Well, following on from my last post, my dad wants to stop in Youth hostels, B+B's etc. (I'm sure when we talked about it, I said I'd get an airbed and a tent for him, oh well.)

This is not too much more than staying at a C+C Club site, BUT it will make it less of an adventure, I'm not knocking it, but well, I think you can imagine that it wont be as much a Boys Own as walking and camping.

In fact the YHA was one of my original ideas, but dropped it for exactly this reason, that and the cost.  Well, I'll have to wait and see what happens. I am a lowly poor student after all.

Lightweight Gear

Well now, after finding out I don't need the Lightweight outdoors gear I went into the left to find what I have

Terra Nova Laser Photon
Thermarest Neo Air
Jetboil SOL Titanium

Probably close to £600 in 3 items I bought specifically because of there weight after my crappy experiance going from Edale to Crowden.

Before you say I've spent a lot of money on high tech kit when I could just have gone with a bivi bag and tarp, some of the areas I'd be sleeping can get VERY wet, horizontal rain, perpetually wet underfoot etc, so I thought after doing the first few days of the practice, high tech was better in this case.
I won't say that's a waste of money because they can always be used for later expeditions, but I'm now looking for a couple of decent 4 person tents, airbeds and 2 ring stoves!

I'm  potentially going to get a pair of 3 man, 2 compartment tents and airbeds/ US Army cots.  I'm not really kitted out for "Family" camping, as I'm normally on my own and on public transport, but I think this will certainly make a nice change to having to carry all your own gear and live of dehydrated lunches.

Even the Osprey Atmos 50 rucksack will be replaced by a larger holdall!

At least for this trip.  At the end of August I'm going up to Loch Lomand with a friend, for my part I will be having a bit of a recce to see how feasible it will be to take the L/W gear while I do the Great Glen way, or go "Old School" and go with a Basha and Bivi.

Anyway guys, all the best

Chance conversations.

Hi Guys
Recently had a boost in my challenges.

As you may recall I have completed the pennine way, but because I didnt have a very good time of It I am hoping to do it again, in 3 5day legs.

I was going to do it solo and take my time and enjoy the walk for its own sake.  Well, the thing is, after a chance conversion with my father those plans have changed!

He suggested that he drove from camp site to camp site with the bulk of the gear, and I just take a daysack with a flask in and my waterproofs.  As you may imagine this is a very welcome bonus, it means I can almost fly the length of the pennine way.  It also means I'll be able to take "Wet" rations or (assuming he can find a supermarket) propper food!

This calls for a very different set up more like day walking than hiking, and if he is still fealing the same way after,
Atmos 35 Daysack
Chocolate/ flapjacks
2 Litre Hydration Bladder with squash
Sigg 1L water bottle
Water proof permeable membrane jacket
Hat wide brimmed & Woollen, maybe a Buff,
sealskin all weather gloves
Flask containing either tea or hot choc
GPS, Map and Compass
Camera and spare card & batteries

First Aid Kit which contains:
Large Dressing X2
Plasters
Savlon Sprey
Burns & Antihistamine creams,
Antiseptic Wipes
Scholl Blister Plasters
scissors
Triangular Bandage
Face Shield
Plasters
Nitrite Gloves

Survival Kit which is always on mein the outdoors comtains:
 Mora Clipper knife and Gerber 600
Survival Bag
Space Blanket,
Wire saw,
Flint, Striker & Cotton wool.
Head Torch,
Whistle,
Small notebook and pencil,
Paracord (wrapped around the survival tin in a ball)
And last but not least Haribo


All the things like L/W tents, technical sleeping bags etc are not necessary as I wont have them on my back, the only issue will be packing.

Anyway, more later, its just a flying visit to let you know whats been happening with me.

Nearly There

Hi again guys.  Thanks for your support so far!

I've got most of the equipment I'll be taking, just need a few new bits of kit, but nothing major.  The biggest concern at the moment is fitness as I have felt myself go in the last few months, so I'm on a diet and exercise regimen to get back into shape.

College finished last week, so as soon as I have the last few bits I'm off on the first leg.  I've decided to do it in 3 five day legs, which should hopefully give me the time to replenish my kit between legs, and give me a week off between each trip.

Well, that's it really, its more to let you all know I'm still around and the plan of doing each National Trail in Great Britain is still alive.

Catch you all soon.
Syd