Rock + Run Kahtoola Microspikes bag
A couple of weeks ago, Rock + Run posted a competition on their Facebook wall offering the first few people to send them a pic of themselves wearing their Kahtoola Microspikes the chance to test on of their new Microspikes Bags. I was one of those lucky people to be sent a bag so thought I would post my first impressions on here, especially as I had been looking at getting something to keep my spikes in for the coming winter as the stuff sack I currently keep my spikes in is a little bit thin and keeps ripping. The Rock + Run bag is made from what seems like pretty tough and abrasion resistent polyester, this pre production version has a press stud closure, hanging strap and a couple of drainage holes in the bottom of the bag. It weighs 57g and rolls up really...
Read MoreTested: Aladdin Bento Box
Since The Aladdin Bento Box arrived from Go Outdoors I’ve not been able to stop using it. It really is a great little bit of kit for spicing up lunchtimes. As I mentioned in my original post, the Aladdin Bento Box has taken it’s insporation from the Japanese style lunch boxes so it’s designed to keep food hot or cold for up to 5 hours. I’m delighted to say that so far it’s lived up to that claim. The first test was keeping my ploughman’s lunch cold…I followed the instructions and filled the containers with cold water and let them stand while I sorted out the bits I was going to have for lunch. A few minutes later I tipped the water out, dried the tubs and filled them with my lunch. 4.5 hours later it was time to get...
Read MoreTested: Therm-a-rest Prolite Plus
A couple of weeks ago the very kind people over at Go Outdoors sent me a lovely new Therm-a-Rest Prolite Plus Sleeping Mat from their camping equipment range. I’ve now finally had chance to give it a proper test and I have to say I’m pretty impressed. It packs down quite small, although I struggled to get it back to as small as when it arrived, I guess they have some sort of machine that packs them in the factory. I sounds like it’s got a good warmth to weight ratio…680g for a 3 season mat that is 3.8cm thick and has an R value (the way the insulation is measured) it’s sure to keep you warm and comfy in most conditions. Out of the packet it took a while to inflate so I gave it a few blows just to get it right, I’ve found that...
Read MoreCrinkle Crags and Bowfell Walk
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell is not just one of my favourite Lakeland walks, It’s one of my favourite walks anywhere. It’s been a long while since I’d done it so was pleased that I got to pop across and re visit it especially after a day of exploring Coniston, testing a Landrover Defender with a mate and researching the excellent local hostelries (The Black Bull for it’s beer and the Sun Inn for it’s beer and food although not the service). Last time I went up Crinkle Crags and Bowfell I was laden with camping gear, It was early evening in September and I sat and watched the sun go down from the summit of Bowfell before descending down to Angle Tarn to pitch my tent ready to head over to the Langdale Pikes the following day. This time...
Read MoreWeekend walk in photos
On Sunday we decided to make the most of the lovely weather and did a version of the Roseberry Topping walk, but parked up at Hutton Village, went up to Highcliff Nab then across the Moor to New Row before wandering along the road to the cafe at Kildale, after a toastie and an ice cold beer we then headed up the hill to Captain Cook’s Monument before walking to Gribdale Gate followed by Roseberry Topping and then back down to Hutton Village. Anyway, here are the pics (click to make them bigger), there’s a few more on Flickr too. Mythos in the Yorkshire Sun Captain cook’s monument and roseberry topping Highcliff nab View from near...
Read MoreJust In: Aladdin Bento Lunch Box
I had been looking at these in Go Outdoors a couple of weeks ago and thinking that they would be handy for livening up lunchtimes and great for picnics so when I was offered one to test I gladly said yes. The Aladdin Bento Box comes in a range of colours and sizes (this one’s blue and the 950ml version) and is a fully insulated, microwavable lunch box and like it’s Japanese inspiration contains dividers to keep your food separate. The available 950ml space is separated into a 600ml compartment and a 350ml compartment, this means not only can you separate wet and dry food you can also take both hot and cold food with you. It also an inner divider so that you can divide the bigger of the tubs up say one bit for rice, the other for...
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