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Z-Packs Quilt Failure
Another trip, another kit failure. This time it’s the turn of the Z-Packs quilt I gave a positive review to here. In the review I commented that -“...Quality is excellent. Materials and construction...
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MYOG Quilt
When I decide I’m going to build a piece of kit I don't just try any copy what’s already out there. I sit and think about the problems of these designs and, more importantly, what it is I really want...
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Tasmania Bike & Hike Summary
I had little idea what to expect from Tasmania, or Tassie, as it’s know to the locals. I chose to go there because the climate suited what time I had available rather than any other reason. I had read...
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Revelate Bike Bags Review
For years the normal way to carry luggage on a cycling tour has been panniers mounted to a rack. That would normally consist of 4 panniers and 2 racks and actually it’s a very good way to carry an...
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Bugsy MYOG
I always carry some kind of bug protection on 3 season hikes, a head net and bivy are the norm. The head net comes on at breaks and can also be worn when hiking if the buggers are particularly bad. A...
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Pacific Crest Trail
After nearly 3 months of building new kit, and relaxation, it's time to get out there again. It will be the first of two hikes across the USA, this time along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT...
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Home from the PCT
I got back to the UK on Friday after successfully completing the PCT on the 25th Aug. The PCT is a special trail and I hope to get a trip summary up here soon (ish!). I’m really bad at updating my...
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MYOG Synthetic Quilt
Awhile ago I built a down quilt with a central zip that allowed the user access to the filling. The idea was that the user could replace the filling quickly and without any sewing. I suggested that a...
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MYOG Cuben Fibre Shelter
I've always wanted to longterm test a cuben fibre shelter but never really found anything I wanted to take on a long hike. Cuben fibre was supposed to be a wonder material that would transform...
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Pacific Crest Trail Hike Report
The PCT was aways one of those trails that I knew I just had to hike. It looked spectacular and unlike, say the AT, it has a point. Great long hikes should have a definite start and finish, coast to...
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Training for that big hike
I’m sometimes asked about training for a hike, what to do, and how much. Many people expect me to be out training all the time, and I must be super fit, right? The answer to those questions are no and...
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Trail Designs 600ml Titanium Pot & Sidewinder Stove Review
Trail Designs have been the masters of lightweight hiking stoves for some time. They combine great performance, in all conditions, but remain very light, tough, and pack small. There are of course...
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Montane Spectr eVent Smock Failure
When you buy the lightest kit you have to realise there is often going to be some disadvantages regarding durability over heavier kit. This is particularly so with waterproofs and these garments should...
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Longterm Test
After a not too favourable longterm review of the original Therm-a-Rest NeoAir I was reluctant to waste anymore money on something that could potentially have such a short life. Thing is, comfort is...
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New Zealand's Te Araroa Hike
It’s amazing how fast time fly’s between expeditions. 12 weeks seems like a long time but I never got even 1/2 of what I planned done. The blogs still bare and I’ve still got many gear projects...
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Back from New Zealand
I returned from a successful, and throughly enjoyable, hike of the Te Araroa a few days ago and now it’s the time that I hate after every trip - catch-up time! Emails, blog, finances, the list goes on…...
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Te Araroa Trip Report
Te Araroa (TA) was the trail I had chosen to kick-off my new full-time outdoor life back in 2012. For various reasons it turned out not to be possible then, but it was alway a question of when, not if,...
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InReach Original Review
As a lover of wild places I’m sometimes told I’m mad, or even irresponsible, going into these places alone. In the risk adverse society that we live in perhaps that is true. I like the challenge, space...
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Arctic Trail
My next hike is in less than 30 days (1st Aug) and is to a new area for me. Northern Scandinavia and the Arctic Circle. I will be following the Nordkalottleden Trail, or Arctic Trail as it’s often...
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Arctic Trail Trip Report Part 1 - Nordkalottleden Trail
Hiking in Lapland has been high on my list of ‘must go’ places for many years. I remember reading a number of articles by Chris Townsend on the area and as I also have Norwegian relatives it made sense...
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