The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Venisonpie]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

Shame, but it's a spectacular place and very friendly. Been many times - in fact considered emigrating out there at one point. Not been since covid though sadly.

If you're a foody, worth a trip to the restaurant in the design museum on the port jetty.

Another vote for Madeira, the Lavada's are quite unique and pretty terrifying in some places - you'll see why. I also walked a few pico's one of which scared the living daylights out of me given the narrow path and shear drop. I'm a soft Southerner though.

[Chicken Chaser]

Venisonpie said:

Another vote for Madeira, the Lavada's are quite unique and pretty terrifying in some places - you'll see why. I also walked a few pico's one of which scared the living daylights out of me given the narrow path and shear drop. I'm a soft Southerner though.

What's Madeira like in summer? I imagine it full of octagenarians with a perm however I really fancied going last year as it looks very pretty and well looked after

[Venisonpie]

Chicken Chaser said:

Venisonpie said:

Another vote for Madeira, the Lavada's are quite unique and pretty terrifying in some places - you'll see why. I also walked a few pico's one of which scared the living daylights out of me given the narrow path and shear drop. I'm a soft Southerner though.

What's Madeira like in summer? I imagine it full of octagenarians with a perm however I really fancied going last year as it looks very pretty and well looked after

Not sure, I went in March and it was late teens which for an activity holiday was ideal.

[irc]

Faust66 said:

I'm at a bit of a loss now. I know PHD make long bags but they are out of budget for me. Xped are the same.

Guess I'll just have to be cold.

Late to this thread but...


I have two PHD bags. Bought in sales A Minim 300 half zip and a Minim 200 no zip

I have used the 200 on a long bike tour in the USA. Mainly warm nights but a few nights below freezing. With a pair of cheap fleece bottoms from a thrift shop and my lightweight (200g) down jacket it was Ok

Fit. I,m 6ft3 and 16-17 stone. The long wide version fits perfectly. Expensive but other bags I tried were either not long enough or wide enough

The other thing about sales is they offer bags not available in the standard range.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Venisonpie said:

Chicken Chaser said:

Venisonpie said:

Another vote for Madeira, the Lavada's are quite unique and pretty terrifying in some places - you'll see why. I also walked a few pico's one of which scared the living daylights out of me given the narrow path and shear drop. I'm a soft Southerner though.

What's Madeira like in summer? I imagine it full of octagenarians with a perm however I really fancied going last year as it looks very pretty and well looked after

Not sure, I went in March and it was late teens which for an activity holiday was ideal.

It's goldilocks weather all year.

You do get some oaps but it's a real mix of folks and nationalities on the island.

What you don't get is lots of pissed up idiots,which is perfect...but there are some nightclubs and bars if you want a more lively night out.

[Big Stevie]

Been trying out my new walking boots recently, which are comfortable but sized small, had to go a size larger than normal..


Adidas Terrex Swift R3 Goretex

[Chicken Chaser]

TGCOTF-dewey said:

It's goldilocks weather all year.

You do get some oaps but it's a real mix of folks and nationalities on the island.

What you don't get is lots of pissed up idiots,which is perfect...but there are some nightclubs and bars if you want a more lively night out.

Is it decent for riding as well then, road or off road?

[Faust66]

irc said:

Faust66 said:

I'm at a bit of a loss now. I know PHD make long bags but they are out of budget for me. Xped are the same.

Guess I'll just have to be cold.

Late to this thread but...


I have two PHD bags. Bought in sales A Minim 300 half zip and a Minim 200 no zip

I have used the 200 on a long bike tour in the USA. Mainly warm nights but a few nights below freezing. With a pair of cheap fleece bottoms from a thrift shop and my lightweight (200g) down jacket it was Ok

Fit. I,m 6ft3 and 16-17 stone. The long wide version fits perfectly. Expensive but other bags I tried were either not long enough or wide enough

The other thing about sales is they offer bags not available in the standard range.

Still keeping my eyes peeled for a PHD bargain.

But... managed to buy a new (sadly they don't make 'em anymore) Mountain Equipment Helium 600 XXL: good down to -11c. And I know I'll fit in the damn thing as I've got the 400 (-2c ish) version of the same bag.

Got a couple of days booked in a campsite near Hathersage in the peaks at the end of Febraury, so'll I'll try it out then.

[Bill]

Talking of adventures... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-6473...

And on that note I'm thinking of Scotland, and more particularly Ben Nevis at Easter. Wife and I and three kids aged 15, 13&13 all fit (Ish) and used to big days in the hills so I'm not concerned about our ability to get up there. I've done it a few times and am happy with the navigational challenges on top.

But obviously we need to carry ice axes and crampons (and I've found somewhere that has size 15s for my eldest!) and SWMBO is having a wobble. I'm experienced using them, she has used an ice axe once before. Also (obvs) would only go if conditions are good.

So I've come here for a sanity/reality check.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Bill said:

Talking of adventures... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-6473...

And on that note I'm thinking of Scotland, and more particularly Ben Nevis at Easter. Wife and I and three kids aged 15, 13&13 all fit (Ish) and used to big days in the hills so I'm not concerned about our ability to get up there. I've done it a few times and am happy with the navigational challenges on top.

But obviously we need to carry ice axes and crampons (and I've found somewhere that has size 15s for my eldest!) and SWMBO is having a wobble. I'm experienced using them, she has used an ice axe once before. Also (obvs) would only go if conditions are good.

So I've come here for a sanity/reality check.

Kids with ice axes are more likely to damage themselves from the ice axe rather than the fall.

You really need some instruction in them before you use them in anger... Falling with one can be lethal if you don't know how to self arrest.

I'd take my 13 year old up in winter as a 1:1 but I'd be cautious about a ratio of 3 novice kids and a novice adult to 1...what happens if you fall?

Obviously I'm assuming proper snow and ice up top rather than bone dry with a couple of snow patches.

[yellowbentines]

Bill said:

So I've come here for a sanity/reality check.

If you are experienced and have the right equipment I wouldnt hold back - being Scotland you could miss a gloriously clear sunny day!

I'm an over-preparer and even in summer on the hills/mountains up here probably carry more gear and supplies than most, but better safe than sorry.

e.g. I always have a compass and map in a waterproof pouch, but also have a Garmin watch with GPS that I have on in the background as you can drop routes into it and it'll keep you pointing the right way and give you altitude.

And never be afraid of turning back if things get uncomfortable.

[Bill]

Good points, cheers. I'd plan on some time getting used to the boots particularly but also getting some experience of an axe in advance. TBH I was more concerned about walking in crampons than the axe and would expect to pull the plug if it looked remotely serious.

[Muppet007]

Last nights snow up at Loweswater.

Annoying my phone keeps applying a blue light fliter when I'm using a 1x zoon (the default). I have to switch to 0.5x to turn it off.

[irc]

Good thread. I'm currently buggered. Sitting in the train home after a 2 day bike trip where I bit off more than I could chew on day 1. Late start to catch dry weather window hit forestry work turning a section of track into a quagmire. Add a minor routefinding error an a big push up long hill I arrived at my bothy an hour after dark .

[yellowbentines]

Muppet007 said:

Last nights snow up at Loweswater.

Annoying my phone keeps applying a blue light fliter when I'm using a 1x zoon (the default). I have to switch to 0.5x to turn it off.

Looks very picturesque. We're heading down to the Lakes on Friday for a long weekend of walking - don't mind the snow and cold weather as long as we get clear skies and sunshine alongside, but looks like cloud and rain as usual for us when we go down

[Muppet007]

yellowbentines said:

Looks very picturesque. We're heading down to the Lakes on Friday for a long weekend of walking - don't mind the snow and cold weather as long as we get clear skies and sunshine alongside, but looks like cloud and rain as usual for us when we go down

Its all gone now!
I'm about to head out around Ennerdale and its tanking it down. Back to normal wet Cumbrian weather!

[yellowbentines]

Ah OK, will unpack the crampons and ice axe then

[sparkythecat]

Any recommendations for warm waterproof gloves?
Not the massive gauntlets that skiers like, but ones that will go under the cuffs of your jacket so they don't catch the run off from your sleeves when you're hill walking in the cold winter rain.
Wet glove linings make them a pain to get on and off

[popeyewhite]

sparkythecat said:

Any recommendations for warm waterproof gloves?
Not the massive gauntlets that skiers like, but ones that will go under the cuffs of your jacket so they don't catch the run off from your sleeves when you're hill walking in the cold winter rain.
Wet glove linings make them a pain to get on and off

You'll always get wet if the rain is persistent enough, Personally I take two pairs of gloves on wet hikes, never having found a truly waterproof practical option. Also a second base layer, but that's OT.

[TGCOTF-dewey]

popeyewhite said:

sparkythecat said:

Any recommendations for warm waterproof gloves?
Not the massive gauntlets that skiers like, but ones that will go under the cuffs of your jacket so they don't catch the run off from your sleeves when you're hill walking in the cold winter rain.
Wet glove linings make them a pain to get on and off

You'll always get wet if the rain is persistent enough, Personally I take two pairs of gloves on wet hikes, never having found a truly waterproof practical option. Also a second base layer, but that's OT.

I've always used an ice-climbing set-up, but then I had them anyway. Thermal windblock and - mostly - water proof fingered gloves with a waterproof bag mitten over the top.

Never cold or wet even in - 30s temps.