Been catching up with the Ultimate Outdoors that the Beeb have been showing lately with Kate.

The climbing one with Julia Bradbury was an interesting one. I was able to stop it and point things out like the mountain club hut that Kate refused to sleep in. Or the shot showing the Snowdon Horseshoe, and pointing out features, routes taken.

I think with the climbing episode and the kayaking one, Kate would love to be in the place of the presenter. Wouldn't we all?

New Addition To The Pack For Breaks

On Saturday I came across this instant Spiced Chai drink that is sold in individual sachets at Tescos (39p each). Chai is a blend of sweetened tea, skimmed milk and spices. And for an instant this is a tasty drink that will do well on the hill. The nice thing is that with this added to the bag I have a variety of drink to choose from while out.

So depending on my mood when I stop or I'm in camp I'll be able to choose from the following:

• Real coffee
• Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba & Ginseng herbal tea
• Spiced Chai
• Squash crystals (orange and lemon)

It is nice to have that variety, it could make or break the trip.

I'm a fan of Chinese tea as well, and may add that to the list. I will have to think on that one for sure.

But having the MSR Mug Mate does give you the option whilst out of doing real coffee or Chinese tea. And with anything in a tea bag I normally remove from the tea bag and use as a loose tea (tea bags themselves are not bio-degradable, but the contents are).

I do have another option for real coffee on the hill, but I tend to use it whilst out with Mark (walking or camping) and that is the Jetboil Coffee Press. Mainly because it allows me to make enough coffee for us both.

In todays Guardian is a section on the next big thing "the great outdoors: wild swimming".

It has the usual Top 100 outdoor swims, plus some pro wild swimming articles (well der you would expect that). But when have lidos been wild? I suppose they are outdoors, but hey does that mean that the swimming pool at Bracknel qualifies? As that has an indoor pool that also goes outdoors for part of it. I'm just nit picking. It's great to see these sort of things being promoted. They encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy nature. And we all have our favourite little secret swimming holes, we just know to avoid the ones on this list now.

Well here it is the grand finale of Bob's epic TGOC 07 podcast is up for your listening pleasure on itunes and soon Backpackinglight.co.uk and The Outdoors Channel.

What I think comes across in these final two podcasts so well is Bob. The warmth in his voice when he meets an old Challenge friend, the fun and enjoyment when he interviews people, or describes Challenge HQ. This is some one enjoying what they are doing, and enjoying the people he is with. 

I think Bob has managed to put together a series of podcasts that improve over last years podcasts for the Challenge. Bob, Rose, Andy and Kate have done a great job in describing their journey across Scotland. They managed to get some great interviews along the way, make us laugh, and feel their tears.

I can't even imagine how much effort, the countless hours Bob must of spent editing not only his own recordings but Andy's as well to make up this series.

What are your series highlights?

Mine are the following:

Backpackingheavy.com

Rose leaving Bob, and Bob's emotional comment

Bob at Challenge HQ

Bob and Rose, what a double act.

So a big thank you Bob for all the hard work and this epic.

I think most people know how I feel about my Jetboil (I'm getting a warm tingly feeling just thinking about it).

Anyway back on subject, the ignition of mine went, died, stopped working (I think you get the picture). Which I discovered whilst on the bloggers meet in the Brecon Beacons. So I had to resort to using matches to get it going, sweet talking it just wasn't doing it.

I had a replacement ignition at home, I just had to find it. Having placed it in a safe place meant I wasn't able to find it. So I ended up ordering a replacement ignition from Backpackinglight.co.uk (delivery due tomorrow). But whilst putting away some gear from the aborted holiday, I found my replacement ignition. Which left me with the problem of working out how to replace the ignition. It isn't obvious looking at the Jetboil how to do it. And there are NO instructions with the replacement ignition (which there should be). So a quick google, and seeing that they had some pdf instructions on the Jetboil website, I downloaded them and replaced my ignition (link to instructions/manuals at end of post).

I have heard antidotal evidence that the Jetboil ignition is prone to stop working if the Jetboil is dropped. Which makes me suspect my Jetboil was dropped by a third party in my home between my trips.

I still think that the Jetboil is a great bit of kit, and if in the next interation they can make it lighter it will be fantastic. Although I would also like to see them do a version of the Bakepacker as well for it. Is that too much to ask for?

Jetboil Instructions page

Here's a question that would not be out of place in the New Scientist, "when does a puddle become a pond?"

Why do I ask what may seem like a meaningless question? Well walking with my friend Mark over at the tank ranges or for James Pond oops Bond fans Korean No Mans Land, there are very very large puddles, which remain water logged all year round. Which to me should be called ponds.

Our old friend "The Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy" or Wikipedia as it is also known says this about ponds "Pond usually describes small bodies of water, generally smaller than one would require a boat to cross. Another definition is that a pond is a body of water where even its deepest areas are reached by sunlight or where a human can walk across the entire body of water without being submerged. In some dialects of English, pond normally refers to small artificially created bodies of water."

Lets take for example one of the "puddles" that Mark and I came across, it was fairly large in size, and the Army had blocked off a stream feeding in to it. So how is this not a pond? It certainly has water all year round which is more than can be said for the pond in Queen Elizabeth Park. It is man made, shallow, deepest parts can be reached by sunlight. Sure sounds like a pond.

Take a look at the pictures below of this "puddle". As you can see is it a large "puddle" or is it a pond?

Below: Mark standing on the man made dam

Below: The man made dam stopping the feeding of the "puddle"

Below: The "puddle" being fed by the stream

Below: Stream blocked by man made dam

Below: part of "puddle" fed by stream

Not very far away from the other "puddle" we spotted a not so big "puddle" that had bullrush growing in it. Surely this should be classified as a pond?

Below: Different "puddle" with bullrush (I think that is correct name) growing in it!

So you can see why I am confused on this subject.

Back to regular service soon I promise you.

Wow me using big words. Let it not be said I do not educate my readers as well as entertain them ;)

Well Part 13 is up, Bob and his merry men make it to the East coast, as does Andy.

I'm going to comment about this episode and the final one once it is up. As I think something comes across in them that I hope others who listen to them pick up also. In the meantime sit back and enjoy this latest installment, we only have one more left before our journey with Bob and Andy comes to an end.

Hey I forgot to sing the praises of the washing line I constructed briefly while down in Cornwall. With some cord, and two poles, two knots (clove hitch and taut line), and tent pegs I was able to make a clothes line that stood up to the wind very well yesterday morning. Sadly no pictures, so you only have my word for it.

Part 12 of the TGOC Podcast Available

Noticed this morning while catching up with the stuff itunes picks up for me, that part twelve of Podcast Bob's and Andy Howell's TGOC Audio diary. Bob talks gear in this one. What makes this different to the earlier gear review is that Bob swapped kit half way through the crossing. So definitely worth a listen to see what Bob's thoughts are on the Hut 2 etc.

Soon to be read by my Mum

Found out today my Mum has just got a laptop! She has broadband as well (she's had it for a while but not had a pc connected! It was put in while my brother was living at home). So my best friend Tram is going to set her up so she can use the broadband and then show her how to read my blog! This is so scarey, my Mum reading this. I'll have to watch what I say and do now. None of this nudity, or foul language I'm legend for on this blog ;) Mum has low expectations of me, so feck it I'll keep to my principles of calling a tiolet trowel a tiolet trowel, and making the outdoors sound like porn on a hill ^__^

Well it was. What was? The family holiday. Due to life events we had to pack up and come home. Those that matter will find out what those events where, so if you don't know you don't matter. Sorry that's the way the world is, live with it.

Even with the family holiday only being twenty four hours long, of which eleven of those hours was travelling, it did give us a chance to try out the new family tent.

It was about eight years ago when we bought a Eurohike tent for the odd family camping trip, and it was doing well for it's age and usage. Until that is mice took a liking to it earlier in the year. IIRC I blogged when I discovered the damage to the tents and some other gear.

Luckily Millets had a sale on so we got a new tent, it was a four man tent, in a tunnel style. Basically the compartments are at one end, and a living area, which had three doors (two side doors and a front door).

After struggling to get the tent up in the wind, we were impressed with the living space available inside, as we could easily have our camp chairs up, cook, and have gear stored there.

After having tea, and some board games we went to sleep with the wind battering the tent. But it remained stable, and did well. During the night it started to rain. This is where the biggest design floor of this tent is. It lets in water through the base of the doors, as the two small bits of velcro on the bottom of the door just aren't up to it to hold the doors in place and stop them flapping and dripping water into the tent.

What they need and I added this morning after making a visit to a local camp shop, is a cord loop or similar to allow the door to be pegged out so it doesn't let water in. I got the similar as it didn't require any sewing and was quick to attach.

After talking to the campsite owner it appears quite a few modern family tents rely on velcro for securing doors these days. So my main question is who thought that this was a good idea? And how did they test these tents to make sure they don't let water in? Our old Eurohike never had velcro at the bottom to hold the door in place when zipped up. I just get the impression that the bean counters at Eurohike and the other tent manufactureres think saving pennies are more important than actually producing a product that will not be called a piece of crap, and let water in. With my mods to the doors it becomes a useful tent that will take a bit of a bashing weather wise.

You wouldn't believe the day I've had, but hey in the meantime have a listen to this Malvern Hills (Open Country).

Watching Ultimate Rock Climb this evening on BBC2 I thought I recognise that man climbing with Julia Bradbury. And I should recognise him. A couple of years back now I had the pleasure of an hours of his time in being given an ice climbing lesson (that I won on OM for being fastest on the send button).

This is what I wrote about it at the time on an old site of mine.

14th January 2005

Ice Climbing at Covent Garden - Fastest Emailer in the West

I was browsing the OutdoorsMagic web site yesterday, when Jon posted a news story about trying to contact the winner of the Mountain Hardware competition to win an hours ice climbing tution with two top climbers.
The winner had until 3pm that day to contact him or the prize would go to the first person to email Jon asking for it after 3pm.
3pm came, and dead on I sent my email to try and claim the prize. I got the email from Jon, saying I had won.

10am after phoning the Ellis Brigham store for directions, I was standing outside the Covent Garden Ellis Brigham store.
Jonathan the OutdoorsMagic commercial manager met me outside the store, so we had a coffee while waiting for the store to open, with Tim Emmett and Neil Gresham who were already at the coffee shop.

After being introduced to the Mountain Hardware guy, and I got suited up with the gear ready to start climbing.
I have to say that this was so much fun, and I think the smiles on my face said it all. Tim was the one teaching me how to ice climb. I even got to try climbing without an ice axe.
At the end of the hour, my arms where aching like mad. But it was a good ache. I would love to do this again.

The OM Story Covering It As Well

I was speaking to Duncan earlier, and he was commenting about some peoples idea of wild camping up in Scotland that he witnessed. Which reminded me of the Surrey/Hampshire version I saw this morning at Fleet Pond whilst walking the dogs.

I'll give the kids their dues, they did have their rubbish in a black bin liner ready for disposing. And the site they chose was clean, just not your camp late, rise early. The location right by the path wasn't great either. But hey who am I to comment on that considering I think I was also very close to the path as well last Friday in the Brecon Beacons.

But I think these kids illustrate just how dumb our laws are. Why shouldn't they be allowed to camp here if they follow the leave no trace principles. They certainly have done no harm, and from the looks of it been a lot less trouble than some that visit Fleet Pond late at night and hold parties. In particular about a year ago one lot cut down two trees, dug a fire pit and had a fire,  took drugs (packet remains left on floor). These people should of been done.

These others I saw this morning, I have no problem with what they did. In fact I know one or two spots that would of been a bit better for them.

Here's the official email to confirm it

Dear PHD Customer
PHD DOWN SLEEPING BAGS, JACKETS, AND VESTS UP TO 50% OFF.
We are delighted to announce our Summer Sale is now on. It's a mixture of our popular items made in special fabrics, some specials, and a couple of lines made exclusively for the sale (the Minim 300 & 500 sleeping bags).
The sale is online now at:
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/index.php?cPath=79
WHAT'S ON OFFER?
1. MINIMUS DOWN JACKETS AND VESTS IN GORE-TEX - Our most popular products with the extra protection of a Gore-Tex outer. Jackets on sale for £119; vests for £79.
2. MINIM 300 DOWN SLEEPING BAG - a product only available during the sale. With a Min Temp rating of 0C (32F) and a total weight of 570gm (20oz) this bag fills a useful gap between our Minimus and the Minim 400. For Mountain / Desert Marathons or ultralight backpacking this Minim 300 makes a great choice. On sale for £109 (our 'DYO' price is £189).
3. SNOWBIRD JACKETS & VESTS - your last chance to buy these old favorites, available in Olive or Sea Green. Vests reduced from £95 to £55; jackets from £159 to £85.
4. MINIM 500 DOWN SLEEPING BAGS - also only available during the sale. With a total weight of 800gms (28oz) and a min temp rating of -9C (16F) this bag gives another ultralight option for anyone extending their camping into the milder parts of winter. On sale for £139 (our 'DYO' price is £235).
5. MINIMUS DOWN SLEEPING BAGS - standard product in a special fabric (Green M2 Microfibre). M2 is a fine ultralight fabric in a plain weave. Dimensions, construction and down fill are as the original bag. The Minimus will be on sale at £89 (reduced from £164).
6. ARCTIC DOWN JACKETS IN GORE-TEX - with box-walls throughout and a taped GORE-TEX outer the Arctic is suitable for use in very cold, inhospitable conditions. On sale (in black) for £220 (reduced from £380).
7. MINIMUS DOWN VESTS & JACKETS - our most popular products, in M4 fabric. M4 is a fine ultralight fabric the same weight as M1. Available in Olive. Vests on sale for £59 (reduced from £95); jackets on sale for £89 (reduced from £144).
8. ASPEN DOWN JACKETS - lightweight down jackets, warm but smart. Nylon microfibre in & out. Sale price £89, original price £180.
9. TOASTY DOWN MITTS & BOOTS - being made for the last time ever. Simple winter warmth for the extremities. Both on sale at £29, reduced from £48.
10. CHAMONIX DOWN VEST - a limited-edition lined vest with fleece-lined pockets and collar. On sale for £59, reduced from £99.
The sale is online now at:
http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/index.php?cPath=79
As with all our gear, these sale items are designed, cut, sewn and filled in the UK, at our Stalybridge base.
Please note: you cannot use your customer discount on sale items BUT purchases of sale items DO count towards your qualifying balance (customers spending £130 or more qualify for a 10% discount for the year they qualify and the whole of the next year).
Best wishes
The PHD team.

This weeks blogger round up and podcast round up are now up over at The Outdoors Station. The round ups are taking a week off next week while I am off on a family holiday.

Which means this blog will get infrequent updates over the week while we are away.

While hiding away from the sun I have a couple of ideas for a series of postings  for this blog, I'll finish off my thoughts on solo hiking as well. So I'll be coming back all refreshed and lots of material to be posted.

I also have plenty of reading material, which includes 3 issues of Country Walking, 2 issues of TGO, 2 issues of Retro Gamer so enough to feed the brain, and stop it from becoming mush that likes Eastenders.

Well enough of this I have packing to complete, still can't find my spare ignition for the jetboil. Luckily I was able to get one ordered from my usual gear pimp along with an extension pole for my treking poles to use with the Hex3.

With a family camping holiday coming up fast, and the plan to take the Hex3 aong to use on the beach as a shelter from the sun (wishful thinking I know), and as a changing area. I thought I'd better get some pegs that'll stand a chance in sand.

A quick call to Rose  (Bob was out on a super secret mission) yesterday at Backpackinglight.co.uk and I have ten of these little beauties ready for the holiday. Thanks guys for the prompt delivery and excellent service.

Audible UK have been around for a while now, but this is the first time I've been tempted to sign up with them. What do they do? Audio books for your mp3 player. For £7.95 a month I get one free audible book a month for that, no matter the cost of it. So you can make a big saving there, plus the books are less than in the shops.

So far I have two outdoors related books, The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt, and High: Stories of Survival from Everest and K2 by Matt Dickinson, Jim Haberl, and more, plus a couple of Terry Pratchett books.

So if you are an mp3 player user pop on over and have a look you might like to put some of these on for the next trip out in the hills. 

Part 10 of the Tale of Two Podcasts is out or the TGOC 07 Podcast Diary. Whichever you want to refer to it by, you can pick it up from the usual places, itunes, Backpackinglight.co.uk and The Outdoors Station.

This is how Bob describes his latest installment:

"We meet Andy and Kate on route to Loch Callater Lodge and then share the rest of the journey over Jocks Road to find a secluded little spot in the woods, for a good rest and chat about using lightweight gear on the Challenge. Loch Callater has to be one of the most charming glens you could ever wish to walk along."

Wow Bob you are producing some great podcasts. We all owe you a big thank you.