The hiking gear and adventures thread...

The hiking gear and adventures thread...

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Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Saturday 11th May 2024
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TGCOTF-dewey said:
mickythefish said:
I bought a 70 quid MTB technical jacket. I still sweated loads and was useless. I guess we are all different but I run hot and sweaty a lot, sone just prefer normal stuff.

I am looking at getting decent shoes for scarfell, only because it gives me more options on the day, will probably keep my trainers they work for me .
That's why a dry base layer to swap into when descending is a must for me.

Yep.

I've gone right off Merino base layers recently. They do dry quickly but they just seem to give me that horrible cold clammy feeling (similar to cotton).

The Keela ADS tops (about 25 quid each for the long sleeve type) are my main choice at the moment for colder weather. Under Armour Tech 2 t shirts are great for hotter weather.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Sunday 12th May 2024
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mickythefish said:
Kinder and Mar Tor done, proper knackered, the shoes stood up well. Looking at Scarfell pike next and a Sweden walking tour.

As this is PH car included. 20km walk

definitely investing in a decent back pack, and shoes




Kinder Scout is one of my favourite walks... about an hour and 20 min drive for me, so I go there fairly often. Normally do a modified 14 mile route including Brown Knoll.

I do try to avoid Mam Tor though as it gets very busy and I don't like crowds.

If you want some more Peak District walks:

https://peakdistrictwalks.net/win-hill-walk-crook-...

https://peakdistrictwalks.net/hathersage-walk-padl...

https://www.alltrails.com/en-gb/trail/england/derb...


Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Tuesday 14th May 2024
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I might add a poll to this thread...

What's the most divisive/contentious issue with hiking?

Walking Poles?
Footwear?

hehe

Can't wade in (pun intended) on the trail runner issue as I've got big feet so I've never found any to fit me. I'll keeping tramping along in my Lowa combat boots (with gaiters when it's really muddy) and enjoy my dry, if slightly hot in the summer, feet.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Tuesday 14th May 2024
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Matt.. said:
I have weird feet and these Topo trail runners are the only ones that fit me which is why I bought so many pairs!

I’m very pro hiking poles. I think it’s a weird British thing to not like hiking poles. They’re so normal in other countries.
Don't think my feet are weird as such, just big (size 15 as I've mentioned before on here).

Totally agree on the hiking pole thing: I use mine a lot and never go for a walk without them (proper walks that is... not a stroll to the shops). They are a lifesaver for the old knees when descending dodgy slopes. Probably gone and re-ignited the debate now. argue


Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Friday 17th May 2024
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Not been up to Giddy Pass... will have to check it out.

I'm off to the Peaks tomorrow: Edale>Brown Knoll>Kinder Scout>Grindslow>back to Edale. Looking a bit showery at times, but better than baking heat IMO.

Walk I've done loads of times, but I'm on my own (my missus is working) so I'll save the more exciting/new walks until we're out together.

If you want a good water bottle, try a an Alpkit Refresher. Keeps water cold all day in the summer. I also use Sigg bottles (they don't keep water cold so they get buried in my pack for insulation).

https://alpkit.com/products/refresher-1000-insulat...

Edited by Faust66 on Friday 17th May 20:35

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Friday 24th May 2024
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Posting pictures of yourself on PH?

You're either very brave or very foolish!

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Sunday 26th May 2024
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VTECMatt said:
They closed the road to Wasdale Head today, it was that busy,
Bank Holiday weekend + nice weather = hordes of fair weather walkers. Litter. Noise. Crowds. Hell.

Cold and wet weekend in February = no issues. Solitude. Bliss.

'Twas ever the case.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Friday 14th June 2024
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Simbu said:
3 Peaks adventure stuff.
Excellent write up and and fair play to you and your mates for completing the challenge.


Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Wednesday 10th July 2024
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mickythefish said:
Going to do my first long distance trek this week. Limestone way. 46 miles. Done 15 miles in a day before, going to try and do about 22 miles 1st day then the rest over two days. It is training really for doing 1-2 weeks treks in the future, like 200-400 mile ones.

Inspired by picking up a bigger backpack for a tenner. It is a womens one but who cares lol.
Done a fair few bits of the Limestone way as part of day walks over the years - it's a cracking walk (Limestone can be pretty slippery underfoot in the rain, so take care).

I've been heading into the Peaks most weekends recently: I'm averaging 35 - 40 miles per week at the moment (including daily walks of 5 miles or so after work).

For a change of scenery, I'm heading down to Cornwall for a couple of days this weekend: going to do a one 15 mile day walk on the SWCP on Saturday (Pendeen to Porthcurno) and a shorter walk on Sunday (probably Pendeen to Zennor - 10 ish miles) before driving the 330 miles back home that night.

Got Monday and Tuesday off work and I'll probably need it!

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Wednesday 17th July 2024
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Did a couple more days on the SWCP last weekend: nightmare 9 + hour journey down from Nottinghamshire (I also came down with a 24 bug the night before). 2 hours of sleep and a 12 mile walk with an approx. 12 kilo pack the next day... Pendeen to Lands End (wanted to push on an extra 4 miles to Portuhcurno but I was getting knackered/in need of a pint).

Did about an 11 mile walk the next day (5 hours sleep this time) and then the 330 mile drive home.

Pretty hectic weekend and I needed a day off after that lot! The weather was a bit hot for my taste but the scenery was truly stunning.

The odd looks we (my girlfriend and I) got from people in 'beach wear' while walking along Whitesands Bay in full walking gear - packs, walking poles, boots, long trousers, leather bush hat for me, long sleeve shirts for sun protection, thin Gore infinitum gloves etc - will stay with me for some time! hehe





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Edited by Faust66 on Wednesday 17th July 15:47

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Monday 22nd July 2024
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Easy 11 mile walk back in the Peak District today... added up my totals: 61 miles in the last 8 days including 23 miles on the SWCP, 11 in the Peaks and the rest 5 mile daily after work walks/walking home from work.

Quite pleased with this... no knee pain or other issues. Building up the training for a Pennine Way attempt or SWCP multi-week hike later this year/next spring work allowing (things are difficult on this front).







Edited by Faust66 on Monday 22 July 02:14

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Wednesday 24th July 2024
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_Neal_ said:
mickythefish said:
Well done thebraketester, great route, great you raised so much for charity.
Absolutely! Great work.

Thirded...

Nice work TBT: tough old walk right there (especially the descents) and it looks like you had good weather for it.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Wednesday 24th July 2024
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ben5575 said:
Sounds great!

15miles + 1800m elevation per day is a good day out, two on the bounce will be tough but then that's the point. Eminently doable with your level of fitness though.

You're already running the distance, it's the elevation that will test you (and the weather but you can't control that) Main recommendation would be to find some local hills to walk (or better run) up. There's a big difference between gym fit and mountain fit which you're going to find out biggrin

Have fun!

Edited by ben5575 on Tuesday 23 July 18:15
Another tip I'd add is to load your rucksack up and find a building with lots of stairs and climb them a couple of times a day...

I get odd looks for climbing all 20 flights of stairs in the office a couple of times a day, getting the lift down, and then doing it again. Excellent cardio and it's free (and it doesn't matter if it's raining!). View is not as nice as the Peak District, mind.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Sunday 28th July 2024
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Wow! Sunning pics... I've had a rest weekend (no walks for the first time in months) and now I'm feeling guilty and restless.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Wednesday 31st July 2024
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Excellent pic ATG... more, please.

Kit update: I normally wear Fjallraven Vidda Pro ventilated all year round, but they are a bit too hot when the temps are as high as they have been this week. So I've splashed out on a pair of Keela Peru trousers in black.

Excellent so far. Really lightweight and breathable with articulated knees. And for 60 quid delivered you can't go far wrong. They could do with a cargo pocket on both thighs rather than just one and the belt loops are a bit small for a regular belt - Craghoppers Kiwi nylon belt fits though.

https://keelaoutdoors.com/products/mens-peru-trous...

I'd always recommend Keela gear (got a couple of jackets, some gloves, fleeces and loads of ADS base layers as they are the best I've found for cooler or cold weather walking - blows merino wool out of the water!).

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Thursday 1st August 2024
quotequote all
Jesus.

That pic has set my vertigo off - got the nervous panicky feeling looking at it.

You're a braver man than me, Mickey

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Friday 9th August 2024
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S100HP said:
Does anyone here walk in barefoot shoes? I'm pretty interested in getting some and moving towards barefoot
Paul Messner on Youtube has made a fair few videos on this subject... he seems to rate them highly.

(Not interested in them personally so I can't add any first hand (foot?) experience).

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Thursday 15th August 2024
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mickythefish said:
Honestly looks good to me. And if it doesn't work I can survive I bought a 4 quid tarp as well. I like how it is a bit of history. Modern stuff is definitely nothing like the older stuff.

I'd echo the advice about trying it out at home/somewhere local before finding out the hard way that it may be past its best.

I'm a big fan of second hand kit... better for the environment and your wallet. Recently won a Fjallraven Sten jacket on eBay for 59 quid. Never really been worn - they retail at £230 on the Fjallraven site, so it's a bit of a bargain. Rare in my size as well (XXL).


Survival bags were mentioned on here a while back...

Just picked up a couple on the Alpkit site for me and my missus (needed to use five quid of member rewards before they expired). I've always thought a foil blanket would do, but for under 7 quid and 100 grams of weight, it seemed silly not to pack one when out in the hills.

Hope I never need to use them.

https://alpkit.com/products/survival-bag?variant=3...

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Monday 19th August 2024
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RammyMP said:
I hope you have better luck with your Fjallraven jacket than me, I’ve had 2 and the zips failed on both. The store won’t repair them and I can’t get any local repair shops to fix them because they are a non-standard length.
Sorry to hear that... I've got a fair few pairs of Fjallraven trousers and 2 jackets (Sten and a Kaipak) and I've not had any problems with them.

My gear takes a fair bit hammer as I'm off out hiking most weekends and do a few multi day trips a year using it and (so far) I've had zero problems. I know they can be a bit funny about repairs if you don't have the original purchase receipt from an authorised seller (the Outdoor Gear review made a youtube video on this subject).

Obviously, if you've bought used then the warranty will not apply...

Love the pics Pete102 - makes the Peak District (my stomping ground) look a bit tame hehe

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,174 posts

175 months

Friday 23rd August 2024
quotequote all
Regbuser said:
mickythefish said:
My Adidas ax4 have worn a lot after 4 months so looking for a new shoe. Basically I want a go all, heavy backpack, mountain,comfy, long distance but crucially very grippy for scrambling.

Also still hoping to go to Kerry next month, I've made a list of things to do just wondered if anyone recommend any.
I'd be getting to a proper mountain gear shop, trying several different makes on, then screening eBay for the last year or two model of the ones that fit best.
Agreed.

And if you're quick you might be able to bag a bargain - loads of online sellers have end of summer sales on at the moment.