The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Phil.]

Bought Montane Endurance Pro gaiters a couple of years ago and they seem pretty good. Not heavy to carry.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/montane-unisex-e...

[ben5575]

Yeah I think they're just too big and cumbersome (I have the same feeling re heavy boots too, hence the trail runners).

The water proof socks mean my feet are dry, it's more protection (from ice/brush etc), to stop/reduce my trousers getting wet and if (when!) I step into a deep bog I have an 'immediate' waterproof barrier that's up towards my knees.

[ben5575]

Phil. said:

Bought Montane Endurance Pro gaiters a couple of years ago and they seem pretty good. Not heavy to carry.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/montane-unisex-e...

They look good. How's the faff factor with the buckle mechanism? - is it set and forget or do you have to redo it with cold wet fingers every time you use them?

[Faust66]

I've had a pair of Trekmates Cairngorm gaiters for a few years and I love them.

https://www.trekmates.co.uk/products/cairngorm-gtx...

I wear these with high leg combat boots so I'm pretty sorted when it comes to bogs and puddles.

I've found that I don't like gaiters without a zip... the type that just use velcro are fiddly to put on and don't stay in place as well as the zip with velcro covering combo IME. I've got a pair of Extremities gaiters with velcro only and I never use them as they are a PITA.

Top tip: always put your gaiters on at the start of your hike. If you leave it until you reach a muddy or boggy section, you end up balancing on one leg like like a demented stork as there's never anywhere to sit when you need to, getting your hands cold, wet and covered in mud.

Far better to put them on at the start of your hike with a decent seat to assist.

[Phil.]

ben5575 said:

They look good. How's the faff factor with the buckle mechanism? - is it set and forget or do you have to redo it with cold wet fingers every time you use them?

Set and forget. Plus the Velcro makes getting them on/off easy.

[Matt..]

LRDefender said:

I’m currently in Georgia, what would you like to know?

To be honest i'm only at the start of thinking about it so don't really have any specific questions. I've mainly been looking at itineraries (primarily not cities and more mountains) for a 1 week trip sometime this year. Any itinerary advice would be good. My main hesitations are proximity to Russia (some of the places i've looked at are within 10km of the border), language challenges (perhaps not that big a problem really) and crazy local drivers and probably bad roads.

[LRDefender]

Matt.. said:

LRDefender said:

I’m currently in Georgia, what would you like to know?

To be honest i'm only at the start of thinking about it so don't really have any specific questions. I've mainly been looking at itineraries (primarily not cities and more mountains) for a 1 week trip sometime this year. Any itinerary advice would be good. My main hesitations are proximity to Russia (some of the places i've looked at are within 10km of the border), language challenges (perhaps not that big a problem really) and crazy local drivers and probably bad roads.

There's plenty of mountains in Georgia..!!

Georgia is amazing and very different to every other place I've been to. Georgians are known for their hospitality, food & wine. Easyjet & BA are starting direct flights from the UK to Tbilisi (I wouldn't fly to Kutaisi) in April and there are some bargains atm. A week is pushing it time wise as it's a long flight from London and some of the roads in Georgia are challenging but you can get to most places from Tbilisi within a days drive.

Tusheti is where I want to visit and it looks amazing but the roads are a serious challenge, I was told not to drive the road to Tusheti by my Georgian friends. The road opens around late May and shuts around September or October depending on the snow.

Georgia's proximity to Russia really isn't an issue, even in remote areas near the border there are Georgian signs warning you are getting near to 'No Mans Land' and Georgian border guards are generally quite affable. In Lagodekhi Nature Reserve there is a lake - Black Rock Lake - that straddles the border, it's advisable to not go swimming there as the Russian border guards aren't as trustworthy....

Georgian driving and drivers are somewhat errrr... unique..!! But it does work and you don't see a lot of accidents. I've driven in Georgia a lot and you soon get used to it. English is widely spoken in Georgia especially with younger people and any trekking/hiking company you contact will speak English but always ask them about any guides standard of English. It's not unusual in Tbilisi to hear Georgians speaking English between themselves especially if there is a foreigner with them, Georgians know and love that their language is super difficult to learn.

There are a few companies that do hiking/trekking stuff - https://www.caucasus-trekking.com/ - is a good resource. A Google search will obviously have lots of suggestions.

A very good Georgian friend of mine used to be a trekking guide and she has a deep knowledge of the Greater Caucasus' so if you get to the planning stage let me know if you have any questions.




P.S - don't drink the cha cha.

[Matt..]

LRDefender said:

There's plenty of mountains in Georgia..!!

Thanks for the input, i'll probably have more questions in the future if we don't get swayed by another country!
Do you have an opinion on the better times of year to visit the mountains the Georgia without snow?

[ben5575]

Thanks for the gaiter recommendations. Gone for the Trekmates

[Faust66]

ben5575 said:

Thanks for the gaiter recommendations. Gone for the Trekmates

Good choice!

Don't think you'll regret it. Trekmates gear is often overlooked as it's not as 'sexy' as some other brands, but I really rate it.

Got a few pairs of their gloves and seat pad (along with my gaiters).

[Regbuser]

If I may Ben; I don't see how any gaiter is going to prevent ingress when paired with a trail shoe .. ?

Something like this > https://wslackandsons.co.uk/shop/footwear-for-walk... < might be a better bet for wintry bogs

Edited by Regbuser on Tuesday 18th February 19:45

[benjipeg]

bought the gf some sprayawy gtx gaiters of ebay £24 they are great and come further down the boot laces which i think i prefer

[ben5575]

Regbuser said:

If I may Ben; I don't see how any gaiter is going to prevent ingress when paired with a trail shoe .. ?

Something like this > https://wslackandsons.co.uk/shop/footwear-for-walk... < might be a better bet for wintry bogs

No problem at all.

The short answer is I wear merino socks under tall waterproof socks with trail shoes. So a water proof system that's just layered in a different order to a more traditional waterproof system on the outside. It works for me as it's warm, lightweight, comfortable and fast draining.

Your suggestion would work well but is likely to be a little to cumbersome for me as personally I prefer to stay light/move fast as I find it less fatiguing over extended periods of time

[LRDefender]

Matt.. said:

LRDefender said:

There's plenty of mountains in Georgia..!!

Thanks for the input, i'll probably have more questions in the future if we don't get swayed by another country!
Do you have an opinion on the better times of year to visit the mountains the Georgia without snow?

Over 2500/3000 metres and I'd say April/May until Oct/Nov. Under that all year round.

Both depend on actual destination & region - Places like Kazbegi or Mestia you can visit all year round really, Tusheti June until Sept. Georgia is small but the conditions vary greatly due to elevation and geography. The Black Sea has a big affect on the weather in the west with mainly moist air and in the east the air is much drier.

I would want to hike in a really remote area at altitude so I'd probably be looking at June till September. Lots of other options are available.

[mickythefish]

Just reading that someone died on tryfan on Saturday, was known in the scrambling community. Just shows how quickly life can change.

[ben5575]

mickythefish said:

Just reading that someone died on tryfan on Saturday, was known in the scrambling community. Just shows how quickly life can change.

Absolutely.

The girl who's body has just been found was in my fell running club and it was my team that lead the search (assisting the police of course). Monumental and extended effort throughout the week by the guys and girls not just of our team (I'm frustratingly not allowed on the hills yet) but the raft of other teams from all over (from Edale to Wasdale to Northumberland), alongside dog teams, police and coast guard helicopters, drone teams including the RAF, plus local landowners etc.

[mickythefish]

I did think that an accident happened with the fell running lady. Sad but I think it should never stop you doing the things you enjoy.

One thing is when you start to do it, the realisation of sometimes how things can go wrong quickly.

I've scrambled Tryfan twice never felt unsafe. Besides jeans mistakes, I generally take my time, no rushing, and if too busy let others go in front.

[silentbrown]

Any recommendations for a decent headtorch? I've had a couple of Petzl Tikka XPs but they've both randomly cracked while stored in a pack...

Doesn't need to outshine the sun, just occasional wild camps and get me off a hill if I've cocked up the timing.

Rechargeable with the option to use AAAs would be ideal. (I also keep a Petzl e-lite in the first aid kit as backup.)

[Faust66]

silentbrown said:

Any recommendations for a decent headtorch? I've had a couple of Petzl Tikka XPs but they've both randomly cracked while stored in a pack...

Doesn't need to outshine the sun, just occasional wild camps and get me off a hill if I've cocked up the timing.

Rechargeable with the option to use AAAs would be ideal. (I also keep a Petzl e-lite in the first aid kit as backup.)

I use an Alpkit Qark: had it for 3 years or so now and it's still going strong. Good bit of kit for the money and it's proved it's worth on many a walk/wild camp. Only minor niggle would be that the rechargeable battery uses a micro USB lead rather than the more modern USB C. But it has got an adjustable beam which a lot of head torches don't have... swings and roundabouts.

https://alpkit.com/products/qark-usb-rechargeable-...

I also keep a decent hand torch in my pack and an emergency small light (got caught out on a dark evening many winters ago... never again).

[silentbrown]

Faust66 said:

I use an Alpkit Qark

Ordered. I'd forgotten Alpkit did them.