Well apart from the OR Blog no one over here in the UK (except Duncan aka Aktoman) seems to have picked up on this yet.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=golite007

As they say on the page

"Our inspiration is the outdoor athlete, those dedicated to maximizing human performance in their chosen sport, not for medals or acclaim, but for their own joy in the outdoors. This YouTube channel will allow us to show you the great adventures people have wearing our product, and moreover just a cool place to watch some really awesome outdoor movies."

Here are some examples of the sort of stuff they are putting on there

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.

PHD will be holding their annual Summer sale starting on 18th August.

From their email sent out this the sort of bargains you can expect to get.

(taken from email)

1. MINIMUS DOWN JACKETS AND VESTS IN GORE-TEX -  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.
You can see a fuller preview of what's on offer at:
See Preview here

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 ;)

Bob has put up Part 5 of this years TGOC Podcast. It's available through the usual places and back on Backpackinglight.co.uk.

Well the title says it all, get it with your favourite podcast software (itunes for me)  tonight, and most likely downloadable from The Outdoors Station sometime tomorrow.

My initial intentions with the following posting was to put it up on the Trail forums, and discuss it with Graham Thompson. However I didn't fancy having to put up with the attacks and pettiness that would be posted, which would distract from the discussion.

And so there is no confusion on the subject these are my opinions/thoughts. I am in no way speaking on anyones behalf but my own.

So here goes...

A few days ago I read an article that Graham Thompson wrote for an Outdoors Industry magazine called Outdoori on the subject of lightweight and the people that follow it . It was not a flattering article.

Lets have a look at a quote made on the internet: 

"...the not so silent minority have now gained a voice in chat rooms and web sites that looks set to transform the workings of the world through the law of the few."

I love comments like that, it almost seems to be attacking the web for drowning out his voice, for giving others an equal footing to his. Unfortunately not everyone has a magazine to voice their point of view. And who is to say that Graham's opinion on kit, the outdoors or anything is any more valid than the guy sitting next to me or you? But that is where experience comes in. Graham and other gear reviewers get to see more kit than most of us would in a lifetime. It doesn't mean he is right, it just means we need to bare that in mind when he speaks.

Also I think Graham misses the point that the "main stream" are also very vocal in putting their point across, except that they have the majority of the print media AND the web as well. So I'm sorry if Graham begrudges the lightweight movement being able to read about themselves in a print magazine, and on the web. But  people interested in lightweight have as much right as everyone else to express themselves and to read about it. 

"Hysteria abounds among the righteous lightweight fanatics, that anyone wearing boots and a heavy rucksack should be taken to one side and taught how to buy proper gear."

I'm not really happy with the way Graham name calls those that promote going lightweight.  But if we are going to name call, can we have a bit of balance in the writing please? I suggest that when talking of convential/main stream backpacking and those that promote it they are refered to as "beasts of burden" or "mules". All in the interests of fairness I assure you.

But Graham and others in the "beasts of burden" movement always retort with something like the following quote of Grahams:

"However, what is so rarely discussed by the hysterical few are the skills required to survive in a lightweight world of walking. "

Oops there is that name calling again. Sticks and stones Graham. People may be more inclined to listen to your arguement without the name calling. But back to your point hidden behind the names,of not mentioning the skills required to use the kit. Yes you do need to understand how to use your kit and it's limitations, and I haven't come across the situation you are talking about. However I have seen lots of people that have been out on the hill dressed and kitted out like the "beasts of burden" movement that have not known how to use that kit. We also saw or was given that impression with Griff in Mountain last Sunday, did not know much about using his kit. And he was not going lightweight. So it is a charge that can be thrown back as well, this is not a lightweight issue, but a kit in general issue.

I could argue that Graham and Trail don't cover the mainstream either, as the mainstream is the festival/glam camper set. Those that only use a car, buy their tents from Tesco/Aldi/Millets/Blacks. And that the "beasts of burden" are also a very vocal minority that are guilty as charged of the charges they level at the lightweight movement.

I'll end with this final quote from Graham:  

"There are still those that want to simply travel far, travel safe and travel in comfort today, tomorrow and next year. "

Don't we all, Amen.

Of course Graham if you want to post a reply here please do, or you can email and I'll post your reply up for you.

For all those that enjoy a brew up while out on the hill, it appears you maybe doing yourself more good than you thought.

Over at the dvorak blog they are reporting the following story "Caffeine and exercise team up to prevent skin cancer".

Reading the original story, the researchers still need to do more research into why this seems to work. So far they have only tested this theory out on mice, and are at some point in the future looking to take this to human trials to see if it still holds true with mankind.

In the meantime sales of coffee and tea have risen sharply for the rodent population, with rumours that a certain famous mouse was seen walking out of a supermarket with trolley loads of coffee. 

For those that have run out of outdoor podcasts to listen to, why not pop on over to the Beeb website and have a look at their Excess Baggage pages where you will find one or two programs of interest related to the outdoors. Particularly look at the previous programs they have done. They have covered climbing, wilderness, Wainwright to name a few.

And from time to time another Saturday morning program of theirs also does the odd program that maybe of interest Open Country. Although the have reset the archive of old programs for this one ie removed them.

Over on a certain forum Podcast Bob gives a two years on retrospecitive on what it has been like for him running an online outdoors retail business (thats www.backpackinglight.co.uk if you didn't know).

I wasn't going to comment on this at all but then Bob gave these two comments he had heard from the recent trade event in Germany.

"Two comments which struck us at Friedrichshafen this year was made by a European distributor. 'The British have an international reputation of not wanting to pay the full price for anything' and 'Many don't appreciate quality and the price associated with it'."

To the person(s) in the industry that said that, you are WRONG. The only international reputation that the British have is that of being a cash cow that the companies can milk to make excessive profits  to support them in the US and elsewhere where it is more competitive and they have to give better prices. End of story. What these people don't like is that the British people don't like being ripped off, and the advent of the interweb has given a transparency that shows these people for what they are.

Let's face it their production costs have gone down. And before they argue that they haven't, don't lie to us, we know they have. Most of the gear is now produced exploiting cheap labour in places like China. And let's face it, all those of us with kids, I bet you are glad your kids don't have to work in such places to bring in money to be able to just get enough food on the plate to live. So when was that cost saving passed onto the consumer? Err never, they just put prices up.

I'd gladly pay a fair price if that price also meant that the exploited work force got more money. But that would mean that the manufacturers profit margain wouldn't be so big, and they wouldn't be exploiting both ends of the chain.

And then the comment about not appreciating quality and the price that goes with it. Feck off, whatever. You are just trying to justify the high cost now. Frankly your argument stinks, your attitude stinks, just go back to the sewer where you came from.

On the bright side there are companies/retailers out there that do charge a fair price for their products and don't rip Joe Public off, Alpkit, Backpackinglight.co.uk for example. But these days they seem to be the odd ones out. Support those companies and tell the others where to sling their hooks.

How could I forget this yesterday (most unlike me to miss a bit of self promotion ^_^ )? The new columns went up over at The Outdoors Station after a week off.

The Bloggers Round Up can be found here

And the Podcast Round Up can be found here

Meanwhile Bob has also put up part 3 of this years TGOC podcasts. This covers day 3 of Bob and Andy's TGOC, and has some rather good interviews. One that particularly stands out is mine ^__^ Only joking, but you will hear me talk very briefly about my rescue, and I don't sound so bad this time (the OM Lakes podcast I sounded a right tit).

A Little Moan

Well it's nice outside, so just about to get up and get out with the muts. But it's typical the day planned to spend sometime with Nathan doing a film thing (Simpsons movie and Transformers movie with a pizza inbetween) it's good weather, and tomorrow is meant to be raining again! At least I won't feel guilty playing Pokemon Diamond tomorrow (Gotta Catch 'Em All ;) )

And for all those that missed it, Griff Rhys Jones was pimping his book - Mountains: Exploring Britain's High Places - that funnily enough goes along with the series Mountain, starting on Sunday, on the Simon Mayo radio program. You can catch it if you are quick by looking for the Daily Mayo podcast on itunes, and download it from there.