Since April I've been under a NDA, or more accurately I gave my word not to say anything until the deal was finalised. And when a friend trusts me enough to ask for feedback on something and to not "let the cat out of the bag", then I'm not going to let them down.

Well now I can talk about it, because over at Backpackinglight.co.uk they have introduced the Lightfoot socks to their product range.

I've been wearing these with Trail shoes, out with the dogs, putting them through their paces on longer walks(even got them wet deliberately walking in streams). And I like them. They have performed just as well as the more expensive brands out there.

When I've worn the X-Socks, I can feel they are different when on the feet. These socks don't have that feel, but they did fit my feet well. Sometimes with socks, they feel lose, and these felt snug. With Seal Skinz I've had damp feet, now I'm not sure of this is from my feet sweating or from water getting in. But with the Lightfoots (or should that be Lightfeet?) my feet have remained dry on very hot days, despite me sweating like a pig.

I would of happily taken these with me on the TGOC now, but I hadn't had them long enough at the time to have enough faith in them for the crossing. But since then I think I've used them enough to know that combined with Trail shoes I won't get blisters. So next year my choice of sock to take has just got more complicated.

If you are looking for decent walking socks that won't break the bank, then look at these. Because at £12.99 for two pairs they represent great value for money.

I'll definitely be getting some for Kate and Nathan (if he doesn't use mine, at the moment he has the same shoe size as me).

Sometimes days just work out in unexpected ways.
This morning when I left for work I was just a blogger writing about outdoors stuff. This afternoon I know have the capability of doing audio as well for the blog.
I wasn't looking to be in this position, but after some-one on the works social notice board advertised a Sony Mini Disk Recorder/Player for sale with 20-30 reusable disks all for twenty five pounds or nearest offer. My offer of twenty pounds of the realm was accepted, so I quickly handed over the money before the seller changed their mind.
So I just need to source a cheap microphone to use with it, and a way to transfer the recordings onto a PC to be edited, and I'm there ready to add audio to my blog.
While I'm waiting I'll play around with Audacity, which I will be installing as a portable application onto a USB memory stick. Which means I could then edit at home and work (during my lunch breaks naturally).
I've not even powered the MD Recorder up yet, and I'm already thinking "how to record a group discussion?", "Do I use a mini mixing desk feeding into the MD Recorder?". Talk about trying to run before I can even walk.
The reason I went for this setup is because it is a cheap way to for me try the whole concept out. Lets face it the digital recorders that Podcast Bob etc use are all fine and dandy, but at one hundred and fifty pounds plus, a tad too expensive to buy to tip your toes in the podcast waters.

I had an email from Roman the other day in response to my posting about my options for sleeping mats and a request for feedback.

"The Uber Mtn Pad has been recently tested at BPL and also at
Backpackgeartest.org and the results are mixed. In summary the maybe did cut to much foam out of the pad. Also weight is more realistically at
357g instead of the 300g claimed. If you are looking for a self
inflatable mat check what Montbell has to offer. Their 150cm long UL CSP
150 weighs 475g and with a clever system you can either attach a pillow
or additional section which can be used as a seperate seat mat or to
convert the mat into a full length one. Clever! Also higher R-value
compared with a Thermarest Prolite. Avaliable in Europe from Switzerland only (www.transa.ch ) but if you check
Montbell's english version of their Japanese homepage there are some
mouthwatering things to discover. Unfortunately not available in
Europe...:-((
And don't forget the Torsolite from Bob C.

For the silk liner for Kate go to Jagbag . Customizable and better
quality compared to Cocoon imho.

For the bivy bag maybe Kate could get your one and you shop for a one from Mountain Laurel Designs...;-) Their bivy bags are top notch!

And yes, Gossamergear packs are nice. If you follow my blog (which I
know you do, thanks!) you know that I'm a happy user of their Mariposa
which goes again with me on my postponed hike"

Now I was talking to Bob the other day and he also suggested the Torsolite but using it with a mat. I quiet like this idea, especially if the combined weight is less than a normal self inflating mat. The foam mat I was thinking that might be of use with this is the OMM Duo. Now I did comment about this mat from the Bloggers Wild camp. Duncan used it on the Friday night by itself and said he might as well have not had it. But using it to give a bit more insulation underneath the Torsolite, or even just to keep the end of the sleeping bag off the ground maybe of more use than as a main sleeping mat.

The other suggestion was maybe look at the Exped Sim Light three quarter length.

But even with all these fantastic suggestions, it seems still that the Uber Mtn Pad is the only one that is 1.5 inches thick compared to the others that are all an inch.  That extra half inch I think will make a big difference.

Well for one reason or another (that I'm not going to go into), I ended up at home this afternoon.

Which meant I was able to walk the dogs earlier than planned. I know some folks out there don't like it when I mention my dog walking. But hey they expose me to wild life I don't normally see. Like today, there I was walking along when I noticed a hedgehog right next to the path! Now I've never actually seen a hedgehog before in real life, this close up. Luckily I had the phone with me, so was able to get some snaps. I also moved the hedgehog away from the path into the bushes out of harms way.

Here are some of the piccies I took anyway.

Above Bud has same fasination as I do about the spike creature.

In the post today the latest Trail magazine with it's "wild camping special", the latest MBA magazine and the new Sky magazine (the only bit I read is their little movie sub mag, nice to take on a walk or backpack as something to read).

I may even get to do the first thing on my To Do list tomorrow ^__^

Oh forgot to say Alan did complete his LEJOG today. It's all I'm going to say, as it should be announced properly by Alan.

Tomorrow is a big day for Alan Sloman, as Alan comes to his journeys end.

Alan has raised an incredible amount of money so far for the Sue Ryder Charity. But there is still time to pop on over and donate some more money.

a group test of the materials used to make the latest craze in Lightweight backpacking the cozy. Over at Dave's Walk Eryi Blog he shows his efforts at making a cozy for his freezer bag cooking. While Andy Howell awards his home made cozy his TGOC gadget of the crossing 

So far we have laminate floor underlay, the "insulated bubble wrap" from Backpackinglight.co.uk, plus the Anti Gravity ones they provide (need to investigate them).

Maybe compare them with wrapping them in a fleece possibly.

It's important research that people need to know, which is the best one to use.

I'd take it on myself but I have not the resources to carry this out. Ok you may notice I didn't say time, as I may be able to find that. Or if people want to help out by providing me the resources then I will carry out the tests and publish them on the blog. In the meantime I will await to see if anyone picks up the challenge and publishes their results.

Last week my three litre Nalgene Cantena arrived from the ever reliable Backpackinglight.co.uk. So the first bit of extra kit is in for when Kate goes backpacking with me.

But today my evenings entertainment arrived "Even More Walking". I have the first two movies "Walk" and "Still Walking", and I really enjoyed them. So when it was announced that there was a third in this series about the PCT and the thru hikers that walk it, it was just a matter of time before I ordered it. Why it has taken me so long who knows? Probably because I'm as lazy as my kids ^_^

I'm not going to bore you with a review of this film or the other two as they can be found on Lighthikers blog somewhere. And to be truthful Roman did a pretty good job reviewing them.

For me the enjoyment of these films is that I find them inspirational. You get a feel for the comradeship that builds up on the PCT between hikers. Also it makes me think I want to do this one day. With family commitments, work etc it is one of those goals that will never happen. But it's nice to dream that maybe it will. If only I won the lottery...

The nearest I will ever get to it will be the TGOC. Not much of a comparison mileage wise, but for comradeship an equal match any day. With the Back Packers Club AGM moved before the TGOC, and hopefully a repeat of the Lightweight fest as well at the same time, will this turn into a TGOC kick off party just like the ones they have in the US for the PCT? It would be nice to think that there could be such an event. But for me the real Day Zero kick off party for the TGOC is Glasgow Train Station. On the Thursday Challengers gather to catch the mid day train to Mallaig and Oban. Where old friends meet, new ones are made as they wait for the gates to open. As you pass through the gate to  board the train, Roger Smith shakes your hand and wishes you luck.

And it is this low key send off, the train journey ,that have a charm and sincerity to them that just can't be replaced. It is so uniquely British, so heartfelt, even now warm memories of the day flood back.

To next years TGOC and the friends I have yet to make.

for me, and a promise, or sneak peak of what is coming up on this blog.

First up will be some feed back I received on the posting I did about getting some gear for Kate so she can go wild camping with me next time.

Then I need to finish and put up for you my lessons learnt about the route planning for the TGOC.

I'll then follow this up with a gear list from my TGOC and some comments on the gear used.

At that point I think I will of covered most things from the TGOC. But I will wrap it up with some thoughts on Solo Hiking.

I also want to get a chance to play with the tarps I have (the Backpackinglight.co.uk solo tarp, the Golite Cave, and the Golite Tarp 2) and take some pictures of them in different configurations.

Finally there will be a new on going series where I prepare for taking John Hee to the cleaners in his fanny pack competition.

And between these postings will of cause be other stuff as it happens or I think of it.

Roman has blogged about it, Duncan has as well and now Andy Howell has.
What am I talking about? The backlash against going Lightweight.
A couple of months ago in Trail, they did a Lightweight "Special", which saw Trail staffers going lightweight in the Lakes. Matt laid into going Lightweight, but there was a very fundamental flaw in what Trail did. They chose the wrong gear for the conditions they were going out in. And surprise surprise they had a cold and uncomfortable time. Matt did close with a valid point, which was losing weight and getting fitter would also make a big difference to a person out on the hills. And I agree with that, tie that up with Lightweight gear and you are looking at an increased chance of greater fun on the hill.
Matt bought up the other critism of Lightweight gear out there, durability and longevity. Well if you look after if, treat it correctly, then I see no reason why the Lightweight gear shouldn't get a decent amount of use. But Matt wanted to be able to hand his gear down through the generations. This just isn't going to be the case with Lightweight gear, there has to be a trade off at some point between weight and durability. At the end of the day you have to decide what is an acceptable compromise, and not knock others for their decision.
Then my good friend Mr Sloman and fellow blogger had a rant at lightweight and TGO IIRC, and I must ask him when he gets back what bought on that posting. But I do feel that why shouldn't TGO push the lightweight ethos? After all with Trail being so biased in the opposite direction, where would lightweight followers read about their side in the press? Surely the world is big enough for everyone? Can't we live and let live? We all walk our own walk, and as long as it isn't harming anyone does it matter whether the guy standing next to me is carrying a pack that is twenty kilos or ten? As long as the person with the twenty kilo pack doesn't ask me to carry it for him ^_^

This Lightweight vs "Traditional" just reminds me too much of the console/home computer mine is better than yours arguments I had to endure as a kid. I didn't expect this pettiness in the Outdoors world as well. Folks grow up, make up, and just enjoy being out there on the hill, a passion we all share.

Well the first of the new Blog Round Up columns is up and running at it's new home The Outdoors Station.

As I type Podcast Bob is busily trying to get the Podcast Round Up ready as well.

So pop on over, have a read, let me know what you think either email me at whitespider1066 AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk (replace the AT with @, and the DOT with . , and no spaces between the words.) or leave a comment on this blog.

But to put this into context here are some YouTube clips about tarps.

Below: Tarp knots tutorial and packing away the tarp

Below: How to set up a tarp

Below: ray mears shows how to tie a tarp up

Below: How to set up an 8x10 tarp for 2 people.

I must get round to trying this method. It may be of use when I go camping with Kate.

Here is what the "legend" of the lightweight world has to say on putting up a tarp. Which the Golite Cave looks just like.

Here is a handy document I was put onto (sorry can't remember who put me on to this one) http://www.equipped.org/tarp-shelters.htm 

While Gossamer Gear have a great little document showing how to do the relevant knots http://www.gossamergear.com/gossamergear/images/user_manuals/Basic_Knots.pdf

And finally have a read of Bob's TGOC Diary for 2005, in which he used a tarp for his shelter.

So folks some food for thought there, and alot of links to how to info on tarps. Happy tarping ^__^ 

Currently I'm downloading my free audible book from Audible.co.uk. What did I choose for my freebie? "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt. I've read the book before, and it is sitting on my bookshelf along with several other books about the '96 Everest Disaster. It certainly is the best of them, although it doesn't have the ripping good yarn of "Into Thin Air" feel. But what it lacks there it makes up for in being accurate and not trying to lay blame. 

The new Backpackinglight.com magazine landed through the letter box this morning. I hope this issue is as good as the previous one (which was my first), as I really did enjoy reading that. It makes a very pleasant change from reading TGO/Trail/Country Walking/Adventure Travel. I'll probably post more on this once I have read it.

After getting back from the Outdoor Blogger wild camp in the Lakes, Kate said she wanted to come next time.
Which means I need to get a sleeping mat for her. The choices I have are get a Wee Airic from Alpkit for her, let Kate use my therm-a-rest ultralite 3/4 and get myself a newer mat.
In my interweb travels I was reading some reviews on Backpackinglight.com. On there I came across the fact that my ultralite is no longer made, and has been replaced by the prolite 3. Which is apparently lighter, but not as good performance wise.
But they did review "The Pacific Outdoor Equipment Uber Mtn pad", which is one of the new style padding only at key areas mats. The thing that attracts me to this mat is it is an inch and a half thick! Which means an even more comfortable nights sleep. Oh and at $65 not a bad price.
Sleeping bag wise I'm ok. I can get by with the ones I have, although I will need to get Kate a silk sleeping bag liner. Followed by a bivy bag, which will be one of the Alpkit ones when they actually get any in (latest estimate three to four weeks when I asked them this morning).
I've also been dreaming about a new rucksack, along with moding the Lightwave. The rucksacks that have been catching my eye at the moment are some of the Gossamer Gear packs. I like the simple design, the large external mesh pockets, and there is not much to go wrong with it.
Also looking at getting a 3 litre nalgene cantena. I like my small ones they are handy, but for two people I definitely want the bigger container.

If anyone has any thoughts on the above email at whitespider1066 AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk (replace the AT with @, and DOT with . and no spaces between words) or leave a comment.

It's Fathers Day, so after getting up, making my own breakfast, hanging the washing out, putting more washing on, unloading the dishwasher. It was time for me to have some quality me time walking the dogs. After all it's Fathers Day, although it didn't feel that way with all the chores.

I hadn't been out Ceasar's Camp way for a while, so decided after dropping Josh off at B&Q where he works weekends, to pop on over.

I parked in the opposite car park than I normally do, because the opposite side has not been fenced off for grazing. So is more dog friendly.I don't have to worry about stumbling across cows.

This meant that I would be wondering around on army land, and more specifically the area refered to as the tank ranges. This area can be seen in the last Pearce Brosnan James Bond film Die Another Day as Korean No Mans Land.

On a day like today this walk has the combination I like, shaded wooded sections and wide open sections. I particularly love walking through the woods,  not only because I am under cover. But I like the way that the rays of sunlight break through the canopy. And after a couple days of rain there are plenty of spots for the dogs to drink and paddle.

Not sure how far I walked today, as with such times as this I just wander where the mood takes me. It's hard to get lost while doing this, I may not know my exact location, but eventually I hit a path or spot I know.

And so it was like that today, eventually I hit a spot I knew and was able to get back to the car.

An excellent peaceful walk, a fitting Fathers Day walk.

Above Bud and Barney are paddling upto their necks in a deep puddle.

Below the mutts decide if they need to obey the sign

Above the tank train grounds

Above a foxglove?

Below no idea what that flower is. 

How I beat Stef or John to this I don't know.

But SimonChaplin  has just started an outdoors blog. His first entry is for a walk that took place on the 30th May, Melincourt to Llyn Fach and Llyn Fawr.

Another new kid on the block is Dawn, who will be posting about previous trips on her blog.

Pop on over and say hi to them both.

Below: Bob auditions for the role of Al Johnson

Ok I couldn't resist taking that image out of context and making a semi witty comment ^_^

So on with the point of this posting a semi-review/look at the Tarp Video from Backpackinglight.co.uk.

To get your hands on this video you will need to have purchased one of the Backpackinglight.co.uk own brand tarps. This video is given away free with each purchase. If you have purchased one in the past, then as I posted earlier the video would of magically turned up in your post box this morning.

Each section of the video is introduced with a title section, before starting the video demonstrating the topic.

Below: The opening titles

Bob introduces the video by showing the three configurations he will cover. Which are the

• "A Frame"
• "Lean to"
• "Flying V"

However before we can put up our tarp we need to know some knots.

Before showing us how to tie the knots, Bob demonstrates

which is basically a way to keep your cord tidy when not in use. He then goes on to demonstrate how to tie the

• "Clove Hitch"
• "Slippery Clove Hitch"
• "The Guy Knot"
• "The Bowline"
• "Figure of Eight Slippery Hitch"
• "The Taught Line Hitch"



Above: Bob shows how to do the "Figure of Eight Slippery Hitch"

Each knot is shown in close up, and repeated, and it's usage in relation to tarping is explained. While demonstrating the knots I kept thinking of Finger Bobs!

After demonstrating the knots Bob then shows the three tarp configurations. For the "A Frame" Bob demonstrates it by putting it up in a woods and using two trees. And then mentions how to do the "A Frame" using trekking poles. Personally I think Bob should of demonstrated this as well.

Above: Bob setting up a "Lean to" 

Below: Bob explains how much head room he has with his "Flying V"

After showing the three basic configurations, Bob then shows briefly some alterations that could be made to them to handle different situations. These are in photo form with voice over quickly explaining what was done.

And then finally we have the  to wrap the video up with.

Final verdict

Definitely worth the wait, and makes the purchase of one of Bob's own tarps a real bargain.

At just shy of 50 minutes we have what is at the moment the most comprehensive video on tarps and related knots out there.

Production quality is good, however you need a pc or Mac to be able to view the video. It would of been good if this was a video CD or dvd that I could use on the tv.

I think Bob could have a market out there selling the video separately.

Bob just needs to sort out the plastic slip case he sent the disk out in, the cd doesn't stay in it, and keeps sliding out. So the first thing I did was find a spare cd case lying around and used that.

Got back in after doing the food shop this morning to find that Nathan as usual had opened a letter to me that looked interesting to him. Unfortunately it was the now almost legendary Podcast Bob's "Tarp Video"!! OMG it has been finished. I know this has been in the making for a while, and Bob is a very busy person juggling so many hats. And from conversations last week I knew Bob was putting the finishing touches to the video. But I'd forgotten all that, so was totally surprised to see it there in my hands. So there will be a lot of happy people today.

I'll watch it, and put a review up later.