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The Outdoorsy "Sofa".

Change of scene today. A 10 mile stretch of the Speyside way between Kincraig and Kinguisse... Which seems to be nowhere near the actual river, but whatever. Mainly various types of woodland in different states of management. Pleasant enough. Alas gales forecast for the high spots over the next couple of days, so plan a - minigaig pass - is rejected and plan b is being devised over a pint.
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Glen Feshie is a lovely spot especially the bothy. Coming back next year. Massive tree regeneration by killing all the deer.
Early May in the Highlands has really lived up to expectations. So nice to not be preoccupied with biting insects.

The day started with a more sporting river fording than I was actually game for. But I got it done without disaster. Too far and to windy to attempt the minigaig pass. Next time.

Good spot for a lunchtime dip to blow away the cobwebs.
IMG_20220510_162142542_HDR.jpgIMG_20220511_092036010_HDR.jpgIMG_20220511_093244717~2.jpgIMG_20220511_131855143_HDR.jpg
 
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Living in London with a young toddler and no car, I have no access to these beautiful mountainous walks featured in this thread as we access all of our walks by public transport. But I walk with my young son and partner every weekend. I also have no gear apart from a couple of baby carriers a water cup a change of baby clothes, fruit snacks, jigsaws for the train journey and some emergency sacks and tissues. But we walk every weekend and have walked the Capital ring and the North Downs Way and have walked the length of the Thames and the majority of its tributaries downstream of Oxford. This is me and my son exploring the upper course of the River Ver near Redbourne in Hertfordshire.

242568781_10165973058380341_4022099073232141429_n.jpg
 
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toblerone3 said:
Living in London with a young toddler and no car, I have no access to these beautiful mountainous walks featured in this thread as we access all of our walks by public transport. But I walk with my young son and partner every weekend. I also have no gear apart from a couple of baby carriers a water cup a change of baby clothes and some emergency sacks and tissues. But we walk every weekend and have walked the Capital ring and the North Downs Way and have walked the length of the Thames and the majority of its tributaries downstream of Oxford. This is me and my son exploring the upper course of the River Ver near Redbourne in Hertfordshire.

242568781_10165973058380341_4022099073232141429_n.jpg
Click to expand...
We used to walk a lot around London using public transport when we lived in the city (nearly 20 years ago). There was a potter's bar to cockfosters one we did a lot. Also boxhill to Leatherhead :)
 
Idaho said:
Glen Feshie is a lovely spot especially the bothy. Coming back next year. Massive tree regeneration by killing all the deer.
Early May in the Highlands has really lived up to expectations. So nice to not be preoccupied with biting insects.

The day started with a more sporting river fording than I was actually game for. But I got it done without disaster. Too far and to windy to attempt the minigaig pass. Next time.

Good spot for a lunchtime dip to blow away the cobwebs.
View attachment 322157View attachment 322158View attachment 322159View attachment 322160
Click to expand...

Stunning. I must get back up to Scotland this year.
 
I need some insulated jacket advice.

I have a montane prism which no longer fits since I lost weight, I still wear it but in winter it lets cold air in from the bottom if I'm not wearing bulky layers underneath. This is less than helpful at the end of a long run. I figure there might be some sale stuff around at the minute.

I really want a closer fitting insulated windproof layer with a decent hood for winter. Sadly montane no longer do a women's fit prism :mad:

What alternatives should I be looking at? The prism was the goldilocks porridge of jackets for me so I basically want an exact replacement, or warmer at the same weight.
 
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Mrs K has the Alpkit Ohiro - bit warmer than the Prism, but do another one called the Katabatic which I think is more akin.

She really rates it, materials and built quality are excellent..

alpkit.com

0Hiro [Womens] synthetic insulated jacket

Our warmest women's insulated PrimaLoft® jacket, providing burly, trash-proof protection and safe refuge from cold and damp British winters. Free Delivery Free Returns Same Day Despatch
alpkit.com alpkit.com
 
Good shouts but the Katabatic isn't windproof and the 0Hiro is too heavy, really looking for something 400g or under. Probably should have specified that!
 
I think the Flux is quite similar to the Prism?

Montane’s outlet shop is always worth a look for a bargain. Although it’s not quite as good as it used to be when it was just a room in the corner of their factory. The prices are based on the RRP, so if you see something it’s always worth seeing how much a new one would be from another shop.

Welcome to Mountain Kit

mountain-kit.co.uk mountain-kit.co.uk
 
I've got the flux, it's significantly warmer than the prism - Mrs K had one before the alpkit...

Decathlon job?

Women's Mountaineering Synthetic Down Jacket - Alpinism Blue

Women's Mountaineering Synthetic Down Jacket - Alpinism Blue null This insulated jacket is ideal for mountaineers looking for the best compromise between durability, breathability and warmth (comfort temperature = -5°C).
www.decathlon.co.uk www.decathlon.co.uk
 
I forgot about the Montane outlet shop! The phoenix lite looks decent. As does that Rab one. I figure anything made out of pertex will be decently windproof, right? That's the main thing for me really in winter.

I looked at the Flux when I bought the prism and decided it was a bit too much jacket for what I needed.

Argh, I went to Decathlon today as well :facepalm: I didn't see any Simond jackets, but I wasn't looking for them. I did buy two pairs of running shoes though.
 
Yeah, anything Pertex will do the job - there's a couple of different fabrics that vary on their weatherproofing Vs breathability, but any jacket thats got two layers of Pertex with a fill in the middle is going to be pretty solid.
 
IMG_20220528_213413426.jpgEvening walk in and a chance to try out my new tent, sleeping bag and mat. Also trialling a lighter approach generally.

Results:
Tent - lanshan pro 2 - is a single skin, under 1kg hiking pole tent and seems great. Inevitably it gets a fair bit of condensation, but it's so roomy inside I didn't get any drips.
Sleeping bag is a Rab 3 season down one and was fine.
Mat was crap and went flat constantly. I woke up 4 times in the night and had to pump it up each time. Got it from the local shop and they've replaced it.

The big success was the trimmed down kit. I've just been walking too overloaded for too long. Less stuff to pack makes the bag lighter, emptier and quicker to pack. Less stuff to manage and fewer pointless decisions.
 
Time for me to buy a sleeping mat. At 51 I’ve finally got to the stage where i desire one. Any tips? Thermarest still a thing? I want something that packs small.
 
Having punctured far too many, I've binned off the self-inflating thermarests and their clones - I use an inflatable mat, one of these...

Multimat - Adventure Air

Inflatable sleeping mat, ideal for ideal for global backpacking Compact, lightweight and durable 2x valve for fast deflation TPU membrane for air-tight seal 75D rip-stop water repellant polyester Mat supplied with stuff sack & repair kit
www.multimat.uk.com www.multimat.uk.com

I also carry a traditional, weighs nothing, foam mat that protects the inflatable thing. Used together they are incredibly warm, and very comfortable.

The set up is bulkier than a thermarest type thing, but in my view it's more capable, and no heavier. I've slept quite happily on snow and ice in northern and eastern European winters with this set up with no problems.
 
Met a couple of lads on the hills above my house when running with the dog. We stopped and talked whilst our dogs ran round together. They told me they had had to turn around because of the bull. I asked them if they had tried shooing it and they looked at me like I was crazy. Tbf they didn't want to move but I didn't exactly find them threatening. Did pick the dog up though to be safe.PXL_20220603_110459506.jpgPXL_20220603_110408808.jpg
 
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