Sunday 27 December 2009

A day in the welsh mountains - en route to Arenig Fach

A 10 mile walk in mid Wales, the second half to the day including walking thro boggy terrian, crossing rivers and snow drifts. In upto the top of my legs at one time

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Kit List & Weight

Following is my kit list/quantity and weight:- Item..................Qty (_x)..Weight (_g) Freeflow 50L Backpack 1x 1812g Stuff Sacs 5x 144g Walking socks mid 2x 150g (Wear+1) Trousers 1x 470g (Wear+1) Base layer 2x 400g (Wear+1) Arm Warmers 1x 111g Micro fleece 1x 347g Walking Jacket - Paramo 0x 0g (Wear+1) Underwear 2x 204g (Wear+1) Plastic Compression Bags 3x 111g 1st Aid kit 1x 488g Wash Kit 1x 224g Suntan lotion 1x 196g Phone Charger 1x 99g MP3 2x 89g Washing Line 1x 45g Wash tablets 2x 121g Sunglass Case/Sunglasses 1x 107g Spare batteries+charger 1x 251g Water proof trousers 1x 261g Gaiters 1x 106g Waterproof jacket - Berghaus 1x 453g Luminous Jacket 1x 287g Baseball cap 1x 47g Gloves 1x 116g Bandana 1x 36g Hat 1x 35g Walking boots 1x 1102g Lite weight shoes 0x 0g (Wear+1) Cash 1x 100g Cards 1x 11g YHA Card 1x 1g Phone 1x 223g Camera 1x 194g Maps 1x 504g Itinery/Receipts 1x 108g Walking sticks 2x 388g Pack lunch case 1x 89g Platypus 1x 120g Compass 1x 29g Flask 1x 266g Mirror 1x 24g Knee Sock 1x 21g Stationary 1x 12g Clothew Pegs 4x 28g Phone Stylus (Spare) 1x 1g Karibian Hook 1x 9g Belts 1x 41g (Wear+1) GPS 1x 156g Seat 1x 32g Wallet 1x 37g Waterproof Phone Case 1x 42g Camera Case 1x 76g Waterproofing 1x 154g Totals 10.478Kg

Tuesday 22 December 2009

Kit now ready

Have now finalised my kit list and with Santa's arrival on the 25th all items shall be purchased and tested, although I am still debating on whether to buy a replacement pair of berghaus paclite waterproof trousers, there's my birthday for that expense I suppose. The final weight in is due and I will post the total soon. In the last month I have brought a pair of "cyclist" arm warmers, which will be worn will my T shirts if too cold or am wearing my gore tex jacket over the top (Hate waterproof jackets next to skin!!). Have purchased a Pro Shell baseball cap, which is lite as anything but is waterproof replacing a cloth, heavier non w/proof one. Have decided that my trusty GPS is travelling with me, this will be used to create a trial of my walk (MUST remember to turn it on each day) and also I have generated a series of 800 waypoints for the whole walk. That way I will have an indication of walking in the right direction and the time / distance to that nights accommodation. I usually have 100 waypoints for a days walk so will have to get used to less detail, as I can only load 500 into GPS at anyone time. Have maintained a training schedule, the 3 days canal walks weren't as wet as promised although did get soaked on the second day, my fault couldn't be bothered putting on w/proof trousers until too wet - lesson to be learnt there I think. Apart from that fell great after wanting to do more. Walked in the Malverns twice, to maintain my "mountain legs" as although no too high they are undulating and do test the calves, the last of these on the shortest day along snowy tracks. Whilst on this walk I was approached by a cameraman for Central New looking for "winter hill" shows and as there wasn't too may people around, guess who starred later that evening. Notice all the shots were from behind me - best angle???? The other walk completed was a 25km walk over the Black Mountains, this was completed half in mist but later in the day along the ridge the mist cleared for some great views. One final note, the Website is now nearing completion and the serious issue of fund raising begins - the walk I think will be easier!!!