of infection that takes hold on all people that get involved in the Challenge?
I am currently drifting into the making of my own lightweight gear. I've managed to rough out a prototype windshirt and am going to begin roughing out a pair of windpants.
I have to say that this tiny foray into the world of garment making is going to blossom into a bit of an obsession. I can literally make my own anything, even dehydrate my own food if I want!
Does this happen to everyone?
If you are following, I'd be interested to hear your views.
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Is this some kind of infection that takes hold on all people that get involved in the Challenge?
I am currently drifting into the making of my own lightweight gear. I've managed to rough out a prototype windshirt and am going to begin roughing out a pair of windpants.
I have to say that this tiny foray into the world of garment making is going to blossom into a bit of an obsession. I can literally make my own anything, even dehydrate my own food if I want!
Does this happen to everyone?
If you are following, I'd be interested to hear your views.
- Posted using BlogPress
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Route option number 3 - and Inov-8 deliver!
Some things take a while to put together and Route option number 3 fits the bill.
Strathcarron to Montrose - This Could be IT
It wins over the other two routes because...
...The train will take me right to Strathcarron for £45.50.
...The train will take me home from Montrose for £38.
...The hotel at Strathcarron is reasonably priced.
...The route gets down to business right away - mountains and wilderness from the off.
I really like the look of this one, oh, and thanks to Dave's comments on this blog, it's about 15 miles shorter than it would have been - Gordon Menzies (and the Monadhliath) permitting! If I haven't come up with anything better before I write again, I'll put a bit more detail on here so folk can offer their assistance with any known tricky stretches. Typically, I think I have thought of most obstacles, but doubtless have missed many!
Kit-wise - some exciting things (for me):
- I've bought some Inov-8 X-Talon 240 boots to test out. Bargain price too! So far they feel very comfortable, but that makes me nervous - there's rarely such a thing as a free lunch so I am waiting for the sting in the tail. It may have already stung as one of the little "Foot" logos has become detached from the tounge webbing - another gram lost!
- I've embarked on a journey of kit manufacture. I want a pertex wind shirt/pant combo but don't want to pay full price. So I've employed my mother as my personal trainer... ...in clothing manufacture, and I am going to stitch my own wind shirt and pant combo. I'll post my progress and maybe even the pattern on here if it works out.
- A custom Tarp will follow if the windshirt is a succcess... ...if!!
- Did I mention Bob Cartwright? Well if not - I will now. http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/ and http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/ kit, podcasts and sweeties - all you need except from the wilderness!
BIG ROUTE PLANNING
- Lately I've been helping my good pal Dennis Taylor plan his big challenge - LEJOG for 2012. Den is not to be confused with the man of Green Baize fame, but is a man who has walked the PW more times than I care to discuss. He's doing it again this year, North to South just before setting off on the C2C from East to West.
What a dude! He's getting his head on for LEJOG. Semi Retired at 64 yrs of age he is doing all the things he wanted to do when he was twenty years younger and all the things I want to do now but probably won't be able to (afford) to do until twenty years from now!
I think of him as the physical polar opposite of myself. He's not so tall, slight in build, and sports a top tash. I am not so short, not so slight and sport a lazy batch of overgrown stubble - Oh, and I am 35!
Last year we put together the UK's Top Ten Highest Mountains and climbed them all in a single expedition. On the Nevis Range we packed our bags for the overnight on the bealach between CMD and Aonach Beag/Mor. Went over the BEN, across CMD Arete, over CMD and down to the bealach. Sat down, had a drink, had a munch, got up and scrambled up onto the Aonachs and got back down in the same day. If ever I had rued the fact that I had pack ALL my backpacking kit... ...the look on Den's face when we got down said it all.
So now, after a Winter in Suffolk with my now slightly larger family, I am getting back into shape for the hills, and long days on foot. Highlands - I'm coming to get you!
If there are any vetters reading my blog - as a potential TGOC first timer in 2012 - I am willing to beg to get a place, both knees if required!
I dribbled on a bit there, but hey-ho it got it off my chest.
Night folks.
Strathcarron to Montrose - This Could be IT
It wins over the other two routes because...
...The train will take me right to Strathcarron for £45.50.
...The train will take me home from Montrose for £38.
...The hotel at Strathcarron is reasonably priced.
...The route gets down to business right away - mountains and wilderness from the off.
I really like the look of this one, oh, and thanks to Dave's comments on this blog, it's about 15 miles shorter than it would have been - Gordon Menzies (and the Monadhliath) permitting! If I haven't come up with anything better before I write again, I'll put a bit more detail on here so folk can offer their assistance with any known tricky stretches. Typically, I think I have thought of most obstacles, but doubtless have missed many!
Kit-wise - some exciting things (for me):
- I've bought some Inov-8 X-Talon 240 boots to test out. Bargain price too! So far they feel very comfortable, but that makes me nervous - there's rarely such a thing as a free lunch so I am waiting for the sting in the tail. It may have already stung as one of the little "Foot" logos has become detached from the tounge webbing - another gram lost!
- I've embarked on a journey of kit manufacture. I want a pertex wind shirt/pant combo but don't want to pay full price. So I've employed my mother as my personal trainer... ...in clothing manufacture, and I am going to stitch my own wind shirt and pant combo. I'll post my progress and maybe even the pattern on here if it works out.
- A custom Tarp will follow if the windshirt is a succcess... ...if!!
- Did I mention Bob Cartwright? Well if not - I will now. http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/ and http://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/ kit, podcasts and sweeties - all you need except from the wilderness!
BIG ROUTE PLANNING
- Lately I've been helping my good pal Dennis Taylor plan his big challenge - LEJOG for 2012. Den is not to be confused with the man of Green Baize fame, but is a man who has walked the PW more times than I care to discuss. He's doing it again this year, North to South just before setting off on the C2C from East to West.
What a dude! He's getting his head on for LEJOG. Semi Retired at 64 yrs of age he is doing all the things he wanted to do when he was twenty years younger and all the things I want to do now but probably won't be able to (afford) to do until twenty years from now!
I think of him as the physical polar opposite of myself. He's not so tall, slight in build, and sports a top tash. I am not so short, not so slight and sport a lazy batch of overgrown stubble - Oh, and I am 35!
Last year we put together the UK's Top Ten Highest Mountains and climbed them all in a single expedition. On the Nevis Range we packed our bags for the overnight on the bealach between CMD and Aonach Beag/Mor. Went over the BEN, across CMD Arete, over CMD and down to the bealach. Sat down, had a drink, had a munch, got up and scrambled up onto the Aonachs and got back down in the same day. If ever I had rued the fact that I had pack ALL my backpacking kit... ...the look on Den's face when we got down said it all.
So now, after a Winter in Suffolk with my now slightly larger family, I am getting back into shape for the hills, and long days on foot. Highlands - I'm coming to get you!
If there are any vetters reading my blog - as a potential TGOC first timer in 2012 - I am willing to beg to get a place, both knees if required!
I dribbled on a bit there, but hey-ho it got it off my chest.
Night folks.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
TGOC 2012 - Kitlist
So I thought it might be prudent to go through my kitlist to see where I can improve the weight and where I cannot. This has given me a small shopping list which I think can't be avoided and I will have lots of time to beg, borrow, steal and save for what I need. This is what I think I should need in the pack:
TOTAL is 9.8kg / 22lb of which I will be wearing around 1.8kg/4lb. Not bad!
I think I have everything but the Windshirt, Windtrousers, Terrocs which should cost me around £150 total. I guess I will have to beg for xmas, birthday pressies etc.
I do have another option which will bring the weight down by at least 1.1kg (2.5lb) and that is to replace the MACPAC with a Golite Jam. But... ...the MACPAC really is soooo comfortable I can't imagine the Jam (even with the weight saving) will be worth the £80.
I'm off now to take Ashley (my new son) up wooden hill to his moses-basket after a late feed from mummy, and possibly to retrieve Hope (my existing daughter) from the heap on the floor as she has doubtless fallen out of bed again!
Plugging into ipod for the outdoors station podcasts on the 2009 challenge (sounds like a wet one!). BTW - Really can't recommend http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/ enough!
Nighty-night.
| Description | Weight (g) | Weight (oz) |
| MACPAC Pursuit Pack | 1,850 | 65.12 |
| ME AR Ultralite 1 Tent | 1300 | 45.76 |
| Inov-8 Terrocs | 660 | 23.23 |
| snugpak softie kilo | 1050 | 36.96 |
| ME helium 3.8 mat | 750 | 26.40 |
| bush cooker | 190 | 6.69 |
| trek kettle | 252 | 8.87 |
| petzl elite | 27 | 0.95 |
| torres gilet | 370 | 13.02 |
| velez smock | 725 | 25.52 |
| 2x evian bottles | 100 | 3.52 |
| solartorch | 25 | 0.88 |
| gloves | 75 | 2.64 |
| 1st trousers | 410 | 14.43 |
| 1st baselayer | 200 | 7.04 |
| 2nd trousers | 465 | 16.37 |
| 2nd baselayer | 200 | 7.04 |
| pants | 150 | 5.28 |
| 3 x socks | 200 | 7.04 |
| lowe alpine mountain cap | 73 | 2.57 |
| buff x 2 | 72 | 2.53 |
| Windshirt | 100 | 3.52 |
| Windtrousers | 120 | 4.22 |
| toilet paper | 50 | 1.76 |
| 1st aid kit | 200 | 7.04 |
| compassx2 | 82 | 2.89 |
| packliner | 100 | 3.52 |
I think I have everything but the Windshirt, Windtrousers, Terrocs which should cost me around £150 total. I guess I will have to beg for xmas, birthday pressies etc.
I do have another option which will bring the weight down by at least 1.1kg (2.5lb) and that is to replace the MACPAC with a Golite Jam. But... ...the MACPAC really is soooo comfortable I can't imagine the Jam (even with the weight saving) will be worth the £80.
I'm off now to take Ashley (my new son) up wooden hill to his moses-basket after a late feed from mummy, and possibly to retrieve Hope (my existing daughter) from the heap on the floor as she has doubtless fallen out of bed again!
Plugging into ipod for the outdoors station podcasts on the 2009 challenge (sounds like a wet one!). BTW - Really can't recommend http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/ enough!
Nighty-night.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Will there be any trees left?
I'm just reading about the latest measures to stop a virulent influx of Black Death - a disease that spreads rapidly through larch plantations and can spread to other species of trees and even shrubs causing the death of the plant.
The forestry commission are acting fast at a time where they are hearing of job losses totalling 450 throughout the commission. All hands are currently felling as many trees as possible to stop the spread. Let's hope that they nail it before it nails the forests and ancient woodlands of the UK. I'd hate for our enjoyment of the outdoors to be robbed of it's boreal splendour.
Imagine if we sold the forests. Would a collection of private owners act as quickly? Or would they await a government order?
Something to mull over....
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The forestry commission are acting fast at a time where they are hearing of job losses totalling 450 throughout the commission. All hands are currently felling as many trees as possible to stop the spread. Let's hope that they nail it before it nails the forests and ancient woodlands of the UK. I'd hate for our enjoyment of the outdoors to be robbed of it's boreal splendour.
Imagine if we sold the forests. Would a collection of private owners act as quickly? Or would they await a government order?
Something to mull over....
- Posted using BlogPress
Monday, 31 January 2011
TGOC 2012 - Route option No.2: Morven to Montrose
Well, just roughed out another route option for TGOC 2012 and it looks good apart from the Inverness stretch. Be interested to hear from anyone that followed the Great Glen Way into Inverness and what the walking was like. Should I try to avoid the city entirely? Is it a must do?
Looks like around the same mileage as my earlier effort of around 180 but I have yet to tot it all up.
I'm using Memory Map to lay down the route which I can transfer to my iPhone using OutdoorsGB software I mentioned earlier coupled with the Internet for bothy research and Scottish Hill Tracks for the basic routes between Glens.
Google Search is great for bothy research as you can select images only and get up-to-date shots of bothies and their condition, size and suitability. It's also worth looking at those lodges classified as 'ruins' on OS or Harvey mapping. They can, with care, make excellent shelters with the prospect of many a ghost story which would doubtless stir the imagination of the likes of the Peewiglet herself.
Google Peewiglet too as she has stomped the TGOC a good few times.
The backpackinglight.co.uk "outdoors station" podcast followed the TGOC 2010 with two roving podcasters and is a superb source of info on eateries, routes, gear and ideas for the challenge.
I'm now impatiently waiting for September and the October issue of TGO.
Now to dream of the Strath Nethy march....
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Looks like around the same mileage as my earlier effort of around 180 but I have yet to tot it all up.
I'm using Memory Map to lay down the route which I can transfer to my iPhone using OutdoorsGB software I mentioned earlier coupled with the Internet for bothy research and Scottish Hill Tracks for the basic routes between Glens.
Google Search is great for bothy research as you can select images only and get up-to-date shots of bothies and their condition, size and suitability. It's also worth looking at those lodges classified as 'ruins' on OS or Harvey mapping. They can, with care, make excellent shelters with the prospect of many a ghost story which would doubtless stir the imagination of the likes of the Peewiglet herself.
Google Peewiglet too as she has stomped the TGOC a good few times.
The backpackinglight.co.uk "outdoors station" podcast followed the TGOC 2010 with two roving podcasters and is a superb source of info on eateries, routes, gear and ideas for the challenge.
I'm now impatiently waiting for September and the October issue of TGO.
Now to dream of the Strath Nethy march....
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