The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
Matt.. said:
I switched to fast packing packs for day hikes. They’re really comfortable and have good bottle and snack storage on the straps. I use a Salomon XA15 outside of winter. I’d quite like the 25L version of this pack for days where I carry more.
I bought the XA25 following similar helpful recommendations on here and it's proved excellent for longer runs and day hikes. It has no frame so is far more comfortable to wear, has all the space you need for water/gels/snacks etc along with spare layers/waterproofs/medical/mandatory kit. Sits more comfortably with some weight at the front as well.I've carried foldable poles on the sides but have no experience with ice axes. Although they are referred to in this video review:
I haven't used my Osprey Talon 22 since I bought the Salomon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCl_w1rQ4Hw
I'm starting to get ideas together for winter 2024/25 at the moment. Possibly Nepal end of this year and Patagonia early next year. 2 weeks each, so not a huge amount of time. I'm avoiding Everest Base Camp in Nepal and will do another route. If anyone has suggestions for Nepal or Patagonia please let me know.
On the Gear side of the thread...
The zip's gone on my Rab jacket (microlight I think), and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rab's repair service only want €38 including postage to replace the zip. My local outdoors shop want nearly double that, and at that price it's not really worth trying to find a local tailors shop that would it.
While checking if it was repairable I bought a Cortazu mid layer jacket as well, so I won't be cold while the Rab's in the post. Not a brand I'd head of before but seems to be well made and they make a big fuss about recycled materials, and sustainability.
The zip's gone on my Rab jacket (microlight I think), and I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rab's repair service only want €38 including postage to replace the zip. My local outdoors shop want nearly double that, and at that price it's not really worth trying to find a local tailors shop that would it.
While checking if it was repairable I bought a Cortazu mid layer jacket as well, so I won't be cold while the Rab's in the post. Not a brand I'd head of before but seems to be well made and they make a big fuss about recycled materials, and sustainability.
I’ve had good experience with Rab repair too. Had some cuffs wear out on a down jacket and had them replaced with an improved version with something like a 1week turn around.
I’ve also had excellent replacement service from Arc’teryx who replaced a ten year old goretex jacket with a new one when the old one started delaminating.
I’ve also had excellent replacement service from Arc’teryx who replaced a ten year old goretex jacket with a new one when the old one started delaminating.
troc said:
I’ve also had excellent replacement service from Arc’teryx who replaced a ten year old goretex jacket with a new one when the old one started delaminating.
Arcteryx have a terrible reputation for their European warranty service. I have an Alpha FL that's delaminated but don't want to send it back for repair given all the negativity that's out there. I have a large amount of Arcteryx clothing as it was one of the only brands that worked for me as someone that's tall and slim, sadly they're heading in the direction of other brands now and catering for more "normal" body shapes!Heading off next week on a 7 day walk in Portugal - Rota Vicentina / Fishermans Trail (This paths are are interwoven for large chunks)
A few years ago I did the camino from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and I much preferred the Portuguese part of the walk so heading back for more.
It starts about an hour and a half south of Lisbon coincidentally in a place called Santiago do Cacem, winds it way to the coast over 3 days then 4 days heading due south along the coast. The path continues down to the southern corner but we stop at Odeceice.
It's described as rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning viewpoints and charming towns/villages. Looking forward to it and hoping for great walking weather.
Anyone have any experience of it?
A few years ago I did the camino from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela and I much preferred the Portuguese part of the walk so heading back for more.
It starts about an hour and a half south of Lisbon coincidentally in a place called Santiago do Cacem, winds it way to the coast over 3 days then 4 days heading due south along the coast. The path continues down to the southern corner but we stop at Odeceice.
It's described as rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning viewpoints and charming towns/villages. Looking forward to it and hoping for great walking weather.
Anyone have any experience of it?
Matt.. said:
troc said:
I’ve also had excellent replacement service from Arc’teryx who replaced a ten year old goretex jacket with a new one when the old one started delaminating.
Arcteryx have a terrible reputation for their European warranty service. I have an Alpha FL that's delaminated but don't want to send it back for repair given all the negativity that's out there. I have a large amount of Arcteryx clothing as it was one of the only brands that worked for me as someone that's tall and slim, sadly they're heading in the direction of other brands now and catering for more "normal" body shapes!Matt.. said:
I'm starting to get ideas together for winter 2024/25 at the moment. Possibly Nepal end of this year and Patagonia early next year. 2 weeks each, so not a huge amount of time. I'm avoiding Everest Base Camp in Nepal and will do another route. If anyone has suggestions for Nepal or Patagonia please let me know.
If you only have two weeks then I would recommend the Langtang Valley trek in Nepal. You can avoid the faff of internal flights to Lukla or Pokhara and drive directly to the start of the trek from Kathmandu by 4X4 or bus. I did it last March with my two adult sons and had a great time. I have done 3 hills in the last few months so got up at 0330am and decided to do Yr Wyddfa aka Snowdon, Watkin path.
Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Edited by mickythefish on Friday 10th May 20:54
mickythefish said:
I have done 3 hills in the last few months so got up at 0330am and decided to do Yr Wyddfa aka Snowdon, Watkin path.
Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Mountain rescue love people like you.Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Edited by mickythefish on Friday 10th May 20:54
mickythefish said:
I have done 3 hills in the last few months so got up at 0330am and decided to do Yr Wyddfa aka Snowdon, Watkin path.
Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Love this. Proper mini-adventure.Was great until the last bit was crazy, got lost and lost my bottle until a kind fellow hiker helped me out by directing me back onto the path. Had a great day, great achievement really, considering this is my first mountain. made a new friend as well.
looking at Scarfell Pike next
30 quid fuel, 7 quid drinks and crap sausage roll at overpriced cafe, 6 quid parking.
I wore 10 pound trainers and old clothes, only thing i bought was a 20 quid backpack.
Edited by mickythefish on Friday 10th May 20:54
MonkeyBusiness said:
Mountain rescue love people like you.
Not sure what the issue is I did , are you implying no one should take risks? The guy, who I made a friend with, had done Snowdon 8 times and felt exactly the same as me. I actually followed him.The cheap trainers and cheap clothes is saying anyone can still do it. The trainers worked well clothing I took t shirt off as was soaked in sweat.
I think your comment is condescending and unwanted and seems more of a projection on your own inadequacies
, not mine.
I have been going the gym 5 days a week, 1.5 hours cardio for last 2.months. I am naturally a outdoors person , get my hands dirty etc just never done it since I was a kid.
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 09:02
Slowboathome said:
Love this. Proper mini-adventure.
Cheers really helped me as suffered from massive depression last few years. Really inspired me to keep doing more.I think we forget to take risks in life to push ourselves.
Watkins path really was like proper rock climbing and getting to the summit felt well deserved something the others paths, even the ridge one wouldn't feel the same.
The loose rocks, the loose slate, really made you take every step with extreme caution,and felt like nature instincts kicking in.
I'm 17 stone, mid 40s as well so not exactly light.
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 08:56
Big shout out to Mountain Equipment. I've an old spare Goretex shell I've had for >10yrs. Recently noticed some of the inner seams were coming away so emailed them asking what they'd recommend to fix them. They said send it in and they'd do it FOC, which they did. Came back like new. Nice to have a good customer service story for once!
mickythefish said:
MonkeyBusiness said:
Mountain rescue love people like you.
Not sure what the issue is I did , are you implying no one should take risks? The guy, who I made a friend with, had done Snowdon 8 times and felt exactly the same as me. I actually followed him.The cheap trainers and cheap clothes is saying anyone can still do it. The trainers worked well clothing I took t shirt off as was shocked in sweat.
I think your comment is condescending and unwanted and seems more of a projection on your owning feelings not mine.
Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 11th May 08:53
If you hadn’t of met someone how would you have found your way off? Also trainers offer no support in summer it’s multiple times a day the helicopter and MRT are responding to twisted and broken ankles. By all means buy cheap if that’s what you want to do but please invest in a pair of boots and a map and compass and take the time to learn them.
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