Review: Osprey AddOns GrabBag

I'm not a pockets person when I'm out walking. I find that when the requirement to do a bit of scrambling comes in that stuff in my pockets gets in the way or gets damaged. I also find that there are a few items I like to get to without having to take my rucksack off. That being my compass, phone, a snack or maybe my wallet. I've tried a couple of belt pouches, a generic compact camera type pouch and a military type pouch and found both to be okay, but the need attaching to a belt, a strap or Mollie in the case of the army pouches if not on a belt. I happened to be looking on the Osprey site prior to purchasing my Talon 44 and noticed the Osprey AddOns, in particular, the GrabBag.

High Spy, with my little eye!

High Spy is a Wainwright with 148m (485ft) of prominence. This makes it 2m short of being a Marylin (a hill in the UK with 150m (492tf) or more of prominence, regardless of the altitude of it's summit. It lies between Maiden Moore and Dale head and sits on a ridge which forms a ridge between Borrowdale and Newlands Valley. With Catbells, Dale Head and Hindscarth it forms a horse shoe shaped ridge walk (one for the future). The name High Spy is thought to have possibly come from the use of the prominence as a look out point, maybe someone knows for sure?

Review: Rab Vapour Rise Lite Jacket

Overview

I walk very warm, even in cool weather. I find it easy to get too hot when heading off up a hill. I spend most of my time walking on the hill with just a long sleeved base layer for a top. Other than that, I only usually where a waterproof and a wind shirt if the weather demands. But as Autumn and then Winter sets in, these layers aren't enough.

Most of the softshells I look at are quite heavy and make me feel warm just to look at them. They would be okay for me in the depths of Winter, but what about Autumn and the normal winter days. I came across the Rab Vapour-Rise Lite Alpine jacket and thought it seemed worth a try. It's a lot lighter than most softshells. It's a little lighter than my Montane Dyno, at around 360g compared to the Dyno's 400g,which I assume from Rab will be for the size Large. But even though it's lighter, the Tricot lining should add to both the thermal and wicking capabilities of the jacket.

Blencathra to some, Saddleback to others.

Firstly, for my two penneth, I prefer Blencathra to Saddleback. Saddleback, unlike the mountain itself, just doesn't stand out. Saddleback could be the name for any mountain with the appropriate feature. There's only one Blencathra.

Looking it up on Wikipedia, the name Blencathra comes from Cumbric word usage. So Blaen, which would be a bare hill top, and cathrach, a chair. A bare hill top with a chair, which having seen it close up, I can see being appropriate.

Never Give Up!

I want to show that no matter how things get, never give up.

In February 2010 I was involved in a serious car accident. The result of the accident was a serious injury to my right arm. I'm right handed so was in for some hard work.

Don't read any further if you are squeamish about x-rays of broken bones.

Posts to come when I dry out!.

Heavy rain and high winds warning for Cumbria

High winds and heavy rain have caused problems on roads across Cumbria.

With 100mm of rain forecast in the next 24 hours, the Environment Agency has issued 36 flood alerts and seven warnings.

The A6 south of Penrith was blocked for a time by a fallen tree, which also brought down power lines near Clifton.

A number of roads were only passable with care due to standing water. They included the A595 at Bothel, and the Crossthwaite Roundabout at Keswick.

Botchergate in Carlisle was closed for a time after masonry fell from the former Mood nightclub building.

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said: "Drivers are advised to plan their journeys before setting out, check the weather and traffic conditions, leave extra time for their journeys if travel conditions are poor, and delay their journey if the weather becomes severe."

24 September 2012 Last updated at 20:44

Sourced from BBC NEWS Cumbria

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-19705545

My blog has been a bit quiet for the last week or two. I've been to the Lake District this week, had a good swim, and did a couple of walks. Some gear was put to the test while I was there. So plenty of photographs to sort through and reviews to write up over the next few days once I've deflated my arm bands.

Review: LED Lenser P3 Torch

We need light to see, with out light, we would be in darkness. I know that's very obvious, but a good light source can make all the difference, particularly artificial light, at night. How about a high quality light source, at a reasonable price, and fits in the palm of your hand. Maybe the LED Lenser P3 will fit the spot.

Grindsbrook

For quite a few years of my youth, along with walking, I did quite a bit of rock climbing with the family at weekends. Wharncliffe Crags and Stanage in the Peak District mixed with the likes of Little Tryfan in the Ogwen Valley Wales. Unfortunately my current situation dictates that rock climbing, anything technical, is certainly out of the question. But there is one very good alternative.............scrambling.

I've looked at Grinsbrook Clough a few times on the map and read stories about the fact it can be tough, bad weather can make it dangerous etc. So this weekend I went along with a walking friend of mine and headed off up Grindsbrook to see what kind of challenge would be offered by this infamous feature.

Review: Montane Lite-Speed

Montane promote the Lite-Speed jacket as a windproof on their website. I've worn this jacket a few times in slightly adverse conditions, and I think windproof sells it short. Here's why!

 

The Montane Lite-Speed is made from Pertex Microlight, a material that was created in 1987 in conjunction with several leading outdoor apparel manufacturers. Microlight is extremely light, nearly as light as Pertex Quantum.

The Other Pike Low and Derwent Edges

Derwent Edges has quite a few well known features, and while I have seen them from a distance on frequent occasions, my other walks had meant I had not had the time. So this weekend I made the time, also giving me the opportunity to go up Pike Low, not Pike Lowe I went up a few months ago.