The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
mickythefish said:
As this hiking gear this is my current wish list
Jetboil Flash Camping
I have the Fire Maple equivalent from amazon at a third of the price. Put the money saved towards either:Jetboil Flash Camping
The most important piece of kit that isn't on your list (so I'm assuming you already have it) is a proper water proof hardshell jacket. If you're on a budget, the Decathlon MH500 is ridiculous value and gives you three layers for £80: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-hiking-lightwe...
Or
Things that are just nice to have are decent trousers. As previously mentioned the Montane Terra Pants at around £75 from GoOutdoors make life more pleasant.
Managed to avoid the crowds for such a glorious weekend.
Saturday we walked from Barmouth to pick up the "Panorama Walk" which gives a stunning view up/down the estuary and across to Cadair Idris
We carried on heading away from Barmouth and climbed up to Bwlch y Rhiwgyr, then following the ridge to the two summits of Mynydd Egryn.
Away from Barmouth, we saw two other walkers and one runner.
Sunday we climbed up the ridge behind Aberdovey and dropped into Happy Valley. Saw about 5 million sheep and 1 farmer. The thunder storms missed the coast (we could hear it thundering inland), so had a lazy afternoon on the beach (with the obligatory ice cream).
Saturday we walked from Barmouth to pick up the "Panorama Walk" which gives a stunning view up/down the estuary and across to Cadair Idris
We carried on heading away from Barmouth and climbed up to Bwlch y Rhiwgyr, then following the ridge to the two summits of Mynydd Egryn.
Away from Barmouth, we saw two other walkers and one runner.
Sunday we climbed up the ridge behind Aberdovey and dropped into Happy Valley. Saw about 5 million sheep and 1 farmer. The thunder storms missed the coast (we could hear it thundering inland), so had a lazy afternoon on the beach (with the obligatory ice cream).
Forester1965 said:
Generally speaking unless incapacitated you're never very far from low levels and civilisation in England or Wales.
This is true, but you can also go very short distances and be somewhere that sees very few people and has no phone signal. I hike solo off trail a lot in Wales and the ground is often rocky, extremely boggy or with tussocky grass that is very uneven. It would be very easy to break an ankle and have a very bad time without the right kit. This isn't what most people do though! My day hiking kit is generally still very minimal though, and I often use a 15L fast packing pack, but in that I'll have a small first aid kit, various jackets, food, water, battery, headlamp, etc... The kit I carry varies depending on time of year, weather, terrain, etc...Edited by Matt.. on Monday 13th May 10:18
As you say it really depends on time of year, where you are, what you're doing.
I tend to switch between extremes, so running on my own in the Martindale Fells this weekend was a packed midlayer, plus water, gels and electrolytes.
The weekend before I'd organised an unofficial men's mental health hike around Coniston and I thankfully carried a full kit. One of the guys claimed to have more experience than he did and was found out in cloud on the top. It took two of us to dress him in the extra kit I'd brought. It's the closest I've got to breaking out the blizzard jacket
.
I learned a valuable lesson - just because somebody is 30, doesn't mean they're too old to have their kit checked!
What a difference a week makes:
I tend to switch between extremes, so running on my own in the Martindale Fells this weekend was a packed midlayer, plus water, gels and electrolytes.
The weekend before I'd organised an unofficial men's mental health hike around Coniston and I thankfully carried a full kit. One of the guys claimed to have more experience than he did and was found out in cloud on the top. It took two of us to dress him in the extra kit I'd brought. It's the closest I've got to breaking out the blizzard jacket
. I learned a valuable lesson - just because somebody is 30, doesn't mean they're too old to have their kit checked!
What a difference a week makes:
troc said:
Yeah the small filters aren’t great if there’s serious stuff in the water. For that I have a multi-stage ceramic filter pump and disinfectant tablets but that’s quite a bit heavier and much less convenient. Plus the tablets make the water horrid.
Hi can you say brand name so I can look it up. thanksben5575 said:
I have the Fire Maple equivalent from amazon at a third of the price. Put the money saved towards either:
The most important piece of kit that isn't on your list
I have a north face triclimate, bit sThe most important piece of kit that isn't on your list
t in high winds rain but will do until afford proper decent one. I bought waterproofing spray which seems to help a lot.An easy option for water purification on the go would perhaps be the Grayl Ultrapress. It's very heavy compared to the basic filters like the Katadyn BeFree or Sawyer Squeeze but could be usable in more scenarios if you're in places with potentially poor water quality.
The Grayl Ultrapress is ~450g. A Kathadyn filter and soft bottle is more like 60g. Obviously this doesn't matter to most people but I'm very much a gram counter now!
The Grayl Ultrapress is ~450g. A Kathadyn filter and soft bottle is more like 60g. Obviously this doesn't matter to most people but I'm very much a gram counter now!
Matt.. said:
An easy option for water purification on the go would perhaps be the Grayl Ultrapress. It's very heavy compared to the basic filters like the Katadyn BeFree or Sawyer Squeeze but could be usable in more scenarios if you're in places with potentially poor water quality.
The Grayl Ultrapress is ~450g. A Kathadyn filter and soft bottle is more like 60g. Obviously this doesn't matter to most people but I'm very much a gram counter now!
i drink a lot so for me 4 kilos v 1kg no brainer for meThe Grayl Ultrapress is ~450g. A Kathadyn filter and soft bottle is more like 60g. Obviously this doesn't matter to most people but I'm very much a gram counter now!
I've used Vinted for some kit.
Surprising what people will sell on there for a bargain price.
Got a pair of Chaosite lightweight walking trousers for £8 and a pair of Mountain Wearhouse lined walking trousers for £5.
Also try Facebook Marketplace.
Some bargains if you're prepared to wade through the crap.
Surprising what people will sell on there for a bargain price.
Got a pair of Chaosite lightweight walking trousers for £8 and a pair of Mountain Wearhouse lined walking trousers for £5.
Also try Facebook Marketplace.
Some bargains if you're prepared to wade through the crap.
Matt.. said:
This is true, but you can also go very short distances and be somewhere that sees very few people and has no phone signal. I hike solo off trail a lot in Wales and the ground is often rocky, extremely boggy or with tussocky grass that is very uneven. It would be very easy to break an ankle and have a very bad time without the right kit. This isn't what most people do though! My day hiking kit is generally still very minimal though, and I often use a 15L fast packing pack, but in that I'll have a small first aid kit, various jackets, food, water, battery, headlamp, etc... The kit I carry varies depending on time of year, weather, terrain, etc...
I was in the Lakes last week and read the Keswick MR annual report over a pint (as you do....)Every call out was listed starting from the 1st 40 minutes after the NY was welcomed in.
By far the standouts were falls, falling ill, and simply lost with a lot of comments about being poorly prepared for the journey.
There was a call out for a bunch of lads who had taken magic mushrooms LOL!
The Yorkshire Dales is my playground and without fail on top of Inglebrough I'll be asked directions in the clag.
"Cracking flags down below, another world on top"
Glad water filters have been mentioned. I've used the Sawyer mini and Alpkits version. They've been (literally) lifesavers.
Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Monday 13th May 12:55
I’m very risk averse but sadly that definitely doesn’t make me immune to having an accident. I do have a Garmin InReach that I’ll start using more often now I am backpacking into far less popular areas. I have an iPhone with sat connection as well. I’m not exactly concerned but perhaps that’s part of the problem! I hike so much and have done for years that I’m now very comfortable and confident being in the middle of nowhere off trail.
KobayashiMaru86 said:
I'll need new boots/waling shoes for Summer months. Any recommendations? Love my Merrells but last pair didn't hold grip for long so are mainly used for dog walking now. I do get tendonitis on occasion so need to be comfy too.
I use Grisport boots and shoes, they work for me. KobayashiMaru86 said:
I'll need new boots/waling shoes for Summer months. Any recommendations? Love my Merrells but last pair didn't hold grip for long so are mainly used for dog walking now. I do get tendonitis on occasion so need to be comfy too.
Unless I'm buying like-for-like, I'd be visiting a decent shop to try on in person. For instance, I have two pairs of Salmon Quest boots (the previous and current models) which I find are very comfy but they could be the wrong shape for your feet (I've read they don't suit narrow feet).Harpoon said:
Unless I'm buying like-for-like, I'd be visiting a decent shop to try on in person. For instance, I have two pairs of Salmon Quest boots (the previous and current models) which I find are very comfy but they could be the wrong shape for your feet (I've read they don't suit narrow feet).
Just to show how personal footwear is all I ever hear is how narrow Salomon boots are. Personally I use trail runners almost always. They’re not for everyone though. I use Topo because they fit my foot shape unlike every other brand!
On the off chance, would anyone be interested in a Sprayway Torridon Jacket before put it on Ebay / Vinted.
Its in this colourway which was a limited run
Used twice then had to face facts that I was too chunky so bought the exact same jacket in a larger size
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/sprayway-torrido...
Its in this colourway which was a limited run
Used twice then had to face facts that I was too chunky so bought the exact same jacket in a larger size
https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/sprayway-torrido...
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