The hiking gear and adventures thread...

The hiking gear and adventures thread...

Author
Discussion

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Monday 27th May
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Cheers will have a look. Joined loads of groups but most say they will then don't bother. I don't really mind do it on my own anyway.

I did a meetup hiking group, loads of moaning women, a old guy who had lost his wife recently was left lagging ,I stuck back with him helped him out had a good chat. I think a lot do it just for the photos to show on socials over actually connecting with people etc

One thing is hiking tax, food is crazy price, went to home bargains bought some veg curry dishes, 69 pence they are amazing.

Have to admit it is getting expensive, fuel costs, food, equipment etc but not even started lol.

Going to lakes on Thursday doing helvellyn for my bday on Friday. Might stay up taking my MTB have a nice few days hiking.

Signed up to ordinance survey app 24 for whole year really worth.

VTECMatt

1,188 posts

240 months

Monday 27th May
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I walk once a month on my own, usually on a Monday in the Lakes, feel free to join me, tend to walk at a reasonable pace.

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Tuesday 28th May
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VTECMatt said:
I walk once a month on my own, usually on a Monday in the Lakes, feel free to join me, tend to walk at a reasonable pace.
Cheers appreciate the offer. I'm only up for a few days but but maybe another time definitely going to go back.

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Tuesday 28th May
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VTECMatt said:
I walk once a month on my own, usually on a Monday in the Lakes, feel free to join me, tend to walk at a reasonable pace.
Cheers appreciate the offer. I'm only up for a few days but but maybe another time definitely going to go back.

yellowbentines

5,387 posts

209 months

Thursday 30th May
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For those of you that use GPS devices, where do you get your GPX map/route downloads?

I've got a Garmin Solar Instinct watch that I uses last week down in the lakes, however free sources of routes are few and far between and not that reliable.

I know you can subscribe to OS, AllTrails and probably more and happy to do so if there's a stand-out that's recommended? Bonus points if it also gives access to overseas routes, though it'll primarily be used in UK e.g. Lake District, Scottish Highlands and Islands etc.

Phil.

4,883 posts

252 months

Thursday 30th May
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All Trails don’t require a subscription neither does Komkoot to download gpx files.

Wikiloc is good in Spain and maybe other countries, also try Pocket Earth.

I use OS maps to review and modify UK gpx files. It’s good value for £24pa.

Here is a list of gps sites:

https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/news/reccomended-g...

I’m sure there are plenty more.

yellowbentines

5,387 posts

209 months

Thursday 30th May
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Phil. said:
All Trails don’t require a subscription neither does Komkoot to download gpx files.

Wikiloc is good in Spain and maybe other countries, also try Pocket Earth.

I use OS maps to review and modify UK gpx files. It’s good value for £24pa.

Here is a list of gps sites:

https://gpstraining.co.uk/blogs/news/reccomended-g...

I’m sure there are plenty more.
Cheers for that - really appreciate it.

I found the GPS really came into it's own last week in the Lakes where you have multiple paths heading off in different directions and some are actual paths whereas others might be sheep tracks, so even with a map/directions it can be tricky to navigate!

Phil.

4,883 posts

252 months

Thursday 30th May
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yellowbentines said:
Cheers for that - really appreciate it.

I found the GPS really came into it's own last week in the Lakes where you have multiple paths heading off in different directions and some are actual paths whereas others might be sheep tracks, so even with a map/directions it can be tricky to navigate!
I’ve used a GPS handheld device for years. Only take a map/compass for back up. GPS is far superior for navigating.

MonkeyBusiness

3,969 posts

189 months

Thursday 30th May
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I've just returned from 3 days in the lakes - 2 of which were constant rain (few posters on this thread will nod their head).

I had to adjust my routes and OS Maps came into its own,
The LDWA is worth the annual fee (£13?) for long distance routes and discounts.

Walked from Coniston to Ulverston today to get the train home along the Cumbrian Way (bloody typical it was a nice day rolleyes).


boxedin

1,371 posts

128 months

Thursday 30th May
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Phil. said:
I’ve used a GPS handheld device for years. Only take a map/compass for back up. GPS is far superior for navigating.
I've not carried a map or even referred to one for many, many years. A handheld Garmin GPS is without doubt the best piece of hiking kit.

The map won't tell me:
- when the sun goes down.
- how far I've walked.
- how long I stopped for.
- how fricking steep that section was when I deviated off the track.
- how cold it is ( tempe ).
- where and how far the path is. because I've drifted off-course for 2 minutes and can no longer see the path.
- in poor conditions where I'm supposed to be going.
- because paths in the UK are poorly or completed unmapped. Many paths aren't paths, they're just directions to head in.

It gets even more useful when walking somewhere new, or you just decide to pick a path at random and go. This is more common for me when in Europe, but walking in Europe is far easier IME: because signage and actual paths/tracks.

I carry it every time I head out, even if I know every path in the area. Because it provides a record of the walk. Which eventually ends up in this: https://github.com/Flomp/wanderer

If you have Windows, install this to get the best view of a GPX: https://www.microsoft.com/store/productId/9PDQ2STH...


S100HP

12,778 posts

169 months

Thursday 30th May
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VTECMatt said:
As I live in Cumbria I tend to pick and choose when I go out did the Mosedale Horseshoe including Yewbarrow and Kirk Fell the other didn’t see anyone the whole time until I got to Wasdale Head. But then not much to see biggrin

Might be asking for some advice shortly, parents are moving to North Stainmore in a week or so. Might as well use it as a base.

Edited by S100HP on Thursday 30th May 20:41

S100HP

12,778 posts

169 months

Thursday 30th May
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I thought it might be good to set up a pistonheads Strava group for those who partake in activity in general. I set up a cycling one years ago, but felt a new one was needed, with leaderboards based on time rather than distance. Hope people find it useful.

Want to join this Strava club? https://strava.app.link/h7c3izxO1Jb

daddy cool

4,006 posts

231 months

Friday 31st May
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S100HP said:
Want to join this Strava club? https://strava.app.link/h7c3izxO1Jb
I'm in!

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Friday 31st May
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Just done my second mountain, scarfell pike. Didn't enjoy the snout of people but the route I choose was very enjoyable.

I went up from wasdale and there is a junction where I went right and scrambled up a thing to the top.

Edited by mickythefish on Friday 31st May 17:36

Forester1965

1,947 posts

5 months

Friday 31st May
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My favourite way is to go from Wasdale head up to Styhead Tarn, across the Corridor route and up to the summit, then descend back down directly to the top of Wastwater.

A nice longer route is from Langdale up over Bow Fell and along to Scafell then back down past Angle Tarn and dropping steeply back into Langdale.

yellowbentines

5,387 posts

209 months

Friday 31st May
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We avoided most of the 'traffic' on scafell pike last weekend by coming up from seathwaite to styhead tarn, up via the corridor route (where you meet the hordes at the top), then back down over great end and down the gully route which was really quiet.

It was only really the top that was busy, but there mustve been a couple of hundred folk up there at least!

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Friday 31st May
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Edit I've found out it is Mickledore.

This was the route enjoyed it. Took me 7 hours supposed to be be 3.5 hours lol. But I'm old

Also I recommend the os map a lot better than alltrails more info and doesn't burn your battery down.



Edited by mickythefish on Saturday 1st June 02:41

VTECMatt

1,188 posts

240 months

Friday 31st May
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My preferred route is from Seathwaite to Scafell Pike due to the varying amount of routes.

You can head to Great End and if at sunrise literally glowing, it’s quite a long route but nothing too challenging navigation or climbing wise. You can go up via Cust’s Gully, be aware it’s a grade 2 scramble and people sometime take the much for dangerous central gully iirc. Regular call out MR. Include Ill Crag often missed but a stunning view.

Other times I go up Sourmilk Gill, then a nice scramble up Base Brown via Hanging Stone, then on to Styhead Tarn, Corridor Route, up the scree is a fun way up if you like.

It’s always a coin toss as both routes are brilliant for different reasons but you can also go direct to Styhead Tarn.

The route from the Langdales is really nice too.

mickythefish

361 posts

8 months

Saturday 1st June
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Can I have a moan.

Not a fan of taking panting dogs up mountains on hot days or even young kids. I saw kids like 2 or 3 seemed crazy they aren't built for long distance.

ben5575

6,359 posts

223 months

Saturday 1st June
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VTECMatt said:
The route from the Langdales is really nice too.
Yep that's my run tomorrow (Blisco/Crinkle/Bowfell/Esk etc). Although coming back via Angle Tarn rather than heading up Scafell to avoid the crowds.

Re kids etc, I was up there in Feb with -15 windchill on the top with people using spikes on the ice (somebody else posted recently that they were up around the same time). It was sunny at the bottom, so naturally some of the people I ran past on the way down were heading up in shorts. I was particularly impressed by the group of lads smoking weed in the car park before they started.

8% charge Micky - I hope you had a spare battery pack with you! wink