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.

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.

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

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. 

if you managed to read to the end of the Blogger meet posting. Here is the Link to Jules Ebay Page so you can see just how talented Jules is. As I said worth ordering for a Christmas present.

Disclaimer

Todays blog entry is my experience of the Blogger Meet that happened in the Brecon Beacons at the weekend. It in no way represents the views of any of the other bloggers at the meet. Their experience may of differed from mine, infact they may of had a bad time and thought I was anti social and smell. Then again I could be making all this up as I never went and just want to look big and clever, and what I really did was just spend the weekend walking the dogs across the road in the park in preparation for my Everest attempt in pink pyjamas and fluffy lightweight slippers next week. The Everest attempt has been planned down to the last lightweight detail, and fuelling me up Everest will be a 330ml bottle of Lucozade, half a moldy Mars Bar (thats probiotic mold I'm sure) and most importantly 20 Marlboro lights and a travel mug of coffee, which I will carry in a carrier bag (which will double as my flag for the summit photo).

Friday

There had been a late night scare when I couldn't find my OS map for the park of the Brecon Beacons we were going to. Duncan offered me his Memory Map printout if I wasn't able to find or get my hands on a map. But a text I sent to my friend Martin turned up trumps when he said he had a map I could borrow.
After watching Duncan's blog showing him getting nearer and nearer to London and civilization through out the day. Duncan arrived at Surbiton sporting his brand new Aktoman baseball cap from his new designer clothing range.
We travelled back to Farnborough, where Duncan got introduced to the pack, and Kate. Kate then wanted me to run her to Blockbusters and the bank before disappearing off with the car. We had just enough time to run these errands with Kate, get changed before Mike texted me saying he was at Farnborough train station. That was it the cue for us to leave. We picked Mike up headed off to the Brecon Beacons, but first I had to stop off and pick up the map.
It was just turning six, when we left Martin's. Even taking into account a slight detour down at the Brecon Beacons when we missed a turning to Neath, we had made good time down of three and a half hours.
Packs on backs, trail shoes on, trekking poles ready, we started off into the hills. After a bit of over keeness crossing a stream, which saw us in a gauze patch on the other side our night walk went without incident. Duncan was finding that the E-Lite is not really suited for night walking, but more an emergency backup or best used round camp or in tent. When I had used it over the winter I liked it, but found that after 5 mins (or less) use the beam would fade so it was not as bright. Which is why I was using a Petzl Tikka this weekend.
It was about eleven thirty when we came to the first of the wild camp spots (approx 4km from car, and about an hour thirty of walking). We were tired, and thought we'd stay here by the stream and not go on the extra two kilometers to the sheepfold. How did we justify this to ourselves? We didn't want to wake the others. Very considerate of us really ;)
While Mike setup his tarp, and Duncan erected the object of his year long tent lust (oops sorry Duncan the secrets out) his Akto, I decided that I'd use my tarp as a ground sheet, and just use my bivy bag. What would make me do this? Was I just being plain lazy? It was the night sky. Words will not even come close to describing the heavens this night. No light pollution, no clouds, just the most amazingly stunning display of stars imaginable, topped off with meteor showers. It was this that inspired me, and made the choice a no brainer.

Saturday

There was hill fog when I woke, Mike was looking round.And we spotted not far away others that we thought might be fellow bloggers who had also arrived late.
During the night I had been woken by cramp in my left leg.
It was about eightish when the farmer on his quad bike and collie came by looking for a lost lamb. Which we said we hadn't seen, but was asked if we had had lamb for tea last night. Oh rural humour don't you love it.

Above: Does it look like I just tipped my stuff on the floor?

Below: Close lot us bloggers.

Above: Duncan striking that classic pose looking for his Akto (it's behind you)

After breakfast we packed up and went the further two kilometers to the sheepfold, not expecting to see any one. But to check it out, and to plan our ascent onto the ridge. To get to the sheepfold you have to cross a small river/large stream, which I wouldn't of wanted to do in the dark.

But once at the sheepfold Mike went in and did his Ray Mears tracking thing, and counted two tents had been there (found out later there had been four).

Anyway we made our way up to the ridge slowly in the heat. Well I was going slow, Duncan and Mike went ahead and kindly waited for me pretending to discuss nature around them and take photos. Why is it that these Blogger get togethers are on hot weekends? I don't do hot!

As we reached the ridge we bumped into Geoff and Alan Sloman. We hit the ridge in a place I wasn't expecting, which allowed me to make a fool of myself, and recover by continuing along the ridge with everyone. It had turned out Dawn hadn't made the sheepfold last night, I was a little concerned about that as I knew she was meant to be there. We had also missed Gayle E Bird who with her partner could only make the Friday night camp.

After dropping down before going back up again, I saw a path I hadn't done before that would give me the opportunity to follow another path round lower down to the lake we were all camping by. So I said catch you later and set off on this new route. I took my time doing this path, stopped ate a snack, drank, even snoozed. But all the time making some mental notes. I now know another way off the mountain if I need it, which will get me down quickly, or to a safe shelter. I feel my knowledge of this mountain is growing considerable over the 4 or 5 trips I've done to it. Heck I've even done my very first wild camp here.

Anyway I eventually made it to the wrong end of the lake at about 3pm. I found a spot sat down, but on my radio and listened to some of the footy, while letting my iodine tablets work their thirty minute magic on two litres of water I wanted to treat in one go for later. Once the time was up I made my way to the other end of the lake where the others had already started to put there tents and tarps. The blogger tent city was starting to take shape. And Dawn was there with her Hex3, feeling knackered after having done a massive days walking on Friday.

Above: Looking from my relaxing place down towards blog camp. 

Below a couple of piccies of the Hex3 that Dawn was using.

Then slowly other bloggers turned up. First it was Bob and Rose, followed by Lay and Ali. And as always conversation turned towards kit, and peoples experience with it. And Bob had bought a new toy along to show people.

Below is a sequence of piccies that show how Bob had his tarp setup for him and Rose. Note that they are using bivy bags that are goretex bottom, and more waterproof than the Rab Survival that I use.

Below Alan's Wanda with Duncan's Akto and the top of Geof's Golite tarp behind.

Below my tarp and the location that Mike choose for his tarp.

The early evenings entertainment was Bob and his Bushbuddy.

And yes there were flames

There was a competition of who had the whitest socks (or palest feet where the socks had stopped them catching the sun). I think I won that one hands down.

Later in the evening just as people where getting fleeces on, and down jackets to stay warm for the evening, it decided to shower. I dived under my tarp and into my sleeping bag and bivy. And thats where I stayed for the evening snug as a bug. I think it may of appeared anti social, but I was warm and could hear everyone chatting. And I was happy enough with that. So sorry folks if you think I was being anti social I wasn't honest. And at some point I drifted off to sleep.

Sunday

Wind and rain, pause, wind and rain, pause, more wind and rain, pause, even more wind and rain. That was how it had been through out the night. It wasn't worth reconfiguring the tarp, as the wind was constantly changing direction. I did see in the night Bob was up making minor adjustments to his. But that was because some pegs had come out of the soft ground.
No one else was awake when I decided I would get up and pack up slowly during breaks in the rain. I even saw hints of blue sky and sun behind the low cloud.
Once the others started waking, I suggested considering the weather conditions that we skip taking the ridge back to the car, or the path on the side of the mountain. But take the direct path back to the small B road, and walk along the road back to the car. Bob and Rose joined the three of us on our route out. Alan was going to do this route as well, but was still packing away when we left after saying our good byes. Looking back I feel guilty that we didn't wait for Alan. And I think it was nigglying away at me as we walked down to the road as I kept trying to see if I could Alan super power walking his way down off the hill.

The plan was to drive home the way we came up Friday evening. However I some how ended up near a Tesco I recognised (which meant I wasn't going the right way), and was near to Jules and Stu's place. So I pulled over asked them what they were doing and said put the kettle on. Maybe it was subconscious how we ended up there, but it would of been rude not to pop in and say hi. And Jules and Stu are such good friends, and always welcoming. It just felt right to call in, I'd of hated to of said to them "oh we drove past but didn't stop". Jules made a mug of tea, and then showed us her handed painted glasses she has started to sell. They are being sold as sets of four showing trees through out the seasons. I'd order some myself but I'll wait until the kids have left as they tend to break stuff we like to keep. But definitely worth a look, so have a look on ebay (I'll put a link up once I have one from Jules), and get the orders in so they arrive in time for Christmas. While we are all chatting away next thing we know Jules is offering breakfast, she nips down to the local store and comes back with all the ingredients to make a cracking fry up. Then Stu shows he is the king of cooking fry ups, and has the works russled up on plates in no time. After a couple of hours it was time to get back on the road and to our homes. I'd of loved to have been able to stay longer, I enjoy the company of Jules and Stu, I enjoy walking with them (especially in the Brecon Beacons), and don't nearly visit as often as I should (but that is where family and responsibilities get in the way of fun stuff).

In all a great weekend, despite the weather.

PS I haven't named mountains etc as it may give clues to camp spots and I want to keep them people free.

What can I say we've had to wait less than twenty four hours for the next part in the series. A big thank you Bob for all this hard work that you are giving away for FREE! Yes folks I said FREE. Is Bob mad? Who knows, some would say yes, and others would say totally ^__^ Sorry Bob you know I'm joking.

Seriously folks pop on over to Backpackinglight.co.uk or The Outdoors Station to download these if you don't subscribe via itunes or whatever podcast software you use.

With last years TGOC06 podcasts, and the one off TGOC specials Bob has done, he has built up a comprehensive audio library of information on doing the TGOC for people to download and listen to for FREE.

If you get a chance say a thank you to him via email, or give him a shout out on which ever forum you belong to. It gives him a nice warm glow to know his efforts are appreciated.

Blackberries

And not the phone pda like devices you so often see on the trains being used by wage slaves that "just have to be in contact all the time". No I'm talking the fruit. One of the joys of late Summer is when walking the dogs I can snack on blackberries while walking. Tonight was the first time this year I've been able to do that, and it is amazing as they seem to be a lot earlier this year than normal.

Did the final pack of the rucksack ready for tomorrow. Gone back to the lightwave for this weekend, as I want to take something to read, and couldn't fit the food in (pretty important). So I'm not totally lightweight as I think I am. I'm going to have to work out how people get away with using a 35litre pack for a couple of days.

Well the title says it all really. Available on itunes, but not yet on either of Bob's sites (backpackinglight.co.uk or The Outdoors Station). So come on Bob get those sites updated for those that don't want to use itunes (I believe there are some out there).

Did you guess the movie yesterday that the clip came from? Well give yourself a big pat on the back if you guessed "The Best Little Whore House In Texas". Which starred Ms Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds.

And we get close to Friday and the dash down to the Brecon Beacons for the second Blogger Camp.

Why does GT's answers over at the Trail forums discussing Lightweight Misconceptions remind me of "The Side Step"?

A more in depth blog posting analysing his recent postings on the subject will most likely not appear. As I'm bored with this really. If he meant that the manufacturers where at fault why not say that in the article, instead of giving a completely different impression. I must stop and go off to my happy place. Happy thoughts, happy thoughts...

In the meantime a book arrived today that I ordered that I will read and hopefully get some good thoughts for the next part in my penultimate part of my TGOC Lessons Learnt. I know this is taking me longer than I thought, but this next one is on a serious subject and I think it needs to be handled correctly. The next part will be on solo hiking. So if anyone out there wants to email their thoughts on the  subject then please feel free to do so.

And finally a thank you to Chris Townsend for providing me with the info to track the book down I mentioned above.

PS Can you guess the movie the clip is from?

For the observant amongst you out there you will of noticed the link added for Hiking Blogs. This is an American site that lists Outdoors blogs and allows you to vote on them.

For those who are popping over, you will notice that some of the blogs you love to read over here are being mentioned over there. So why not vote for your favourites while there.

Well it's been bloomin hot. But that is stating the obvious.

Although I hate the heat, it does give me an excellent excuse when walking the dogs to head towards some shady bits. This moring with toast getting cold, and a thermal mug of herbal tea, I set off to walk the dogs on the tank ranges near Aldershot. It wasn't long before I had found the ideal breakfast spot under a large Oak tree. It was idilic sitting thing munching away on cold toast, taking in the peace and quiet (well minus the cars droning in the background). A great way to start a Sunday like today off.

Finally got round to looking at the gear Dawn dropped off at the start of the week. All I can say is it was VERY VERY generous of her, and a BIG thank you.

Did a trial packing of my 35 litre OMM bag for next weekend, and it will be tight, very tight indeed. But should all fit and come in around five and a half kilos (not including water or food).

Today I was also playing in the kitchen. I bet you wanted to know that. But there is a point to me tell you this. I was playing with dried egg, and trying to make a boil in the bag omellete or as it turned out more scrambled egg. But still very edible, and definite an addition to the trail food library. So boil water for the brew up and make breakfast at the same time, win win situation ;)