The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Faust66]

Cold 10 ish miles in the Peaks today (Derwent Edge loop). Pretty slippery in places but decent boots and walking poles helped avoid any slips, trips or mishaps.

Saw a few people struggling in their trainers... Came across one young chap (ironically it was near Lost Lad) who had no idea where he was. His 'just in case supplies' consisted of a tube of Smarties. No cold weather gear, no waterproofs, no extra layers. Just the Smarties.

Edited by Faust66 on Saturday 4th January 21:00

[Faust66]

Matt.. said:

pissonheads said:

Near the top looking back with the crux a near sheet ice downclimb with a lad I passed on the way across the ridge about to head down in black (blends into the rocks pretty well)

I'm definitely one for wearing bright colours in the outdoors. I wish more brands would offer bright options as there does tend to be a lot of fashion led colouring with certain brands that are meant to be for the outdoors. Arcteryx releasing a white Alpha SV this season is a prime example of a technical piece being coloured for fashion.

I'm the opposite of this: I like to wear a mixture of grey, green, black or brown-ish to blend in to the landscape ( I don't wear my normal all black clothing when hiking for the same reason - it also shows the mud off too much!). I hate seeing rows of brightly coloured jackets dotted around the landscape.

Don't get me wrong, I've always got something to signal for help if it's ever necessary (neon green rucksack cover, orange survival bag, various torches etc.) and I suppose if you're in an environment that's more extreme than the places I hike (mainly the peaks, lake district, SWCP) then brightly coloured clothes may literally be a life saver, but there's just something about bright colours in the outdoors that puts me off.

Just my opinion and it's all down to personal preference (much like the Great Walking Pole Debate a few pages back ).

[Faust66]

Anyone got any snowy winter walks planned for the weekend?

We're heading up to the Peaks as usual: Alport Castles is one of my favourite winter routes so that's the plan.

Full winter kit will be taken, and my XC70 has Michelin Cross Climate 2s fitted so we should be good to go...

[Faust66]

mickythefish said:

Just check as some peak walking routes are closed.

As far as I'm aware, only the Monsal Trail is closed... and that's due to tree felling (Ash dieback is a swine) and some path maintenance. The National parks website doesn't mention anything else.

[Faust66]

ben5575 said:

Jacob's Ladder earlier this afternoon...

Stunning!

I'd have liked to head up to Kinder Scout this weekend, but as the Spine race starts on Sunday, I know from experience that Edale will be rammed...

[Faust66]

ben5575 said:

Faust66 said:

Stunning!

I'd have liked to head up to Kinder Scout this weekend, but as the Spine race starts on Sunday, I know from experience that Edale will be rammed...

Ha yes, it's rammed

They cancelled the Trigger Race due to the conditions. Spine and the various Challenger races still going ahead tomorrow/Sunday. Proper Spine Fever at the moment, which is very exciting for those of us in the bubble but then we're a small odd bunch. Again thanks to this thread for the intro to it - might even have been an innocuous post by yourself that started me off on this journey

I recall having a thread debate a while back last year about the Spine Race... I take it you're competing then? If so, you have my utmost respect...

(Of course, if it all goes wrong, then don't blame me )

[Faust66]

giveitfish said:

ben5575 said:

Happy to do some regular 'behind the scenes' updates if there's any interest? I can spoiler it so as to not spam the thread.

Yes please!

Another yes from me!

Fair play to you for playing a part in the race. on me if we ever meet.

[Faust66]

Well, a snowy winter walk was wanted... and a snowy winter walk was delivered by the Peaks.

Just under 12 miles and it was pretty tough going through thigh deep snow in places. Now home with beer and the log burner.

Result.

Edited by Faust66 on Saturday 11th January 21:45

Edited by Faust66 on Saturday 11th January 22:01

[Faust66]

ATG said:

Rather depends on what type of work you'll be doing in it. Mountaineering jackets will be very waterproof, very windproof, have good breathability and they are designed to let you wave axes around and rock climb, so they don't restrict your movement but they're also reasonably close fitting so that you don't have fabric getting caught on rocks or your climbing gear. They tend to be reinforced over the shoulder and at the elbows and other areas where you can expect wear from rucksacks or scuffing against rock. If you get a jacket made for more technical climbing you may find it is cut rather short in the body ... I.e. your bum is not well protected from the elements ... because the jacket is designed to not get in the way of a climbing harness and the rig hanging from it. Most people most of the time benefit from a much longer cut jacket so that your bum is covered and water runs off the jacket and falls to the ground rather than flowing onto your trousers.

This ^

It also depends if you want a summer or winter jacket - I really like the Keela Munro for winter use, but I go for a Mountain Equipment Makalu in warmer weather as the Keela is just to warm above 14 degrees C.

Also, mountain based jackets tend to have helmet compatible hoods (you wear the hood over your protective lid) and you might find such hoods a bit too big and baggy if you're never going to wear a helmet.

[Faust66]

Bill said:

shirt said:

mining and construction in the tropics. so when i need to wear it the weather will be 26degC and 4m of rain will drop over 6 mths.

The issue is that breathable kit needs a moisture gradient to work. If it's raining (and especially if it's warm) then it's much less effective, if it works at all.

I find that even in the UK when it's warm, humid and raining, it's best not to bother with a waterproof 'breathable' jacket. I wear a hat to keep the rain out of my face (glasses wearer) but waterproof jackets make you just as wet in hot weather with your own sweat rather than rainwater...

Breathable jacket when it's wet and cold can work well (moisture/temperature gradient as Bill says), but on a muggy wet day? Might as well be wet with clean rain water rather than your own sweat...

I've yet to find a reliable warm weather breathable layer in many years of looking. Lightly waxed G1000 Fjallraven jacket to keep some moisture off can work and if it wets through it'll be dry again in a matter of minutes IME.

Since manufactures stopped using PFCs to make water bead effectively, the standard of jackets has gone right downhill (don't get me wrong: I'm very, very glad we're not all leaching dodgy chemicals into the environment. It's just a shame the replacement treatments don't work very well).

That's one reason why I like the Keela stuff so much - the emphasis is not on beading and the breathability of the membrane/outer layer (I believe Paramo use a similar system - I've yet to try any of their stuff though).

[Faust66]

benjipeg said:

before i lose my life looking at the my new torch thread! has anyone had a new one worth looking into?

That thread is a proper rabbit hole... proceed with caution.

Head torch? I use the Alpkit Qark. 550 lumens, good battery life from the built in rechargeable. You can also use 3 AAA batteries if you prefer.

Hand torch? Klarus XT21X is pretty good... 4000 lumens of goodness.

I'm also quite Old School: I do like a Maglite (I've got a few).

[Faust66]

Phil. said:

I’m travelling to top Norway in mid-March (-10C plus windchill) and need a new winter jacket for a few excursions day and night. Flexible on budget as I’ll keep it for years.

Recommendations please.

PS Would I be best looking at Ski jackets?

Edited by Phil. on Monday 27th January 19:00

Mate was in Tromso for week last December: he said he was fine with a thin down jacket under his Craghoppers parka (think he's got a Bishorn). He also had some decent baselayers on.

However, if you want a beast of a cost that will keep you warm and dry, then I'd go for a Rab Batura. Had mine a couple of years now and I love it (mate was going to buy one for his Norway trip, but I got the impressions his missus was not amused at the price ).

I got mine in a sale from Trekkit: IIRC it was £385 reduced from £550. LOT of money for a jacket, but I'm a firm believer in buy once cry once.

It's all relative though - same mate is off to Costa Rica for 3 weeks in February and then to the US for a month later in the year (him and his missus spend circa 10k a year each on trips) and he's jealous on my Hilleberg tents and extensive collection of Fjallraven, Rab and Mountain Equipment kit. But I never spend a fortune on Holidays abroad...

You pays yer money, you makes yer choice...

[Faust66]

I really like Osprey packs... I've got 4 of them! (30 L for work, 38 L Kestrel for summer day hikes, 68 L Atmos for winter day hikes and a 105 litre Xenith for longer trips).

If you want a good alternative, the Decathlon Trek packs are supposed to be very, very good (Luke on the Outdoor Gear Review channel loves them).

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-trekking-backp...

I did consider buying one recently, but I couldn't deal with the bright colours (went for an Osprey Atmos AG 65 in the Black Friday sales as the price was too good to turn down IMO).

[Faust66]

Harpoon said:

Does anyone know of a recycling service for knackered sleeping mats?

We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if

Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...

Can you not cut the old mats up and use them to put muddy boots on etc? Keep them in the boot of your car to stop stuff ratling about? Fold them up several times and wrap a bit of duct tape around them - kneeling pad for gardening/working on a car/whatever?

Shame to just sling them into landfill when you may be able to repurpose.

[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.

[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).

[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).

[Faust66]

Not been well recently, so had an easy 10 miles around Youlgreave along bits of the Limestone Way in the White Peak area today (did Hayfield>Kinder Downfall>Kinder Low loop last week and it really took its toll on me).

Annoying being ill as I want to get the training miles in for a longer walk later in the year...

I also wanted to avoid the popular spots today as the insta crowds would have been unbearable - supposed to be very cold next weekend so a nice long Dark Peak walk will be on the cards.

[Faust66]

Venisonpie said:

I'm spending next week in Padstow and on one of the days plan to walk the SW coast path to Port Issac.

1) Does anyone know roughly how long this will take as trying to calculate the distance is tricky given the nature of the coast?
2) Is there a bus service to get back (might have to be via Bodmin)?

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

SWCP 52 day planner is useful for looking at distance etc.

https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walk-coast-p...

Buses tend to vary in the area depending on the time of year - I normally use the Transport for Cornwall site:

https://www.transportforcornwall.co.uk/services/TF...

Pics from your walk please! I'll be heading down to walk some of the SWCP in May this year... 3 weeks off work should get me from Minehead to Land End (assuming my knee doesn't play up. Again).

[Faust66]

Stunning picture Venisonpie... hope you're enjoying your walk today

I'm in the office, so I'm not jealous. Not at all.