2 February: Kit

Things are looking up.

Back is feeling much better.

Cornish pasty for lunch yesterday.

New dishwasher arrives Monday.

 

I was asked to pose for photographs during a crossing of Striding Edge last spring. I must admit I was cutting a pretty fine figure as I negotiated the rocks and pinnacles. It was my third crossing in all and most confident yet, if I do say so myself. In contrast this was Walking Dave's debut. After scrambling to the top of the first turret like a true mountain hero he realised just how exposed a position he had climbed to, with steep drops either side. He became crag-fast, clinging to the rock for dear life with arms and legs wrapped around like a monkey on a branch. It was during this stationary moment that the photographer sidled up to him and asked him to signal me to stop for the photo-shoot.

 

Sadly he wasn't interested in my moves. It was my kit that had attracted his attention. It seems he was working on behalf of a walking equipment magazine or similar. I guess he was keen to take advantage of a rare opportunity to get a shot of all the latest gear on one person at the same time outside a photographic studio. It is true that I'm a sucker for gear. An outdoor retailers' dream customer. They start rubbing their hands when they see me coming down the road.

 

So this chapter is about hill walking gear. Here I'll describe what works for me based on my own research and experience. Whilst it may be fascinating reading for some (?), it is a bit hardcore and therefore could be a bit dry for others. In an attempt to maintain the interest of this group I've interspersed a picture quiz between the kit reviews. Eyes down for the first question.

 

Quiz Question 1: Who is this mountain hero?

 

I used to believe that the only proper walking boots were made of leather, and I own a fine pair of Alt-Berg Mallerstangs. They are indeed excellent boots. Absolutely bomb-proof and stiff enough to take a crampon. I think if I did more serious winter walking then I would wear them regularly. The thing is, even after what seems like several hundred miles of use they still don't really feel worn in. At the end of a long day I find I get pretty foot-sore in them.

 

Then, on the recommendation of Walking Dave I tried a pair of Saloman Quests (4D GTX to be precise). They were a revelation. Light, instantly comfortable, a good snug fit, and supportive. Now I can walk as far and long as I like without getting footsore. Indeed it is usually something else that feels the strain before my feet. They're also plenty tough enough for what I need them to do.

 

Bitten by the Saloman bug I've since bought a pair of X Ultra trail shoes. I went for the mid height ones with waterproofing, although both are options. They are similarly comfortable and I think work better on hard surfaces. Again I can wear them for miles and miles without strain. I will use them on Coast to Coast for the sections where there is more road or hard surface walking.

 

To go with my Saloman's I wear Falke socks. The ones that tell you which foot to put in which sock. Such is the comfort of my boots I wear a single pair of thin socks, but this is very much a matter of personal taste.

 

Quiz Question 2: Name this most northerly Munro.

 

Now another recommendation. Sprayway All-Day Rainpants. Fit and feel like ordinary walking trousers, but waterproof. It's true. Not heavy or sweaty, but waterproof. Not noisey or shiny, but waterproof. My oldest pair is a couple of years old now and starting to show signs of wear, mainly on the backside. I consider the bum-slide to be a legitimate way of getting down off a mountain.

 

And another. Sealskinz Ultra-Grip Waterproof Gloves. Woolly gloves, but waterproof. Close fitting, breathable, grippy, but waterproof. Enough said. Probably not warm enough for seriously cold conditions but otherwise tip-top.

 

One of the few items where I tend to go non-technical is my hat. I bought my favourite one at a festival a few years ago. It's the sort worn by hippies and yak farmers, with a tassel on top.

 

Quiz Question 3: Who is this well-dressed walker?

 

Above the waist I find that wearing a number of thin layers works better than one or two thick tops, and I use the ones made of the technical materials. This isn't just because the salesman told me to. First of all they don't get sweaty. They're also really light and pack down really small, so I can keep as many layers as I like in my rucksack. I usually start with a short sleeved t-shirt, then a long sleeved zipped top, and then a lightweight soft-shell. That's usually plenty, and of course I carry a waterproof making a forth layer if needed. If it's very cold I might double up on the long sleeved t or soft-shell.

 

Possibly the most controversial item of kit I use is walking poles, or zimmer-poles as they are called by my walking buddies. I've developed a thick skin, and they definitely help me both on the way up and on the way down, so I'm not going to bow to peer pressure. The pair I have are pretty cool. Made by Black Diamond. They're very light, but not carbon, and allow a little bit of adjustment. They have a very neat system for folding and unfolding, and pack down really small. Above all they are secured using a click-lock. I've had several pairs of the screw type, including some quality ones by Leki, and they've always either failed or locked up sooner or later. I guess it's inevitable that mud and water will get into the thread.

 

Quiz Question 4: Name this famous Lake District edge.

 

No kit list is complete without a bit of technology. My two principle gadgets are a camera and a GPS. My camera is a Canon EOS 500D SLR, or in fact the US equivalent. I use a Sigma 18-200 zoom lens which gives me great flexibility, so I only need to carry the one lens. The combination is a bit heavy and bulky but it's worth it for the picture quality and responsiveness I get. I carry the camera in a harness strapped to my front - I must be quite a sight! I'm currently using an Ortlieb case. Suitably expensive, and waterproof to about 3 miles, but not as easy to use as my old Lowepro Toploader Zoom. That one leaks like a sieve though, even though I have the AW (all weather) version. This means it has a rain cover over the front, sides, top and bottom, but nothing at the back. This basically means the rain runs down your waterproof jacket and straight into the back of your camera.  Genius. I wonder what they mean by "all weather"?

 

Finally to the GPS. I use a Satmap Active 10. It's a massively useful piece of kit, probably the best available for hill walking in the UK, but it's not perfect. By the way I wouldn't bother with the Plus version. The last time I looked the PC mapping software you get in the bundle was junk. I have 1:25,000 OS maps for the Lake District because that's where I walk most, and also 1:50,000 for the whole of the UK. It's rugged and easy to use and you can operate it with gloves on. It does eat up batteries though. I can get one or maybe two long days out of lithiums. Ordinary Duracells are not up to the job and it works through rechargeables in no time.

 

I've also managed to get mine waterlogged, twice. On both occasions it was insanely wet but I would have expected a purpose built walking GPS to have coped. The people at Satmap were very good though and restored it to full working order both times. I now have a waterproof case for it so should be OK next time around, provided I remember to pack the case.

 

Quiz Question 5: Who is this under-dressed mountaineer?

(the one on the right - name both for a bonus point)

 

Finished my walk in darkness today. Left it until mid afternoon before setting out and was able to enjoy the last couple of hours of sunshine and sunset during the walk. It's been a lovely day actually, bright and just a bit chilly. And after a fairly dry week the soft squelchy mud I described last week has become seriously sticky and a real barrier to progress. Consequently the walk today was a bit attritional. Effort was high but progress slow. I'm getting ever more ambitious with my off-road routes around Kenilworth. Hardly saw a soul today. Maybe everyone had done their exercise and gone home before I ventured out.