backpacking – Page 7 – Clive's Blog

The Walk Back

7 May 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography, Walking / backpacking, camping food, Photos 2012, tea

I only plan a short walk today as I have to get back to the office to sort out a data back up issue for a client.

It was a bright sunny start to the day, so after tea whilst still in my sleeping bag, it was breakfast outside by the lake.

The titanium mug with lid kept the early morning bugs out of the tea water – I put it on the beaker afterwards to keep them out of the tea.

Breakfast was cereal bars and tea – Diana bought me something different – Apple and Oat bar made by “The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys”, they were very good and I will be using them again.

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Two Night Trip

5 May 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography, Technology, Travel, Walking / backpacking, iPhone camera apps, lightweight walking, Lincolnshire, MSR titanium mug, outdoor gear, Photos 2012, walking

I had been planning a two night trip further afield – but the variable weather and the unseasonably low temperatures meant I changed my plan to a walk to Woodhall Spa. (I have been walking for about 30 minutes, as I write this, it was cold and grey when I set out, it rained, the sun came out, it rained and now it is grey again!)

I put my iPhone in the waterproof case at the start of the day, to protect it, so I can use it as a camera for those bad weather photos and so I can write this blog as I walk – wiping the rain drops from the screen so I can read what I write.

The plan is walk to Woodhall Spa campsite from Bardney using the Viking Way – tomorrow loop out around Horncastle using the Viking Way and other paths – then Monday back to Bardney on the Water Rail Way.

Two days food, extra fuel and some spare clothes has added to my pack weight – the starting load complete was 12kgs. One thing I do need to manage is the power consumption on my iPhone – so I have disabled the 3G and data function, whilst walking, to conserve power and no movies tonight in the tent – I also plan to turn on flight mode over night.

It has now hailed on me.

The path has been very muddy in places particularly two stretches that go through cow fields. I found a convenient bit of low wall for lunch – but sitting still I got cold very quickly – so lunch was a quick stop.

I got the tent up in the dry.

I have my new inflatable pillow with me – as I do not have enough spare clothes with me to make a decent pillow. You can see the two days worth of food to the left – the milk I got from the campsite shop.

Here you can see how useful the small tarp is for giving me somewhere outside the tent to sit – and my sleeping bag in the stuff sack makes a useable stool.

A pitch right by the lake in among the trees.

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MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

23 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Walking / backpacking, lightweight backpacking, outdoor gear

Diana has bought me an MSR Pocket Rocket stove to supplement my Ti meths stove when backpacking in bad weather.

I could not buy a 100g gas bottle, in Lincoln this morning, so I got a 220g one so I can use/test the stove today. For my lightweight trips I’d prefer the smaller/lighter gas canister – but as the canisters are removable, I can have both styles on the go at the same time.

My MSR Titanium mug sits securely on the pot stand as does my MSR Titan kettle.

The red plastic carry box is useful to protect the stove and to protect my other kit from it’s sharp points when the stove is packed in my rucksack.

Jeremy and I are planing an overnight trip in two weeks time and we will try this stove out then – he is going to carry it!

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Walking to Woodhall Spa from Coningsby pt3

15 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography, Walking / backpacking, Golite Jam 2, hiking, lightweight backpacking, lightweight camping, lightweight walking, MSR titanium mug, walking

Group shot

It is rain on my tent but frozen!

The Golite Jam packed with the sleeping mat inside the pack.

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Walking to Woodhall Spa from Coningsby pt2

14 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Photography, Walking / backpacking, hiking, lightweight backpacking, lightweight walking, MSR titanium mug, Photos 2012, walking

We set off for Coningsby at about 2pm. Even though we are carrying our kit, we managed to fill the car boot with the rucksacks.

The path went right across the fishing lake.

We have a very nice pitch by the lake.

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Walking to Woodhall Spa from Coningsby pt1

14 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Lincolnshire, Outdoor Gear, Photography, Technology, Walking / backpacking, backpacking gear, Golite Jam 2, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, lightweight camping, lightweight walking, outdoor gear, walking

This weekend I have a short walk planned with a couple of friends – it is a gear try out before we go wild camping next month.

Following the trip a couple of week ago, I spent last night making a better job of packing my rucksack and I have got my sleeping mat packed inside the Golite Jam, rather than hanging on the outside. The new compression sack and making a better job of fold/rolling my tent made this possible.

I have a new bit of gear for this weekend. Diana bought me a case to protect my iPhone from the elements as the Watatait Case failed on me whilst away in Scotland in January. I contacted Haglofs, who took the faulty case back and then quickly replaced it – however they did not have my model in stock and so supplied me with a larger pouch which does not have the transparent back panel so I cannot use the camera whilst in the case. However it is a good waterproof case and I will find a use for it in the future.

The new case is less “hi-tech” than the previous cases I have used, but it is lighter and smaller. It has a velcro roll top and a padded interior to give a little more protection to the iPhone and has that vital transparent back so I can use the camera in the rain. However, contrary to the instructions I do not think it is 100% waterproof – but 100% weather proof – I would not submerse this case but I would carry it in my pocket and use it in the rain.

I added the paracord and cord grip for security.

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Backpacking Next Weekend

25 March 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Photography, Walking / backpacking, coffee, hiking, outdoor gear, tea, walking

As I am planning an overnight walk, next weekend, it was time to get the equipment out of storage and check it over.

Tent

I am still using the Colman Bedrock 2 (that I paid £17.50 for) – although I am looking out for something lighter and that I can cook in if needed. To save some weight I have got two longer alloy stakes to use, to peg out the guylines, that hold up the vent cover and the foot of the flysheet. This saves carrying three heavier pegs and gives a better angle to the guylines.

The carabiner is used on my backpack during the day to secure equipment.

Cooking Gear

All the utensils went through the dishwasher and the fuel bottles refilled. I changed out my beaker for the new one.

The water bladder for the rucksack needed a rinse.

Sleeping Gear

I packed my new sleeping bag into the lightweight compression sack it came with and I was able to pack my silk sleeping bag liner into the same bag.

I store my sleeping mat semi-inflated, so I inflated it fully to check for leaks and then rolled it ready for Saturday.

Bits and Pieces

I sorted through my accessory pack and removed all the extra bits that had accumulated in the pouch over the winter, whilst I have been using it for day walks – watching the grams keeps the weight down.

I checked the batteries in the headlamp.

I also checked the contents of my first aid kit.

Food

I took a trip to the supermarket to get the food for the weekend – Aldi and Tesco – rather than camping shops. Jeremy is going on a Duke of Edinburgh’s expedition this week so I got his food as well.

Saturday

Lunch
Tinned sardines with lemon, cream crackers, hazelnut wafers, coffee

On arrival at the campsite – tea and biscuits

Dinner
Tomato cup-a-soup, Duck flavoured noodles with added salami, instant custard, tea

Later
Chai Latte, Southern Comfort, hazelnut wafers

Tea and fruit and spice oatcakes – first thing in the morning, whilst still in my sleeping bag

Sunday

Breakfast
Tea, crackers and jam, cereal bars

Lunch
Salami, cereal bar and coffee

Trail snacks
Banana chips, Meerkat jellies, white chocolate buttons

Clothes and Wash Kit

I have packed my long sleeved underwear shirt, long johns and some wool socks – the nights recently have been cold and if needed, I can wear these in my sleeping bag.

The few spare clothes I need were packed into the same dry sack with my sleeping bag and my small wash kit.

Check List

Later this week I will check my kit against my spreadsheet check list to make sure I have only 9.5kgs of gear.

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