Gordale Scar to Malham Cove....without a scratch

The landscape above Malham has to be, for me, some of the strangest and yet most stunning scenery in the country. And not just Malham Cove. The limestone features really make this area worth walking through. Plus the occasional challenge along the way that just may get your heart beating a little faster. And caused me to break one of my own primary rules......but was worth it.

 

 

 

Great Whernside.........I got there eventually!

Situated to the north east of Kettlewell on the east side of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales, Great Whernside stands a whole two meters higher than Buckden Pike. While I was in the Dales last year I went to check Great Whernside out, but was put off by low clouds. Wanting to see the views from up there I delayed my return visit until we had some good weather. And boy did I drop on the first week in June.

 

 

 

Powerpax Battery Storage Quick Review

What can I say, they keep your batteries together. They are light, the bare minimum needed to keep your batteries organised. They work really well, easy to push in and remove when needed. If they have one downside, they clearly aren't waterproof. So you still need to put them in a sealable bag or similar to keep water off your batteries. And for the small amount of plastic they are made of, they aren't particularly cheap at around £6 each. But they are available in glow in the dark plastic, but again, not cheap.

 

 

 

 

 

Are they worth it? If you want to store a lot of batteries I would look else where. For a few batteries for someone backpacking or hiking they aren't too bad. They also seem to be called Storacell by the same manufacturer.

http://www.powerpax.net/

Chew Reservoir from Dove Stone Reservoir and an Amazing Ridge Walk

The start point, Dove Stone Reservoir, a Peak District reservoir in the Parish of Saddleworth. The target, Chew Reservoir, once the highest constructed reservoir in England until 1971 found at the top of Chew Valley. Then onto one of the most enjoyable ridge walks I've done yet. I went a few weeks ago to have a go.

 

Firstly, a word of advice, arrive early. Dove Stone reservoir is extremely popular. And at only £1.30 to park for the day, I can see why. It's well located, has a public convenience and attracts ice cream vans and mobile burger bars.

Good Weather at Last

Finally the Summer is here and my run of bad luck with weather is broken. A couple of walks to post on my return plus a couple of gear reviews.

Montane Medusa 32 Review

I have both a Talon 22 and a Talon 44. The 22 is great for summer walks and the 44 for winter, when more equipment is needed. But I decided that something between them would be good for longer summer walks, where I would be carrying more water. Also something with a slimmer profile for scrambles and getting through the annoying 'hook on to your bag any way they can' gates and stiles. Montane released a range of packs last year and decided I would have a look at the Medusa 32. I tried one out at the local outdoor retailer and decided it was worth a try. At 32 litres it fell nicely between the packs I already have.

 

Ultimate Survival's Wetfire Tinder Review

We don't have much in the way of real wild countryside left here in the UK anymore except in the north of Scotland. We are also limited on where it is permissible to have an open fire in the countryside. So the means to start a fire easily isn't exactly an everyday required skill. It doesn't mean that learning the relevant skills isn't fun. And it will come handy on those summer days when you decide on a barbeque. Or it may be just a man thing.

 

 

There are many materials and techniques that can be used to start a fire, but there are two primary factors that I've found can hinder a fire starting, wind and water. A fire needs air, but if it is too windy, initial ignition of the source will be difficult. Getting out of the wind is generally easy, as long as your environment permits. Any damp conditions may not be quite so easy. WetFire tinder from Ultimate Survival is supposed to address the water and wind issue.

 

 

Jetboil CrunchIt Review

Too regularly, convenience comes at a cost. Often, that cost is waste, both material waste and energy waste. One particular convenience I always find hard to know what to do with easily is gas cartridges, the Butane/Propane mix canisters many of us use with our stoves. There are ways to dispose of the canisters, but puncturing them easily, and safely is quite difficult. A hammer and screwdriver may well be one way, but how safe is hammer metal surfaces together near the possible remnants of what was in the canister? Well I've found my solution to the problem which also allows for the canister to be more easily recycled.

 

And the winner is......Win Hill!

Located in the Peak District, sitting like a guardian over Ladybower Reservoir, Win Hill, with a peak of 462m, isn't particularly high. But it does pose a challenge, and reveals some spectacular views. A walking buddy likes Win Hill a great deal and we went up there the other weekend.

 

A Snake, Snow and a Plane Wreck.

It will be brief, but I made a return to the Snake Woodland and the Snake path. I had a reason, an aircraft wreck. The wreck is of a B24 Consolidated Liberator, a heavy bomber used during the Second World War. There were more B24s built by America in WWII than any other plane with over 19,000 built.