One of the best even better? A Quick Look at the Sawyer Squeeze Mini

They've gone and done it, Sawyer have made a lighter version of the Squeeze filter. Called the Sawyer Mini, it costs a little less, and you guessed it, it's smaller.

 

 

Product Updates - Good and Bad

Mountain Fuel

Mountain Fuel, the Welsh supplement and food company are currently in the process of updating their website. According to the email I received, they are also updating their product line. Hopefully, the energy bar they had mentioned quite some time ago on their website will appear. The new website hasn't appeared yet, I was told the end of September. So possibly another few days and something should be online. Time will tell.

http://www.mountainfuel.co.uk/



Fuizion Freeze Dried Meals

This isn't good news. Having looked through the entire product range on the Fuizion website they have nothing in stock. Looking at their Facebook page, they have ceased trading. They say they are unable to make a profit, which would permit further investment. This may be down to what I consider quite a low price compared to the quality of the meals when considering similar products. This is a great loss to the outdoor industry, and my taste buds. I wish Tony and Alison, the people behind Fuizion, all the best.

https://www.facebook.com/Fuizion.Freeze.Dried.Food?v=wall&
http://www.fuizionfreezedriedfood.com/

Less is More? The Petzl E+LITE (2013)

Back in April 2012 I reviewed the Petzl E+LITE. Since then, Petzl have upgraded the head torch. Or maybe more to the point, have put it on a diet. But is lighter with less features better? Let's see.

 

 

The Roaches, a lot of weather and too many wind farms

The Roaches, a few miles north of Leek, at the South West corner of the Peak District in Staffordshire. They are a quite unique rock formation unlike anything I have seen before. I went there at the weekend, I will need to go back.

 

Hen Cloud

Blown Away by the Alpkit SkyeHigh 600 - A Review

Sleep is an important part of our lives, it's essential. Sleeping outside with only a couple of layers of thin nylon between yourself and the elements can bring up all sorts of issues. The simplest is being warm enough that you can manage a night of restful sleep.

 

So as lovers of the outdoors, many of us opt for a sleeping bag. Now it gets complicated, the various manufacturer's temperature ratings being a bit of a mine field. There has been a bit of a revolution lately, with the manufacturers trying to simplify the temperature ratings on their bags. I sleep very warm, and regularly find myself asleep with my bag fully unzipped on a chilly, clear summer night. Yet some people are the complete opposite and have to wrap up in the same conditions.

   

Then comes the price..........wow! A good quality and sensibly weighted sleeping bag can be your single most expensive piece of gear. I can buy a car that would probably last me 12 months for the price of some of the expensive sleeping bags. I'm not knocking these more expensive bags as they are essential in many environments and situations. But there is an option that won't break the bank and will keep you warm in those cold nights. They aren't the lightest, maybe not the most efficient, and not the most flashy looking. I'm talking about Alpkit's SkyeHigh series of entry level sleeping bags. I'd just like to make it clear that I have no connection with Alpkit, and have bought the sleeping bag with my own money around twelve months ago. I opted for the SkyeHigh 600 due to the times and places I intended to use it, 3 seasons in the UK. For 4 seasons I would go for maybe the 800 here in the UK. I went with a long bag with a left zip, to give me enough room, and a zip I can easily operate.

 

 

 

Bamford Edge to Stanage Edge with Bits of Everything

At the weekend I headed out today with some trepidation. The weather looked like it really didn't know what to do. And it didn't, all the time I was walking along Bamford Edge and the northern end of Stanage Edge. It was very Take Away Special, bits of everything, rain, wind, sunny skies, hot, cold and humid. The only thing it didn't do was sleet and snow. I was back in millstone country.

Bamford Edge from Win Hill Pike earlier this year.

Alpkit Glowe Lamp Review

Maybe not so important in the Summer months, but seeing where you are going in the dark can be quite important. When I'm camping and the sun goes down, I like to have a read before I head off to the land of nod. It helps me relax. But seeing what you are reading is important. But my little two man tent would be overkill for a large lamp. In comes the Alpkit Glowe.

 

 

When your blog becomes someone elses.

I decided the other day to do a search on the net and see what activity my blog is having. I was quite shocked to find at least a dozen of my posts had been ripped and posted onto another blog without crediting me as the source. That's text and photographs, including the post about my accident and injury to my arm, which I take personally. I have posted a few of the links below so that anyone interested can take a look. I say this because it looks as though they are doing the same with other blogs too. Although there seems to be no recent activity.

The other blogs posts:

http://www.pochasilva.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/trangia-triangle-burner-stand-review.html

http://www.pochasilva.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/review-salomon-cosmic-2-4d.html

http://www.pochasilva.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-misty-start-with-clear-finish.html

http://www.pochasilva.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-local-winter-walk.html

My posts they ripped:

http://www.forgottentracks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/trangia-triangle-burner-stand-review.html

http://www.forgottentracks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/review-salomon-cosmic-2-4d.html

http://www.forgottentracks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-misty-start-with-clear-finish.html

http://www.forgottentracks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/a-local-winter-walk.html

 

I wonder what other people think. What do my fellow bloggers, not the ones who take others hard work, think about this kind of activity? Have you experienced the same? In my opinion, it's un-ethical, and probably theft in some way.

The Sawyer Squeeze Filter System - Initial Review

I have a frequent issue when walking, especially in weather like we are having currently (July 2013 and yes, it's actually hot and sunny). If it's hot, I drink a lot. So I decided that I would like a couple of options for when out walking, as long as there is a known water source whether it be a stream, river, pond or lake. Carrying two to three litres of water, whether in bottles or an hydration bladder is not the best. And if planning a longer trip, such as several nights in Norway as I am, then an alternative is better. And as light as possible can always be an advantage, as long as there aren't too many compromises. So one option I want for is the Sawyer Squeeze. I took it with me on a recent Lake District visit to give it a test.

 

Derwentwater......a change of pace

The scenery around Derwentwater, like most of the Lake District, is extremely picturesque. But I personally think that zipping past it in a car, or on a coach, isn't the best way to see it. The best way, for me, is to immerse yourself in it, walk through it. Derwentwater itself is around 3 miles long and one mile wide. Scope for a nice steady walk.