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2006/11/30 Change of plans for the weekendWell the Lightwave hasn't turned up, or if it has it was delivered after mid day. I've been off this afternoon as Josh had his driving test, and needed some-one to go with him. He failed again, but with less failures. So he is improving.
Tonight was the first time that I was able to try out the e-lite. So will take some pictures tomorrow and do a mini review as well.
This weekends planning meeting has had to be cancelled due to Dave having to work over the weekend. But all is not lost Dave is down my way the following weekend anyway so we will meet up then.
Bit disappointed, especially as I was looking forward to walking in the Peaks. Which I haven't done since I was in the Scouts. I'll have to do something extra long this way instead. But just won't be the same. <sniff>
2006/11/29 New Gear - Gadgets For The Challenge Pt1The MSR Mug mate (http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product135.asp)
Fits nicely in my MSR Titanium mug, and will allow me to have "proper" coffee and tea on the Challenge.
I just need to get my hands on an elastic band to keep it and it's lid in place while in the mug in my rucksack. Will have a look at work for one of those.
Feckin diet...I could murder a choccy bar now. But no I must be strong. I even managed to resist the biscuit tin at Bob's Bat Cave yesterday which Rose tried to tempt me with. This is going to be harder than when I gave up smoking. What helped alot then was poverty or not having the money to buy them. Bridges yet to crossSo what major decisions do I have left to make on gear? Which trail shoe to go for? On the OM site they mention that Merrell has a new approach shoe coming out called the Jam (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/4287/v/1/sp/). I do like the sound of these. But alot of people swear by the Innov8's, which I have to admit also sound tempting. My problem is finding somewhere that I can try both and within a reasonable travelling distance of home. Which waterproof to get? And more importantly how to justify the purchase to Kate ^_^ I detailed the two to choose between yesterday. So stop being lazy and read yesterdays posts. Socks? I like the smartwool ones I have. But keep getting tempted by the X-Socks people mention. May have to get a pair to try at some point. How much petrol to take? Well I need to be able to burn Dave's buffs at some point on the Challenge ^__^ 2006/11/28 New kit day!My journey to one of the four big gear caches in the country was today.
I already knew the location of two of the four (Dave and Dawn), and now I had the third. I almost felt like Indiana Jones visiting the temple of Doom. I just need to locate that holy grail of gear stashes the Chris Thompson one and I can lead the OM raid of the four ^_^
I arrived at the secret location at the same time as the postman, who pointed me in the direction of the Backpackinglight HQ.
Before we got down to the business of gear, Bob being the perfect host made coffee with a slice of one of Rose's delicious cakes.
It was soon back to the business of kit. Bob showed me the rucksucks he had got in to show me. In comparison to the Lightwave and OMM packs the Golite and Gregory packs look very over engineered, too many dangling bits, and moving away from the original premise of keeping it simple and light. The Lightwave and OMM seem to be light, simple and adaptable, and more importantly still cheaper than the Golites and Gregory.
I was really impressed with both the Lightwave and OMM and really believe that these two packs could do really well in the US.
It was hard to choose between the two packs, and after loading them up with the stuff I had bought with me, plus some bits Bob dug out to simulate the food, I tried on both packs, and also weighed them. The OMM was slightly lighter than the Lightwave. But they were both very comfortable to wear, and also they felt alot lighter loaded up than if I had my Cragghopper on. Ok I'll give the total pack weight with the simulated food, are you ready for this? 10 kilos!!!!! I need to add water to that but I am so impressed with this. But once again I need to loose my gut to make an even bigger difference.
So which one did I go for? I went for the Lightwave S 54 (http://www.lightwave.uk.com/en/rucksacks_s.php), why? Mainly because it held the gear better, the OMM seemed abit over packed. But then the OMM(http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product139.asp) is 45 + 10. But they both had features I loved, both could do with a large mesh pocket on the front. But I think the Lightwave will be the easier to add some cord to, to at least hold wet gear in place. Price wise there wasn't much in it, so for me not a factor. Out of interest the Lightwave was the more expensive of the two.
I think Bob said that the pack will be with me in a couple of days, so just have to worry about how to smuggle that into the house ;)
While there I was also able to try on a couple of waterproofs, the Montane Super-Fly and the Berghaus Paclite. The Montane being Event and the Paclite Goretex. Both very nice, although the sleeves on the Paclite were longer on me than those of the Super-Fly. Both nice though, and tough to choose between. Luckily this hard decision can be put off until after Christmas.
My Rab sleeping bag looks the biz. And I am looking forward to trying it out very soon.
I'll do a full current gear list in a few days time.
I'd like to thank Bob and Rose for spending the time with me, getting in the packs, for their advice, being great hosts, and the coffee and cake. Sneak peak at our route for the ChallengeIf you read Dave's review of the Quo Pro Mapping software on the OM site (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/4288/v/1/sp/) then you can see a sneak preview of the route we will be taking for the Challenge. Or the proposed one at the moment. 2006/11/27 Confirmation and an initial gear weigh inWell sorted out the mystery of the cheque for the Challenge being cashed. Dave has the paper work, we are on the Challenge good and proper. That is such good news, cheered me up after the shock yesterday.
Spent sometime getting my gear together for tomorrow (now minus sleeping bag, rucksack, spare clothes and waterproofs) my current base weight is 4 kilos.
Basically that is the following:
Folding plate
Liv Down Smock
MSR Titanium mug
Backpackinglight.com Titanium spoon
Life Venture XL Trek Towel
Mountain Cap
Sunglasses
Extremities Balaclava
3/4 length Therm-a-rest
Lifesystems Midge/Mosquito Head Net
First Aid kit
Rab Survival Zone Bivy Bag
Tiolet trowel
250 gas cartridge
"Bob tarp"
Jetboil
Wash kit
Inflatable travel pillow
Bothy bag
30 litre dry bag
So I should come in below the 10 kilo base weight that I'm aiming for.
Definitely 2 kilos to add for the rucksack and sleeping bag (I think it will come in under that). And about 1.5 kilos for the waterproofs and spare clothes (hopefully). Psychologically it will mean alot to be under the target. Now to work on loosing that gut. Fatal mistakeSo with a busy Saturday, and the rain with a hint of thunder and lightening I wasn't able to get out and do the long walk round Ceasar's Camp I had planned on Sunday. We did pop round and drop off a present for a friends daughter who had turned 18 in the week. Which ended up us being offered to join them in their roast dinner (which was really good, Kate even cleared her plate). But afterwards Kate ended up weighing herself on their scales (sworn to secrecy on her weight - sorry). Then the big mistake happened, I weighed myself. I hadn't done this in years. I've avoided it and gone on appearance. I've always thought I was in the 15 stone region, and for the Challenge I'd have to loose about a stone. I'm way off the mark. 16 stone folks!!!! I now have to loose more than a stone, now I think it has to be 2 stone. Is this going to be mission impossible? I hope not, but feeling pretty bad about my weight today. Still tomorrow should cheer me up picking up my new gear. 2006/11/25 Our road after some rainApparently this is meant to have been fixed by Thames Water. Well it sure looks like they have done a good job. This happens whenever we have any rainfall. I believe that the houses there have also been flooded.
But what gets me, this happened mid week as well, was even worse than today. The council came out, and what did they do? Put up flood warning signs!!
UPDATE: It's Sunday and after some heavy rain, with thunder and lightening thrown in for good measure. The road is even worse, it must be a good foot or more deep the water. And the homes affected have made crude attempts to keep the water out. Once more the highways agency was called out. Oh and did nothing. You have to feel for those having to suffer this. As I drove past the 3 or 4 homes creating waves of water, you could see the house owners standing watching in their wellies. 2006/11/24 An unplanned phone chatSpoke to Bob today, originally to do with something un-outdoors related. But ended up on the subject of the Challenge.
Bob now has in the Lightwave, Golite, Gregory and OMM packs for me to look at next week. I just need to get the gear out and ready to take with me to try the packs out with for capacity and fit. And I got the impression that Bob liked the Lightwave packs a lot. Well ok, he said he liked them alot.
I'm really looking forward to a) getting my stuff, and b) looking at the rucksacks. It's starting to look like Christmas has come early
 Bob also mentioned that Mallaig looks like it maybe a very popular start point this year. Which means the TGO Challenge route vetters may be asking people to use alternative starting places. Which reminds me I think Andy has a list of the start points and their pro's and cons, I must email him and ask for them soon.
We couldn't discuss routes yet as I don't know it myself! But I will know it in a weeks time when I visit Dave for the planning meeting.
Bob has also got "Hostile Habitats" now, which he is getting Rose to read. Apparently Rose is better at remembering information than Bob. Sounds like Rose is smarter than Bob to me
 (sorry Bob couldn't resist that - only joking, unless Rose is reading this, oh I'm in deep do do anyway you look at it)Checked my bank statement today and the cheque written for the challenge has been cashed. Which I thought was only done if you were on the Challenge. But the last I heard was that we were high on the reserves list. Found the torch!!Found it on the table in the conservatory!!
I flippin looked there, I'm sure of it. I know I did. Unexpected treat and lost torchIt's the last working day of the week, and I'm having to take it off as holiday to look after Nathan. Who isn't going to school today as he is ill.
Which means I get to walk the dogs in daylight today.
Also yesterday when I went to walk the dogs I couldn't find my Petzl Tikka Plus headtorch. This is going to eat away at me until I find it. I hate not knowing where my stuff is. Last I remember was definitely having it in the car after the walk Wednesday night. But it is not in the car, so I must of bought it in the house. So annoying.
Having lost the Tikka Plus I had then to dig out my Myo 5 Belt to use instead. Luckily the batteries had enough in to walk with. I like both torches, and they both have their advantages. The Myo 5 is heavier expecially the battery pack, but it has LED's and a halogen bulb. Which when walking the dogs is great for trying to spot them when they wonder off. The Tikka has size and weight on it's side.
But it does amaze me that I don't see more dog owners with headtorches at night. In fact I think I'm the only one. It seems madness to me to be walking at night on Army land without one. I should say the majority have torches, just big hand ones. I have both hands free (incase of being attacked or if I need to control my dogs), my torch will shine in others eyes(giving me an edge if need be), battery life is far superior, size and weight. Oh well each to their own I suppose. 2006/11/23 Food and Drink, possibly some snacksProbably the most important part of the planning, is the menu for the two weeks. The basic evening meal will consist of soup, main course and a dessert (or pudding for those up North and afters for me and those less posh). I think several people on OM have pointed out that the bag used in tea bags are not bio-degradable. Which for tea is an easy thing to replace as I can easily get lose tea leaves to use. But my preference would be herbal tea, like ginger and lemon. SO I need to source a loose leaf version of these. I fore see a trip round those hippy health shops. Which reminds me, these health shops come across all third age hippy ideals, but they don't reflect it in the prices they charge. I'll take some coffee with me as well, and I'll use condensed milk with that. Supermarkets now sell condensed milk in backpacker friendly squeezy tubes. When I do a walk I put a tube in my pack along with the jetboil and coffee. It makes life so much easier not having to worry about milk going off, or leaking everywhere. Snacks during the day will be dehydrated fruit (mango is really nice), home made jerky, mixed nuts and possibly kelp. Breakfast I just haven't decided on yet. I don't normally eat breakfast. It may just turn out to be a repeat of the snacks. I'm just not too keen on the cleaning up that would be required after doing porridge/instant oats. This needs more thought I think or suggestions from others. 2006/11/22 Is weird a good thing?Late last night I was browsing the web, and thought I know I'll go and see what Andy Howell has been upto recently. So off I clicked to his blog (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/). Naturally Andy has commented on recent events as I have, and I think Andy has covered it a hell of a lot better. What surprised me is that Andy has blogged about this little blog of mine. I was like "wow!", it is such an honour to be mentioned. I certainly wasn't expecting this to happen. But maybe with a bit of hindsight I should of expected it, especially having asked Andy for some feedback. Even after reading Andy's words several times, I'm still not sure if he is being complementary or not. I like to think he is. Books in for the ChallengeI've managed to get the following books to aid in my planning for the TGO Challenge (even though Dave has already done the route).
Hostile Habitats - first heard about this in TGO, and then a mention of it on the TGO Challenge Message Board. This should (if I manage to remember any of it) help me to get more out of my crossing. It deals with the Scottish landscape, how it was formed, the wildlife, and plants.
Scottish Hill Tracks - Andy Howell mentions this on his blog as being recommended by Chris Townsend. So I won't repeat what Andy has already said on this book (go look on there and stop being lazy). At a later date I'll post some feedback on the books. Seems only fair that I read them first before commenting.
Any further recommendations of books to get hold of to help with the planning or enrich the experience of the crossing please post a comment. 2006/11/21 2 Die on the CairngormsYesterday two youngsters (aged 18 and 23) were found dead 20 minutes from the car park on the Cairngorms, they had been ice climbing at Coire an t-Sneachda - the Corrie of the Snows, on the way back caught by 120 mph winds and deep snow. Naturally the OM message board has been discussing the subject. The usual postings of condolence are there, but then you get the armchair critic making ridiculous statements that are clearly aimed at causing an argument and score the opening points. What happened is a tragedy whichever way you look at it. If by looking at the events we can learn and a life gets saved, then something good will of come out of this. But you then have the argument about when the appropriate time is to have that discussion. I tend in this case to say the right time is now, because the winter season is upon us, and more people potentially could be in similar situations. It may appear to be insensitive to the families of the deceased but I'm sure they would not want others to go through the same, and it certainly is not meant to be that way. My main fear is that if the subject was discussed now, some, not all, would not be able to discuss it from a factual point of view, and would have to argue from which ever camp they fall in and make it personal. Trying to come out on top, on something that is not a contest. Why am I even mentioning this on my blog, and not just leaving the thing alone? Well having been to the Cairngorms a couple of times in winter conditions now (the only times I have been to Scotland), and the fact the route Dave has done for the TGO Challenge crosses the Cairngorms. It kind of comes as a reminder of how dangerous this sport is that we take part in is, the human cost in those lost, and those left behind to grieve. The place I considered a playground suddenly changes to one of sorrow for others. It makes you think also is this too high a cost to pay? I know I will be back out on the hills when I get a chance, and maybe that is my answer to the question. 2006/11/20 Book DeliveryToday copies of "Collins Wild Guide to Mushrooms & Toadstools" arrived as did "Hostile Habitats: Scotland's Mountain Environment". I can see my weekend walks with the dogs getting longer as I try and identify fungi I can take home and eat. May have to do one of those guided fungi forays also at some point.
I'll say more about "Hostile Habitats" at another time. The Weekend Just GoneThis weekend was spent walking the dogs with friends and me being on call on Saturday. Saturday Mark came round, and saw us walking the dogs at Caesar’s Camp outside Aldershot. I will be taking the dogs here more often at weekends as part of the training. Even though compared with elsewhere the hill is small, it is still the hilliest place locally to walk the dogs, and I can simulate here some of the conditions I will come across it Scotland. I also like walking here because on a good day you can actually see London. And this Saturday was a great day to walk at Caesar’s Camp, it was a perfect winters day, sun out, not too cold, and blue skies. Mark was also treated to a demo of the XBox360 which I think impressed him with the quality of the graphics. Sunday was a walk with Kate and our friend Julie round Fleet Pond. Well that isn't exactly true, we don't actually go round the Pond or down to the pond itself. A more accurate description would be we walked next to Fleet Pond. 2006/11/17 The TGO Challenge Message boardSpent some of my spare time (don't tell Kate this, I tell her I'm rushed off my feet) looking at the TGO Challenge message board. It is recommended as a very good source of information on the challenge. I'd also been warned that they don't tolerate fools easily on there either. What a friendly and tolerant place (shame I can not add an ironic emphasis on that). I recognised one or two names that post regularly on the OM forums, but many are new names to me. And it was some of these new names that come across as such a friendly lot, that they make you think twice about ever wanting to post on the message board, and definitely not wanting to meet them on the challenge itself. These flamers have put me off the idea of posting on the message board, and if I have any questions I will most likely approach people that I know. 2006/11/16 A Big ScareHad such a fright this evening, I thought my whole prep for the TGO Challenge was out the window.
It all started when I got home from work, and Kate wasn't able to find the car key for the Nissan Bluebird. Unfortunately we only have the one key for the Bluebird. If the key was lost that would mean the car would have to be scraped, as getting new locks done would cost more than the car is worth. We looked everywhere, and nothing. I ended up having to drop Kate off for her head massage leaving her to walk home. Now don't get the wrong impression I couldn't pick her up as the boys and I were off to see Casino Royale, the new Bond movie.
Not having the second car would mean I would be unable to visit Bob, and wouldn't be able to get to Dave's for the planning meeting. And I was looking at also having to get Bob to post my gear to me. It was looking that already my plans where going out of the window.
So we get to Basingstoke, park the car, and walk to the cinema. Josh turns round and says he knows where the car key is. It was in his jacket pocket!!! In the cinema I had to sneak a call to Kate to let her know the key had been found. I didn't want her to spend the evening stil hunting for the key and worrying about it.
Saturday will see a spare key being cut, and placed in a safe place.
But I'm just relieved that everything is back on. Phew that was a close call. |
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