The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Faust66]

Venisonpie said:

Faust66 said:

You really have got lucky with the weather Venisonpie... i always seem to get rain.

Practice hike in the peaks this weekend with full SWCP kit for me (approx 16kg load).

16kgs is a lot!

Where in the peaks, not been for a while?

I walk in the peaks most weekends... only about a 90 minute drive for me. Probably going for Derwent Edge (modified 15 mile route) this time. I also like the Brown Knoll>Kinder Low route, Hayfield>Kinder Downfall and many others (as long as they're nowhere near the insta hordes around Mam Tor!!). I like to try to make custom ish routes to avoid as many people as possible.

10-12kg is my normal winter day hike weight, so 16kg including a tent and sleeping bag is not that bad IMO... I'm a big chap so my clothes, tent, sleeping bag etc. all weigh quite a lot.

I've done walks in the past with well over 28kg (I was a lot younger then, mind).

[LordHaveMurci]

28kg

[Venisonpie]

Faust66 said:

I walk in the peaks most weekends... only about a 90 minute drive for me. Probably going for Derwent Edge (modified 15 mile route) this time. I also like the Brown Knoll>Kinder Low route, Hayfield>Kinder Downfall and many others (as long as they're nowhere near the insta hordes around Mam Tor!!). I like to try to make custom ish routes to avoid as many people as possible.

10-12kg is my normal winter day hike weight, so 16kg including a tent and sleeping bag is not that bad IMO... I'm a big chap so my clothes, tent, sleeping bag etc. all weigh quite a lot.

I've done walks in the past with well over 28kg (I was a lot younger then, mind).

Jesus Christ! In a previous life I delivered flour to bakeries in 33kg bags (they don't allow it anymore) and that felt like a solid days work. Hoiking 28kg around all day would induce serious pie eating.

[Faust66]

28kg = young and stupid and didn't know what to take. So i took a lot of stuff. And I was skint (was on the dole) so I couldn't afford decent kit. I did do 20 miles on my first day of the SWCP though (Minehead to Lynton).

I had a cheap and horrible Eurohike dome tent (this was back in the 1990s) and the damn thing weighed over 7kg or 9kg (was a long time ago so I can't quite remember). I was almost happy when it was destroyed in a storm while I was wild camping on the SWCP. I'd have been even happier if I'd not been inside the bloody thing when it failed.

I've got a couple of Hilleberg tents now. fk you, weather.

[LordHaveMurci]

Faust66 said:

28kg = young and stupid and didn't know what to take. So i took a lot of stuff. And I was skint (was on the dole) so I couldn't afford decent kit. I did do 20 miles on my first day of the SWCP though (Minehead to Lynton).

I had a cheap and horrible Eurohike dome tent (this was back in the 1990s) and the damn thing weighed over 7kg or 9kg (was a long time ago so I can't quite remember). I was almost happy when it was destroyed in a storm while I was wild camping on the SWCP. I'd have been even happier if I'd not been inside the bloody thing when it failed.

I've got a couple of Hilleberg tents now. fk you, weather.

to the last paragraph!

And 28kg on that section of coast path - and you STILL do it?!

[Origin Unknown]

A 3-day walk in the Dales next week, first time up there for me. It was due to be me, my two Collies and my other personality but a mate is joining me.



B&B organised for 4 nights, walk split into a 17k, 18k and a 20k so nothing overly taxing distance wise, and the terrain looks fairly flat.

Edited by Origin Unknown on Friday 21st March 09:38

[ben5575]

Oo, where you going? Are you doing the 6 Dales Trail?

[Origin Unknown]

ben5575 said:

Oo, where you going? Are you doing the 6 Dales Trail?

Ballsed up the image upload, should be there now!

[Venisonpie]

Weather took a change for the worse, a few from Lavant mine including my first ever complete rainbow.

[Faust66]

More excellent pics. Spent a bit of time last summer in that area. If you want a good breakfast:

https://www.counthousecafe.com/

Also, the Queens Arms in Botallack is an excellent pub.

[Bill]

I misread that for a moment!

[Venisonpie]

Sadly now back in West London, hopefully some photo's of the peak district incoming?

[Faust66]

Venisonpie said:

Sadly now back in West London, hopefully some photo's of the peak district incoming?

Not the most spectacular views yesterday as the weather was not the best... just did a 10 mile walk along Derwent Edge to beat the worst of the rain. Some pretty steep ascents and descents with my heavy SWCP pack (luggage scales are arriving this week) and I've got no aches, pains or other issues.

Drive back was tough as the rain and spray were pretty intense. Will be doing another training walk next weekend (and every week until May).

Bill said:

I misread that for a moment!

You'd have to be careful after a few pints! (knee is 100% BTW).

Edited by Faust66 on Sunday 23 March 13:27

[Venisonpie]

Looks a bit wild but ok - I guess the upshot of less than ideal weather is fewer people about?

[Faust66]

Venisonpie said:

Looks a bit wild but ok - I guess the upshot of less than ideal weather is fewer people about?

Fewer people around is a massive bonus IMO. I also like the brooding and moody aspect of the Peaks in dodgy weather... gives the place a bit of an edge.

[Venisonpie]

Faust66 said:

Fewer people around is a massive bonus IMO. I also like the brooding and moody aspect of the Peaks in dodgy weather... gives the place a bit of an edge.

Agree, isolation and moodiness are things that resonate.🤣

[Gt6turbo]

Hi, I'm new to hiking. I'm looking at comfy long distance boots, not too expensive.

Any recommendations, I like the hokas but are they actually useful.?

[Bill]

Faust66 said:

You'd have to be careful after a few pints! (knee is 100% BTW).

&

[spikeyhead]

Gt6turbo said:

Hi, I'm new to hiking. I'm looking at comfy long distance boots, not too expensive.

Any recommendations, I like the hokas but are they actually useful.?

The first things you need to do is to work out what sort of walking you'll be doing and also find something that fits you.

I use Hokas for trail running, on grass and gravel.

I use Merrel's Goretex trainers for hill walking in the lakes where bogs and deep puddles are likely, and some Berghaus Goretex boots if it's going to be very boggy.

[thepritch]

Gt6turbo said:

Hi, I'm new to hiking. I'm looking at comfy long distance boots, not too expensive.

Any recommendations, I like the hokas but are they actually useful.?

I’m going to be very unhelpful (sorry!) and say head to a shop and try some on with a thick pair of socks. Leave room at the front of your toes as you feet will swell and there is nothing worse than your big toe bouncing off the toe cap!!

The big brands are all relatively good but most walkers will have some personal preference. So maybe see what offers are on, so you’re not spending silly money.

I run in Hoka SpeedGoats but did a 20km gravel walk in them last week and they were lovely. But for longer mountainous walks which require crossing streams, boulders, marsh land, I do prefer more solidity in my shoes / boots. FWIW I have a pair of Berghaus (12yr old, plenty of mileage and still super comfortable), and my wife bought a pair of Keen’s last year and swears by them.