Review: Energy Bars

Although some, but not all energy bars are aimed at runners and cyclists, they can be a convenient quick snack on the move or for a speedy stop when hiking. I know there are many snack options when on the trail, but I tend to find I lose my appetite when walking a long distance. I do sometimes take bananas, nuts, sandwiches, Peperami etc. But a nice tasting, energy full bar, can easily fill the bill.

So in this review I will be looking at four fairly easily available energy bars. I will consider three aspects; ease of access, taste and nutrition.

Review: Petzl Tikkina 2

Some gear you buy ends up being a no frills, just get on with it, workhorse. As far as headlamps are concerned, the Petzl Tikkina 2 is my workhorse headlamp. It does the job and never lets me down.

Review: Alpkit Gamma, a Conundrum.

For many years scientists have been trying to discover the source of the creation of the universe. Year on year the Met Office constantly seek to be able to predict the weather more and more accurately. And the fact that none stick Teflon is stuck to a pan. It all begs the same question.........how? Well this is the conundrum faced when reviewing the Alpkit Gamma. How did they do it for £15 delivered?

Review: Petzl e+LITE

How about a very light headlamp that can be thrown in you rucksack or vehicle and be forgotten about until needed for up to 10 years. Well that is one of the main features of the Petzl e+LITE making it incredibly reliable so it's there in an emergency.

Petzl e+LITE in it's protective case.

Review: Silva Siju.

When is a compass not a compass, when it's a head torch. I had considered doing a head to head (pardon the pun) review of four head torches. But I decided that each torch was good in it's own right and each had particular benefits. So the first head torch review is the Silva Siju.

Dales Walks: Simon's Seat

Overlooking Appletreewick and Burnsall is a feature called Simon's Seat. The name, from what I can gather, comes from the name given to a baby found in the location by a Shepard way back in time. Where ever the name comes from, it's a feature worth looking at as the trig point adds a little challenge to the ascent.

Dales Walks: The Barden Triangle

If you look round on the Internet you will find some reference to the Barden Triangle. The Barden Triangle consists of Troller's Gill, Dibble's Bridge and Elbolton Hill. I decided in my recent break in the Dales to walk the Triangle and see for myself if any of the legends might be true.

Dales Walks: Appletreewick to the Strid

Having lost walking time on the Monday I decided on the Tuesday to have a steady stroll down to the Strid near Bolton Abbey, the previous day and night had seen heavy rain so I thought I might be in for a treat, I was.

A Review: Mason's Campsite in Appletreewick

The standard of campsites can vary greatly, from the very basic to over the top. I have to admit, I've seen the varied quality myself. From a field and single toilet at the foot of Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley in Wales to a campsite in Devon with swimming pool, TV room, bar etc. Most people have different ideas about what is an acceptable standard. For me, clean and an ability to keep myself clean after a long walk. I think that the Mason's Campsite has that.

Week in the Dales: Day 4 (final day)

Today the weather has been another hit and miss affair. A break in the rain around lunch time saw me head up Simon's Seat. Initially sunny, it turned very grey after I reached the trig point. I managed some photos, including one of me by the trig point kindly taken by a fellow hiker. Shortly after there was rain (shocker)  preceded by 15 minutes of hail. It cleared for a while, just as I returned to camp, so a meal had to wait an hour or so.

So now I'm sat outside the pub for a pint contemplating having to break camp in the morning and go home.

Still, a busy weekend to come, catch up on Game of Thrones, reviews and a couple of walks to add to the blog. Then hopefully a good walk on Sunday with a couple of friends.

Signing off for now.....cheers....hic!

Week in the Dales: Day 3

The weather has been much kinder today. I was starting to think walking in the Dales passed as some sort of rain dance. The walk round the Barden Triangle was brilliant. Trollers Gill is very picturesque. Dibbles Bridge has an interesting story although the bridge itself is nothing out of the ordinary to be honest. Elbolton Hill is well worth the hike, the views are fantastic. The RAB Vapour Rise did really well. I'll expand on all of this at the weekend, loads of photos to come.

Off for a meal and a couple of pints now. Possibly Simon's Seat tomorrow, and hopefully good weather.

Week in the Dales: Day 2

Well yesterday was a wash out. It rained all day and had a storm through the night. Luckily my tent held out, but sleep was a luxury.

This morning I headed off down to the Strid. The weather started off very changeable, but brightened up steadily through the day. The heavy rain made the Strid very impressive. I'll post more pictures when I return home at the weekend, but here's one for now.

Week in the Dales: Day 1 (morning)

I arrived yesterday afternoon and set up camp at Mason's Campsite in Appletreewick (apparently pronounced Apptrick by locals). The weather turned very wet so I had a short walk into Burnsall, the neighbouring village. A fantastic meal in the Craven's Arms followed by an early night.

This morning saw a trip into Skipton where I bought RAB Vapour Rise jacket (a review to follow). I'm now off back to the camp to have a walk down the Dales Way towards The Strid, a local well known waterfall. The Strid is extremely dangerous and anyone falling in is dragged down to the bottom where there are large rocks being swept round washing machine style.

A Busy Week To Come

Next week will be a busy time for me. I will be away camping in the Yorkshire Dales. While there I will be logging several planned walks and testing some gear. I'll be carrying out a test of four competitively priced head torches, a torch that punches above it's weight and several other items. Reviews will follow on my return. Until then, Happy Easter!