19 Dec 2009

Cold in Wales:

Wales walk on the 17th and 18th December 2009.  Photos here.

The bed and breakfast at CAE GWYN FARM makes for a perfect start point to go walking around the Rhinog range.  I was here to wildcamp and to do a short walk.   Winter days are short, and routes need to reflect that.   The morning was cold and snow showers were evident on distant peaks.  We left our very kind hosts and the van and walked, keeping to the right of the old buildings by Cae n – y – cefn.  This path took us up onto the nearby high ground in the valley.  The views of the Rhinogs opened up before us and snow flurries pelted us with icy blasts.



We walked on and followed the forest edge after we crossed the river.  There was a path signposted to the waterfalls which led us to the exit of the forest and the start of the Roman Steps.  The waterfalls were not in spate but still it makes for a nice forest section to see them as you pass by.  We followed the path up and then went left following the route up to Llyn Du a small tarn.  We followed the rocky shoreline here going to the back of the the tarn.  The rocks were glazed in ice and very slippery.  We had set off mid morning and the slow going here bit into more of our time.

From there the path we took went up over a wall and followed around the western edge of Rhinog Fawr.  I liked the views from this side as they opened out looking to the coast.  The courses of the rivers exiting into the sea could be seen, and what looks like a good coastal walk caught our eye for another time.   A path leads up to the summit and we followed this to a cold wind swept summit.  Dark clouds heading from the north foretold of snow and we took in the views taking shelter from the wind using the shelter near the summit.





The snow arrived and we left.  There are two paths leading off to the east.  We took the right one going right down a short gully and then down to the Bwlch Diws Ardudwy.  This path is steep, slippery, moss covered and the edges of it are lined in deep ankle twisting heather.  It was slow going.  The path was mostly in the shade and by the time we got to the bottom I had broken a trekking pole and we both had had a slip.  Time was going by and we had limited daylight.  Rhinog Fach would have to be missed as the path up it would be more glazed over with ice as the sun dipped to the horizon.  We had planned to have come off it and camp by the tarn of Llyn Y Bi.  New plan was to camp near the tarn to the north east of it.  We followed the Bwlch Diws Ardudwy and then headed through the tussocks and heather to the tarn.  Slow going at times and rough walking.  Glorious boggy stuff and still we had met no one else.  We camped further over from the tarn as no good spots were found.  Tents pitched as the sun set.  It was very cold and ice formed on the inner and outside of the tent as I pitched it.
 



The night was long and cold.  The time was spent photographing the stars and listening to IPods.   A helicopter buzzed around the valley for a while disturbing the peace and I waited for the dawn.  It arrived with some colour dancing off the clouds.  Everything was frozen and I had to pour hot water over frozen trail shoes to be able to put them on.  It had been a very cold night.





Breaking camp seemed to take ages in the cold morning.  We took in the views and just enjoyed being high and in such great company as the Welsh hills.  We kept to the high ground heading east towards the path that runs below Craig Aberserw.  There was a track made by shepherd’s quad bikes that made for fast progress to the main track that we followed to Ffridd bryn-coch.





It was a short walk but a good one back to the van.  I just stood looking at the valley below me and took in the views.  It's a big country and has a sense of vastness about it.  Much more than the Lakes in some ways.  



A path by the river led us back to CAE GWYN FARM where we were welcomed with hot coffee and a warm kitchen to relax in.  How friendly is that.  I wonder why it has taken me so long to go back to Wales.  I will go back to the Rhinogs when it's summer and do the whole range in one go.  Be a lot easier in dry conditions.  Their reputation for tough walking is deserved.

12 Dec 2009

Overnight pass:

I must have done something right.  I can get time off next week and the weather looks like it might offer up a view.  Choices time

Snowdonia?  I don't do Wales much - I need to make amends.  The last time I tried to walk there was about two years ago and we got stuck in a traffic jam due to a crashed lorry - spent six hours stuck there.  We turned around and came home due to limited time and mind numbing boredom.  Before that I did have a good time there in 2004 doing a training walk for a Scottish coast to coast done later in the summer. 

Cumbria? I love the place and it needs cash and visitors after all the floods and problems it has had of late.  I had a plan to go up to Hadrian's wall as well before Xmas and could still go there.  I like nice choices.  I am looking forward to a high wildcamp to end the year on.  Hard life I know, but someone has to do it :).  All comes down to the forecast.  Best location gets visited.

5 Dec 2009

GoLite Peak:

I have a habit of buying new rucksacks.  Nothing is perfect.  Then I got a Golite Pinnacle and never looked back. I was sceptical of them.  No frame, lumber pad and the like.   Eventually I had a closer look – the rest is history.  It is the simple design that works for me.  Nothing to break.   Easy to store as it lays flat in the kit box.  It is the old school of rucksack design. Uncomplicated and light in weight.  Some people think Golite kit is getting heavy,  but compared to many pack makers they are light. I then got the Jam2 as well. It is now my main overnight pack. 

Recently Bob had a pre-release stock of the new Peak pack.  It arrived last week.  I see it as my new day, winter and possible summer overnight  pack.  It is different and unisex in design, unlike the Pinnacle and Jam 2.  I don't like that, to be honest, as men's back shape, shoulder width, and waist measurements are very different to women's.

The Peak has a lot to make it a good choice as it is customable in its design.  You can if needed strip out the hip-belt.  Add in the recycled material called Tier one.  Which is woven in with the  Dyneema material to make a strong durable pack that is good for  the environment as well.

It has all the usual Golite features like the compacktor™ system to help reduce the volume which is 40L for the long back length which I got.  It is claimed to be in a large size 765g in weight.  That is light enough for me.

There is a front pocket  like on the Jam 2 and Pinnacle which I think is superb for having kit you would need to get in a hurry during the walk and organising your kit.  The zip is covered to help reduce water ingress - but don't assume the pack - or any other - is waterproof.  Always use a dry sack to keep kit dry inside or when you slip on a river crossing.  Good side straps allow the load to be tightened up and it has the new mesh-lined back which is good.  I have used the old design of Pinnacle which had no mesh on the back and would soak up sweat. This caused the pack to slightly deform near the small of the back when it mopped up the sweat and damp. 

Adding the mesh to the Pinnacle and Jam 2 was a good thing and I got the upgraded Pinnacle last summer to make use of the improvement in design the mesh offers.  The Peak benefits from having this. The Peak’s side stretch pockets are made with a better material in my view than the Jam 2 and Pinnacle.   There is the usual lack of lid and that is no issue with me.  Rolled over well it keeps the rain out contrary to the view of some gear editors in the outdoor mags.

Two big differences in design are the shoulder straps and the hip-belt.  The Peak’s shoulder straps are thicker and wider than the Jam 2 shown on the right in the side by side comparison.  This is a good thing as it is like the Pinnacle, which has thicker and better load bearing shoulder straps than the Jam 2.  The only complaint is that the unisex design means they are not contoured to a male torso like the Jam 2 is or the Pinnacle pack.  The mesh backing will help keep moisture at bay on the shoulders as it wicks it away.





The hip-belt concerns me that it would not be as effective as the Jam 2’s or the Pinnacle’s.  It is removable and held in place by buckles,  unlike the others which are stitched in.  The Jam 2 using loads under 10kg and the Pinnacle, which can handle more weight if needed, are very comfortable and effective hip belts.  Another big difference here is that the buckle is nowhere as large/robust as the Jam’s or Pinnacle’s.  The Peak’s hip-belt would most likely be good up to 7 to 8kg max. load. The pockets on the hip-belt are useful like its bigger brothers’ as well. You can put choccy bars and the like in them.   Saying that, the removable nature of the hip-belt makes it a useful addition in the kit collection as it offers me something different in kit choice for trips.  Time will tell how good it is.


Lastly, a good improvement is the sternum strap, which on the Jam 2 and Pinnacle is not a great design. This has been redesigned on the Peak.  The whistle built into the buckle is the right way up now for easy use, and overall this is much better - I hope Golite update the Pinnacle with this design and the Jam 2.  The Peak should prove to be a good pack and will be used soon.

1 Dec 2009

Seam sealing for Dummies:

Maybe you are seeking to get a Tarp Tent Scarp 1, or Mountain Laurel DuoMid.  If you do, it is best to seam seal the shelter.  Here is my simple guide to do that.  Just remember that all the advice you read about sealing the seam on the inside is ignored here.   It rains on the outside of the shelter. You wear your waterproof on the outside don't you?  So why seam seal the inside?

You need:
1. A brush
2. Cup/tin or something to mix up in
3. A bit of card, or a very steady hand
4. Damp cloth
5. Mcnett Silnet which is sticky messy stuff
6. White spirit/paint thinner

Start with mixing at 3 to 1 paint thinner in a tin with Silnet till it is a workable viscous paste, that easily can be applied and rubbed into the seams.  The whole point is to get it to soak into the stitching where the water could penetrate.


Pitch the shelter in good weather or the garage.  I did my Scarp using Silnet without thinning it and it is not as effective, cures too thick, can flake off leaving a messy look.

Brush in the thinned mix carefully and use the damp cloth to mop up any spills. I used a cut out template to help reduce spills and hence the card.  Rub your finger over it to help push it into the seams and then leave to cure.  As it is thinned it will soak in and look neat after it dries.  I seam sealed the DuoMid and used it heavy rain with no leaks at all first trip.  Misting could happen with both these shelters as the hydrostatic head is not as high as some materials but the seam sealing of the seams stops the rain getting in and works for me.  Simple and not a complicated job to do.  I did it, so what more can I say :)

30 Nov 2009

Calling Oxford:

I am busy with life, work and DIY.  So the blog has been on the back burner.  Got some kind e-mails asking how I was, and that shows the great community there is out there with the online hill walkers .

So what is the title about?  I work for the YMCA in Norfolk.  Over the years I have got to know several hundred residents and ex residents.  I walk into town and have lots of conversation  with them as they say hi.  Even ones I had to ask to leave on account of their behaviour.  Some of them have been on walking and backpacking trips with me.  I have taken groups backpacking over Scaffell Pike, up the Langdale Pikes in the rain.   Bog trotting in the Peak District and many other trips.  I have had some great walks with residents and enjoyed their companionship at every turn in the trail. 

One ex resident who e-mailed me a while back is a fine lad. Well actually he is getting on a bit now and nearer 40.  If he reads this! It happens and deal with it.  Anyway he wrote this:

“I do have a question to ask you, do you know any walking or hiking clubs in the Oxford area, for I have tried a couple and they tell me that their subscription is full and I would like your advice on this matter?”

So is there a club out there in Oxford that he can join as he seeks to enjoy the hills, moors and outdoors?  Surely Oxford does not have a limited membership in its walking clubs?

I recommended the Backpackers club to him.  I joined once and never went to a meeting.  I wanted to - but shifts and the like got in the way.  Maybe that would be good for him.  Anyone reading this living in the Oxford area let us know and let’s get him hooked up with a club that is friendly and gives new members a warm welcome.

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The photo is of him and another ex resident in the clag, and general nasty stuff Kinder Scout tends to have.  So he is not adverse to walking in the rain.  Awful photo but still it was good to be there.

14 Nov 2009

Great blogs to read:

I am busy reading through some great new blogs I found when I get a chance.  All of them are worth a look at. 

Nicholas Livesey discovered the writings of A.Wainwright and W.A.Poucher and never looked back.  He walks and climbs the UK mountains, taking superb photos as he goes.  Read about the Aonach Eagach trip he did here and the photos are stunning. 

Paul Sharkey is a Lakeland fanatic and long may it continue.  He is seeking to climb all 214 Wainwrights.  Cracking plan in my opinion and why I don't get round to doing the same I don't know why?.  I like reading this blog.  He is a dab hand with a camera as well.

Simon Cox is doing his Mountain Leader award and his blog tells his journey through his training.  I have considered doing the ML as I have taken many groups into the hills in the past with work.  Simon has a passion for what he is doing and it shows in his blog.  It is called When Men And Mountains Meet.

Last but not least I found that Claire Maxted from Trail magazine is doing her Mountain Leader award as well.  She has a blog about it here.  I have a lot of reading to go through on these blogs.

12 Nov 2009

The Park:

 

The local park offers me a moment of escape from bricks and mortar.  Peace and solitude for a while with wonderful colour in the sky.  Life is busy and time limited  right now.  A moment watching the sun go down is a moment well spent.   I will get round to posting stuff on backpacking soon.  Might find time to have a walk as well soon.