Hiking, backpacking, trekking, mountaineering...

JRJ · 26 Jan 2022 at 19:38

robj20 said:
So here is my initial thoughts Vs the Fenix 5.

The 7x is bigger but lighter.
The screen is much clearer.
Love all the new stuff, especially the touchscreen actually really like it.
Glances are great and being able to just swipe through them.

I'll be going for a decent walk on Saturday so see how it performs then.

Edit: Did a 15k hike this morning, I don't know how I managed so long without maps on my Fenix 5.
Absolutely love the 7X I had absolutely every feature set to on and it's highest don't and it still says 36+ hours of battery. The new dual band GPS does seem a little bit more accurate as well so that's a bonus.
The wider strap of the X is definitely more comfortable.
Also the touch screen is brilliant for browsing the map. The screen is plenty clear enough better than my 5 was.

I'm getting itchy feet, really want to wait and see the Tactix Echo but I'm impressed with the 7X spec and reviews are great :eek:

Wish they did a trade in option? Any ideas on the value of a 3HR Sapphire in very good condition?

mid_gen · 28 Jan 2022 at 07:42

Had to cancel my Cairngorms trip due to the lousy weather, boo. Not sure I'll get another chance this season. Bah.

Still, hopefully getting out on the grit for the day before the gales arrive.

MM-Seat · 28 Jan 2022 at 19:33

mid_gen said:
Anyone done ML or RCI qualifications on here?

Considering working towards one or both. Not necessarily as a career move, more as a personal development thing, although options are always good

Street said:
I've been meaning to the ML for ages. I wanted to do it as a bit of a challenge for myself but also, as it's mainly nav based it would be quite handy to do anyway. My nav is fairly decent but it would be good to up my game with it.

I was planning on booking up the training week in 2020, but then covid hit and I haven't got around to it since. Maybe later on this year!

I'm looking to do my ML after I've got through the British Canoeing quals I want to complete. Through Scouting, I can access a cheap weekend ML course (3 weekends, every other weekend). for around £300.

Again, mine would be for personal challenge/development and for use in scouting.

FloppyPoppy · 1 Feb 2022 at 09:19

Got 10 more days until we go up to scotland.

three days of climbing and hiking mainly ben nevis but will likely do others based on guides recommendations. And got us a log cabin in the woods to recover in at the end of it all. Beyond excited can’t wait to brush up on some skills.

been practicing my knots and belaying at home

mid_gen · 1 Feb 2022 at 11:15

FloppyPoppy said:
Got 10 more days until we go up to scotland.

three days of climbing and hiking mainly ben nevis but will likely do others based on guides recommendations. And got us a log cabin in the woods to recover in at the end of it all. Beyond excited can’t wait to brush up on some skills.

been practicing my knots and belaying at home

Nice, hope you get some decent weather! I was supposed to be in the gorms last weekend but bailed....there was a bit of decent weather apparently but not enough to warrant the drive.

Leading a club meet in Snowdonia end of feb now, unlikely to be winter conditions, but you never know, could get lucky and get a dump like last year!

jpaul · 6 Feb 2022 at 13:05

surprised by the lack of significant branding on garments worn by the winter olympic competitors - maybe it's not allowed -
uk sponsors adidas don't do technical winter ware - but thought USA/canada would be N face , acteryx etc ... or it the human rights issue ?

Jokester · 6 Feb 2022 at 13:09

jpaul said:
surprised by the lack of significant branding on garments worn by the winter olympic competitors - maybe it's not allowed -
uk sponsors adidas don't do technical winter ware - but thought USA/canada would be N face , acteryx etc ... or it the human rights issue ?

If you're not an official Olympics sponsor, you can't directly advertise your products at the olympics - though I'm getting a lot of emails from the likes of Acteryx and Salomon promoting their sponsored atheletes, so they are doing it indirectly.

Jonnybmac · 6 Feb 2022 at 18:39

Jokester said:
If you're not an official Olympics sponsor, you can't directly advertise your products at the olympics - though I'm getting a lot of emails from the likes of Acteryx and Salomon promoting their sponsored atheletes, so they are doing it indirectly.

Arc'teryx sponsored the Canadian teams climbing gear last Olympics

jpaul · 6 Feb 2022 at 20:59

I subsequently looked - usa team and irish team have decent goretex (like kellogs the original and the best ?) and uk has adidas.
- goretex does slide a bit too easily if you come a cropper though - was thankful I had a polartec on a grand montet spill above cliffs, nice burn.

https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1118357/ireland-noc-winter-kit-supplier-vist
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michel...oard-team-uniforms-by-volcom/?sh=2a734aea7575

mid_gen · 13 Feb 2022 at 08:50

Pretty dire Scottish conditions this year

I've got a week off between jobs coming up and was hoping to get up for a few days....not looking great.

Jonnybmac · 16 Feb 2022 at 22:08

mid_gen said:
Pretty dire Scottish conditions this year I've got a week off between jobs coming up and was hoping to get up for a few days....not looking great.

joking arent you? -7 to -10 on the ben. Once these storms have passed it'll be perfect conditions for some winter fun

JamesH85 · 16 Feb 2022 at 22:13

H, i'm looking to pick up some new Hiking/walking boots. My aim will be to go on Countryside climbs/walks with my children, nothing really intensive.

Does anyone have any recommendations on something that are waterproof? Been looking at Millets/sports direct but i really don't know what to go for.

Street · 16 Feb 2022 at 22:46

Jonnybmac said:
joking arent you? -7 to -10 on the ben. Once these storms have passed it'll be perfect conditions for some winter fun

Yeh my climbing partner has been up in Scotland making me jealous for the last few weekends! I've been given the all clear to start exercising again now though so I might actually be able to catch the end of winter if there's still some hanging around in March.

Jonnybmac · 17 Feb 2022 at 04:09

JamesH85 said:
H, i'm looking to pick up some new Hiking/walking boots. My aim will be to go on Countryside climbs/walks with my children, nothing really intensive.

Does anyone have any recommendations on something that are waterproof? Been looking at Millets/sports direct but i really don't know what to go for.

Realistically you want goretex. I wouldn't buy from sports direct I'd go to a proper outdoor shop i.e cotswold or go outdoors and get fitted properly. As a rule of thumb you want to go on a day you've been on your feet a lot so you feet are a bit swolen and bigger then when you first wake up. I'd take the inner insole out and stand on it, you want about a thumbs width extra in front of your most distanced toe, generally your big one. Walk up and down an incline and make sure your heels don't slip etc.
I'd invest £100+ in a pair of boots they'll last you many many years and will look after your feet better.

Street said:
Yeh my climbing partner has been up in Scotland making me jealous for the last few weekends! I've been given the all clear to start exercising again now though so I might actually be able to catch the end of winter if there's still some hanging around in March.

I do think we'll have another good snow spell in England back end on feb/ march. I remember being in the lakes in full winter gear 2020 so does happen. Can imagine places like the ben having some winter routes still open through march.

We were up about a month back doing the CMD arete in 30mph winds and white outs it was an absolutely class day.
We were supposed to be going up ledge route but half the group got too hammered the night before so we ended up setting off late (10am from the carpark) after waiting hours for some to get up, so made the call that ledge route and back down CMD was going to be too long being short days and a late start.
We ended up splitting up into two teams where we summited and those who were severely hung over and slower paced ended up having to turn round on CMD summit.
We waited for them once in a storm tent so far up but it was too cold to keep stopping for those that clearly didn't respect what they were up against. I'll not be going back with any of the ones that thought they could be up drinking till 2/3 am and expecting to still climb the ben as it's dangerous for them and those they're with i.e me.

Few vids
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9PdzRQcNJcx3HDG8

mid_gen · 17 Feb 2022 at 07:27

Jonnybmac said:
joking arent you? -7 to -10 on the ben. Once these storms have passed it'll be perfect conditions for some winter fun

I've cancelled one weekend already due to weather... I'm off for 10 days between jobs next week but the forecast is bloody awful. I'll be soloing so don't like taking chances with the weather particularly.

Last weekend in Feb I'm leading a club meet in Snowdonia, it does look like we might catch some winter conditions there so if I'm lucky I might get the crampons out again....

Street · 17 Feb 2022 at 11:27

Jonnybmac said:
I do think we'll have another good snow spell in England back end on feb/ march. I remember being in the lakes in full winter gear 2020 so does happen. Can imagine places like the ben having some winter routes still open through march.

Yeh, previous years there's been something hanging around in March, or there's been a further cold snap so I'm hopefully I'll be able to get something done this year at least!

FloppyPoppy · 17 Feb 2022 at 14:06

FloppyPoppy said:
Got 10 more days until we go up to scotland.

three days of climbing and hiking mainly ben nevis but will likely do others based on guides recommendations. And got us a log cabin in the woods to recover in at the end of it all. Beyond excited can’t wait to brush up on some skills.

been practicing my knots and belaying at home

what an absolute adventure.

Two summits of the ben and one summit of Dorsal Arete.

Few phone/insta 360 pics.

was looking at getting a go pro for next time but i think i might just get a nice quality small digital camera with a giant shutter button.

Jonnybmac · 17 Feb 2022 at 15:05

FloppyPoppy said:
was looking at getting a go pro for next time but i think i might just get a nice quality small digital camera with a giant shutter button.

I hate go pros fish eye lens I'd personally favour a mirrorless camera

mid_gen · 17 Feb 2022 at 15:18

FloppyPoppy said:
what an absolute adventure.

Two summits of the ben and one summit of Dorsal Arete.

Few phone/insta 360 pics.

was looking at getting a go pro for next time but i think i might just get a nice quality small digital camera with a giant shutter button.

Cool stuff! I'm watching the weather and wondering if I can bothered driving up Sunday night to have a schlep up the CMD on Monday....seems like the only decent weather I'm going to get. Long way and a lot of expensive petrol for one day though :/

Street · 17 Feb 2022 at 16:17

FloppyPoppy said:
what an absolute adventure.

Two summits of the ben and one summit of Dorsal Arete.

Few phone/insta 360 pics.

was looking at getting a go pro for next time but i think i might just get a nice quality small digital camera with a giant shutter button.

Nice, Dorsal Arete is a fun day out!

I generally use an RX100 when I'm out. I've had various versions of it over the years and they're pretty bombproof and easy to use with gloves on. They're also small enough that you can clip it to your harness without it getting in the way. I've got an A6400 as well and although the actual body isn't much bigger than the RX100, by the time you have a decent lens on it, it becomes a bit bulky so I tend not to use it climbing.