Just In: Berghaus Long Sleeve Tech Tee Zip

I’ve been buying Berghaus base layers for a long while now, they’ve always offered great value for money, excellent performance and come in an array of retina burning colours.  I was gutted when they stopped producing my favourite versions,the ones with X-static silver fabric in, as they were brilliant for multi day trips as the silver stopped them getting stinky. So when Go Outdoors asked if I’d like to try one of the new base layers, I speedily took them up on their offer and ordered the aptly named Blaze Red. The new tops are made from Berghaus’ new Argentium Tech T fabric which sounds very similar to the old X-static fabric, using silver-ion technology to keep sweat and smells at bay as well as offering permanent UV...

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Danby, Fryup and Danby Castle Walk

This is another one of those walks we tend to do when we are looking for a quick few miles to stretch our legs followed by a pub meal somewhere, in this case usually the Fox and Hounds at Ainthorpe. It’s a nice easy walk over fields and a little bit of road, there’s a couple of small up ascents but nothing too steep or difficult. There’s a couple of pubs along the route, a couple of cafe’s, a castle, 14th century bridge and even a place called Fryup (of moonpig fame) We usually start the walk from the car park near the Duke of Wellington and Stonehouse Bakery in Danby it’s self but if you don’t fancy walking along the road you can always park at the Danby Moors Centre, but this usually costs a few quid…although it goes to...

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Garmin GPS60

I’m usually a big fan of technology, I was always worried about getting a GPS, firstly in case it took the fun out of navigating on the hill and secondly in case I started to rely on it and forgot how to read a map and thirdly I didn’t really see the point in getting one, I had always managed to get to where I had wanted to go without too many problems. This all changed on a misty day in December 2005, we had just climbed up Malham Cove in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales and started off across the moorland when the mist descended and we couldn’t see our hand in front of our faces. This made navigation almost impossible, luckily the path was pretty clear and we managed to navigate our way safely below the mist and back to the campsite. I wont lie it...

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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...

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Tested: 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...

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Tested: 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...

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