t e r r y b n d

The Staffordshire Peak District

2012-02-07T18:25:00.007Z

Tittesworth Reservoir seen from the Roaches

Just before my last trip out, I had a very interesting meeting with Staffordshire County Council at their offices in Stafford. The consequence of which I've been commissioned to produce a video promoting all the great and good of the Staffordshire Moorlands and it's part in the Peak District National Park.

I've got a tight deadline on it, mind. There's a lot of ground to cover and places to visit but it's a project I'm really excited about working on. Over the past year working in the Peak Park it's become obvious to me and many I speak to out in the field that bar places like the Roaches - the wider public tends to overlook the scenic delights on offer in this area of the midlands, never mind places of interest.

I'll be the first to admit, I was just the same until a few months ago. Hidden dales, cosy villages and wooded glens with tumbling brooks to wind swept 'wild' moors all suddenly appeared on my radar - that sense of excitement at treading on new ground and casting my gaze on never before seen sights all came flooding back.

The whole area has so much to offer but is often overlooked by it's more illustrious county neighbour of Derbyshire, where to be fair the lion's share of the Peak District National Park resides. Even so, what we today perceive as the 'Peak District' is primarily shaped by it's modern day protective boundaries - but in times gone by the wider area as a whole was considered the Peak District. For example, Matlock town and it's nearby dales and hills with far reaching views and of course the western moors and meadows in the south west around the town of Leek.

And so, with my video gear in hand and pack on my back I shall be spending much of my time endeavouring to capture true and lovely scenes of the Staffordshire Moorlands in the coming weeks. After which there may well be more videos I'll be producing of the area at large.

I've got quite a bit of work to cram in now (some of which I can't talk about as of yet but they're exciting) until early May as for the most of that month I'll be on the TGO Challenge in Scotland. So, ramblings on here may be brief or sporadic at times for a long while.

In the meantime, you can view some footage I've collected already on the Derbyshire/Staffordshire county border in some outtakes I've edited below - otherwise, I'll be heading to all other southerly points of the compass very soon. You can help me out on this, too actually - I'm not sure whether to go with something musically similar to what's in the clip below or go for something completely different altogether? Essentially it's a demonstration of the style I'm aiming for in what will be a 5-7 minute feature.

I'll be filming various towns and villages and other places of interest too. And fingers crossed I'll be heading up into the skies for some aerial footage. For example in this short demo, just as the music begins to lift for it's final inspiring push I'm hoping to capture some sweeping Peakland vistas from up high above.

A hike through the Dove Valley

2012-02-05T14:55:00.002Z

The view west from High Wheeldon

A week ago today my wife kindly dropped me off in the White Peak of Staffordshire where I then set off and made my way north to The Roaches over several days - and despite the odd day of poor weather it turned out to be a cracking trip.

Apart from having a good crack with the locals in pubs along my route and taking in the scenic sights of the area I also enjoyed a two night stay at Wheeldon Trees Farm. The owners kindly offered me a bed for the night to help me complete some video work they've commissioned me to do for them. Their hospitality and kindness was really quite overwhelming - they make truly great hosts if you ever consider spending some holiday time there.

I even managed to head out one evening using one of their electric cycles (as part of the Peaks cycle network facility) to the Pack Horse Inn in Crowdecote! I have to admit they do feel a little weird to ride but they aint half fun too! But it helped me make a speedy round trip to one of my favourite Peakland pubs. If you've not been - do make the time to do so.

It's set amongst some of the finest scenery you'll find with superb views of the western moors along with the distinctive Chrome and Parkhouse hills. The locals are friendly and welcoming (there's some real 'characters' that pub) and the real ale range and condition is superb. Mick and Sharon the licensees (and outsiders from 'darn sarf') have done a fantastic job of transforming this often overlooked public house in to one where people from miles around come to visit.

This trip also formed the beginnings of me working on a commission for Staffordshire County Council in helping to promote the Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District - a project I'm really excited to be working on and hope to complete by mid-March.

Anyway, as for the trip in detail? I'll let the pictures do the talking....

Sunday night was spent in a favourite (and handy spot) up above the delightful Dovedale. Unfortunately the weather
was a bit grim so I wasn't very productive work-wise. But I learnt to become familiar with Vango's new Helium 100 tent.

The next day I wandered through Dovedale under dull skies and onwards to Wolfscote Dale. I'm hoping to finish a short
video of this wonderful limestone gorge soon.

After paying Hartington a visit I then went back on myself to spend the night up Wolfscote Hill. A fine peak that affords
excellent views of the lower and upper White Peak District.

The day finished with some superb visibility and made for a fine reward after a hard days walking, backtracking and
climbing around Wolfscote Dale.

Vango Helium 100 - a solo shelter that really is rather roomy on the inside. Porch is small though.

The winds had picked up later in the evening and were really quite biting. Here's a pic of the trig point on
Wolfscote Hill. Quite a few times I've been here now.

Even the moon decided to come out at one point. No need for the head torch now. Moonlight and frost/snow laden
ground makes for a wonderful black and white world on the naked eye.

Looking north from the summit to the central area of the White Peak.

The next day was miserable. So, no photos for that. However, the following few days were quite simply superb.
After filming at Wheeldon Trees Farm for the day on Wednesday, I took the time to enjoy the sights from the adjacent
High Wheeldon.

Later on, I nipped to the Pack Horse Inn in Crowdecote for the evening. The electric bike I arrived on made for many
laughs and conversation with the locals on this bitterly cold evening (picture taken on mobile phone).

This blurred image is likely a mark of my over all condition after leaving the pub! It's the electric bikes control panel.
It really was fun riding on one - though the cold smell of cow manure in the air and owls screaching overhead made the
journey back interesting to say the least - never mind black ice on the lanes.

The next day I made my way via Buxton on the bus to Upper Hulme where I got off to explore and film The Roaches.

The afternoon was overcast but things did improve again eventually. Here is a scene of the Roaches at night.

I spent a cold night in the tent by Doxey Pool. A nice spot that gives some of the best views of this fine area.

The Vango Helium had really impressed me on this trip.

I had hoped to capture such scenes as this under clear skies - alas the cloud didn't clear until 3am. The light pollution
from the nearby town of Leek makes the sky almost appear as if it's sunset, no?

Pretty much the same scene but not long before dawn the following day.

You'll notice a slight sag in the tent in this photo. It's not meant to be like this. I had problems inserting pegs into the
frozen ground and it made for hard work erecting the shelter.

It really was turning into a wonderful day to be outdoors. But alas my wife was en route to collect me and head home later
in the morning.

Camp with much of my crap scattered about before packing up and heading back down.

I've been commissioned by Staffordshire County Council to produce a video showcasing the Staffordshire Moorlands -
hence an explanation to the keen eyed as to why I was back so soon on The Roaches. A project I'm really looking forward
to completing!

And so as the sun rose ever higher - it was time for me to leave and head back home. Another pleasant trip in Peakland.

On test - Vango Force 10 Helium 100 (2012) tent

2012-02-04T16:35:00.005Z

Vango Force 10 Helium 100 - camp by Doxey Pool on The Roaches, Staffordshire.

An interesting new tent arrived on my doorstep last week - Vango's all new 2012 model Force 10 Helium 100.

A solo shelter much like a Terra Nova Laser Competition or Vaude Power Lizard which pitches all as one but for less money. It's due to launch imminently and in the meantime I'll be giving this shelter a bit of a hammering out on the hills and moors.

It's RRP is £220 but I suspect you can knock at least £40 off that when it finally goes to retail. The tent all in comes in on my scales (just a quick check though) of 1.22kg - stuff sack, poles, pegs and repair kit included. There is going to be a lighter version available which uses carbon poles (this model I'm testing uses alloy) but will cost somewhat more.

Even so, it's weight isn't to be scoffed at and it does indeed have some impressive specs considering it's price.

Still nights and cold frosts - no particular condensation issues occurred.

SilNylon flysheet 20D 5000 hydrostatic head (HH), groundsheet 6000 HH and a 70D polyester inner. As you can see in the photo's the main tent arching pole is angled too to aid stability in tandem with Vango's TBS Pro Tension Band System.

Internal height is around 95cm and length when lying down is around 210cm. The inner tent door opens high and wide and consists of 2/3's nylon with a upper mesh panel making up the rest to aid airflow. You'll find at the foot and head ends other mesh coverings too to help with condensation.

Obviously I'm not going to go into too much detail about the tent just yet - I've only had it five minutes per se but I've already took it out for a few nights and have been mightily impressed.

As you can see here, the porch is a little small.

Bar the fact it packs down small, it's also incredibly quick to pitch for such a tent. The main pole glides easily through a built in sleeve. Initially, I thought this may prove to be very awkward as the sleeve itself is not much bigger than the 8.5mm alloy pole it's intended for and of course it's angled too. But this never proved to be a problem.

The prop up rods at either end slip in from the outside into corresponding sleeves and a couple of pegging out points later the tent is pretty much up. You even get half decent pegs with this shelter (short alloy V's) and none have these have curved or bent despite some hammering into frozen ground.

Inside you'll find a small porch which isn't too deep to be honest. Only about 40cm at it's deepest but the actual inner tent is very roomy for a solo shelter of this type. Surprisingly so in fact! Even when sat cross legged on a inflated mattress my 5'11" frame could sit upright in comfort with only the top of the inner touching from time to time and lying on my back there was ample room around my sides too.

There are guying out points for the main arching pole but I've yet to use these despite encountering gusts of 35-40mph max only the other evening. Instead, I took advantage of the tension band system which soon steadied the tent from flexing and moving.

It really does make it rock solid much like the Vaude Power Tokee UL I recently reviewed but more so due to the angled poles. It doesn't mean the rest of the tent is not affected by the winds though. The flysheet will still flap a little but so far no more or less than other similar designed tents (which seems to be all the rage of late!). You also have the option of adjusting the flysheet's height from the ground or making it that bit more taught with line locks.

All said and done, I've enjoyed using the tent so far and if it has any immediate selling points it's it's weight, price and size for a solo lightweight shelter. Aye, it may not be everyone's cup of tea and they may prefer less or perhaps something meatier. But as it is, I've grown quite fond of this tent already and would be inclined to say it could be a winner for Vango who've really upped their game of late.

I've not suffered any major condensation issues thus far either, despite some still and cold nights with thick frosts and it does seem rather tough for what you get.

Making backpacking easily accessible.

If anything what the tent sums up for me (without wanting to prejudice any final thoughts on this product) is that it epitomises all that's now within reach for those on a budget interested in lightweight backpacking who don't want to sacrifice too much on comfort. It makes me grin from cheek to cheek in truth.

I'm not saying pedantic gram counters or outdoor gear obsessives will take this shelter seriously at all - but those who don't wish to spend hundreds of pounds on the latest lightweight gear but who wouldn't mind saving a bit of pack space or weight for those overnighters and multi day hikes will love it (besides it's always about enjoying the outdoors, right?). And I think that's most outdoorsy people, in truth. It's about making such gear and enjoying the outdoors in comfort easily accessible.

After all in a rucksack that's stuffed with kit that weighs around 9kg or more you're unlikely to notice 300-400g difference on that in truth - and here you have a shelter that could possibly give you comfort and shelter for little over a kilo and will likely cost under £200!

Which I think is fantastic for those who want to take up backpacking on a budget - or at least take it more seriously after whetting the appetite.

I do have some minor niggles (isn't there always) which are personal as well as objective for other users. For example there are no internal mesh pockets which are always handy for quick to hand essentials and the TBS cord can get in the way a little if used. But so far, I'm really quite impressed with what Vango have come up with. More on the Vango Force 10 Helium 100 in the coming weeks then....

Review: Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 tent

2012-01-25T14:13:00.002Z

Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 tent

"A fantastic all rounder 2 skin tent at a very pleasing weight and packed size. If you're a bit of a cautious backpacker or careful with your pennies then I see no reason why you wouldn't want to go for this shelter over the slightly lighter and less stable options of most single arch pole tents. It covers most bases when heading out into the hills and is ideal for thru-hikers, weekend trips and mountain marathons."

Just when you think Terra Nova have reached the limits of tent design and weight, they come out the blue and smack you in the face with something unexpected - the Solar Competition 2 tent is one example.

A 3 season backpacking shelter that's strong and quick to erect with ample living space for one, a large porch, which packs down to a small size - all for little over a kilo!

What we're looking at here is a lightweight shelter that gives you comfort and security when out on the hills for the weight of a bag of sugar. A home for the night that weighs little more than Terra Nova's well known and highly respected Laser Competition - but with added stability and inherent strength.

A cracking solo backpacking two skin tent

I've been testing this tent for several months now and have lost count the number of nights it's had on the hills. It's been all over the Peak District with me and enjoyed pitches in the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales - through sunshine, snow, wind and rain - the Solar Competition 2 has seen it all.

When you first pick it up you'll immediately notice it's small pack size within it's stuff sack. All in weight is 1.10kg on my scales. This is a inner first pitch tent, so after flinging it out onto the ground it's only a matter of unfolding the DAC 8mm poles and positioning them into the outer most brass eyelets* in each corner of the groundsheet. You get one main pole which splits over the front of the tent along with long main arching pole which then fixes to a pole hub - which in turn you insert a smaller V shaped pole at the rear.

Split pole at rear with mesh panel for air flow

It's this split pole design that helps give the tent it's stability and strength (when pitched rear into the wind). Peg out the corners nice and taught and you next clip on the inner nylon shelter the poles after which it's only a matter of chucking over the tent's SilNylon 5000mm HH flysheet. Some careful pegging out later and it's job done.

Now, the inner is mostly durable water resistant treated nylon (which will keep out most drizzle and rain and condensation too) and to it's rear is a small mesh panel for airflow and venting. On the outer fly in the same vicinity you'll come across a further optional vent. The fabric is velcro shut but can be opened up with a cord and peg (all guys are dyneema and with handy clamcleats). The position of the rear and inner vent is such that any spindrift or side driven rain shouldn't make it through if this comes up in your mind as a concern.

Outer optional rear flysheet vent

In reality, I've seen some moisture make it's way under the fly but never onto the inner mesh panel due to it's relative positioned height.

The flysheet isn't seam sealed and despite some nights of heavy rain, I've not experienced a single drop coming through. This is testament to Terra Nova's careful positioning of the seams around the tent. However, if you're overly concerned about this, it's easy enough to seal the seams yourself.

The front of the inner tent contains a large all mesh door. Now, I know some people may frown upon this thinking it will make for chilly breezes blowing through into the tent on a cold winters night. Well, despite my misgivings I've not had to endure such circumstances. Namely because you are supposed to pitch the Solar Comp 2 rear into the wind. So, any cold breeze that blows through tends to flow between the inner and outer and out through the main porch. You can feel this effect in fact when you place your hand in the porch on such nights. Retract your arm and the chilly air is gone.

Looking out from within to the ample porch

The main porch of the tent consists of a front entry door, with one 2 way zip, and various loops for tying back the door in a number of configurations (as is often the case with Terra Nova shelters). Porch depth is ample at 65cm depth giving you plenty of room for gear and some careful camp cooking.

Venting comes courtesy of the 2 way zip but also a concave shelter at the top of the main door outside - so if you're creating that 'chimney effect' when cooking or just for air flow in inclement weather, you won't find any snow or rain ingress creeping in.

One Exped Synmat UL mattress clearly shows room available at rear

As for living space within the Solar Comp 2, you'll find it's very adequate for the solo backpacker with two side mesh pockets for storing quick to hand equipment, a elastic loop up above for a tent light and internal height of 95cm approx (which tapers rapidly to the rear). All said and done, this is marketed as a two person shelter - and in truth it's more a luxury home for one. Two people can get in at a push (if you're close and desperate) but you'll likely find it a lot more cramped and that your sleep mats will overlap somewhat at the tail end of the inner.

The tent sheds snow easily

So with all those details taken care of - how does the tent perform?

First off, it's weight and pack size is excellent. If you store the tent separately to it's poles and pegs (as I do) you'll find it stores away to practically nothing in your rucksack. The corded poles come in at a folded length of 39cm too (handy for slipping into a hydration bladder pouch in your pack). Which reminds me - the pegs. These are Terra Nova's 2g titanium pegs and though these suffice on firm ground in fine weather they'll be prone to come loose. As always, you should take other pegs with you anyway to cover all likely scenarios.

For example, I'll take a few X pegs for key stress areas and use other types for elsewhere including the titanium tooth picks.

The roof of the tent is particularly steep and sheds rain and snow very easily but it does make it vulnerable to concaving in high winds if you're not pitched tail into the wind. On one occasion I woke to find the wind had changed direction in the night and noted how the shelter was trying it's best to feed me a mouth full of nylon. The duress the main pole was under was quite something I have to admit and when packing up with difficulty I was surprised to discover the pole was still intact and not misshapen at all. Not ideal, by any means but a mark of how strong the Solar Comp 2 can be if things go a little awry. Saying that, in practice I wouldn't choose to pitch the tent in winds in excess of 50mph.

Wind changed direction in night - not good. Tent lived though!
Poles were fine after inspection (and regular use thereafter) and proof
of the fabrics tear strength too.

Even at such speeds and stronger gusts with it positioned correctly into the wind, you will find the experience somewhat unnerving. Yes, it violently shakes about and contorts into shapes that would embarrass most gymnasts - but it does stand firm. More than a single arch pole tent like the Laser Competition for example. But as always, it's not recommended you deliberately head out to an exposed pitch anyway with such a tent. Apart from the fact you don't want to wreck your new toy (even if it stood it's ground) unseen stresses will occur to the poles, friction burns and tears on the flysheet and so on.

Who loves backpacking?

Another trip involved 55mph gusts with average wind speeds of 35-45mph and a large dumping of snow too. Again, the Solar Comp 2 stood firm even if one's instinct inside the tent is to pack up and leg it down to the valleys. The flysheet height surrounding the tent is adjustable to varying degrees and on this occasion I had them pegged at full height.

Despite the snow accumulating up and under against the inner tent, no problems arose thanks to the generous 6000mm HH bathtub inner groundsheet.

Other times have seen me out in prolonged and heavy rain - miserable times out on the hills - and again no issues arose despite the fact the seams aren't sealed at all.

There was one evening where things did go wrong for me I'll have to admit. I was enjoying a fine sunset from up Kinder Scout in the Peak Park and left the inner tent pitched adhoc on the moor nearby as I wandered off to film the lovely sights around.

Some time later, dark brooding clouds enveloped the immediate vicinity from out the blue and it chucked it down cats and dogs.

Rushing back to camp and desperately trying to pitch the flysheet over the inner tent I got inside to find pools of water had collected inside. It was a bit of a nightmare to be honest as I slowly and surely mopped up the moisture with a camping towel. Misting soon followed suit and with that the weather improved a little and thankfully I was able to open all vents and doors wide to allow some cool air to dry things out proper.

So, despite the inner being water resistant, it's not storm proof by any means (why would you think so anyway?) but the venting options worked a treat is my point.

Consequently I've not encountered any condensation issues either - as you've probably guessed already you can get good airflow through this small shelter. Granted there's been mornings where the inside of the fly has been coated in large amounts of water but nothing on the inside of the inner tent.

PROS

- Fantastic weight and packed size for a 3 season shelter.
- Reasonably strong shelter without being a full on geodesic thanks to American style spilt hub pole design at the rear.
- It's a fantastic all rounder. Great for mountain marathons and thru-hiking.
- Luxury sized porch and space within for the solo backpacker.
- Quick pitching and option to pitch fly only.
- Great airflow options with a deft designed rear vent.
- All nylon inner (ignoring the mesh door and rear panel)

CONS

- Inner pitch first design. Some may not like this but the tent is quick and easy to erect.
- Titanium pegs leave a lot to be desired but most backpackers carry their own supply anyway.
- All mesh inner door. Some may see this as a negative for winter camping**.
- In the real world it's not a two person tent. Adventure racers may find it adequate but most couples will be left wanting.

At home on the moors in winter.

Now I'll be the first to admit, I prefer side entry shelters namely cause I'm a bit of a lazy boy at camp. I like to lie on my side and lean on one arm pottering about with the other in the porch while gazing out at the great outdoors. But no tent is perfect and they all cover by their varying designs and weights differing uses and conditions. Besides, in winter it's nice to be wrapped up in your sleeping bag with easy access to your porch for cooking and so on without contorting around like a trapped slug desperate to flee.

But I've thoroughly enjoyed testing the Terra Nova Solar Competition 2. It really is a fantastic all rounder tent at a very pleasing weight and packed size. If you're a bit of a cautious backpacker or careful with your pennies then I see no reason why you wouldn't want to go for this shelter over the slightly lighter and less stable options of any single arch pole tent like the Laser Competition (unless you're ultralight most people won't notice 300-500g difference in their packs anyway).

Through heavy and regular use which would equate to most peoples 2-3 years worth of backpacking, only some very minor signs of wear and tear have come to light. Around the inner mesh door where the zip is sewn in some tears or threading has occurred. No drama at all really and nothing a needle, cotton and some seam sealer can't sort out.

And what may come as no surprise is some ultra violet light fading on the flysheet. Again, this is to be expected with regular use and nothing a bit of Grangers' Fabsil silicone coating for tents won't solve. And finally the elastic loops where one pegs out the bottom sides of the flysheet have worn a little, too. No issue there that can't be solved. Otherwise it's in tip top condition.

So, there you have it - the Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 tent. A cracking backpacking shelter that covers most bases when heading out into the hills. It's my go to 3 season shelter now. Aye, I'm testing other tents and what have you but when I want to pick and choose gear I'd like to take - this tent is in my list. It strikes the balance so well that you can't help but smile and reach for it out the cupboard.

Happy nights out on the hills.

The Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 tent is now only available on a limited run from Field and Trek and via Terra Nova's own website HERE.

Nationwide launch March 2012.

* You get two sets of brass eyelets to insert the pole ends. Why? The outer is for when pitching the tent dry. There's not much stretch in the SilNylon flysheet. However, after prolonged rain the fabric can give a little and in turn you may notice the tent appears to sag somewhat. This is what the inner brass eyelet is for. By inserting the poles in here, you consequently make the flysheet more taught and thus less prone to flapping in the wind. However, it's something you have to be mindful of as you could risk tears and such like if the weather improves and the fabric dries. The fabric will wish to contract and so you could accidentally cause the fly to misshapen or at worst cause damage. I only mention this here because quite often I'm asked in emails why there are often two brass eyelets on such tents.

** Don't like the idea of all mesh inner door? Have a word with Sean at Ookworks. It's not often you come across a cottage business such as his in the UK but Sean will easily modify most shelters to what you desire. So, in this case he could fit a material of your choice onto or instead of the mesh door. Personally, I'd go for half mesh and the other nylon or cuben. Even so, I've not had any issues but some backpackers may wish to pursue this kind modification.

VIDEO: The Red Grouse - Peak District National Park

2012-01-24T13:59:00.001Z

These delightful birds wake me up in the morning on moorland camps, frighten me half to death darting out from the heather when wandering the moors and for some strange reason consider me a bit of a friend.

It may come as no surprise to some that I've managed to collect quite a few hours of footage of these special upland birds in recent months. Often I'll be wearing a bright orange down jacket as I relax around camp at dawn and it's usually then the grouse appear and let me walk right up to them with my video camera.

Bizarre really. Friends have joked I must smell like them but I like to think it's because they know I'm a friend and not a foe....

Review: Vaude Power Tokee UL 1 person tent

2012-01-23T16:41:00.010Z

Vaude Power Tokee UL 1 person tent

"...despite some foibles I really like the Vaude Power Tokee UL. It's a great solo backpacking shelter. It excels in many departments over other similar classed tents..."

Well, I've had this tent for a while and it's had tough run out on the hills. It's endured multi-day hikes and camps, calm dry evenings, batterings by gale force winds and of course good ole British rain has endeavoured to drown it too. And this lightweight one person shelter has withstood it all with impressive ease.

Essentially, this is a souped up version of Terra Nova's Laser series tents - that much is obvious. So, some of you will be interested (as I was) to see how they compare. And overall, the Vaude tent favours well.

Part of Vaude's Powerframe System - outer pole clips on to make a sturdy
shelter along with an inner tension band.

Fling out the tent and you'll find it's pitch all as one (though the inner can be detached) and sounds like a bundle of tracing paper has escaped from an office drawer to have a play in the wind. But don't be deceived by it's delicate nature. The SilNylon fabric is strong. 20D in fact, so it will take a few years of regular ultraviolet light exposure and wear and tear before this flysheet fails on you.

You then insert two rods at either end, slip on the main pole to some of Vaude's lock clips (their Powerframe system) and some pegging out later you're good to go.

40cm deep porch. You can also see one of the foot/head end vents on the
flysheet for airflow.

However, like most single pole tents you'll need to practice to ensure a tight as a drum pitch - otherwise you'll suffer the infamous (for such tents at least) constant flapping of the flysheet through the night in little more than a strong breeze. Even so, despite my endeavours you can never get the fly to be taught enough to stop it sagging somewhat. The reason for this is, the tapes that the inner and outer are attached to which you peg out to give the tent it's shape are non-stretch - ie, there's no give to them. You could in theory detach the inner and peg that out separately but this doesn't make much difference at all in practice.

Guylines at the ends and sides complement the tents surprising strength

The main arched alloy pole clips on snug to the fly whereby upon completion you lock them tight. It's a little fiddly I have to admit (especially in cold weather) but this is really just a minor gripe - and depending on the weather conditions you'll encounter, you may well find you're grateful for their inherent strength.

Inside the tent you'll discover Vaude's tension band system which adds yet more strength to the main pole for stability during inclement weather. Fortunately, the cable itself doesn't get in your way in any shape or form (unlike similar structured tents) and can easily be adjusted. Very clever positioning on the company's part.

Frost laden tent but I was toasty and warm inside.

The inner polyester tent is something to behold too - it looks and feels like silk. It's translucent and highly water resistant but there's not much room to manouver. You'll find your sleeping bag will rub against the inner frequently and you can't sit up comfortably when getting changed - more so if you use a thick insulated air mattress for sleeping. I'm 5'11" and can't sit up in it at all. Alas, this tent is after all about compromises. ie, weight, space for fast moving adventures.

You can see how I've managed to tie the outer door back in this pic.

The light and airy feel is nice though. You don't feel like you're sleeping in a coffin and it all contributes to feeling in touch with the outside world despite shutting shop for the night.

The inner door unfortunately opens and ties back awkwardly from it's right hand side. I'm ambidextrous so this doesn't bother me, but some might find this a nuisance - more so given that if you don't lie inside the tent the right way around (which isn't always possible due to terrain and inclines etc) you get a face full of polyester. And to top that off, the outer tent door only opens up from it's left side too - so depending on how you lay in your bed you may not get that room with a view you so desire.

Literally room for you, ya bed and to breathe.

Which reminds me of another niggle - the two way zipped outer door can't be tied back. So, to remedy this I got hold of some dyneema cord, tied it to the zip handle and pulled this up and over the tent to attach to rocks or extra peg. Problem solved to a degree - but then what if you're comfy in bed at night and it begins to rain? You got to get out and untie the cord.

Venting for air flow comes in the shape of mesh panels that sit at the top at both foot and head ends of the inner and outer plus some mesh along the top half of the inner door. Do these work? In truth I'm not too sure. Yes, the tent is small and will be prone to condensation issues (all tents are anyway) but I've found over many trips and nights out that moisture build up occurs rapidly within the confines of the tent. I can count on more than one hand and feet the number of mornings I've woken to find condensation has formed by the litre on the inside of the inner tent. This has proven to be a nuisance and a disappointment for me on the Power Tokee UL.

For one or two nights, I wouldn't really care in truth. The weight saving, strength and room you get for this shelter is excellent but on multi-day hikes? It becomes problematic if you're keen to keep condensation off your sleeping bag for example or for breathability too. The inner and outer getting damp from packing night after night doesn't do it no favours. Yes, you could detach the inner and so on but that's just a pain in the rear when you're knackered and just want to pitch for the night. Another solution would be to use a camping towel to mop up excess moisture but there's only so much that can remedy.

The 3000mm HH flysheet sits low to the ground which is likely a factor in all this and you can't adjust the height either due to how tied in the whole structure is. It's almost like Vaude have considered all worst case scenarios this tent could encounter with regards to the weather (ie storms) and dismissed any care for folk who could use this tent for long trips out. Obviously, for the odd night out it's not too much of a concern and perhaps this was their aim? (I'm thinking mountain marathons)

The groundsheet has proven durable though there really isn't a bathtub lip around it and to be fair on most solo tents in this class there usually isn't one to be found anyway - and in truth if you pitch carefully when out on the hills then flooding encroaching around your home for the night shouldn't be of much concern. It's worth noting the 10,000mm HH is resistant to formic acid. Not something I've ever had an issue with admittedly (think nasty stinging ants).

What many folk forget with such tents as the Power Tokee UL is they're supposed to be erected longest sides into the wind - hence the tension band system. And with this in mind and all the above it really does come into it's own.

This is what backpacking is all about - and the tent will suit
most folks needs

Sure you get the flapping associated with these shelters (no more or less than a Terra Nova Laser series) but Vaude have done a fantastic job of making it pretty 'bomber'. I've had this tent out in wind speeds in excess of 45mph and it's performed exceptionally well indeed. Come the morning, there's been no signs of wear, tear or friction burns on the flysheet. Aye, I may have had a noisy night within but I was sheltered, warm and dry. I have to say I didn't use the lightweight toothpick pegs that come with Power Tokee UL, instead using my own V pegs and other types.

One recent night up on the Roaches where I encountered strong winds did I come across some damage - a slight curve in the main ridge pole. Nothing dramatic but enough to appreciate the tent's limits. I think this boils down to how tough the tent really is - it just won't give! And it's worth remembering such poles are designed to accommodate some eventual curvature anyway (though usually to contribute towards it's strength).

It's nice to see the sleeves the end rods slip into are reinforced, too. A place where wear and tear is first to show after regular long term use. For example, I've had to seam seal new patches of nylon onto my Terra Nova Laser Competition in such places (though I'll admit it had been out in some silly winter weather more than once).

The porch is a bit on the small side at only 40cm depth at it's widest point. It tapers rapidly after that. Even so, there's enough room for some gear and careful cooking (I usually chuck my pack in the tent with me and use it as a pillow or foot rest). So, on that front it's famous competitor from the UK still has a larger porch all round.

PROS

- Great weight at 848g all in (not including my own pegs) and small pack size for a 2 skin solo shelter.
- Ideal for adventure racers and weekend breaks out on the hills.
- Superb stability. This tent is very strong for a single arch pole design.
- Tough and durable for a lightweight shelter.
- Pitches quick and all in one. No faffing about or getting the inner soaked in rain.
- Comes with a repair kit.

CONS

- Restricted options on how you like to position yourself in a tent for that 'room with a view'.
- Outer door cannot be tied back, you'll have to do your own modifications.
- Prone to considerable amounts of condensation in our maritime climate.
- For regular backpackers it's perhaps a bit too small in dimension.

Overall, despite some foibles I really like the Vaude Power Tokee UL. It's a great solo backpacking shelter. It excels in many departments over other similar classed tents but then shoots itself in the foot with others. Condensation in our maritime climate can be a problem is the main gripe - otherwise it's a top bit of kit.

VIDEO: The Roaches, Peak District National Park

2012-01-20T10:31:00.002Z

VIDEO: Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill

2012-01-19T10:45:00.002Z

Well, on Sunday and Monday I spent time wandering around these two delightful hills in the south west of the Peak District National Park - a favourite area of mine. A wonderfully aesthetically pleasing place and over looked by the crowds. If you're a lover of landscapes, then this is definitely a place to visit if you can. Buses run regular from Buxton or Ashbourne, parking is easy to find and the quaint village of Longnor is only a couple of miles away.

"Sun God" and "Inversion King" status - still intact.

2012-01-17T20:57:00.003Z

High Wheeldon summit one cold Saturday morning

The skin on my face is tighter than a drum and beginning to peel and my toes and fingertips are only now returning to some sense of normality - and on top of that my limbs ache a little and my mind is still in a daze.

Yes, I'm back from a few cold days and nights out on the hills and moors of the Peak District and am feeling the consequences of a tough few days walking and camping. It was intensive to say the least - a quick run up and down High Wheeldon one morning to retrieve my mobile phone (I left it on the trig point) didn't help as I eagerly waited for a local bus to take me miles elsewhere.

All said and done, it was a fabulous trip and a real morale booster on many levels. Not only did it prove productive for my work but gave my spirits a big lift after recent jaunts out cut short due to stormy conditions.

Thursday night was spent somewhat awkwardly on Ramshaw Rocks. Not exactly 'wild' camping but handy nonetheless
for the work I was doing. Paid off though with a lovely sunset.

Ramshaw Rocks at night from camp. Not a great picture by any means but it does prove the influence of man on our
national parks - especially here with light pollution!

Fortunately, the nearby road was quite as a mouse for most of the night enabling me to get a sound sleep. The next
morning I woke to a beautiful cloud inversion as far as my eyes could see all around.

Looking north I couldn't make out if the sheet of inverted cloud enveloped all or most of Peaklands valleys

It made for some cracking video - some of which I'll use in a future video featuring The Roaches.

The previous evening I met a wonderful local photographer called Brett Trafford - while chatting and taking in the views
I commented conditions looked favourable for a cloud inversion the following day. Fair play to him, he headed back out
before dawn the next day to see these wonderful sights of the hills.

Unfortunately, the cloud avoided the actual ridge I was on - shame as it would've made for more aesthetically pleasing scenes on video.

Work done in The Roaches, I made my over to High Wheeldon to camp the night (after spending the afternoon
in the pub, mind). A fantastic end to the day with wonderful weather.

And so I got to work on some photos for another project - the Peak District at night - and so here's the village of Earl Sterndale.

The night time view (one of many pics) from High Wheeldon looking west to Chrome and Parkhouse Hills. I think this view and area is
my favourite in all of the Peak District, to be honest.

Some good friends of mine live in the nearby Wheeldon Trees farm and holiday cottages. Little did they know I was out on the hill nearby.

Come dawn, there was a thick frost on the ground - even a thick coating on my sleeping bag, which took me some time to
dry out in the sun when it finally arrived.

The view from High Wheeldon again - this time under moonlight. Bit different, eh?

Clear skies, mean cold nights generally - and so it was no surprise to see so much frost that very morning.

The nearby farm again but at dawn. Martin and Deborah the owners caught sight of me a little later and popped up to see
what I was filming. A nice morning was spent in the sun until we headed out the chilly air and inside for some coffee.

The sun didn't get at the frost very well at all. My down bag was still a little damp when packing away.

Note the strips in the fields - remnants of a bye gone age of farming.

The following night was spent on the moors near the Cat and Fiddle pub where I hooked up with a friend. We had a few ales
before heading out onto the moors. It was even colder now as winds had become more brisk.

I've had some issues with the Vaude Power Tokee UL tent - even so, it's growing on me now. Review coming soon....

Here's me the next day wearing the very versatile Paramo Core jacket plus sleeves. Excellent bit of gear so far. Kept me warm despite
the quite severe wind chill (though you can't tell in the photo).

Rob headed home back 'darn sarf' and left me to wander the hills and moors near Chrome Hill for the day.

It really was quite treacherous at times heading up the narrow limestone ridge of Chrome Hill - though I took my time on the ascent
I still slipped a couple of times. Not good. But it ended well in the end with this fine view.

Another breezy and thus chilly night was spent on Chrome Hill. Dawn proved to very atmospheric - I had a field day up here with my cameras.

And so it was the end of another great trip out on these modest hills in the south west corner of the Peak Park.

You could say I've been having a right field day with my new DSLR of late (though some pics above were taken on a Panasonic Lumix TZ8) - I've certainly tried to hit the ground running though admittedly with mixed results. I did try to take some nice pics of Parkhouse Hill at night which proved very difficult in the stiff breeze. So, I'll have to head back for some shots I have in mind for that area. But concentrating on video and taking photos has proved distracting. Both are different in techniques and of course mindset. I suppose it's really one or the other I should concentrate on with some trips. So, we'll see how that develops.

I've still much to learn on the photography front and kit to buy in time, too.

I'd like to thank Mike and Sharon, two wonderful owners of the Pack Horse Inn in Crowdecote at the foot of High Wheeldon. They're hospitality was excellent as always and the range of ales was exceptional and in tip top form too (no wonder I spent 3 hours in there, eh?).

And thanks to Martin and Deborah at Wheeldon Trees, too - enjoyable company as always. Coffee was delicious and so was the cake. And it was good to see and speak with other friends on this trip as well.

It all goes towards making me love this whole little-visited area of the Peak District even more. I don't just like it because it's quiet - but more it's rural charm, friendly locals, poets and folk singers in the pubs and so on. There's a real sense of community round here set amongst some of the finest walking country you can imagine. It really is a hidden gem of the Peak and I'll no doubt be back there again very soon.

Oh and of course the title of this post is meant firmly tongue-in-cheek. I may well have another foul trip next!

2 years of blogging

2012-01-11T13:35:00.000Z

Apart from writing this wee blog post, I'm busy packing for my next excursion out into the Peak District National Park - thankfully the weather is looking a bit more promising this time round so fingers crossed it will be a productive trip.

Anyway, I'd just like to thank you all (old and new) for taking the time to watch my videos and read this blog. It's 2 years old this month and in that time it's had over 700,000 unique visitors with a shocking 25,000 visits on average every month in the past year. Figures that bewilder me in truth. I've no idea where you all come from and why. But I suppose it's a reflection of the ever increasing interest in outdoor pursuits.

It's been an absolute pleasure sharing my experiences with you all and perhaps for some intriguing as my new found career in the great outdoors producing videos has evolved and developed. It truly has been humbling on many levels when all I really want to do is spread the word on how wonderful and enlightening an experience it is taking in the beautiful landscapes we have here in the UK.

Granted, much of my time has been spent in the Peak Park during the past year but there are projects in the pipeline where you may well see some work from me featuring other national parks soon. Even so, I have to admit that any kind of snobbery I had towards the Peak District was quickly dispelled in the first half of last year.

I feel so lucky to be able to spend so much time out there on the moors and in the dales. It truly is a beautiful and diverse national park - often many, many areas overlooked by those in the outdoors community. I've made many friends online and in person over the months too - especially the locals in Derbyshire (landlords included) who've proved extremely helpful with research. And of course there is the welcoming outdoors blogging community with which I've made many new backpacking friends too.

I've enjoyed every minute of it - well, maybe not 'every' minute but certainly most - and continue to do so.

So, thank you to you all - it really is much appreciated and a pleasure.

Happy freakin' 2012 (again!)

2012-01-08T11:56:00.001Z

Dawn respite from camp - The Roaches, Peak District National Park

I'm not having much luck of late with regards to the weather. It would appear my "sun god" status has been revoked. After arriving in the Peak District on Friday I made my way to The Roaches in the south west of the park with fellow backpacker Mike.

I was planning on spending a few days in the Peaks filming and the forecasts looked favourable for me to capture some nice video of the area - alas as is often the case things turned out to be quite different.

After taking in some of the grey and miserable scenes near Hen Cloud, me and Mike headed up to Doxey Pool to set up camp. Initially conditions weren't too bad but as time went by it got much worst. Strong consistent winds with some horrendous gusts and side driven rain along with thick clag. So dense in fact, that our head torches were next to useless - completely diffusing in the murk.

We picked as sheltered spot as we could find and made do in the end while we waited for Martin from Summit and Valley to join us for the night. Conditions were such that I ended up bunking down with Mike in his Wild Country Sololite as the winds grew stronger and battered the tent senseless. Even so, we had fun drinking some cider and malt to numb the senses to it all.

As the night rolled on by I took a call from Martin who had decided to spend the night in his car instead of heading out into the storm to meet up. Sensible decision to be honest (he woke in the early hours to his car rocking in the winds).

I happened to have the Vaude Power Tokee UL out with me for this trip and apart from the awful noise of the tent flapping incessantly until dawn it stood up to the winds remarkably well. Not ideal by any means but impressive nonetheless. There were no signs of friction burn on the flysheet and what have you - but the main tent pole had awkwardly curved somewhat. The tension band system Vaude use for many of their tents certainly works, make no doubt about that - but I can't help but suspect that it consequently encouraged the pole to misshapen.

Nevertheless, I slept through the night reasonably well and woke just before sunrise. By now the clag had lifted and the winds had died down a little but were still very strong.

While packing our gear away a break appeared in the cloud to reveal the sun rising up in the west - one of those moments where morale shoots into the stratosphere. It was while taking pictures and video that Martin finally arrived.

Not long after, we headed off to the east and to walk a circuit of the Roaches and then back to Martin's car. By this point we had clocked average wind speeds of 45mph+ (Kestrel 3000) and it was then I decided to call my trip a day. We were struggling to walk straight - looking at us, you'd think we just spent a few hours in the local pub! The weather wasn't improving and checking forecasts online revealed it wasn't set to get any better for the next few days either - more so given how wrong they had been the previous day and currently. The seeds of doubt had already been planted in my mind so it was tail between the legs and back home after a one nighter for me again.

At the end of the day, there's not much work I can do in such conditions - the camera shakes (even if I pin down the tripod), dust and rain gets in the lenses and of course there's not much to film.

Oh well, until next time.....hopefully things will get better later in the week.

Cozy in the tent with cider and malt for refreshment.

Vaude Power Tokee UL - performed exceptionally well in strong winds for a single pole tent.

Martin finally arrives - 12 hours late

The familiar pic of Martin from behind as he introduces himself to Mike.

Dawn from The Roaches - twas splendid despite the prevailing conditions.

VIDEO: The Peak District At Night

2012-01-04T14:02:00.000Z

Well, some of you may have picked up on the clues - but here's a tiny glimpse of what I'm working on for the next few months. Ultimately a 10 minute epic featuring the Peak District National Park at night. It's already proving to be a pain in the rear to capture to be honest but I'm pleased with some of the results I've got so far.

I'm also planning on producing a photographic study of the Peak Park at night, too - which is somewhat easier to execute.

The idea behind all this stemmed from camps I've had out in the Peaks over the past year - when the sun is down the landscape can be just as mesmerising as in the day time. Be it the twinkling lights of nearby urban areas, or the soft grey glow of snow on the hills etching out the detail of stone walls and gritstone edges.

So, from a wild camping perspective I figured wouldn't it be great to share such scenes the majority of every day people don't see and maybe give them some food for thought. After all, considering the conurbations that surround the Peak Park it's important to raise awareness of it's skies and wide open spaces with little light pollution too.

Granted, you see some of the latter in this short video. The distant glows of Sheffield and Chesterfield give the impression of a peculiar sunset from the moors of the eastern Peak District. It's not that bad to the naked eye but on camera with long exposures it's really quite obvious.

There's a full moon out in a few days, so I'm hoping we get some clear skies to help me capture some more alien scenes of the hills, moors and dales of the Peak Park....

Happy freakin' 2012

2012-01-03T17:13:00.003Z

Bivvying - great innit?

Well, I popped to the Peak District on New Years Eve to spend a night in a bivouac on Kinder Scout and hopefully capture some night time scenes on camera.

It turned into a bit of a disaster unfortunately. The weather was bloody awful!

My wife dropped me off by Mam Tor from where I set off over Rushup Edge in thick clag, strong winds and persistent rain. The slog on the moors to Kinder via Brown Knoll was a nightmare and really quite demoralising.

Bogs became treacherous swamps, swamps deceptively transformed into gateways to another world and the going was really tough. I've done this route a fair few times and covered ground reasonably well, with this walk taking no more than 90 minutes to Kinder Low.

On this occasion the trek was completed in 150 minutes but felt at least twice that!

No matter, once I reached where I planned to spend the night I bumped into a lovely couple who were out to meet me and see in the new year while enjoying their third wild camp of the year. Matt and Marion's company lifted my spirits somewhat and not before long I was cracking open a bottle of port.

Even so, it wasn't too sheltered where we were and it peed it down for a few hours meaning much of me and my gear got a bit of a soaking - I took the Vaude Bivi with me you see. All ended well though and I slept warm and reasonably dry as the night wore on.

The next day wasn't much better - there were views but wind speeds were devilish so I called it quits and went home with my tail between my legs (courtesy of a lift from Matt and Marion).

Thanks a bunch to those two.

Not a bad way to see in the new year - but not a great one either (no reflection on the company of course) and I didn't get any work done whatsoever.

Oh well, best wishes for 2012 and here's to the next trip in a couple of days.....

Home - it wasn't sweet either. (Vaude Bivi 1)

Raise a glass....I'll wait. Go and get one. Raise a glass to the year ahead.

2011-12-30T12:18:00.004Z

Backpacking - don't you just bloody love it?

Been a funny old year 2011 - for me at least. It began with me fretting about my redundancy, anxious where money is going to come from and keep a roof over my family's head and such like. Looking back it really was quite stressful. But I got my head down and stuck in with trying to forge a new career concerning videos and the great outdoors.

For the first few months things were really borderline in truth. Income was at the very limit of what my family could accept and I was constantly chasing work or seeking avenues to get a foothold in gaining a portfolio - all the while further developing my kit with the little spare funds I had at my disposal and my skills in filming and editing videos. And in truth, I'm still learning!

I suppose with anything in life we continue to learn - but my goodness have I had a steep curve to ride.

It's not something I really talk about publicly for obvious reasons, but I will reveal some of that personal information now on my blog. From the outside looking in, it may well have appeared that 'terrybnd' was living the life of an outdoors person's dream. And at times I suppose it is and continues to be. But the boundary between a hobby we all love and work has not only since become blurred but non-existent.

I can honestly say, on occasion I'm sick to death of being out on the hills. I need a break. If the weather is pants, usually one could just head home to the land of the living and think "C'est la vie!". Whereas, I've had to stay put and keep at it. I'll be physically and mentally tired and pining for home comforts, or annoyed some gear I'm testing hasn't lived up to expectations or more importantly shots I've chased or patiently waited for stubbornly won't bloody materialise.

But the hard work has paid off and in some respects the redundancy has proved to be a blessing in disguise.

I feel daft saying all this, but my work has gained more and more recognition (honestly can't think why at times - I shudder and cringe looking back on some videos) and now the work comes to me, as opposed to me pulling my ever greying hairs out seeking some kind of commission. It's all been extremely humbling. Something I really can't put into words.

You may laugh, but from my point of view, I'm still Terry from before. The same old regular bloke in the pub having a beer and socialising and talking about football and other everyday blokey chit chat. The attention I've received from many quarters has been somewhat unsettling and something that never occurred to me as a consequence of what I do.

The numerous kind emails of support, the compliments, the advice and more has been truly overwhelming. The approaches by the likes of the BBC and other media out there has been a real shock to me but exciting at the same time (keep your eyes peeled on TGO Magazine). It's really nice seeing my videos and business get banded about too - such as on the Visit Peak District Tourist Board website here.

After all, I'm still that guy who blogs about his trips in the outdoors, I'm still the husband who pisses off his wife from time to time, I'm still the guy you'd talk to in the local - I'm still simple old me. And I suppose that's why some of the above unsettles me. It's not that I can't deal with it, it's just I never sought it and expected it.

Either way, without sounding like an old big head (if that's your perception) or better still as some moaning ungrateful sod - let me say this....

I never thought I'd be where I am now. I figured a couple of months at best and I'll be seeking work of any shape or form to bring in the income at home. So, I do still from time to time pinch myself when out on wild camps - that I'm getting paid to do it for an end result. Taking in a fine sunset with a beer in hand with tent set up nearby is something I'll never tire of til my dying days - and every time such a scenario arises, I'm humbled on so many levels now you just wouldn't believe.

And as for the future? Pardon my language - fuck knows to be honest!

The past year has taught me to expect the unexpected, make no doubt. I have some goals and dreams I'd like to chase or execute - modest ones. The Peak District at night is one such project. But I'd like to slowly begin to spread my wings into other national parks, too. I'd love to say more, but I feel stupid to do so in case none of it ever materialises! I'd only look a desperate dreamer fool.

So, raise a glass if you have one to hand - or go and get one - I'll wait a moment.....raise a glass to the end of 2011 and onwards to 2012. I truly hope all your dreams and wishes come true and hard times are overcome with ease. Thank you all for continuing to visit my wee space in this online wild west and I hope to share more of my joys of the outdoors in the coming months, and will take pleasure in receiving yours too.

If you believe or have a God, I hope they bless you. Good luck, look forward and always take joy from every moment in the hills!

Happy New Year!! I'm off to pack now to see in 2012 from Kinder Scout. Speak soon.

Now for some outdoors porn.....

I think this is my favourite pic of the year. One I've chased for a few months. I really like it anyway. It tells a story.

Another fave of mine - it just whets my appetite concerning two future projects I'm working on.

Now I'm back in the DSLR fold, I'm hoping to develop my photography skills too. We'll see what happens on that front.

My favourite trip of the year I reckon. A camp up an old favourite of mine in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

I dunno what it is - but I just love Ingleborough and never tire of the place or it's views.

Another highlight of the year - social meet at Monsal Head. Was funny watching folk crowd round my friend Mark
from Rab as he displays some of their latest wares.

I had a lot to drink that weekend (not all them bottles are mine!). So, with luck and based on feedback I'll organise another
social meet in the spring of 2012.

Beautiful little-visited waterfall in the Howgills. A trip I remember fondly.

A trip where I first met Martin from Summit and Valley and James from Backpackingbongos - two people I consider to
be good friends now.

An encounter of the friendly kind I had with a Red Grouse on Kinder Scout - will never forget this. He just wouldn't
bugger off and leave me alone! Made for great video footage though!!

One of the many local establishments I've spent many a happy hour in over the past year.

A beautiful morning from Wolfscote Hill - cracking trip this was in the White Peak. Though staggering to camp
from the pub wasn't ideal. It's a fair old climb up to this little visited hill. Worth it. The views are excellent.

Friendly sheep up on Stanage Edge in the summer - twas a cracking sunset too.

One of a few memorable bivvies I had during the summer in the Peaks. This one I awoke to a cloud inversion. Bliss!

After experiencing a nasty thunderstorm, the views cleared nicely from this camp on Shining Tor.

Another pic that tells a story - I was knackered and this can didn't last long let me tell you!

Same trig point - next morning.

Camp on the Roaches. Nice evening I remember fondly.

An encounter of the wrong kind with this lady's husband followed later in the evening.

A view I never tire of in the Peak District - Chrome and Parkhouse Hills.

At work one January morning in the Peak District - kits changed a fair bit then. Up to 8kg I have to lug about now.

I've grown very fond of Stanage Edge too. A place that never fails to lift my spirits.

And of course, I nipped to the delightful Chiltern Hills 'darn sarf' and enjoyed a couple of nights bivvying with Red Kites for company.

And finally, I suppose this video sums up best what I do now or have done over the past year....

Penultimate blog post for 2011 - Rab MeCo, Choc Fish merino, Helly Hansen, Powermonkey Explorer and a Merrell jacket.

2011-12-29T21:11:00.002Z

The joys of backpacking eh? Not always like this mind.

It's that time of year when we head out for the end of year sales and pick up bargains or we've come into some cash from Christmas and intend to splash out on new gear for the great outdoors.

Well, if you're interested here's a list of gear I've been using recently or over the past year which I think are worth considering....and unashamedly so. The manufacturers or retailers involved (except one because I actually bought it) have all kindly donated the kit for long term testing. In all honesty, despite some misgivings the kit has performed brilliantly and it's been hard trying to be critical of them in a fair and objective manner when they're all really rather good.

Alas, some of you will know what I already think of some products below via my ramblings on Twitter. From time to time I comment on gear I'm using when out in the field so a number of thoughts may not come as any surprise to some of you.

So, to read more of my penultimate blog post of 2011 - clickety click on.....

Nice scenery - shame I spoil the pic

RAB MeCo 165/120 LONG SLEEVE BASELAYER

There's been quite some hype about this top and justifiably so. It uses a mix of merino wool and Cocona thread (65/35 respectively) with the aim of striking a balance of great wicking properties and warmth at the same time for an average weight of 165g (120g without zip). Does it work? Ignoring all the science behind it for now - yes. You feel the warmth immediately when you put it on. It's quite a slim fit (as is often the case with such garments) so if you're like me with a bit of beer belly then I'd recommend a larger fit. Though to be fair, Rab's sizing is normally spot on for me - but twice I've had to change/exchange the tops due to fitting issues (beware online shoppers!).

I'm quite broad anyway, but on the MeCo tops I've had to go up to a size extra large.

The baselayers are quick drying for sure but when damp not as warm as you may hope when compared with the likes of pure merino baselayer tops - you can feel the chill slightly but this doesn't last too long. On first use I've found a slight itching to the garment but over time it disappears. Usually, the itching can occur when merino has had a wash (think all that water and thrashing even on a gentle wash causing a bit of havoc) but in this case I've found a delicate session in a washing machine improves how the fabric sits next to your skin. Don't let that put you off though, it could be my overly sensitive nature (I blame the wife for softening me up over the years).

Out of the other tops here, bobbling occurs sooner rather than later. OK, this aint no drama (though some will perceive this as a sign of rapid wear and tear) but it's proven to be a right toughie this garment. I've snagged it inadvertently on thorns and such like and it's only caused a slight hole - as opposed to a wonderful long thread gently blowing in the breeze begging you to pull and pull on it.

Given the uniform threading of merino and Cocona (so they say and in reality I doubt you'll notice) and all the above you can easily wear this top for 3-4 days before feeling (likely nudged and nudged) the requirement to give it a good wash. A gentle roll and squeeze in a mountain beck or limestone river has always sufficed for me, though maybe not the poor fish. Give it a couple of hours in a gentle breeze and you're back in business.

All in all it's a top I regularly use which says something. I've tried with or without zip collar (this drops deep on your chest) and all have performed brilliantly - another top drawer bit of clothing from Rab.

Comfy in bed with a ChocFish merino top - bliss

CHOCOLATE FISH TeMata LONG SLEEVE BASELAYER

If there's one top akin to the Rab I use more than any other - it's this excellent 260g average mid-weight layer from Chocolate Fish. The quality of the thread is apparent on touch never mind when slipping it over your head. It's a tad warm for regular walking use in the summer months but for autumn and winter it excels over any other baselayer I've had the pleasure of using performance wise.

Comfortable from the off it's warm, regulates your temperature well whatever activity your doing - which is testament to the quality of the merino used. This is the real deal for the uninitiated. No itching like you may get with some baselayers featuring merino.

However, once damp though you're still warm (think Paramo clothing) it does take longer (despite the science) to dry out than other baselayers. But like I've already mentioned, you just don't feel the chill. Using Chocolate Fish merino is a real eye opener when you're perhaps used to wearing the likes of Icebreaker, for example. Here you've got quality thread and it really is New Zealand merino wool (unlike many other brands who use inferior alternatives from the likes of China to save costs).

You get what you pay for and then some with this baselayer and I absolutely love it. Admittedly I mostly use it at camp nowadays but even so, it takes much longer to pong when compared with the Rab MeCo top or any other brand when used heavily in activity over a few consistent days hiking and I sweat a lot! Alas, that's one of the benefits of wool in general - even so, it just goes to show that sometimes old school materials/fabrics are still the best.

It's had numerous washes now and it's still as new. No signs of wear and tear either - though I've obviously taken care of it. It's loose fitting without being too body hugging and given all the above, it's just really comfortable and light to wear. I just love the silky smoothness of it all against my skin, even when sodden with sweat along my back. Aye, that sounds gross but I'm just trying to emphasise that it's comfortable and performs brilliantly.

Think of the TeMata baselayer out of the others mentioned in this post as the tried and trusted workhorse - it may not be fashionable, or the latest bee's knees super dooper garment. You may not always want to use it, but you'll be glad when you do.

Just me spoiling the scene again, better than seeing me in
a pair of the Helly pants though, eh?

HELLY HANSEN DRY CHARGER LONG SLEEVE TOP AND WARM PANT

Despite the "smelly Helly" reputation of old, I'm a bit of a fan of this brand when it comes to baselayers - the top and leggings kindly donated to me from Simply Piste are excellent. In active use the leggings are a bit much to wear admittedly but in terms of comfort both garments are up there with the best.

The knit of merino wool (57%) and Helly's Lifa fabric really works for comfort with regards to the pants. And the stretch is superb on both garments, best of the bunch here in fact.

I have really enjoyed wearing these layers. They quite simply do the job. At times, I've found the baselayer top to be slightly warmer than the Rab MeCo. This is likely due to the flecked patches of the fabric scattered all over along with thinner grids to help wick that sweat away. So, you're getting a good balance of body temperature regulation and relative warmth at the same time despite no presence of wool. A garment for aerobic activities most definitely. Don't get me wrong, I've been warm enough when at rest or on leisurely strolls in a cold breeze - but that's me. This top works best on it's own in late summer or under a softshell or lightweight waterproof jacket.

The leggings are great for wearing in bed on cold nights out camping (which is when I use them most now). The leggings I'll often wear with the Chocolate Fish merino top and I'm toasty and warm when snuggled up in my winter down bag.

The baselayer top is kept for hiking then, so what with the weight and small pack size of the above garments you'll find a good balance struck for backpacking. Quick drying and comfortable, another good buy really for anyone in need. Though it's worth noting that Helly Hansen's fitting is on the slim side, so best to err on the side of caution and get a size larger than you'd normally purchase - unless you really are skinny of course.

The comfiest bed and pillow I've ever used for backpacking

EXPED SYNMAT UL MATTRESS

I bought this mat when it was first released back in March. And it's been absolutely battered.

432g's (my scales) in weight, 183cm long, 52 wide and 7cm thick with 60g's of Expeds synthetic fill - laminated foil which in turn is glued to each inflatable tube within.

Granted, due to it's lightweight nature the warranty only covers you for 1 year (as opposed to Exped's usual 2) but with care it'll last the distance. It's extremely comfortable to sleep on (as is always the case with their mattresses in my opinion) and bloody warm too. It's not for winter mind - this is really a 3 season mat if you don't want to lug a foam mat about for extra insulation. Even so, it packs down to the same size as a regular Thermarest NeoAir, is cheaper, thicker, comfier and warmer.

Don't doubt the R Value on Exped mats. I sleep cold and this and other Exped mats I've since (well, and before) used have always kept me warm from the cold ground. Otherwise, spare clothing if I have any gets laid under my sleeping bag or I slip a sheet of slim foil/foam into my pack.

Another thing I adore about this mattress is how quickly you can inflate it with just a few deep breaths or better still with their excellent pump pillow. When it comes to backpacking, we all love gear that can multi-task and the pillow does exactly that. It's ergonomic, soft to rest your head on (though if you prefer hard then just inflate it more) and acts as a pump for certain Exped mattresses.

No joke, the Synmat UL is up in 60 seconds with the pump pillow - there's no hanging about or waiting to catch your breath.

My favourite bit of gear for the year. It's a bit worn and filthy now but like I said earlier, it's had a proper battering having been used on 90% of my trips out on the hills for days at a time. A cap for deflating the mattress had come loose - but fortunately I was able to push it back into position. Even so, without it the mat still worked.

For me, it's been the perfect backpacking mattress for multi-day trips. I'm always guaranteed a good nights sleep.

Power to the hiker - well, at least some anyway

POWERMONKEY EXPLORER

Ellis Brigham kindly passed one of these onto me a couple of months back and I've used it regularly ever since, proving to be a handy tool for charging my mobile phone(s) when out on my trips. Any good?

Well, it's small and light enough and given a standard 6.11Wh battery in my Samsung Galaxy S2 and similar in a Sony Ericsson Vivaz and a beaten old Nokia - it charges them full no problem. One full charge of the Powermonkey will keep the Samsung smartphone going twice over, for example.

But the main charger is slow to fuel. So, you may need to sit in the pub a wee while longer before heading on elsewhere on multi-day hikes.

It's proven to handle a good bashing and shower proof too. As for the solar panel? Well, it works make no bones about it. There's some slits on the ends of the solar panels where you can strap it to your rucksack. On a clear sunny day it will charge the Powermonkey in just a few hours, but in clag or just a broken cloud day - it takes much longer.

Powermonkey say you can plug the solar panel straight into your device and charge from the sun - aye, you can on crappy old devices that don't require much power (a la my old Nokia) but it doesn't do anything on the smartphones.

In truth, despite the pros and likes I have for this product I'm more inclined to think about purchasing a few cheap third-party batteries online. You'll get more bang for your buck that way but it's not exactly environmentally friendly, eh?

Solar panel, main charger and necessary wires and plugs (though not one for sticking in a wall by the bar) comes in at 175g.

All said and done, the Powermonkey Explorer is in my pack on every trip now. It's handy but not something you really ought to rely on. It's got some impressive technical stats but in the real world I've found it to be less impressive in comparison. Essentially, it makes for a great back up tool and it's 'green'.

Off the high street and onto the hill - no problemo

MERRELL INTERCEPT JACKET

Now, this trendy and suave looking outdoors jacket has proven to be somewhat of a dark horse for me. Never judge a book by it's cover so they say. I was sceptical to how well it would perform out on the hill - despite feeling like I've just stepped off the high street in it.

Highly water and wind resistant with Merrells own synthetic fill which is reasonably light and compresses really rather well. You end up wearing it more than packing it away mind. There's no hood but the collar hugs your chin closely when fully closed.

Lycra cuffs keep the breeze out, two handy (no pun intended) pockets are positioned carefully at the sides (though quite deep, they can get trapped by a hip belt on your rucksack). It's a good jacket for 3 season use. Needless to say it's not a technical garment per se for winter use, but over the back end of summer and through winter it's not only kept me warm on the hill (comfortably more so than a fleece to be honest) but helped me not scare folk away when hitting the tarmac in the likes of Buxton or Ambleside.

OK, I'll have a big pack on my back and maybe it's my own perception of such things - but it's been a handy go to outdoors jacket when out and about in town when I'm not out backpacking.

I really like it. It's quite versatile for what it is - and I've not even mentioned you can stuff it into it's own designated pocket to form an ergonomic camping pillow!

The latter is handy but not something I've used a great deal in truth. I like and need a good pilllow when out on the hills and this don't cut the mustard for me on that front. But for others? So, the Intercept jacket gets a thumbs up for casual and aimable 3 season use from me.

So, there you go - that's my final contribution or thoughts on some gear for the year of 2011.

VIDEO: Derwent Edge, Peak District National Park

2011-12-22T12:53:00.003Z

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!

Guest Post - How to be a canny hiker in Latin America by Joe Bond

2011-12-22T10:47:00.000Z

Preparation, food, money, kit, politeness, open mindedness and a good travel insurance policy are essential for hiking, particularly in Latin America. One of the more challenging trips is the W trek in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. It takes four or five days and is named after the shape the route takes on a map. Well marked, populated by friendly travellers even out of season, it was a good place for a beginner to beef up his hamstrings and chow down the cereal bars.

Travel light

Putting the same t-shirt on every morning may not be pleasant but once you’ve set off, you won’t notice. Savvy hikers were weighing their rucksacks before departure, which gave me encouragement to lighten my load significantly.

Being resourceful is knowing when and how to dry stuff – not packing extra trousers just in case. It is recommended to have something comfortable for the evening (by which I mean a second pair of trousers), and that should do it. There were, I must point out, ample stops or ‘refugios’, along the way, offering plenty of facilities, spots to hang clothes and refresh.

That said – the weather in the national park was more unpredictable than in Scotland. Having set out in a t-shirt under the blazing sun, we arrived at the towers of rock in a total blizzard – so I was pleased to have lots of layer and waterproofs at the ready. A useful packing list for the Torres is here.

I also managed to find a very good stick along my way, which had been marked at the top by a previous climber – but I was lucky. Many recommend taking a pair of hiking poles. Having something sturdy to support and take some of the load off your knees is highly recommended – something I'm sure newcomers and seasoned walkers alike will appreciate.

Fortunately resting and rehydrating in Patagonia is a treat: having fresh glacial water in abundance means less weight in the backpack, too.

The waterproof medium-heavy boots were also indispensable once we hit the snowline, despite the extra weight on the feet, so it’s worth bearing in mind that there are often surprises when abroad, and even with research it can be difficult to anticipate conditions.

Share the love

There is nothing quite like taking in the fresh air and having the wilderness all to yourself. But there’s equally no harm in asking your trail companions for a few minutes’ advice, because the benefit of sharing your experience and having somebody around is impossible to outweigh.

Other walkers will help you if you fall, but the more trust you have in your partner the better. If you twist your ankle, you want somebody you can count on to wait with you, or somebody that you can be completely confident will return if they need to go seek help after a more serious injury.

Don’t run

Ideally reach your destination before dark, but make sure you’ve a head-torch and don’t get caught out. It may sound obvious but it’s important to keep your hands free, watch your balance and look where you’re going. Steep edges and valleys require careful negotiation. It can be tempting on the return descent to run, particularly if time is tight – but it’s certainly not worth a twisted ankle or a fall down a ravine.

Make way

Keep left, give way to those coming uphill who might want to keep their momentum. I tended to pace myself for the group, pushing myself a little – though resting and rehydrating was often a very popular suggestion if others were clearly masking their fatigue. Short and regular stops are the safe and healthy option.

Finally, before you leave, make sure you have all the equipment you need. One convenient way to pay could be by credit card, especially if you've got a card that offers a 0% period on purchases or rewards your spend. And don’t forget that some credit cards even offer travel insurance as a benefit.

Journalist Joe Bond travelled in Chile, Argentina and Bolivia for nine months.

New toys and nights under the stars

2011-12-21T13:24:00.005Z

Dewent Edge camp by Wheel Stones - a picture I've been hoping to capture for quite some time

Sat here with aching shoulders and sore limbs as a consequence of the last few days hiking in the Peak District - the whole trip already feels like a distant memory. And it usually is when they're memorable. That almost alien experience is exciting in the moment but becomes blurred and faded as time ticks on by.

As in previous posts, I'll leave the pictures to do the talking. Before I do though, I'd like to mention how bloody arduous it was at times in the snow on the hills. It's not that it was full on winter conditions and I was climbing rock faces or anything - just that with recent thaws and then fresh dumps of the fluffy white stuff, some routes were really quite tiring and time consuming. Be it slush, then mud or slush and mud or all of these with thick ice - and then a good few inches of snow on top.

Consequently, with my gear laden pack it made for hard work and dampened my enthusiasm on occasion as I chased views and vantage points in the Upper Derwent Valley area. So, it really was a trip of ups and downs but it's those pain free joyful moments that stand out the most thankfully.

It was a pleasure meeting up with backpacker Yuri aka Moonlightshadow for a night on the flanks of Win Hill one night (though I'll not forgive him for making me climb up the hill from the Yorkshire Bridge Inn after a few pints!). Also a quick mention to James and his adorable dog Reuben from Backpackingbongos. After a tough day out on the moors, I bumped into them on Bamford Edge while filming some scenes and though it was sadly a brief meet, it helped my sanity somewhat at that time of day.

Otherwise, it was a cracking trip and one I quickly learnt which outdoor kit I've had on test don't cut the mustard for winter backpacking (more of which in another post soon) and how some of my new video gear soon packs up in freezing temps.

I have to say, I'm really getting into this photography lark. The fun I've had with my new camera and various lenses you'd think I'd won the lottery. I suppose it's just another creative string in my bow and that's where I get my kicks from.

Anyway, the following pictures were taken from a Panasonic Lumix TZ8, Samsung Galaxy S 2 and a Canon 550D.

Friday nights camp on Derwent Edge. Winds were bitingly cold so I was thankful to find a wee cove in amongst these
distinctive rocks to use as a place to relax outside the tent.

Looking south from camp along the escarpment. This picture clearly shows the light pollution from nearby Sheffield.

The following morning I woke to even more snow and discovered I had company! This wee fella came to within 6 feet of me.
I really don't know what it is about me and wildlife of late but they just aint bothered by me. Which is handy for video!

Not much of a view at dawn but the weather did improve eventually. The Terra Nova Solar Competition 2
performed extremely well in snow and strong winds on this trip, too.

After some filming on the Saturday I met up with Yuri on Win Hill.

Cosy and warm in the tent, peeping out on Sunday morning.

Strong winds and heavy snow put me off packing up. I wanted to stay inside!

Come mid morning, the clouds parted and revealed a stunning landscape under blue skies. Perfect weather!

I bid Yuri farewell and then began my walk over to Bamford Edge seen here.

While filming the landscape from Bamford Edge, I bumped into James and Reuben.

We took in what some consider to be the best view in all of the Peak District - I disagree. There's much better to be had.

Bamford Edge beginning to glow by the setting sun.

The sunsets over the Hope Valley. At which point James and Reuben left me to camp on the moor.

Camp on Bamford Moor. -6c air temp and hardly a breeze. It was a superb end to a fine day.

It wasn't long until the stars came out up above.

I'm not savvy with constellations - but they looked mightily impressive from camp!

Bamford at night from it's nearby edge. I wandered around capturing night time scenes of the Peaks. A project I'm working on for the next few months.

Another night time scene, this time of Ladybower and the Upper Derwent Valley.

Monday was a wasted day thanks to heavy rain and clag. But making my way back to Derwent Edge paid dividends. On Tuesday morning the weather was simply superb. All in all it was a tiring but very productive trip for me.

Not bad in Peaks today

2011-12-16T16:46:00.002Z

Well, I arrived later than planned today but no matter - the weather's been OK. Got some nice video before sundown and relaxing at camp now with a whisky.
Ground's frozen up tops with a dusting of snow and biting cold in wind. It's nice to be back.
Plan is to head home Tuesday....

Wheel Stones

Upper Derwent Valley

It's been a bit quiet of late....anyway, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

2011-12-14T17:44:00.000Z

An ambitious project I'm working on in three separate episodes

It's been a bit quiet from me of late which is only a consequence of my work. Alas, all outstanding projects are complete and it's now onto new commissions.

One of which I'm particularly excited about - the Peak District at night (more of which in the future).

Spending nights out under the stars is truly a humbling experience let alone completely mesmerising - and perhaps it's something many of us take for granted. It's something I've always wanted to capture and share with folk who are new to the great outdoors. More so given the severe effect light pollution from our towns and cities has on enjoying the cosmos above.

All the views in the day when hiking? No.
There's much to enjoy at night too

The changing of the seasons, weather in all it's incarnations, glorious dawns and beautiful sunsets all add immensely to how I enjoy time in our national parks - and night time is no different. Alas, it's difficult to capture on camera and particularly video.

With that in mind and an eye on next years ambitions, I've been busy of late seeking out new gear which will enable me to film or photograph such sights. I'll make no bones about it - it's cost me several hundred pounds but hopefully the kit proves to be another tool in my creative arsenal. And so for the past week, I've been out and about trying out new techniques, playing around with the finished products and generally learning what works and what doesn't.

It's been a steep learning curve, let me tell you. But I'm about there and now ready to head out into the hills and let loose. There's some kit I still need to acquire to achieve some video I have in mind but this can wait til the new year and it's always best to learn to walk before heading off on a run. Besides, the executing of some of my ideas will take quite some time to achieve but I'm sure they'll be worth the effort.

I've also been patiently waiting for a decent (enough) weather window too. Sure there's been some snow and sun on the odd day in the Peaks - but it's always been accompanied by strong winds which is a pain in the rear when I'm filming. The camera shudders causing the recording to wobble, dust gets in lenses and all sorts. But things seem to be settling now for a few days at least.

And I'd like to say 'Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year' to you all too! Seasons greetings. I'm not sure when I'll next be back home proper blogging and what have you. So, I thought best to pass on my best wishes to you all at this time of year now - and not in 2012.

I hope you all get to enjoy some fab times in the hills and landscapes that look fantastic at this time of year and maybe the odd overnight camp, too. It's what it's all about after all, eh?

So, on that note I shall stop waffling and get packing ready for another long trip in the Peaks....

VIDEO: Curbar and Froggatt Edge

2011-11-29T16:21:00.003Z

VIDEO: Ancient sites of the Peak

2011-11-28T16:34:00.005Z

For a bit more background on visiting ancient sites in the Peak District - please feel free to take a look at previous blog post I wrote some time ago, "Discovering what's beneath your feet".

Geoff's website: www.pecsaetan.weebly.com

A close encounter of the wrong kind

2011-11-24T12:27:00.002Z

One of the last surviving wild herds of deer in the Peak District on Big Moor

Leaves made the occasional rustle as they floated down to terra firma as I snaked my way through autumnal woods before heading out onto the high moors of White Edge in the Peak District. An overlooked ridge with fine views of the national park, set back from the popular Curbar and Froggatt gritstone escarpments.

The plan was to capture on video what scenic delights this area has to offer but I also had in mind to visit the adjacent Big Moor and explore it's many hidden ancient secrets. Before then however, I was seeking a vantage point well away from potential onlookers to make my camp for the night. And what a camp this turned out to be - for all the wrong reasons.

A doe looks over at me - White Edge.

Feeling cold and a bit miserable, I retired to my tent early for the evening to get out of the cold, damp clag that had now set in on the moor. So, after a couple of warming drinks and food I got inside my sleeping bag and began my next journey into the land of nod.

It was while dozing off in my bed that I heard an unusual breeze and murmur inches from my head outside the tent. I figured it was just the wind playing around with the flysheet but moments later it repeated the same sound but with a different tone. Eyes open wide, I thought "What the hell is that? I'm sure I pitched the tent right", when suddenly heavy thuds into the ground began to wonder around my home for the night and away behind a boulder nearby.

What happened next I will never forget. Deep guttural shouts began to emanate in the dark - loud ones too!

The hairs on my head now stood on end (and a few more turning grey) I bolted upright in my sleeping bag and realised a large stag was in my vicinity. Well, to be fair the word 'vicinity' is somewhat of an understatement - it was literally by my tent!

I have to admit my heart hadn't thumped that hard since a friend of mine fell 30ft down a cliff face in the Lake District some years ago (he lived to see another day even though he was in bad shape). I stayed quiet as a mouse even though my ticky ticker was desperate to leap out of my chest and run off into the dark.

What do I do? Why is the stag there? What's he up to? Should I fight or flee?

I had no idea in truth because it's not a scenario I've had to deal with before.

Now, this may sound daft - but I quickly got dressed as the beast of the moor continued to bark and groan and got straight onto my phone and began asking for help and advice on Twitter. I didn't want to call my wife in case she was fearful for my life and also it could attract the wrong response of the stag as I sat cooped up in my tent.

Bar the odd needless jokes from some, I did receive some careful and well judged responses from a number of folk including fellow blogger Alan Sloman. His thoughts were that I should get out of my shelter and let the stag know I was there. Hopefully he would then flee from my glowing green blob in the murk.

Good idea, I thought.

Other comments suggested I stayed put as I'll never out run a stag if it were to attack. If something were going to happen it would've done so by now.

Maybe I had pitched on the stags favourite bit of grass?

Time passed by and the stag didn't head off elsewhere - consequently I wasn't so anxious to what possibly could be a serious confrontation with a large and potentially aggressive mammal out on the moors. I guessed along with others online that I was deemed to not be a threat and more a curiosity. Even so, it wasn't a comfortable situation to be in and one I wanted to end sooner rather than later.

A good hour or so flew by, interrupted by the odd gust and rain shower when I realised the stag had finally moved on. What a relief, let me tell you!

I know I have a knack of getting up close to wildlife in the landscape - but this was really taking the piss.

The whole situation had been extremely unsettling and one I've learnt a great deal from. On reflection I suppose I shouldn't have been up there given rutting season has not long finished. I knew there was a large herd of wild deer up on these moors - one of two surviving in the Peak District National Park in fact. I'm pleased I held firm and didn't panic too. It wouldn't have been nice, shall we say, for me to be injured or lost on the moor in the dark hours of the night.

It was also peculiarly extremely humbling to be in it's presence. When I did venture out the tent later on I could smell it's musty, sweaty fur lingering in the foggy air. I noted it's tracks in the peat around my tent. I tried to fathom what the animal had been thinking and why it chose to stay by me for such a long while.

And to think I woke thinking "That's a funny breeze".

Either way, all ended well and I slept like a log that night with no other disturbances.

So, thank you to all those who made me laugh with ill judged, poorly timed and inconsiderate jokes on Twitter concerning my predicament and to those who were genuinely helpful with advice and suggestions. It was much appreciated, make no doubt.

As for the rest of the trip? Well, I'll let these pictures tell that story....

Rab Neutrino 600 2012 model - on test. More of which in another blogpost.

Vaude Power Tokee UL tent - first trip out with this. I love how the main pole is attached to the shelter and how stable it is.

Stone circle on Big Moor. The area is essentially a Neolithic graveyard.

Another stone circle on Big Moor.

Big Moor - big skies.

A look along Curbar Edge.

The day proved to be a bit misty - even so there was some scenery to delight the eyes.

Vaude Norrsken mattress on test. Comfy, warm and packs very small. Jury's still out on this product.

Alone out on the moor.

Not ideal weather for me to be out filming - nevertheless it was certainly moody

The clouds eventually parted to reveal that wonderful autumnal light on the landscapes below.

Win Hill peeps over the moors.

Curbar Edge from Eyam Moor.

Home made for the night.

Two friends came along and joined me for the night up on the moors.

Dawn of another day in the Peak District.

I let the other two sleep a bit longer before waking them for sunrise.

Coffees on the go. Needed a hot drink too - really was quite cold this morning.

Before heading on home, my friend Geoff and I went filming on the moors. He showed me this wonderful ancient stone dotted with 'cup marks'.
No one knows what they mean or why such tribes made these markings.

TGO Challenge 2012

2011-11-18T13:48:00.001Z

Glen Coe - last time I visited Scotland was in 2005!

For a number of years, I've always fancied taking part in the TGO Challenge - a backpacking event beginning on the west coast of Scotland and finishing on the east coast. However, I could never afford the time off to take part.

Furthermore, I always took the attitude of why do it as part of an event when I could easily make such a trek any time I wish. But after meeting the likes of Martin (Summit and Valley), James (Backpackingbongos) and Mike (Northernpies) and hearing their stories of previous challenges, it only served to whet my appetite in taking part.

What with with the flexibility of my time with work now, I figured "What the hell!" and put my name into the hat. Admittedly, I did ponder how I'm going to make up for the loss of income (I'll worry about that later) - but the social side of it all really appeals to me.

Of course, backpacking through Scotland is a big draw too! I've not visited this fantastic corner of the British Isles for over 5 years now. Work, money, time and distance has always put to bed any hopes and plans for me heading north of the border. And to top that off, I've never truly backpacked anywhere in the Highlands either. A couple of walks and so on - but that's it.

Well, next May will be a real baptism of fire for me as I've been confirmed a place on next years TGO Challenge.

And to top that off (don't laugh!), I'll be Rab's diplomatic ambassador for the event too (they sponsor the challenge). Bolt out of the blue that was. I put my application in and now find myself on one of the places saved for sponsors and so on. My relationship with Rab is mutually exclusive by the way - so there's no 'favouritism' involved in case any one wonders. I've been truly humbled by it all in truth - though no doubt some folk out there will slate me for it.

I've got conversations going concerning me filming my crossing and all it entails. Think of it as a documentary with some video diary stuff thrown into the mix, showing the camaraderie, the landscapes - with my usual creative stamp on it. But I'm not too keen to be participating in the TGO Challenge as a 'busman's holiday' in truth - but I really like the idea at the same time. My only gripe is time, distance and weight of lugging my video gear around.

I'm sure I could work something out of course - but we'll see what happens on that front. It's all up in the air at the moment.

I noticed in the list of participants that came in the post today a number of familiar names too. Be it fellow bloggers and folk I talk to on Twitter. Will be great to meet up with everyone at some point.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to this and May can't come quick enough!

For now, I'm off to pack my rucksack and head out to work in the Peak District for a few days....

A Rant - 'Bombproof tents' or 'How my shelter is better than yours' (when it's not when you think about it)

2011-11-15T19:48:00.005Z

The North Face Tadpole taking in the sun on Crinkle Crags, Lake District

When trying out a new tent, I'll often pitch it with some element of shelter to gauge it's storm worthiness before pushing it somewhere more exposed. Common sense, of course - but it's often those little details we can miss when it comes to the design of a shelter which can prove to be catastrophic for some when camping out on the hills. To others it's a pain in the rear and they just deal with it.

It's about one's mindset I suppose and how we as individuals deal with adverse circumstances when they arise.

I fall into the latter category, though not always by choice. But in this post I'd like to share some experiences and thoughts about tent designs (though not in-depth) and how they tend to cope when setting up home for the night on a summit or moor.

Why? Because sweeping statements and generalisations I read in magazines or online concerning shelters irk me somewhat.

Admittedly, it is a bug bear of mine when I read online about folk having camped in a particular tent and how the winds were "100mph and it stood fine" or "It coped with 80mph winds OK and lived to see another day" and so on. Why is it a bug bear?

First off, often what people perceive to be a given wind speed it's likely to be much less - surprisingly so. They'll have read on weather forecast websites winds of 90mph due or maximum gusts of 100mph and because they were knocked about a bit when walking or struggled to pitch their tent - they consequently believe the wind speeds were as they read elsewhere and pretty much state so as a fact.

I use a Kestrel 3000. A handy gadget for gauging weather conditions out on the hills - it will show you dew point, air temperature, wind chill, wind speeds and more. The military use them and those who are keen on monitoring mother nature in general too.

It will come as no surprise that whatever the weather forecasters suggest, often it transpires to be something completely different. Sometimes for the better or worst. It is a guide after all.

But once you're out in wind speeds in excess of 35mph you'll notice that you'll occasionally lose your footing. You may find yourself leaning into the wind somewhat if it's consistent. About now, many folk will wrongly perceive this to be around the 50mph mark. However, in reality once consistent wind speeds reach 50mph you'll find yourself struggling to walk or stand still most of the time.

And then when speeds hit 70mph? You'll be knocked about, struggle to walk and more.

Take a look at the video below. This shows a Hilleberg Soulo tent being pitched in winds upto 50mph. It's a consistent speed, and unlike the real world per se (as it arrives from one direction only in a controlled environment).

Now, how many of you have pitched a tent in similar conditions to this? Most backpackers I suspect. We hold onto the tent like it's a kite wanting to break free and reach for the heavens, while we kneel on it and peg it down to the ground and take it from there.

In the real world, the wind speed may be gusting stronger from time to time or coming from varying degrees of the compass making the conditions even more difficult.

However, take a look again - the wind speed is upto 50mph. If you were out on the hills pitching in speeds like that, would you come back home and say the winds were 50mph? Honestly? Or would you state they were much more - simply because that's what you perceived them to be?

Now, noting it's stable and strong design you'll have seen it was quite a struggle to pitch and it wasn't exactly rock solid or 'bomber' as some people like to describe it. But it will withstand such wind speeds much better than single hoop designed tent like a Terra Nova Laser Competition. After all, the latter is clearly not meant for use in such conditions - but even so, 50mph doesn't sound much really does it.

Here's another, this time showing the Vaude Power Lizard (single hoop design)...

Different, eh? But the tent still stood. Not ideal by any means - a noisy night maybe the order of the evening, eh? Most will likely reach for some ear plugs.

But how would the Power Lizard have coped in winds in excess of 50mph? Not very well, I suspect. I think we'd all agree we'd much rather be in something like the Hilleberg Soulo.

However, here's some food for thought - due to it's geodesic nature, would the Soulo be the better tent to be in through the night? What if a tent pole snapped or buckled? Would the bent pole have put the tent in some jeopardy (ie, damage the flysheet or cause other poles to fail and so on)? A consequent system failure if you like.

Would the Power Lizard have stood and come out unscathed? Therefore, would you rather have spent the night in that shelter?

Take a look at this video - one of my own from many moons ago. It's from the inside of a Terra Nova Solar Competition in winds around 50mph+

My point being, that even in winds of 50mph things can appear to be much worst. It certainly feels it. After all, we live in a urban world of brick walls, central heating and so on. A breezy day in our everyday world is bad enough - but when out on the hills? It seems to be a hurricane in comparison.

You see, it's about perceptions and what we're used to. Everyone is different, and how we relate to that can vary by many degrees.

Now, here's a cracker of a video from blogger The Muss. He's become a good friend and the poor fella often spends his nights out in storms (not by choice and we joke he's cursed as a result). You'll note in this video he clocks on his Kestrel 3000 a consistent wind speed of just shy of 80mph. Pay attention to the Hilleberg Akto in the background....

So, just in these few clips we can see how differing designs of tents cope in wind speeds up to 50mph and 80mph respectively. In truth, they struggle on many levels and they're not conditions most of us would like to be out in (even then they can occur unexpectedly).

But it goes to show, that it's often not as clear cut as you may think when chasing a bomb proof tent for such conditions.

How easily and quick the shelter can be pitched is the first thing that comes to my mind, closely followed by how well it will withstand high wind speeds.

Where you pitch your tent (needless to say) is very important - but putting that aside for a moment where does this all lead you to think?

Do you now believe you may have had that Akto in 100mph winds? Very likely not. You may have got lucky of course and are truthful but most probably aren't (without realising it maybe). Even so, is it ideal? Is it worth the money?

These tents may have stood - for want of a better description - but apart from my video, ALL were taken down soon after and the user headed off home (or back to display depending on which video). So, those tents could be deemed to be fine and dandy and performed exceptionally well - or did they??

Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 - getting hammered side on by winds up to 45mph

When I woke from that nights storm in the Laser Competition, the tent appeared to be OK at a glance. In fact I was quite relieved! But then I noted some friction burns on the flysheet where it's rain hood is situated. Grey smudgy marks on the flysheet.

What I also didn't spot and consequently discovered on another exposed and windy camp, was severe wear and tear where the carbon rods are situated at the foot and head ends of the tent. The rods had almost run through the fabric. After that particular camp, the main tent pole developed a severe buckle, too. Winds were not as strong as before - so clearly the duress the tent had been previously put under had taken it's toll.

A bit like when you bend a spoon. You can flex it, but always straighten it out to normal. But after several repetitions, eventually the spoon snaps. Tent poles can be just like this (clearly depends on it's composite of course).

Same goes for tent fabrics. Tear strength, for example. Or how about SilNylon (silicone coated nylon)? Worth observing when it's sagging after prolonged rain as it could consequently be compromised in high winds.

So, your shelter may well have stood - but at what cost? Do you really want to fork out for spares or even a new tent?

One camp I recall was on Seathwaite Fell in the Lake District, and on that occasion my Laser Comp withstood a severe battering but a friends Hilleberg Akto took off in the night and ended up near Sprinkling Tarn some 300 metres away. He'd climbed out for a call of nature, zipped the door shut and 'whoosh!' Off it went.

I've always thought those 'barn end doors' on the head and foot of a Akto were screaming for any strong winds to ram into them and try to pick the tent up. Whereas with a Laser Comp, though it's not as stable with regards to fabric flapping about in the wind - it only soaked up the winds energy by flexing and moving. Even so, this causes wear and tear. We were pitched together in the same vicinity, too.

The only tent on this occasion to not budge an inch was a The North Face Tadpole. A semi-geodesic tent which requires the user to ideally pitch tail into the wind (fortunately, it was on this camp). But does this all mean the Akto is pretty crap in bad weather? Of course not. Some would read it that way though - it's just not the ideal shelter for such conditions.

So, whereas some tents will flex and move and act as a sponge to the winds energy - it doesn't make for a comfortable nights sleep. Or prevent any unseen damage, either. But a strong geodesic tent will be a lot more stable but is consequently prone to catastrophic failure if a pole snaps and so on. (OK, the word catastrophic sounds extreme but to some people it may feel like that on UK hills)

It goes without saying that fabrics, poles, guy lines and pegs all contribute to a tents strength when out on the hills - never mind where you select to pitch your shelter for the night.

Swings and roundabouts springs to mind. Minefield is word that pops into my head too.

This tent was pitched tight as a drum, but overnight rain and condensation
has made the silicone coated nylon flysheet sag

If anything I've learned over the years (and continue to do so) - despite how impressive some tents have performed in ghastly conditions (and we haven't mentioned snow loads or heavy rain!) a geodesic tent is the way to go for comfort. There's less noise but you still have to take care where you pitch. They're less likely to fail and succomb to rapid wear and tear at the end of the day, and that's why most expedition tents are geodesics. Unless of course you consider the latest breed of 'superlight' geodesics - which to be frank are pointless. You got a strong performing tent, why weaken it with materials that are not as durable? Something will give over time.

Then again, what about tee pee type tents? The design has been around for millennia! Or consider tarps and bivouacs. Not always ideal, they may not tick some of the boxes you seek in a shelter. Heck! Some lightweight tents are so small (though light) you ought as well bivouac such is the limited room for maneuver.

If you're after space and comfort no shelter is bombproof - but the more durable and tough you want the fabrics to be, the stronger you want the poles - logically the heavier it will be to carry on your back. Simple.

Common sense is the order of the day. You choose a shelter apt for the conditions you are likely to encounter and make your pitch carefully. There's not much to add, really. Experience and mindset count for something, too - I'll happily deal with a storm while someone else may feel very unnerved. Each to their own.

So my gripe? Well, I've mentioned one and that was peoples perceptions of wind speeds. Another was, "The tent stood fine. It's bomber!". Errrrr, no. It stood then, but after a few nights in those conditions I very much suspect it will soon fail.

Just because my Laser Competition tent withstood winds of 50mph one night, does not mean it should be deemed 'bomber'. Or any other tent for that matter. There's so many other factors involved. How about cotton fabric tents, for example? They're tough and durable if cared for (though heavy). All the rage is silicone coated nylon (SilNylon) and cuben fabrics now. Durability and stamina are keywords to be mindful of.

You get what you pay for and consequently have to gauge or accommodate the shelter's limits. It's a tough balancing act. And when I say "you get what you pay for", I don't necessarily mean budget tents are not worth considering either.

The Gelert Solo, for example. That will withstand most conditions you'll face on the hills in the UK, make no doubt. It has an extremely low profile for starters which helps. It's a glorified bivvy, really. But it's not ideal if you wish to sit up inside and potter about cooking in all weathers. You can pick this tent up for £50. So, there's no excuse to not give wild camping or free camping or whatever you want to call it a go, no?

There's much to consider when you really think about it - but then again, it's quite black and white too.

I've got two tents on test at the moment. A Terra Nova Solar Competition 2 and a Vaude Power Tokee UL. Both are around the 1kg mark, pack small - yet one is much more stable and roomy than the other. The former is quick to pitch while the Vaude is tricky in comparison.

The Solar Comp 2 has had a minimum of 30 nights out with my stinking sweaty body in on the hills already. It's withstood winds of up to 45mph and heavy rain too (despite not being seam sealed, not a single leak has occurred). I spent 4 hours on Sunday giving it a thorough inspection and clean ready for winter. It's a fair mark of Terra Nova's design and attention to detail for such a lightweight shelter that seams are strategically positioned carefully and it's not showing any signs of wear and tear either.

Whereas the Vaude Power Tokee UL has yet to get a hammering, I'm dubious to it's strengths with how light and translucent the materials are and how it's overall stability (or how taught you can get it) appears to be when compared to a Terra Nova Laser Photon, for example. After all, it's a comparable product - so which is worth parting with your hard earned cash? But I'll be taking it out for a regular spin over the next 3 months or so to find out. Never judge a book by it's cover, so they say.

So out of these two tents, which would you choose when it's blowing a bit of a hoolie on the summits?

Sweeping statements or ill judged perceptions when it comes to shelters for the outdoors really wind me up if you hadn't noticed by now. For some it's like some kind of competition about who's got a bigger ding dong than the other. Or who has more money (usually than sense) than another.

No tent is 'bomber', all have their strengths and weaknesses. All shelters have varying compromises to be made - be it for you as a user or for the conditions you're likely to face. And then of course, there's your money - do you take a gamble and go for repairs/replacements or do you spend the extra for something weightier and stronger?

Furthermore, you could 'sod the lot of them' and just rough it out in a bivvy and tarp? Heck, it's cheaper!

Either way, shelters are just another tool in your armoury for enjoying the outdoors. If you want to talk about the science and other various intricacies of tents and such like - go ahead. If you're like me and care only if it's fit for purpose so you can enjoy the great outdoors? Then join the club.

Don't get me wrong, I find the design process behind it all fascinating otherwise I wouldn't have much to talk about or understand/appreciate when testing gear. Nevertheless, it's still about making the most of a trip out amongst the landscape wherever that may be.

It's more emotional than technical for me. Always has been and always will.

Otherwise consider this wee rant over - less talk and type, more hike and camp!

First impressions - Rab Infinity 300 sleeping bag

2011-11-14T15:04:00.004Z

Rab Infinity 300 sleeping bag - release 2012

"The Infinity 300 gives no compromises yet ticks most boxes for features to come in at such a low weight...I bloody love it. I'm reluctant to hand it back!"

Rab have a new range of sleeping bags out in 2012 - and the Infinity 300 is one of them.

Weighing an impressive 625g (on my scales and excluding stuff sack) it has 300g of 850 (US) fill power european goose down (90/10), neck collar, hood with cords and a half length zip. That's some impressive specs considering other options on the market where you may not get a hood or zip for ease of use and comfort.

The down is stuffed into longitude baffles which run parallel to the user to ensure thermal efficiency - the idea being to prevent any down slipping sidewards around your torso and thus creating cold spots above.

How the fluffy white stuff is kept in place within each baffle I'm not permitted to say (as of yet) - but it works, even if it's not something you'll be used to if familiar with other Rab down sleeping bags.

The shell is highly water resistant

You can maneuver the down to a degree within the baffles if you so wish and it stays there - though to be fair I didn't feel the need to do this often.

I've been using the sleeping bag on every night spent under nylon since the end of August - and if one word sums up this new product from Rab, it's 'brilliant'.

In terms of warmth to weight ratio, it's up there with the best - but what I like about it the most, is the design. There's no compromise on features. It's efficient, light and does the job extremely well.

Bed for the night

Thanks to a Pertex Quantum GL inner and outer shell, the down lofts to several inches in next to no time. Just a quick shake will suffice when unpacking and setting up your camp.

The fabric is silky smooth, highly water resistant and down proof. It's quite translucent, too - you can see all the down clusters within the baffles in a given light.

Even though the zip has some anti-snag tape, on occasion I have caught the inner fabric when squirming around on my bed trying to concoon myself for the night - no tears, no thread pulls, nothing. So, it's a tough fabric despite how flimsy it feels.

Snug as a bug!

Condensation rolls or pools on the outer fabric, so there's no fear of the down getting damp within - and when squeezing the air out to pack away into your rucksack, it does so easily. So, the Pertex Quantum GL is very breathable when needs be too.

It's worth bearing in mind that this particular fabric weighs a measly 25g per square metre and has a tear strength of 1kg - which is 10g per square metre less than the standard Pertex Quantum 20d fabric. Impressive, eh?

I've slept in this sleeping bag in temps down to -5c recently in the Lake District and been toasty and warm - even though I'm what you may call a 'cold sleeper'.

Granted, a decent air mattress will play a contributing factor towards this but I've no doubt given the amount of down it will suffice most people to a comfort temperature (not extreme) of around 0c.

I'm 5'11" with a 45 inch chest and can comfortably move around in the sleeping bag. There's no unwanted compression and it doesn't feel restrictive in any areas at all. The angular foot box is roomy for my size 10 feet too.

Rab have told me that Leeds University have done some tests on their range of Infinity bags and the results have been extremely favourable - even so, they'll down play them just to be on the cautious side. Sensible tactic, modest even but I'm not surprised by the results either.

It's a testament to the design, the quality of fabrics and down used that I've been so comfortable when using this sleeping bag regularly - more often several nights in a row. And that's the thing with sleeping bags in general. Design is crucial for efficiency. Like for like, you could have the same amount of down compared with another brands bag but one maybe warmer than the other. And that's before considering the quality of the down used and what you're insulating yourself from the cold ground.

I do have one gripe though - there's no internal security pocket. Aye, I'm being picky here! After all nothing is perfect. For sure, the minimalists out there may feel they don't need a hood, collar or even a zip - and to a degree they're right given the bags comfort temperature range. But some folk will want these home comforts.

The Infinity 300 gives no compromises yet ticks most boxes for features to come in at such a low weight. It is only a sample, so don't take this as my own personal definitive review.

All said and done, I bloody love it. I'm reluctant to hand it back! It packs down to nothing in your pack if stuffed loose within a larger dry sac and of course weighs bugger all really. In essence, it's an ideal 3 season sleeping bag for backpackers (unless you're allergic to down of course).

The RRP and release date? £350 March 2012.

Review - Merrell Intercept Gore Tex® shoes

2011-11-09T10:44:00.002Z

First trip out on the hills - the Merrell Intercept Gore Tex shoes

"Given their weight, overall comfort and durability - the Merrell Intercept Gore Tex® shoes make for superb all round multi-activity footwear. I really like them and am pleased they've proven to be long lasting..."

When out on a trip recently, a friend I bumped into commented "You got some new shoes there to try out?". He was shocked at my reply.

I informed him they weren't new at all - having covered around 300 miles at the time. And that scenario pretty much sums up the durability of the Merrell Intercept walking shoe.

They've covered many more miles since and still look as though (when clean) they're straight out the box.

Obviously on closer inspection you'll note the soles wear and tear and the odd scuff mark, but overall I've been extremely impressed with how tough these shoes really are. It was the last thing I expected, too.

Large venting holes help the shoe to breathe

They look pretty cool for a walking shoe - if fashionable outdoors footwear is your thing - and only weigh 925g for a pair of size 10.5.

But it was the large holes cut into the leather that wraps around your foot which initially concerned me. Great for keeping your feet cool - brilliant in fact. But when marching along rough heather moors or coarse grass bogs and fellsides, I was convinced that something would slip through and pierce the inner liner and consequently form a leak.

In some respects, I was careful at first but over time my faith and confidence in the footwear grew and now at the end per se - that fear of a leak from the Gore Tex liner being compromised just hasn't materialised at all. Maybe I was lucky? Who knows. But even now I'll march anywhere with them with not a care in the world.

Ironically, I'm rather thankful for this kind of venting too - my feet can get quite hot and sweaty in Gore lined footwear - but this never materialised either. Yes, I've had the infrequent occasion where the shoes have been overwhelmed somewhat by bog and crud from a few consecutive days hiking- but they've always been quick to dry - though a little difficult to clean (the outer leather can trap a fair bit of mud and requires a cotton bud for removal).

So, the Merrell Intercept Gore Tex® shoes are tough, durable and very cool for a Gore lined bit of kit. Top marks on that front.

However, as with all footwear it's about comfort (so do endeavour to get a fitting done in a shop if you can) and these Merrell shoes score highly in this department, too.

After 300 miles, they still look in good condition and the sole continues to
perform well for most walks.

Torsion stability is fair. They aint 'stiff as old boots' but you won't feel every bump and hump when marching about. Footholds on scrambles are OK but your lower limbs may feel tired after a while. Not ideal but doable.

However, this lack of torsion stability makes the shoe ideal for walking on trails and even tarmac country lanes - they almost flex and bend at the level you only see in regular trainers but not too much so that you may loose your footing or balance on rocky terrain.

You certainly feel nimble on your feet but never have to stomp or march peculiarly either.

The lacing system is spot on, too - the shoes feel close fitting but not constrictive. Admittedly, I'm wide footed but narrow at the heel so you may disagree on fit. But I've not felt the need to have any kind of insole inserts unlike with other shoes and boots I've used in the past. For example, the heel cup is snug and comfortable with no slipping even if a peat bog is trying it's best to consume your feet into it's depths.

Cushioning, is exceptional - comparable to a running trainer in many respects. I've never felt that horrible jar you sometimes get in your heel when racing from rock to rock downhill - or felt any issues with the ball of my feet either. So, if you're into the odd fell run you may find these shoes to beneficial for more than one activity.

Well done Merrell for a superb all round multi activity shoe

The Vibram sole has nice deep lugs to a depth of 4.5mm with a sensible pattern to grip most terrains but friction can vary somewhat depending on what you're doing and where you are.

On wet volcanic rock like you'll find in most places in the Lake District, a solid footing can be hit and miss at times. But on steep grass covered fells the friction is superb. Needless to say in areas like the Peak District grip isn't an issue when your walking on gritstone but on limestone you'll have to watch your step - though to be fair, the same can be said of any footwear no matter how good the sole. After a few hundred miles, the lugs are now at an average depth of 3.6mm which is really rather good. Even the heel breast is still in good nick. Clearly it's a hard wearing sole (which is common to multi activity shoes) but it's not as slippy as some which is testament to the stud patterns effectiveness.

Special thanks to online retailer Outdoor Look® for supplying me with these shoes. Given their weight, overall comfort and durability - the Merrell Intercept Gore Tex® shoes make for superb all round multi-activity footwear. I really like them and am pleased they've proven to be long lasting as I'll go back to using them when the winter season has passed (they'll be too cold to use in deep snow and such like).

A quick break in the north west of England

2011-11-07T18:59:00.005Z

I really didn't want to break camp and go home

Well, I could sit here and try to be poetic about my latest trip out - or conjure up descriptive words to help form that perfect picture in your minds eye as a reader. But I won't. You could argue I'm being lazy but I'd much rather let this selection of photographs speak for themselves.

This trip in the north west of England was somewhat of a pleasure trip for me. No work, no videos. Just me, a pack and my two feet taking me out into the great outdoors - just like old times.

And as it happens, the past few days felt peculiarly like a pilgrimage for me - visiting places I regularly walked not so long ago - what with the Peak District stealing all my hill time nowadays. And I was extremely lucky with the weather too (though no doubt my 'sun god-like' reputation will be enhanced by this post!).

All in all, it brought back memories and produced new ones - it was one helluva trip and one that will linger for a few months at least in my memory....

I reached Patterdale mid afternoon last Thursday. I figured my luck was in too. Most fells were drooping in clag but
over in the east it was pretty clear.

I decided to head up Place Fell and make camp there. En route, I looked over Ullswater to catch sight of Glenridding
where I married my wife a few years ago (Cripes! I can't remember how many!)

The winds were quite ferocious up top, so I quickly made camp and got comfy with some new gear on test.
The Rab Infinity 300 sleeping bag, Vaude Norssken mattress and a Rab MeCo baselayer

The rain arrived just after I pitched but cleared after a while to give me some respite.

Things didn't look a great deal better the following morning as I peeked out the tent.

So, instead of staying high this day - I made my way downwards to enjoy many of the Lake Districts fine
becks and waterfalls.

It was no less entertaining a stroll either with much beauty close at hand

I passed by Brotherswater and headed up the Kirkstone Pass aiming for the pub of same name

The sun came and went but as I reached the top of the pass, things got grimmer and wetter

As sunset fast approached, I made a stealthy camp not far from the pub on the fell - just as the weather
began to improve

It was such a stealthy camp, even I couldn't locate the bugger when I left the pub at closing time!
Took me 90 minutes to find my tent on the fellside!

Despite some strong winds and rain, camp was really quite sheltered from the elements.

The Kirkstone Pass Inn, where I was invited to meet some fellow outdoors enthusiasts and bloggers

I really enjoyed the two nights I spent with this motley crew in the pub - good, honest, down to earth folk
with a real love for the outdoors.

On the Saturday, I joined them for a stroll on the nearby fells - the weather was simply superb.

Looking over to Fairfield and it's impressive crags.

The view into Dovedale - where some of the group chose to visit the Priests Hole Cave only to discover
it's been boarded up! Why this has happened I do not know.

A distant Windermere from Caudale Moor

Heading down to Hartsop where the group split to go differing routes. Mine was to head back to the pub.

A fine view over to Dove Crag - I really hope it's not true about the cave.

Camp made (again) near the Kirkstone Inn - just as the sun was heading down.

And time for a quick snack to replenish some energy.

I had a fair few bits of new kit to try out on this trip (more of which in another post). Here you'll see me
with the Paramo Core jacket on. I was a bit dubious to this and it's (separate to purchase) sleeves but
they proved to be really versatile.

Only Mum's buy tents from Iceland!

Needless to say, temperatures were quite low on this trip.

The Old Man of Coniston peeps round Red Screes and it's mine at dawn.

Temps were still low even though the sun had been out for a wee while.

Lakeland sheep, eh? They get about some precarious places don't they?

Having popped back down to say goodbye to the Fight Club Hikers (they were staying in the bunkhouse at Kirkstone)
I joined blogger Northern Pies for a stroll up Dod Hill. It made for some impressive views of the Lakeland mountains.

Crinkle Crags from Dod Hill - a cracking place to enjoy a wild camp, make no doubt.

Same vantage point but now looking over to Swirl How.

Northern Pies very kindly gave a me a lift after our morning stroll to Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales.
I left him to enjoy a cup of tea in a cafe and then made my way for the summit of Ingleborough - where I took
advantage of the wonderful sunshine to charge my phone and camera with a Powermonkey Explorer.

Despite the cold air, the sun soon made you sweat. Here's a view of my favourite hill - Ingleborough.
It was such a pleasure for me to place my feet, touch it's rocks and take in it's sights again. A place for whatever
reason I never, never tire of.

A view from Ingleborough over to it's neighbour, Whernside and a distant Howgill Fells - a scene I savoured
for many minutes.

I followed this cyclist up to the summit - he practically carried it all the way up and began to do so while
descending the other side (??)

Another aspect I love about Ingleborough is it's history - here a picture of the ancient stone wall remains
that are clearly visible around the summit plateau.

One of the many hut circles you can find up here - yet most people walk on by without paying any attention to
these wonderful remains of tribes from distant times.

Pen Y Ghent - there's something about a winter sun setting and the way it makes limestone look so beautiful.

Sulber Nick and beyond - the colours were breathtaking.

The sun sets behind the triangulation column.

All points of the compass lead to a beautiful scene.

One large cairn near the trig point is in fact the remains of a former hospice built on the summit. You can clearly see
it's foundations in this picture with a distant Lake District skyline as a backdrop.

The end of another wonderful day in northern England.

The tide is out on Morecambe Bay.

Name the fell. Take your pick. They're all here! The Lake District from Ingleborough.

Clear skies and a bright moon.

Standing in one world, looking back into another.

Some Yorkshire Three Peaks baggers arrive late on the summit before heading down to Horton in Ribblesdale.

And so, I headed back to my tent with the Plough constellation up above in the night sky.

Despite it appearing so dark, in fact the moonlight was quite bright - so there was no need
for a head torch most of the time.

I took in the views before retiring to a warm and toasty bed.

Pendle Hill from my tent porch - just before sunrise.

In the distance I could see a large sheet of cloud creeping slowly my way. It would be 10.30am it finally enveloped the area.

It's times like these that no words or pictures can describe - for me it's a highlight of all wild camps.

Camp Ingleborough.

Pen Y Ghent at dawn.

One last look at Simon Fell below Ingleborough before I made my way down to catch a train home.

Talking the MICCI? The Moorland Indicators of Climate Change Initiative

2011-11-01T11:29:00.004Z

For the past few days, I've been frantically completing this video for the Peak District National Park - a 25minute feature concerning a project studying the effects of climate change on the moors involving not only scientists and other researchers but local schools, too.

This has been fascinating project to work on for me - more so given that 90% of the filming was done by school kids and volunteers, and other footage came from bodies like Moors for the Future (albeit from their mobile phones and such like).

So, I've tried to edit this story in an engaging way given the age groups who are likely to see it but not lose too much of it's raw documentary style interest.

Needless to say, I've endeavoured to put my stamp on it with my landscape work - something I felt was essential in helping to get the message across about protecting such fragile habitats - but also to engage a wider audience too. The video will be showcased across the national park in it's visitor centres, for example.

On an environmental note - working on this feature was certainly enlightening. I've no doubt whatsoever as to whether climate change is happening, after all it has been since the beginning of time. But as to mankinds impact globally?

Well, I'm still on the fence to a degree on that front. Are we causing the earth to heat up rapidly or is it natural? Even so, I think it's good we develop green technologies more as opposed to fossil fuels. So, much of what we take for granted has a root in fossil fuels.

However, in this case with regards to the moorlands I've no doubt to the negative impact from humans on the immediate area.

Some tests have shown Bleaklow to have unsafe levels of lead up there, for example. All due to industrial pollution from bygone ages and even now (though perhaps not as bad obviously, but the damage has been done).

And of course there is the flora and fauna. Some areas of the Dark Peak have strict protection such is the rarity of quality and biodiversity of a given moor (some being only a stones throw from well known honey pots!)

How various bodies observe, record their information on the moors has been fascinating and heart warming, too. Because through research and greater public awareness through such projects as 'Talking the MICCI' funding has been and continues to be in place (for now thanks to grants) to help restore these precious environments for the benefit of all living creatures including ourselves.

Only recently has work commenced on large parts of the Kinder plateau and after a recent visit it was nice to see millions of seedlings taking hold in the peat already!

However, these infant plants are just part of a bigger picture - they are alien species to the moors but quick rooting. They help to germinate and establish the native grasses amongst the bogs and waters of a windswept Kinder Scout - and in time be overtaken by appropriate species.

Who knows? In a few years we may well see large areas of grassland and not eroding peat groughs. We may enjoy clear streams tumbling off the gritstone edges in places - as opposed to peat stained water.

School kids out on the moors, researching hydrology

What was also humbling was working with the school kids, too.

On one trip I accompanied and filmed a school party on a field trip from Ipswich. The whole area was a culture shock for them. And even though they were quiet when teachers were talking and so on - once I got them alone and chatted to them as adults, their thoughts and opinions on the Peakland landscape and climate change was a real eye opener.

Young people don't half get a bad press nowadays - but these 'young'un's' from all backgrounds made for wonderful company and I wish I captured all that they revealed on video. Alas, camera shyness kicked in.

Noting sheep wandering around on the moors was amusing to them, large open spaces and fresh air was simply a joy, some did feel unnerved at being 'in the middle of nowhere'. Obviously I reassured them as how this perception was misleading and that the land itself may give the impression of 'wilderness' - when in reality it's all man-made and we're never too far from a road.

And once I mentioned I spent nights out on the moors be it in the Peaks or elsewhere - well, their eyes light up and I was bombarded with question after question!

So, given the background, who filmed what, the subject matter - the whole schlameel - I hope you find this video of interest.

It certainly goes to show other aspects of what the Peak District National Park Authority get up to.

Thanks to Peak Park Learning and Discovery Officers Chris Robinson and Rachael Kerr for inviting me to work on this project. Their passion, knowledge and enthusiasm is infectious and does their employer proud!

VIDEOS - 'The Western Moors' and 'Padley Gorge', Peak District National Park

2011-10-31T13:52:00.002Z

10 minutes of ambient Peakland scenery here for you folks. The first a video featuring the Western Moors of the Peak District National Park - which I filmed on a recent trip.

The other features the delightful Padley Gorge on the Longshaw Estate near Grindleford - a place I visited last weekend. And on that note, I shall bid you farewell - I'm going to take a break for a few days wild camping in the Lake District....

Alpkit announce tent demo and sleeping bag price match scheme

2011-10-29T18:05:00.001+01:00

Get in quick if you're after good kit at a bargain - sleeping bags are often sold out

Quick post some of you may find of interest - Alpkit who produce a range of outdoor equipment at fantastic prices have announced a couple of new schemes.

"Alpkit tents are the best value in their class, but just like when buying a good quality mountain bike some people want that extra reassurance. This is why Alpkit are giving the option of using demo kit before buying.

I another show of confidence towards their products Alpkit have put down a price match pledge on their Skyehigh range of goose down sleeping bags"

You can learn more about the schemes via the following links:

Tent Demo

Sleeping bag price match

There's more and more of these sort of schemes about of late - I suppose it shows you how competitive the market is in the current economic climate. However, in Alpkits case what with them being a pure online based business and customers not being able to see kit in the flesh (until after purchase) this makes perfect sense from the guys in Derbyshire.

Feature Post - 'The Cave by Heimplanet', Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports

2011-10-27T21:52:00.007+01:00

The Cave by Heimplanet

At Ellis Brigham, despite the best efforts of marketing departments to convince us otherwise, we know it’s not every day that a product arrives on the scene which really does ‘revolutionise’ outdoor activities. But a German manufacturer’s latest offering stakes a valid claim to changing the way we think about camping.

The Cave by Heimplanet, is like no tent that has gone before, and brings a majestic solution to the widely experienced problems (at least in the UK) of putting a tent up in the wind, with limited time before the sun goes down.

Which brings a story to mind about a recent camping trip, where a friend brought along a very large, brand new, top of the range pop-up tent. A familiar scene ensued when it was time to pitch, as everyone else jealously struggled with tent poles and sail-like outer shells, whilst the pop up guy, with barely concealed smugness was already half way through his first cup of coffee.

When it was time to leave, the boot was on the other foot. After at least 30 failed attempts to squash the thing back in to its bag, success was eventually achieved by 5 of us sitting on the frame while someone else packed. And the last laugh was literally ours, when pop up guy’s phone started ringing from within one of the internal tent pockets inside the bag!

Heimplanet’s Cave solves everybody’s problem. Instead of tent poles, it has 5 double layered ‘air beams, connected to the inner tent and flysheet, that can be inflated with the pump provided in about one minute.

Taking it down is simply a case of releasing the valves and rolling it up, which takes about the same amount of time. Heimplanet call the external skeleton the ‘IDG’, or inflatable diamond grid, due fairly obviously to its diamond based design. Each of its 5 modules benefits from a one way valve, which ensures that the whole thing won’t collapse in the event of a puncture, and Geodesic technology means that the tent is very stable so you only need to use the guy ropes in extreme wind.

It sleeps up to 3 people, and weighs just over 5 kilos.

Glimpse into the interior of The Cave

Once you’ve erected the Cave, you’ll find various pockets for storage and a mosquito net, along with 5 ventilation points that allow air to flow freely around the structure. In typical Teutonic fashion, all practicalities have been considered, including maximising the internal space so that up to 6 people can sit comfortably inside.

The materials used combine the highest levels of rip-proof and waterproof fabrics inspired by the chosen sport of the product’s designers – kite surfing. As some of you may know, those kites have to be extra tough to withstand constant exposure to sunlight and frequent dragging across sand and sea.

At £549.99 it’s not the budget option, but it does combine cutting edge material technology and unique time-saving properties with a stylish design. So if you’re serious about camping, or you want to be the envy of festival-goers throughout the UK, you can find the Heimplanet cave exclusively at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports where a wide range of tents and camping equipment are in stock year round.

Cloud inversions - how to catch them

2011-10-23T23:23:00.008+01:00

A wonderful scene to the west from Dove Crag in the Lake District

Well, here's a post I'm dedicating to some online friends (bloggers and 'tweeps') who frequently call me the 'Inversion King' - referencing to how frequently I get to enjoy the sight of our hills smiling above vast blankets of cloud.

You'll have to forgive me for the slight condescending tone as I try to explain what I look for and how I catch them in 'layman's terms'.

Signs of inversion around bivouac

As most of you will know, the higher you go into the atmosphere the colder it generally gets - roughly 2c decrease for every 1000 ft of ascent. So, while it's nice and warm in the valleys often it's really quite chilly up on the tops.

A 'temperature inversion' is the reverse of what you'd normally expect. ie, it get's warmer as you head ever higher. It's basically a layer of warm air in our atmosphere (though there can be many) and it's depth can vary in relation to whichever weather system is currently in place and of course terrain.

Needless to say mountains (or hills) affect how the elements behave - often in the UK it's just colder, wetter and windier up on the summits.

To catch sight of differing types of temperature inversions, you need to consider some important points.

First of all, on clear windless nights valley bottoms cool by radiation - the heat is rising by conduction with the very near air around. A bit like steam from a kettle. The heat from the valley bottom spreads ever upwards but only through a shallow layer. As a consequence of this, the air itself close to the ground also cools.

It's worth noting that cool air is denser than warm air and so when you have conditions like above you'll find it very cold at ground level but quite warm up on the summits.

At dawn, the sun begins to cook the ground and over just a couple of hours or so all the 'steam' is released up into the atmosphere.

So, what does this mean for the likes of you and me?

Radiation fog. Valleys with misty bottoms.

Radiation fog in the Edale Valley late September in 2010 - these don't last long.
Couple of hours after sunrise at most.

But beware because as the sun climbs higher over the horizon these silky grey mists soon dissipate leaving behind less than ideal visibility and hazy conditions (though this tends to improve come the afternoon). So, either head up to the tops before dawn or better still, wake early and climb out your wild camp an hour before sunrise. Such sights as these are common throughout the year but more so in the autumn or winter.

Having pitched your tent late in the evening, take the time to look around. After sundown pay attention to any smoke from chimneys rising and flattening out at a given altitude or a subtle haze forming in the valleys below - these will be clues as to a temperature inversion forming for the following morning.

So, when I take a look at the weather forecast and any relevant synoptic charts - I will look to see if the wind speeds are relatively calm, will there be a clear night and how deep and sheltered are the valleys near my camp.

In effect, the weather man on the TV will explain there's a high pressure system lounging about a given area (hopefully where you'll be camping/walking), winds will be light and it may get cold overnight. Consequently you can be pretty certain you'll see the sights I've described above.

Always, endeavour to go where the weather tells you to go - and not plan to spend the night somewhere and hope you'll catch a temperature inversion. Note the terrain, too. A prominent peak looming over sheltered valleys would be a safe bet or a high summit looking out over a plateau.

Warm layers in the atmosphere? Here's one example. Pic taken from Raven Crag,
Lake District. Note the inversion and layer of cloud above.

Valleys with large bodies of water, such as those found in the Lake District for example are ripe for such scenes too - namely due to cooling water and so on.

High pressure systems generally mean calm and settled conditions and often clear skies or at the very least not much cloud at all. It's this you need to look for on weather charts/forecasts you see. Taking along a digital barometer helps - which is why some of you will not be surprised to know why I ask for the latest air pressure readings on the likes of Twitter.

However, just because there maybe a predominant high pressure system in place doesn't mean you won't get any cloud.

Which leads me to the 'daddy' temperature inversion of them all - what most backpackers and outdoorsey types call 'cloud inversions'.

In effect, any thick layer of cloud you'd expect to see up in the sky is now hugging the valley bottoms - and only the highest hill tops are poking out under clear blue skies.

How does this happen?

Basically in exactly the same way as I've described above but with a sheet of cloud. The cool condensed air of these usually fluffy monsters gets trapped below a warm layer of atmosphere. It will usually be very cold and damp in the valleys, with hardly a breeze but no precipitation.

Think of those mornings you experience with thick, cold, moist fog in the winter - there's a good chance you're wandering about in a cloud inversion. Head upwards a thousand feet or so and you could be in warm air under clear blue skies!

There's a great deal more to all of this and much to consider. Weather and all it entails has many, many variables. But there is plenty of information out there to be found on this hillwalkers delight. As a general rule of thumb, if you pay attention to the descriptions above - you won't go far wrong.

Little Ingleborough and cloud inversion

Statistically, it's autumn and winter in the UK that you are more likely to chance upon these cloud inversions - or as some locals call it, 'top clear' days.

Why? Well, to see such sights on our modest high ground you need a number of favourable conditions to occur. North easterly cold fronts along with a high pressure system make for guaranteed cloud inversion conditions in the main. In such scenarios, a hill like Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales would be a good place to view one.

If the winds are westerly it can be somewhat of a contrast though. If I'm in the Peak District (seeing as that is where I spend most of my time due to work) you'd think Kinder Scout would be good because of it's altitude - but it's a big mass. So, on it's western side the pressure it would force into any incoming winds would be considerable - and in turn you'd likely get the cloud creep it's way over the plateau and not see much at all.

So, heading for somewhere like Grindslow Knoll with it being lee out of Kinder and a little prominent will help you catch a glimpse more than at Kinder Low, say.

In north easterlies, this wouldn't be so much of a problem due to the prevalent terrain locally.

So, there's lots to consider.

And here's one example of how I caught the cloud inversion (which you can see in an old video mine below).

The previous few days had been generally calm, clear and cold. But one evening I noted a haze forming in the valleys around Keswick in the Lake District. It made for a fantastic sunset as it set the world alight in glorious shades of pink.

I knew then after looking at the weather forecast, that a temperature inversion was guaranteed. Winds and cold air were north easterlies and there happened to be a massive bank of cloud coming in from the Irish Sea with very little wind.

With this in mind, I set off at 3am from the holiday cottage I was staying in with my family - catching sight of the odd late night reveller in the town centre as I made my way to the flanks of Latrigg Fell.

By this point visibility was only 30 feet or so and got less as I gained altitude making my way for the summit of Skiddaw on New Years Eve.

Blencathra and cloud inversion

It was freezing cold, the ground was like concrete and progress was slow in the dark. Moisture formed on my eye lashes, my vision became blurred and morale was a little low as I finally began the steep ascent of the 'tourist path' up to Little Man. At times, when I stopped for a quick breather - I did think "What the hell am I doing here at 4 in the morning?!!". Yeah, some folks out there will think it's crazy but it makes for a good adventure with a fantastic reward.

Because not so long up this arduous and boring route, I noted a twinkle or two up ahead in the murk.

At first, I figured it was my head torch playing tricks with moisture on my eyes and carried on regardless - thinking it won't be stars in a clear night sky.

But after catching sight of a few more sparkles up ahead, I stopped dead in my tracks, turned off my head torch and made a slow turn to look behind and then BAM!

I was punching the air with delight!

A sheet of thick cloud as far as the eye could see on every point of the compass was just lapping below me.

It was mesmerising but I didn't stick around for long as by now my spirits had shot off into the stratosphere and I suddenly found the energy of ten men in my legs to sprint up to the summit of Little Man - where upon my rucksack was thrown onto the ground, my cameras were set up and a gas stove was put on the go for a cuppa and breakfast.

I truly was in heaven that day and it's one that will linger long in my memory. I didn't want to go back down into the murk. It was quite simply breathtakingly beautiful up there and it wasn't until an hour before sunset that I reluctantly made my way back down to Keswick!

My wife knew where I had been but was still a little annoyed I got home quite late and then spent the rest of the evening and it's consequent celebrations asleep on the sofa.

Apparently, people shook me, shouted my name and I still wouldn't wake. It was only when someone screamed "Fire!" that I leapt to attention like a rabbit caught in headlights.

Synoptic charts - an important tool in your arsenal for catching cloud inversions

I recall one week last December where conditions were perfect for a cloud inversion which would last 3-5 days in the Peak District. Unfortunately, I was sat at a desk in my previous employment (where I was to be made redundant a couple of weeks or so later) and was unable to head out and view this awesome sight.

But I did scream and shout about it to friends online - be it on forums, social networks et al - and no one paid any attention (though they always ask me for such tips).

However, photographer James Grant did note my vain efforts at encouraging folk to head out onto the tops.

He took his time, mind - thinking that with all the thick fog outside, how could there possibly be any sunshine at just a 1000 feet or so above.

I pointed out that even a modest hill such as Mam Tor near Castleton would be ideal to catch site of the full on cloud inversion but there wasn't much time left as it looked likely to dissipate in the next day or so.

So, on the very last day James set out in his car, parked near the summit and began a cold slog up to it's top. He admitted he nearly turned back thinking I was wrong but he figured there was no harm in pushing on that bit further to the summit of this ancient hill fort. And his reward?

The following picture looking east from Mam Tors top.

James' reward

All said and done, I hope you find this information useful and you too manage to catch some of the wonderful sights you can see in our hills during the oncoming season. There is an element of luck to it all, of course -and you can't beat having a bit of nous as to how certain weather conditions play in a given area.

For example, I'm so familiar with some hills now and how the prevalent weather tends to react it's got to the point that given certain conditions I know full well what to expect upon my arrival, even by the hour.

But if you take the time to look into detail and gain a better understanding of how the elements dance with our hills and uplands - I'd say you'd now have an 80% chance of succeeding in experiencing a cloud inversion in some form or another....

Radiation fog near Kedleston Hall, early summer 2011

Some more radiation fog, this time in Dovedale. Again, early summer 2011

On test - Vaude Power Tokee UL, Norrsken mattress and Bivi

2011-10-21T14:08:00.001+01:00

Vaude Power Tokee UL

And so as the winter months fast approach, some new gear has landed on my doorstep for testing over the coming period. Some of which will prove to be very handy.

Needless to say, I won't submit any review for each product for quite some time. I like to give each bit of gear at least 3 months of heavy use - which is reasonably easy given how long and often I'm out and about.

Anyway, first up is Vaude's Power Tokee UL tent.

On my scales it comes in a total of 847g's all in. Not bad, eh? Pegs are more akin to toothpicks, mind - so I'll likely ditch most and use my own as per usual. It's roomy enough inside for one person though the porch is a bit small and restrictive. There's not much room to cook and venting possibilities leave a lot to be desired. You can't even tie back the main door to give that wide view of the world, either.

So, I've taken some spare dyneema guyline and made a loop and tie to remedy this minor irk.

Otherwise, it pitches quick and easy and seems no less or more stable than a Terra Nova Laser Competition, in my opinion. We'll see how it gets on, eh?

Handy push/pull/twist valve on Vaude Norrsken mattress

Next up is the Norrsken mattress which has a comfort limit of -17c. It's slightly narrower than the Exped mats I'm used to but no less comfy either.

As for warmth? Well, I'll soon find out about that but on the specs front there's some Primaloft infinity synthetic insulation laminated inside each chamber. What I do like so far, is the tubes are overlapping - a la shingle construction - to prevent heat loss.

It does require the user to blow the mattress up which doesn't take long (though this is a size 'short'). The nozzle is pretty cool, too. No faffing about here.

You pull gently on the nozzle, blow, then press it back in to seal and twist slightly to lock. So, none of that huffing and puffing and then slipping your filthy fingers into your mouth in a race to seal the nozzle closed.

Mattress weighs 500g on the dot just as advertised, too.

Vaude Bivi 1 - roomy and with easy access, unlike most bivouacs

A Vaude Bivi 1 has arrived, also. Something I've taken a liking to already. Namely due to side entry (though there's no mesh alternative door) and nice headroom once laid down inside.

Even so, as with most bivouacs the depth is a little too short to accommodate you, a sleeping bag and a thick inflated air mattress - ie, the Norrsken.

You'll likely end up unwittingly compressing any loft in your sleeping bag against the bivvy. Something I touched upon recently when reviewing the Rab Ridge Raider.

Given the season ahead, I'll probably opt for a self-inflating mattress when using this bivvy - which comes in at a total weight of 950g's on my scales.

And then a couple of bits from Merrell, too.

At home on the hills

Merrell Chameleon Evo Mid Syn GTX boots, which at a size 10.5 come in at under a kilo and have done around 50 miles already in the past week.

So, far they've proven to be comfy, kept my feet dry and not too hot either. Grip has been good, too.

The "Derbyshire Hoff" I've been nicknamed
by Jamie at Trekking Britain!

I've been trying out a Merrell Intercept synthetic jacket, too. Weighs 480gs for a size large, has two external hand pockets, small interior security pocket, and no hood.

It's water resistant and so far apart from looking like a smart and fashionable jacket - it's proven to be quite warm, too. Not something for heavy winter use, mind. But when out walking it's been OK.

It has a large pocket within where you can stuff the jacket away and transform the garment into a camping pillow, too!

VIDEO: Peakland Photography

2011-10-20T10:39:00.002+01:00

"A picture is worth a thousand words"

2011-10-19T11:01:00.004+01:00

Distant urban areas of the Cheshire Plain light up the night sky

"A picture is worth a thousand words", so they say. And with that in mind here's a trip report consisting mostly of pictures. I'm sure you'll agree no amount of superlatives can best describe the sights I've witnessed on the past couple of trips.

What I will say is this - how overlooked and perhaps underrated are the Western Moors of the Peak District National Park?

I was round that neck of the woods for a few days last week filming for a future video and it proved to be a real eye opener.

Covering approximately 50 miles in 3.5 days, there weren't many places I didn't place my feet and cast my gaze. It's definitely an area worth a visit - not just for the honeypot that is the Roaches (splendid as they are) but the quiet and genuinely 'remote' valleys and homesteads. The views are wonderful and though I came across the odd right of way issue - it's all easy walking if a little tiring with rough ground and undulating hills.

The weather was generally very good, hazy at times and even with a gentle breeze really quite cold at times - winter is certainly approaching....

Trig point on Axe Edge Moor

I pitched for the night not far from the trig point - being the only dry level ground I could find

Merrell Chameleon Evo Mid Syn GTX boots on test - their first trip out

All new Merrell Intercept synthetic jacket in action (folds into itself to form a pillow) with a distant Cat and Fiddle pub behind

Temps were dropping so it was time to get a down jacket on for extra warmth

Camp made, filming complete it was time to relax and have a beer

A reminder you're never far from civilisation when out on the UK hills - the town of Buxton lights up nearby

Moonrise on Axe Edge Moor and camp

Dawn from Axe Edge Moor trig point - with a gentle temperature inversion thrown in for good measure

Looks nice and warm but it was really quite cold. About 1c, so not quite freezing.

Filming finished with it was time for breakfast and a coffee

Following the Dane Valley Way south to pay Three Shires Head a visit

Panniers Pool at Three Shires Head - a photogenic spot if ever you see one. I spent about an hour here with the video camera.

After paying the village of Flash a visit, I headed back into the moors and eventually from the west climbed Roach End.

The Roaches - a good vantage point and one I reached just in time for sunset.

A closer view of Hen Cloud.

I took in the sunset after which I then plodded about seeking somewhere to pitch my tent for the night

Eventually, I settled on a spot just by Doxey's Pool.

The town of Leek lights up the southern flanks of the Roaches

The Plough constellation in the night sky above my home for the night.

After paying Lud's Church a visit in the rain, I caught this mean and moody sight of Ramshaw Rocks as the weather began to improve.

Walks down quiet country lanes and little used tracks was the order of the day as I headed northwards.

Taking a look at the map as I plan my next move. I couldn't help but note how the profile of Shuttlingsloe
on the horizon looked similar to Ingleborough in the Yorkshire Dales.

Britains second highest pub - The Cat and Fiddle (1690ft). Needless to say, I nipped in for a pint.

Having reached my camp for the night, the setting sun gently kissed the moors.

Visibility was superb. Top left you can see The Wrekin (45miles distant) and top right The Long Mynd (57miles).

Looking west, one could see the mountains of Snowdonia (The Carneddau particularly) across the Cheshire Plain.

It made for another splendid evening out on the hills - I was very lucky with the weather to say the least.

The Manchester conurbation with the mast on Winter Hill looking over.

Time for food and bed and to get out the biting cold winds.

Dawn came but the sun didn't hang around for long as a storm was heading my way - which cut my trip short and so I headed back home.

However, I will be heading back to the Goyt Valley and it's hills this coming weekend. Hopefully the weather will have improved.

Review - Rab Ridge Raider Bivi

2011-10-11T11:25:00.002+01:00

Lovely late summer evening on the flanks of Kinder Scout

"...the Rab Ridge Raider bivouac. A roomy shelter that's performed exceptionally well - though not all people will choose to spend nights out on the hills this way, it's still gives greater flexibility when selecting a pitch compared to a tent. Given the right conditions, bivvying is the best way to enjoy the great outdoors in my opinion. Lying in bed, snug as a bug in a rug, gazing up at the Milky Way and distant orbiting satellites is really quite liberating and humbling."

Bivi? Bivvy? Bivouac? Whichever name you choose to use, they're all the same thing. Essentially, a large waterproof cocoon where you place yourself, sleeping bag and bed within to shelter from the elements.

Now, I could romanticise the wonderful experiences one can have when it comes to spending nights out under the stars in a bivvy - I'm very tempted to do so - but in the main, I find bivvying a bit of a pain in the rear.

But it has it's merits for use as a shelter, make no doubt.

Stealth bivvy

For starters, the footprint is small so you can pretty much make home anywhere - including stealthy camps out in the lowlands of Britain. Bivvys tend to be relatively light and pack small too. Lacking the volume of a tent the user can soon feel warm inside - though consequently a little damp due to humid air (if fully sealed).

The thought of falling asleep under the stars has big appeal for many backpackers and I'm one of them - but a bivvy is not the be and end all to such romantic visions.

If you're using a tent, tie the doors back, position your mattress et al out into the porch and you too can lie snug as a bug gazing up, with bleary eyes at the vast universe above. And of course, if the wind and rain comes in you can soon slip back into your tent and still have lots of room to negotiate your usual camping practices in comfort and shelter.

With a bivvy? Well, you're pretty screwed. Zip up, put up and shut up. Of course, you could take a small tarp (or poncho as I sometimes use with trekking poles) but this in itself as a set up soon adds up in weight and you ought as well have a lightweight 1 person tent and be a lot more comfortable!

Even so, I enjoy bivvying because despite all the pros and cons - I really am a bit of posh tramp. I'll have a camp made with a bivvy in under 10 minutes. Job done. No messing about with tent poles, clipping hooks on, unzipping doors, flinging kit in and getting organised. I see a nice wee shelf just off a summit that's too small for a tent - no problem with a bivvy, I'm there.

The two way zips for inner and outer doors can snag/trap a little at times

There's something primeval about walking about on the hills and moors in all weathers, taking in the sights and at the end of a long day chucking your pack onto the ground and slipping out ya bivvy to make bed for the night.

Cooped up within your coffin you soon warm up yet feel quite exposed to the environment and it's elements - unnerving to some I know but to others it's heaven. It's kids at play, it's boys with their toys for me.

Sure, it's not particularly nice to wake and see a slug within inches of your face seeking shelter within your shelter - or observe spiders creeping and crawling perilously (?) close within your personal boundaries - but all that don't bother me.

I like it. It's being there amongst nature and the land - and it's that element more than anything that nails bivvying for me as more enjoyable than camping with a tent. OK, I could seal the bivvy shut - but you can't help but want to be out in the open!

Generous storm flap covering bivvy entry

Alas, with our weather in the UK it's not always ideal. Bivouacs work in many ways much like waterproof clothing - ambient temperatures, winds, humidity can all contribute to the success or failure of how it performs. You don't want it too humid within a bivvy as it could consequently compromise the thermal capabilities of your down sleeping bag, for example.

Having to negotiate getting undressed into dry clothes and then into your bed out in the open isn't ideal either seeing as we see more rain than sunshine in the UK. Same goes for when you wish to sit out the elements and crack on with some cooking.

But as with anything in life, you adapt, you evolve and being Brits - you put up with it and all soon becomes 'normal'.

So, the Rab Ridge Raider Bivi - any good?

Well, if you don't like the idea of material flopping about in your face when asleep you'll be pleased to learn that the Ridge Raider is a hooped bivvy. I like these sorts just for comfort - if anything it prevents your warm moist breath steaming up the fabric which in turn drips or rubs back into your face. And of course it's not so claustrophobic.

The hoop is easy to insert into an outer sleeve (pre-curved) , which is then pegged out to keep it upright (internal height 58cm). This is a front entry shelter, so you do have to contort and negotiate your way in feet first - but once inside, all is well, fine and dandy.

Bivvy bedhead

The door zips open and shut over the complete arch of the bivvy alongside the upright pole and is covered by a sizeable storm flap to prevent any water ingress via the zips - of which there are two. Both can be opened at either end for venting, one for the mesh inner door and the other the waterproof fabric itself.

Now, I've found the zips on many occasion to snag a little - not on their own but when trying to slide one zip grip past/over the other. They can catch easily and come stuck. Despite the handles being able to glow in the dark, you still can't discern which zip is for which door at times too. This is only a minor gripe, mind - but it can make you huff, puff and curse from time to time during inclement weather.

It is worth noting though, that after a night of prolonged rain, that when you come to open up the bivvy and wonder at the clag and smell the fresh damp in the air - often any pools of moisture beading on the storm flap will immediately roll and drip down on to you inside. Large the storm flap maybe, which is good - it is quite flaccid. It would help to have a small tie loop where you could attach a short guyline and peg out to stiffen it up a bit.

There is a very generous bathtub groundsheet (10,000mm waterproof nylon base width 80cm) to the Ridge Raider, too - great for maintaining the loft of your sleeping bag all year round. However, if you are like me and prefer to use a thick air mattress for sleeping on (which can be up to 6cm thick) it's likely to form a tight fit when using a winter sleeping bag.

Stealth bivvy where I woke to a temperature inversion

Even through the summer months, the sleeping bag would compress at the foot end of the bivvy. But I'm a bit of a side sleeper and tend to curl my legs a little. So, this didn't prove to be too much of a problem. But when lying on my side I'd find that at times I could then compress the sleeping bag and thus negating it's thermal properties against the top of the bivvy.

It's something I've informed Rab of and an issue I feel all companies who produce bivvys need to accommodate. Namely, due to the popularity of air mattresses in recent times.

Even so, I've not been cold - just a little restless and even this could be remedied by using a regular self inflating mattress or foam mat.

The Ridge Raider bivouac is a little over 7 feet in length (2150mm), too. Plenty of room for a chap like me at 5'11" and more so when I store all my kit in a dry bag out and beside the shelter.

The fabric used for the shelter proper is eVent® Exchange Lite™ - windproof, waterproof and highly breathable. Which is essential if you're going to spend the night cooped up inside for lots of reasons.

In the real world, I've been mightily impressed with the fabric for use in a bivvy - it's not only kept the rain out but I've never encountered any condensation within either. The bivouac has been used in all weathers and conditions (except winter) - from hot and humid nights with some rain, dry evenings with persistent drizzle and more.

Nice evening spent on Stanage Edge

I really expected some form of condensation to occur around the head area of the shelter - somewhere you always pick up some with a bivvy when sealed tight from the elements. But after the past few months of regular use? Nothing.

Whatever the science or statistics of eVent (Google's your friend) it's impressive - more so when compared to the odd Gore-Tex® bivouac I've used in the past. Aye, they've kept the rain out but often the air is muggy within and condensation regularly occurs in varying degrees - in my experience.

I suppose it's handy with the option to vent a little due to the single hoop design - but it's not something I've often felt the need to employ.

So, any concerns about how your down sleeping bag may lose some of it's thermal properties to damp humid air can be put to the side - there's nothing to worry about with the Ridge Raider bivvy. It really is 'that' good.

To finish things off, you'll find handy pegging loops in each corner of the bivvy along with the ends of the pole to help prevent the bivvy from slipping on ground where there maybe an incline - and you get some decent V pegs too.

For storage the shelter comes with an excellent waterproof dry sac, peg and pole bag.

PROS

Pitch anywhere, lightweight shelter, small footprint.
Total weight (including pole, pegs and drysac) 820g on my scales
Generous bathtub waterproof nylon groundsheet
eVent® Exchange Lite™ fabric that performs exceptionally well
Extremely roomy bivouac

CONS

Awkward front entry design - would be preferable to have a side entry where you can just roll in on your side
Some may find snagging issues with the zips for the inner mesh and outer eVent door
Claustrophic shelter compared to a tent
eVent fabric will need cleaning with regular use to ensure performance
Bathtub inner groundsheet needs to be a little deeper to accommodate popular air mattresses such as Thermarest Neoair or Exped Synmat UL
Get a hoolie blowing, the bivouac will compress against you and consequently your sleep bag within.

Overall, I really like the Rab Ridge Raider bivouac. A roomy shelter that's performed exceptionally well - though not all people will choose to spend nights out on the hills this way, it's still gives greater flexibility when selecting a pitch compared to a tent. Given the right conditions, bivvying is the best way to enjoy the great outdoors in my opinion. Lying in bed, snug as a bug in a rug, gazing up at the Milky Way and distant orbiting satellites is really quite liberating and humbling.

Flattering picture, eh? 5.30am wake up one morning recently

VIDEO: Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park

2011-10-04T12:18:00.003+01:00

So after spending 5 nights up on Kinder Scout in all the best and worst British weather can throw at me - somehow I've managed to pull this video out of the hat in less than 3 weeks!

Encountering ferocious winds, heavy rain, deep bogs and swamps, getting lost on the summit (forgot my map and compass), sweltering in the heat, sheltering in a tent or bivouac, countlessly wandering around and up and down - putting this video together has taught me two things....

One, Kinder Scout is a helluva place to get lost on or wish to explore (blogcam HERE). Make no doubt about that. It's morbid one minute and alien the next. It's not just two faced in it's character - it's an untrustworthy individual full stop - who'll stab you in the back not long after smiling in your general direction!

And two, despite the ups and downs, I've actually enjoyed spending so much time up on this high, exposed moorland! I can honestly say I know more about Kinder and it's characteristics from the last 2 weeks than I've picked up over several years and visits.

Kinder Scout - it's like Marmite. You love it or hate it. There's no inbetween.

Me? I've been swayed by it's dark side and now (only now) love the place.

Oh well, there you go - we all live and learn, eh?

Welcome to Peak District TV

2011-09-28T13:54:00.001+01:00

Well, some of you knew this already. It's been plain obvious in recent weeks. But welcome to my new venture - Peak District TV.

A new website and YouTube channel produced with one thing in mind - to promote the people, businesses and area of the Peak District National Park.

Big thanks to Lynzi who wrote and performed the song 'Magical' featured in this video who lives in Eyam and is consequently a truly local talent.

Special thanks must also go to Glenn Boulton from Digital Image Recording Studios of Chesterfield for letting me use excerpts of a music video he produced for Lynzi. A true gentleman and very talented individual.

Sheesh! I'm beginning to feel like a director or producer now! I best get my rucksack packed and head out into the hills....

The great outdoors and blogging

2011-09-25T20:39:00.007+01:00

The great outdoors - don't you just love it!

While away on my trips filming in the hills, I often log onto the internet (signal permitting) and read through the many outdoor blogs to be found - and I've noticed in some quarters there's been some debate of late concerning the integrity of some authors and the creeping commercialisation of such sites.

This debate has likely kicked off on many levels due to the number of outdoors blogs out there now and the invites many have been sent concerning Gore Tex's Active Shell Bloggers Summit over in Bavaria. And I'd like to throw my tuppence into this conversation (now I'm home) and perhaps explain a few things concerning me and my blog, too.

First off, I have to admit I too got an invite to Gore but have decided not to take up the offer of an all expenses paid trip in Germany to meet their team and fellow outdoors enthusiasts. Not because I don't particularly want to per se - but mostly because I'm unable to due to work.

THE BACKDROP

Initially, there was some scepticism on my part with Gores motives behind the event but I can very well see why they've done this. The outdoors blogosphere is growing and becoming ever more influential as far as marketeers are concerned and this is quite understandable.

It's an extensive community of like-minded souls who potentially have a reach and influence over many prospective customers for some gear companies. And it's no surprise therefore that some of this beginning to be tapped.

The way the internet has shaped all our lives in the past 10 years is really quite remarkable - it's enriched the world we live in and has shaped the way many think and wish to lead their lives. Naturally there has been some negative side effects to this empowerment and influence too. Be it extremism or such stories as Wikileaks. And for those who love the great outdoors they have been affected just as much as in any sector. Be it learning of new places, re-visiting old ones, sharing tips and stories, kit reviews, opinions and of course socialising.

Social networking is here to stay, that's for sure and many businesses have failed miserably to take advantage of this ever growing market. As such we've seen the traditional media lose more and more of it's influence and in turn they've lost huge amounts of revenue. And us users, in effect the customer have gained massively from all of this. We've become more empowered.

Against this back drop, it should come as no surprise that outdoor blogging has taken off into the stratosphere. Be it sites such as Blogger and others, Twitter et al or online forums (which in themselves are now dying a slow death but they still have their place).

Outdoor blogging has always been about the author, their travels and experiences and much more. Usually it's a mark of their character and in turn sharing the joy of the great outdoors wherever you are in the world is enlightening and entertaining. Granted, there are some which are very bog standard but they're no less interesting than those that are extremely popular. Human beings are social creatures and instinctively fall into groups. Blogging, forums and the internet have brought many of us together to form a ever closer knit community worldwide, breaking down barriers and prejudice.

Picture courtesy of Dean Read - me wandering around with my video camera on Kinder Scout

All said and done, where blogging is concerned, essentially it's always about the content - whatever it's quality - and it's up to those who blog what they choose to write about or develop. After all, we're all individuals and so blogs should reflect that. And just as you may prefer one person to another in real every day life - so it will be the case when it's comes to following blogs online. Hike your own hike so they say - well, blog your own blog, no?

The same goes for our interests, passions and more. Blogs are a reflection of not only ourselves but our tastes and interests, too.

So, why then noting all the above is there some consternation in some quarters within the outdoors blogosphere?

Inevitably, authors will talk about gear concerning our pursuits and what's relevant to them. It's natural. We're social, the medium we're talking about is about sharing. How one chooses to present it to the world is up to them. But there are questions being raised (along with eyebrows) about those who do 'gear reviews'. Their motives and integrity is being questioned namely due to a large number of gear companies and outdoors retailers sending in some wares in the hope of some market awareness.

Consequently, some reviews be it favourable or not can be open to debate and for some ridicule, too. Fairly and unfairly.

The fact of the matter is this.

As I've already mentioned above, it's this untapped market influence gear companies and retailers are reaching out for. And you can't blame them. That's business. And those who are good at it have been promoting such practices for quite some time and not just in the outdoors blogosphere. If for one minute you believe that any gear company does not wish to promote their wares in any shape or form via any blogger they could choose - then you're a very naive person. If such a business thought that way - they'd be out of business very soon in this day and age.

Bloggers have helped small companies thrive for crying out loud. Unheard of to most, now sought after by most! There's loads of examples. It's that empowerment the internet has brought us and naturally some companies can thrive or die from its effects.

Big companies who screw up on kit or a practice - gets blogged about and their reputation is potentially ruined! Twitter and all it's foibles has proven the power of mass social networking media in the past couple of years (of which I'm sure you don't need me to list examples of). If some deserve praise the word spreads and so on.

So some bloggers are becoming another tool in the arsenal of marketing which is understandable. And why not? It's everywhere on the internet. Travel blogs, automobiles, music, fashion and more. It's in our everyday lives too, be it adverts on the radio, TV or billboards.

But just because someone has paid for some gear or been given it for free (or test and return) doesn't or at least shouldn't mean the authors review is compromised in any shape or form. I certainly don't take it that way.

It's pretty obvious if it has anyway. If you're familiar with the author of a particular blog, you tend to gauge what they're like in character and personality and shape your own opinion (rightly or wrongly but such are words on a screen!).

I wouldn't say I'm a liberal, but I'm a firm believer in 'each to their own' and diversity. So, blogs will reflect that and in my opinion should.

ABOUT ME

As far as I'm concerned with my own blog - well, I've only been doing it for little over a year and I'm well aware of how popular it's become. It bedazzles me (some cynical and harsh critics will more than likely agree with me on that!) but it's also very heartening that there are those who enjoy sharing my joy from the outdoors. I've always been into my outdoor pursuits from a very young age and it irks me somewhat that due to some off the cuff remarks or questions somewhere I've made in the online world that some folk are naive enough to think that such words are a definitive reflection of my experiences or character.

Utter rubbish!

And those who've met me and know me can testify to that.

I was encouraged to create a blog by a fellow blogger and I was unsure of the idea at first because in reality I'm a very modest and down to earth person. I'm not one to be a showboat or wash my dirty linen in public. And I've no doubt many other bloggers are the same. Consequently, I use my pseudonym of 'terrybnd'. Not because I'm hiding anything - far from it. I'm just naturally a cautious and careful thinker. I'm really very much a private and modest man.

But here we are today and I've been blogging, tweeting and all sorts - sharing my thoughts and joys of the great outdoors. And for those who've followed my blog over the past year they've seen how I've developed my career in filmmaking on the hills. Self-taught and self-made. Remember, it was a redundancy near Christmas last year that gave me that final push over the edge?

I've been fortunate enough to combine a passion for backpacking with a love for sharing the sights I see via video.

If you came up to me a year ago and told me I'd be where I am now in the future - I'd have laughed in your face! And despite my bad days out on the tops I do from time to time pinch myself and cannot believe I now spend more of my nights out under nylon outside than I do in my own bed at home.

The boundary between hobby and job has not only become blurred but disappeared all together.

And so as time has passed I've been contacted by more and more companies wishing to feature in some capacity in my outdoors career. I'm not stupid. I know full well the reasons why. Free marketing and access to an audience.

But this much has been obvious over the past few months - I've been selective in whom I deal with. Not out of snobbery or anything like that. But out of integrity.

If a company is not prepared to accept a negative remark or review of their product, then I quite simply do not wish to deal with them. They can totter off to some magazine they sponsor in some shape or form if they want that.

And believe me - there's been several. Some are surprising and others not so. But I'm polite and fair and do not wish to embarrass them but if I feel they've really crossed a line, then I'll not give a second thought to spread the word on here.

I don't always state what kit I have in for testing either. I don't wish for my blog to be some gear review mecca - that's all. My blog was always about me - my online outdoors diary. My videos and more. If I'm honest, with my current workload I just don't have the time to try out more kit or review it. I take it very seriously. I may well be given kit nowadays that's saved me a tonne of money - but I haven't got my head up in the clouds and forgotten what it's like to part with hard earned cash. And as it happens I still purchase gear anyway out of personal preference.

Talk I've read of gear being tested over 30 days (involving separate trips) makes me chuckle. I test the kit I am given or buy over several days at a time, in all conditions (and sometimes choose to really push them to my own ill effect) over a period of several weeks.

In effect, I'm giving the gear a use that equates to most folks trips in one year! And I can tell you, you soon find out if kit is worth it's salt or not after a few days hiking over several weeks.

For example, Exped Synmats. I bloody love em. Fab products. But I've gone through two Exped Synmat UL in less than 3 months. The first had approx 28 nights use and had a failure. The other is still going strong but did have a minor fault of which I repaired - nothing major but some of it's insulation has now delaminated. The mat is covered in crap, has been soaked through, torn at - the lot. Would you as a user discover these faults in 30 nights? On separate trips?

Even so, it's still going well and performing after 40 nights now. Count em. 40. Longest period of use in one go? 7 nights. That shows you how often I'm out in a tent on the hills. That won't come as any surprise to some of you, I know. But some will through a blinkered view of me think it's all a lie.

And if it helps - I bought the mats. They're not test kit per se. That much will be obvious in any review I submit that I think will be helpful to my readers in the next couple of weeks or so - and it's pretty plain to see for any other kit I've submitted a review for in the past.

Don't get me wrong, with experience and personal preferences you can judge how a product will perform just from looking or one trip - but also you can get it very wrong, too. Kit I thought that be ace? After 30 nights, fell apart. Was not happy.

So, you can see from a gear companies perspective, I may well be just the sort of person they're looking for to try out sample kit or brand new off the shelves equipment. It's a clear two way working relationship for a mutual benefit in principle.

The likes of Rab and Terra Nova full well know my experiences in the past and present. I give them constant feedback on their products and they are always all ears and respond in a way we all hope and wish gear companies would. If they didn't think I was much cop - well, I wouldn't be testing their gear would I.

LE FIN

I'm a backpacker first and foremost. I'm a filmmaker second and a blogger third. And so it won't come as a shock to learn that perhaps I'm a creative individual with a passion for sharing the outdoors (eg, the Monsal Head meet being one of many and even that was purely a social event I organised, nothing more, nothing less) that may well be deemed to have gone a little commercial.

Well, it makes sense does it not?

My blog is still my blog - it's not owned or managed by anyone.

I have placed an advert for a particular pub in the top right corner of this page. Aye, I got paid for it - they aint having the profile and exposure for free. But it's a bloody good pub I like and know not many people are aware of. What's wrong with me being a little commercial here? And that's just one example. For the keen eyed, you'll see how I've considered how some may find this kind of thing intrusive so I've kept it to the far right of my blog page. It's there for all to see but not too intrusive as to be off putting.

Besides, it's an extra bit of revenue for me being self-employed. The kit I test supplements the vast amount of money I could've spent on kit just performing my job. I've gone through 3 pairs of shoes this year already, for example and when I'm done with the Merrell Intercepts, I'll move onto a new pair of Karrimors sat in a box. I've got some Vango, Vaude gear to try out (some of which many many will find very interesting) but haven't made the time to try em out proper yet.

So, if you were in my shoes wouldn't all of the above be obvious?

Having read my posts, viewed my pictures, met me in a pub or on a meet, watched my videos and more - would all this not make some sense? Do you feel you know me well enough to trust my opinion and use it for your own decision making on a gear purchase? How about other bloggers?

Do you think I should just strip away everything on this wee space of mine in the online world and keep it to just text?

This whole blog is a reflection of the work I do, all it entails and much much more. But some people don't see that. They see someone who's carving a career for themselves in the outdoors and find it distasteful. They perceive it all as self-promoting.

To be frank, my answer is "rubbish". Carving a career? It IS my bloody career. I'm a fake? Pah! That one and all those sort of insinuations make me, the gear companies and all who I know and work with laugh for minutes on end. The sort of remarks classic to 'know it all' keyboard warriors often found in chatrooms and online forums. As is often the case in life it's always the minority which are rightly or wrongly heard the loudest.

So, take this post as what I believe is a majority of folks views. I could be wrong of course but I'd like to bring a public balance to this debate. Another vocal perspective, if you like.

Some will argue I shouldn't even rise to all this - I'm not really. Just making a point and an observation albeit if it makes me as guilty of them of prejudice and ignorance, too - so be it. But this whole post is borne out of a provocative debate by some who think what they publicly state is gospel and should be adhered to.

All said and done - and this has been a long post - my blog is my blog. If you like it, great. If not? Well, I won't be seeing you around on here again. Simple. Who says we should like every blog going? I wouldn't think anything less of you if you dislike my blog.

And if you're off to the Gore event in Germany? Good on ya and have a good time! It will make for a great experience to meet the team, see how they work, ask questions and bring all that info back to us readers.

If I were going, I'd be taking the video camera along!

For the bloggers I know who are going? I for one won't judge you on your decision or even question your integrity as an individual. I trust you are all intelligent enough to know the crack and will consequently report back in the fair and objective manner you usually do.

I wouldn't want you to insult my intelligence in any other way.

But all this talk about how blogs should and shouldn't be, the whole negative tone and aloofness some take on this whole argument - well, it's time to chill out. Move with the times, or better still live and let live.

Do your own thing, choose how you wish things to be but don't expect everyone else to do the same. We're all different and we should all respect one and others points of views as with all in life.

Some people take things too seriously and when they do? It's usually a sign of some other underlying gripe or concern whether that may be disguised as something else - personal or not.

You want to blog about the outdoors? Do it! If not, that's fine too. Want advertising? Sponsorship? Anything like that? Who cares? Each to their own and live your own life. Be creative, be sociable! If you don't want to, well you're in the wrong place.

So, to end on a happy note.....here's a short clip of one of four videos I was filming on my last trip. My next escapade will be in just 5 days time, so I've not much time to get work finished!

I'm here just to share my passion for the great outdoors - and I hope you all feel the same too on that note.