tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post5417122445907672035..comments2023-03-25T11:34:20.303+00:00Comments on Is Anyone Out There?: It seemed such a good idea at the time......Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317036646487413481noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-31335924320997355352010-08-19T13:45:26.103+01:002010-08-19T13:45:26.103+01:00I don't like drinking bladders, either! But I...I don't like drinking bladders, either! But I do like silk liners (have never had to wash a sleeping bag), gaiters (saving several boxes of washing powder and many a wet sock), the orange plastic trowel (there's a knack, don't try to bend it!), walking poles (perhaps a few knee ops saved), Ortlieb map cases (they do all discolour, but flapping is easily constrained by rucksack waist strap when it's windy), Vapour Rise - brilliant for cool Alpine days (RAB's take on Buffalo, wonderful kit), bothy bag (ideal for a short break on a day walk in dire weather).<br />I don't like: small tents that suffer from condensation, boots that leak, knee injuries, and messy stoves, to name just a few...Phreerunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08551842487502221703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-21966730950008526742010-08-16T21:06:44.082+01:002010-08-16T21:06:44.082+01:00Martin, Louise, Laura.
The problem i have with dr...Martin, Louise, Laura. <br />The problem i have with drinking bladders isn't the type or the quality. I have 2 good ones. I just don't like them. <br />It's just one of those things.<br />I have given them a fair shot, but i always go back to my 1L platy bottle, that i half fill and keep in my side mesh pocket.<br />I have no trouble reaching it but i rarely walk alone so it's no problem asking Sheila to help if needed.AlanRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07180571503542781921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-57794286405424348892010-08-16T12:59:22.752+01:002010-08-16T12:59:22.752+01:00No problem Louise, I'm inclined to agree with ...No problem Louise, I'm inclined to agree with you about the drinking tube, as well as short arms I also hate the sploshing sound you get from a bottle of liquid as you walk. I have a very precious Ortlieb mapcase that I couldn't do without (the velcro on my previous one used to snag on my shirt). Good tip about the tent-peg trowel - I'm on to that straight away!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16317036646487413481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-16849914978259780112010-08-15T20:35:58.749+01:002010-08-15T20:35:58.749+01:00Alan, thanks for the tip, and thank Sheila for tha...Alan, thanks for the tip, and thank Sheila for that very important imformation, I shall search some out.<br />I love my hydration bladder, without it, I never drink enough water. I can't be hassled with trying to reach a water bottle in the side pockets (short arms!) and it's a faff to stop so often just for a slurp. A handy little tube clipped to the strap of my sack is just the job!<br />Sorry for the hijack Laura, hope you were after a discussion!Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05089530928216314797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-67671788135805867232010-08-14T22:02:21.886+01:002010-08-14T22:02:21.886+01:00I like the orange trowel that Bob and Rose sell. ...I like the orange trowel that Bob and Rose sell. Fine kit. Buffalo is too warm for anything except day walks in Greenland. Sleeping bag liners suck. Hydration bladders rock - get a Source 2l one. Gaiters are awful and mud washes of your kit anyway. Plus looking scruffy tends to get you served fast in shops on a TGO Challenge I find. Thing is kit is fine till you try it in the hills for a few wet nights etc. Then you find out if it is any good.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-11914868475105158432010-08-14T11:22:13.242+01:002010-08-14T11:22:13.242+01:00Hydration bladders and tubes are a pain. Prefer st...Hydration bladders and tubes are a pain. Prefer std water bottles in the rucksack pocket.<br />Gaiters, knee length - absolutely hate wearing them unless deep snow but even then, if i can get away with just overtrousers, i will.<br /><br />Louise, try the Ortlieb map case. Lovely soft plastic that doesn't deteriorate or discolour. I shall whisper this next bit - Sheila says try the X-bionic niks, they are a bit pricey but worth every penny and also Aldi have done some good quality, cheap ones called Skin to Skin.AlanRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07180571503542781921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-76569290550068190382010-08-14T10:28:18.305+01:002010-08-14T10:28:18.305+01:00Good post! I've had plenty of gear that seemed...Good post! I've had plenty of gear that seemed like a good idea at the time. What a lot of money wasted!<br /><br />The plastic trowel problem. The solution: http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2009/06/24/the-new-ibbo-pt/ So much better than anything I've used before and lighter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-2828861633768377912010-08-14T10:18:05.091+01:002010-08-14T10:18:05.091+01:00Thanks for the comments - keep them coming! It mig...Thanks for the comments - keep them coming! It might prevent me making similar errors of judgement in the future.....?<br />Louise - the photos are in the pipeline!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16317036646487413481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-45530754982912039932010-08-14T08:03:21.901+01:002010-08-14T08:03:21.901+01:00I think I've been quite lucky with gear. All m...I think I've been quite lucky with gear. All my clothes gear I've been really chuffed with, except pants. I can't find any good knickers that don't make life really uncomfortable when walking! With other gear, I once had a Lowe alpine daysack that gave me hideous headaches everytime I used it, that had to go. And I hate our map carrier thingy. It's bulky, the plastic's hard and the carry strap was forever whipping me round the face, so David has cut it off. It's now a bit tricky to carry.<br />It's hard to find perfect gear, isn't it?<br />(Still waiting baby photos, btw!)Louisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05089530928216314797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1244476622175417322.post-61930405740333038902010-08-14T07:50:50.721+01:002010-08-14T07:50:50.721+01:00In some ways Laura i could have posted this myself...In some ways Laura i could have posted this myself. My silk liner - stays in the wardrobe.<br />I do like my Buffalo but admit that it rarely gets an outing. I did buy a hood for it though.<br />Toilet trowel i designed and made my own and at around 25 grams it works well.<br />Compeed - never use them, i have always found moleskin to do the job better and i put foot powder on the edges to stop it sticking to my sock.<br />Bothy bag never gets an outing.<br />I use a plastic spork all the time. All the others, like Titanium folding spork stay in the cutlery drawer.<br />Walking poles! Bought and never used so i gave them away.<br />Sandals of varying types and makes. Merrell, TNF, Teva. All seem ok and then get left in the cupboard. I like the new Inov-8 sandals.<br />Folding cups - waste of money.<br />And there's more!AlanRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07180571503542781921noreply@blogger.com