Hiking, backpacking, trekking, mountaineering...

[Jonnybmac]

Looking at doing some bikepacking over summer. anyone done it before and have any advice on cooking kit that's not going to take up masses of space?

I have the msr pocket rocket 2. Really small and light and boils a cup of water in about a minute. Seen and used a jet boil and prefer this; difference being you need your own means of spark but there isn't anything to break on it.

Also have this that a small can of gas and the stove fit into you can get msr's own full set though if you wish to pay around £70

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15989046/eurohike-trek-solo-cooking-set-15989046

And this for a wind shield though hardly ever had to use it, it still fits in the same bag woth the rest of the stuff

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Optimus-Unisexs-Windshield-Stove-Accessories/dp/B00HQLGTBU

 

[taB]

curious as to what you done?

Anyone tried mendi or scarpa? Do they last a reasonable amount of time? I hate breaking them and getting them to that sweat spot for them not no longer cut it. I know the latters can be re soled which seem like a great option to me.

Bought some Saloman trainers in the end. Don't think they look as good but seem very sturdy so far. Boots wise I've got Brasher ones to wear out for a bit longer - not the best in the wet though for the pair I have.

 

[Reuben klang]

Bought some Saloman trainers in the end. Don't think they look as good but seem very sturdy so far. Boots wise I've got Brasher ones to wear out for a bit longer - not the best in the wet though for the pair I have.

Cool, I've heard good things about them.

I nipped into a the local outdoor shop and tried on a pair of them but they 'didn't feel' right. I feel I need to wear them out for a decent walk rather than just up and down the shop floor and up their rock ramp. There wasn't much choice to be fair.

 

[touch]

Not yet, but I am slowly buying the bits (I have the bike!) but depending on your budget then the jetboil stuff is the best as the canister etc all fold into itself.

My GF has a jetboil style stove (the AlpKit one). It's brilliant for hiking and we always chose to take it over the other options we have. It's very efficient with the built-in heat exchanger and boils faster than the pocket rocket copy I use. It's a little bit bulky for bikepacking though - in terms of how wide it is. I dont think it actually takes up any more pack space than any other stove system, which is why I say it's great for hiking but for bikepacking you want the keep the weight as low and central as possible. That means it's best to pack saddle bag + bar bag with light bulky stuff (sleeping bag, tent/bivy, clothes, etc) and heavier stuff in the frame bag (stove, food, tools, tent poles, pegs, etc). A cooking system which doesn't fit together into a single container can actually be easier to pack into the awkward shaped frame bag and kept narrow enough to not hit your knees when peddling.

 

[VeNT]

My GF has a jetboil style stove (the AlpKit one). It's brilliant for hiking and we always chose to take it over the other options we have. It's very efficient with the built-in heat exchanger and boils faster than the pocket rocket copy I use. It's a little bit bulky for bikepacking though - in terms of how wide it is. I dont think it actually takes up any more pack space than any other stove system, which is why I say it's great for hiking but for bikepacking you want the keep the weight as low and central as possible. That means it's best to pack saddle bag + bar bag with light bulky stuff (sleeping bag, tent/bivy, clothes, etc) and heavier stuff in the frame bag (stove, food, tools, tent poles, pegs, etc). A cooking system which doesn't fit together into a single container can actually be easier to pack into the awkward shaped frame bag and kept narrow enough to not hit your knees when peddling.

I was looking at the x3 but figured this may be the case. a can and a stove and a cup could be put in lots of places but a big system maybe not.
Having said that it shouldn't be that hard to fit it in a bag on the forks?

 

[Jonnybmac]

Drove down to Wales and did some scrambling/climbing on Crib Las, Parsons Nose, Clogwyn Y Person Arete up to Snowdon then reversed Crib Goch.

Set off at 7 in the morning, got stuck in traffic so didn't set off from the car till 1pm. Whole route took 10.5 hours as I took a friend who has never really done any real climbing other than some local crags with me so we had to desent and scramble down crags and waterfalls in pitch black which was interesting lol

Really good day out with sustained scrambling for most of the day. Highly recommend it if you're into scrambling. Definitely required a rope for Parsons Nose!

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=MTYyakgwYkNVSktwa2dmYVBZNFk0YUtwSVBDd0Rn

 

[Minusorange]

Any recommends for some decent combats/cargo pants that won't break the bank ?

 

[touch]

We walked through Fisherfield Forest this weekend from Dundonnell to Poolewe.
Walked 5 miles in to Shenavall bothy on Friday night then 18 miles on Saturday from our camp spot to Poolewe.

 

[Jokester]

Lovely.

Went up Lochnagar this morning, still plenty snow lying, but this weekends heat will shift it quick.

 

[Street]

Drove down to Wales and did some scrambling/climbing on Crib Las, Parsons Nose, Clogwyn Y Person Arete up to Snowdon then reversed Crib Goch.

Set off at 7 in the morning, got stuck in traffic so didn't set off from the car till 1pm. Whole route took 10.5 hours as I took a friend who has never really done any real climbing other than some local crags with me so we had to desent and scramble down crags and waterfalls in pitch black which was interesting lol

Really good day out with sustained scrambling for most of the day. Highly recommend it if you're into scrambling. Definitely required a rope for Parsons Nose!

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=MTYyakgwYkNVSktwa2dmYVBZNFk0YUtwSVBDd0Rn

Sounds like a good day out! There are a few nice link ups around there to get a full day out of. I was there a couple weeks ago doing Gambit Climb on Clogwyn y Ddysgl and Reades Route on Crib Goch. If you've not done it, Main Wall on Cyrn Las is one of my favourite low grade multi-pitches in the UK and definitely worth checking out!

 

[Jonnybmac]

Sounds like a good day out! There are a few nice link ups around there to get a full day out of. I was there a couple weeks ago doing Gambit Climb on Clogwyn y Ddysgl and Reades Route on Crib Goch. If you've not done it, Main Wall on Cyrn Las is one of my favourite low grade multi-pitches in the UK and definitely worth checking out!

Yeah I noticed looking up there's a few good routes on the main wall. Not sure when I'll visit again but the cneifion arete is next on my list when I visit snowdonia

 

[Hades]

I will be hiking up Striding Edge in a few weeks with a group of friends. This is obviously a bit more challenging than our previous fairly benign hikes across Dartmoor. This may be a silly question but would hiking poles be a liability or still recommended? Thanks.

 

[stockhausen]

I will be hiking up Striding Edge in a few weeks with a group of friends. This is obviously a bit more challenging than our previous fairly benign hikes across Dartmoor. This may be a silly question but would hiking poles be a liability or still recommended? Thanks.

I would suggest that walking / trekking / Nordic poles on Striding Edge, Sharp Edge, etc. would be a HUGE mistake - at an absolute minimum, get collapsible carbon ones and put them on a back pack while doing Striding Edge.

Assuming that you are reasonably fit you will not need them on the approach either - and that comes from someone who is a dedicated user of them. I believe that walking poles are useful for using the arm muscles on a long ascent, to maintain balance and traction on slippery ground, for crossing streams and for braking on a steep or slippery descent; they are an inconvenience when you want to use your hands and feet or for maintaining upright balance on an "Edge".

Striding Edge, Sharp Edge, Jake's Rake, etc. are "achievements", they are not really all that enjoyable for anything much else

 

[niko]

I will be hiking up Striding Edge in a few weeks with a group of friends. This is obviously a bit more challenging than our previous fairly benign hikes across Dartmoor. This may be a silly question but would hiking poles be a liability or still recommended? Thanks.

liability without a doubt, its an easy intro to scrabbling but don't doubt it is still possible to get into trouble if you're daft about it. its a lovely day out if not silly windy. start early and be up at the base of striding for the sunrise's and on your way back down ready for breakfast. much nicer without the crowds.

 

[Jonnybmac]

Striding Edge, Sharp Edge, Jake's Rake, etc. are "achievements", they are not really all that enjoyable for anything much else

Each to their own. I've lost count of how many times I've done striding edge, and took many people with me, especially for those who have never really had any experiences on a mountain it offers an enjoyable day out that can feel like you're really climbing a mountain, especially so in winter. Wouldn't exactly say I did it for an achievement but the experience...

Sharp edge is ok but not much of it, so if you include something like halls fell ridge it gives a bit more scrambling. Another good day if you've never done it before.

Jacks Rake, not Jake, is an enjoyable day from the moment you leave the car, walking up stickle ghyll to stickle tarn, then up the rake and over to harrisons stickle and pike of stickle for the views I'm struggling to understand how it's just an achievement

 

[Hades]

Thanks all.

 

[Hades]

I did Striding Edge over the weekend. Wow, that was fantastic. I did take my poles in the end. They fold up really small and attached to the side of my backpack so were no trouble when not in use. I'm glad I took them as one of our party had major cramps on the long walk on the way down and he was able to use my poles for support. The weather was excellent and the scenery breathtaking. It was quite busy in places though. I wouldn't like to try it in bad weather.

One thing surprised me was a few people who actually tried to take their dogs over the difficult part. One couple was carrying theirs and the poor dog really didn't want to be there. I thought that was quite irresponsible.

 

[Dup]

Striding is one of my favorites. Also done, Sharp Edge, Crib Goch, Ben Nevis via CMD and Jack's Rake.

One thing surprised me was a few people who actually tried to take their dogs over the difficult part. One couple was carrying theirs and the poor dog really didn't want to be there. I thought that was quite irresponsible.

I've actually done all of the above with dogs except Crib Goch. CMD was a bad idea though, very sharp on the dogs paws for far too long. Boots needed ideally for that one but I'd just not take the dogs next time.

These dogs were/are used to the mountains though, walked 3 times a day any weather plus mountain adventures on the weekend.

Here's Striding from 2016:

Sharp Edge from 2016:

Sadly Benson my lab passed away last month (17) and Bailey the cocker late last year (14).


I miss the mountains; havings kids + pandemic + people now rushing with the good weather has limited my enthusiasm. That said I did run the Yorkshire Three Peaks yesterday but I only live 30 mins away and I'm training for an ultra.

 

[Street]

One thing surprised me was a few people who actually tried to take their dogs over the difficult part. One couple was carrying theirs and the poor dog really didn't want to be there. I thought that was quite irresponsible.

Mine has done it a few times and it's a doddle for him, but then he's out in the mountain with me a lot and goes everywhere with me. He's usually up and over things looking at me wondering why I'm taking so long.

Obligatory doggo picture..

That said I did run the Yorkshire Three Peaks yesterday but I only live 30 mins away and I'm training for an ultra.

I saw that pop up on Insta yesterday. Impressive time!

 

[bailey12856]

I did Striding Edge over the weekend. Wow, that was fantastic. I did take my poles in the end. They fold up really small and attached to the side of my backpack so were no trouble when not in use. I'm glad I took them as one of our party had major cramps on the long walk on the way down and he was able to use my poles for support. The weather was excellent and the scenery breathtaking. It was quite busy in places though. I wouldn't like to try it in bad weather.

One thing surprised me was a few people who actually tried to take their dogs over the difficult part. One couple was carrying theirs and the poor dog really didn't want to be there. I thought that was quite irresponsible.

Heading up to the Lakes for a wedding in 3 weeks (Boris pending), and two days after the Wedding we are going to get up early and do Striding Edge, really looking forward to it.