Golite Jam 2 – Page 2

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 Trip – Last Weekend

7 April 2012 / Backpacking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Walking / backpacking food, coffee, Golite Jam 2, lightweight backpacking food, outdoor gear, tea

Weekend Trip to Woodhall Spa and day two here

When I got my Golite Jam pack I had planned to carry my sleeping mat inside – however my new sleeping bag does not compress as much as the previous one – so the sleeping mat had to be fixed to the outside.

I used the top lid strap to hold the mat roll onto the pack and for extra security I clipped the elastic straps on the mat to the upper compression straps.

Before my next trip in mid April I am going to experiment with pacling the bag as I really wanted to travel with everything inside the pack.

I am also going to try and find a better (lightweight) compression sack for the sleeping bag and clothes.

The food for the weekend weighed 1.2kgs – of that the high calories/fatty foods made up – 150g sausages, 120g tinned sardines and 135g salted cashew nuts.

Saturday Mid-morning

Saturday Lunch

Canned Italian sardines in lemon olive oil – plenty of calories. With these I had crackers, chocolate oatcakes and tomato soup – I stored the complete meal in a ziplock bag and kept it in the pack’s external pocket so it was easy to get at.

Saturday Evening Meal

When I arrived at the campsite I bought two bars of chocolate – so when it came to the evening meal I did not want the custard desert.

The small ziplock contains instant peach tea. I had two of the sausages that evening and saved two for Sunday.

Sunday Morning

The first thing I had was tea and biscuits whilst watching the sunrise from my sleeping bag – see here.

The plastic bag contains a measure of Columbian roast ground coffee.

Sunday Trail Snacks

I had the last sausage for lunch.

Resupply

I have bought in some supplies this week for my next trip.

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West Highland Way Day 8 – Fort William

15 October 2011 / Photography, Travel, Walking / Golite Jam 2, hiking, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, Scotland, walking, West Highland Way

Time to cross the finish line. The rain this morning is the worst we have seen all week. But we braved it and walked the last mile to the new official (commercial) finish of the West Highland Way.

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West Highland Way Day 7 – Kinlochlen to Fort William

14 October 2011 / Photography, Technology, Travel, Walking / Golite Jam 2, hiking, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, Scotland, walking, West Highland Way

The day started with what is probably the best breakfast of the trip, it included fresh bread, scones, smoked salmon and a large selection of berries and fresh fruit. Richard’s West Highland cooked breakfast could barely fit on the plate.

Having dropped down into Kinlochleven yesterday we had to climb back out this morning through the forest to the old military road.

above and below the Ben Nevis range

We were slower today than we had planned – so we got to Fort William too late to pass the “official finish line” and take photos. So we will finish this walk tomorrow.

But we did pass the “old finish line”!

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West Highland Way Day 6 – Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochlen

13 October 2011 / Photography, Travel, Walking / Golite Jam 2, hiking, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, Scotland, tea, walking, West Highland Way

Twenty-one miles today – Rannock Moor and Glen Coe. The weather forecast is fair for the day so I have unloaded the gaiters and over trousers.

I got to the B&B in Kinlochleven at 5pm which meant eight hours and twenty minutes on the track. I had a couple of ten minute breaks and tea on the summit above the Devil’s Staircase. The drop down from there to Kinlochleven was very steep and longer than I expected.

above – Rannoch Moor

above – Glen Coe

And when I finally sat down with a mug of tea at the B&B, “The Big Bang Theory” was on the TV

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West Highland Way Day 5 – Crainlarich to Bridge of Orchy

12 October 2011 / Photography, Travel, Walking / Golite Jam 2, hiking, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, Scotland, tea, walking, West Highland Way

The first thing to do today is to get back to the path – which is about half a mile away but it is nearly all “up”.

I am completing this post whilst sitting in front of the log fire, in the lounge at The Bridge of Orchy Hotel lounge.

The day did start with a few spots of rain but by midday it was dry but overcast with the tops of low mountains shrouded in cloud.

We crossed the main road at Tyndrum – where we stopped for a tea and sausage roll in the conveniently placed cafe.

Tomorrow is a twenty-one mile day so we are in a hurry to get to Kinlochleven before dark.

West Highland Way Day 5 – Crainlarich to Bridge of Orchy Read More »

West Highland Way Day 4 – Inversnaid to Crainlarich

12 October 2011 / Photography, Travel, Walking / coffee, Golite Jam 2, hiking, iPhone, iPhone camera apps, iPhone photography, Scotland, walking, West Highland Way

It is now about 3.30pm and we are about four miles away from Crainlarich on the old military road – and the path is such that I can write this whilst walking.

The first five miles of the day were some of the most difficult we will have to walk this week. A narrow fractured, undulating path, where you had to watch where you walked. It took us over three hours to cover five miles. It was similar terrain for the end of yesterday and that too slowed down our progress. This afternoon once we reached the military road our pace picked up.

We had some great views this morning over the loch and even found somewhere to get coffee, Beinglas Farm.

Another thing we saw (and smelt) were goats along the side of the loch, and you really could smell them before you saw them!