Hiking, backpacking, trekking, mountaineering...

[Martynt74]

Dangerous clearance sale on at Go Outdoors in Derby. Went in for some tech wash, left with a Mountain Equipment Lhotse jacket and Montane Super Terra trousers...late bday present to myself

Spending a couple weeks on Skye over Xmas and hoping to get up some proper climbs in the Cuillins if the weather gods smile.

If not I'll just trudge up some munros in the rain to get my money's worth from this gear

Ive never really bothered with specific washing stuff for technical style clothing, mainly running stuff.

Do you notice it makes much difference?

 

[Jokester]

Ive never really bothered with specific washing stuff for technical style clothing, mainly running stuff.

Do you notice it makes much difference?

Depends if you want to keep dry. Not entirely sure of the wash liquid being better than just regular washing, but the water-repellant liquid definitely restores water proofing (or I guess technically water repellant).

 

[Rimsy]

Dangerous clearance sale on at Go Outdoors in Derby. Went in for some tech wash, left with a Mountain Equipment Lhotse jacket and Montane Super Terra trousers...late bday present to myself

Spending a couple weeks on Skye over Xmas and hoping to get up some proper climbs in the Cuillins if the weather gods smile.

If not I'll just trudge up some munros in the rain to get my money's worth from this gear

How much was the Lhotse? Mine must be approaching 8-9 years old now and has never ever let me down buuuut I’ve shed a few pounds so wouldn’t mind a smaller one! Solid jackets regardless.

 

[Martynt74]

Depends if you want to keep dry. Not entirely sure of the wash liquid being better than just regular washing, but the water-repellant liquid definitely restores water proofing (or I guess technically water repellant).

Ah fair enough. I just use it for shorts/base layers etc so doesn’t sound like I’m missing out.

 

[Jokester]

Ah fair enough. I just use it for shorts/base layers etc so doesn’t sound like I’m missing out.

Yeah, doubt it's any use for that, there's three different types (might be more though), there's the wash for maintaining existing waterproofing, the water for adding repellant back into clothing, and there's at least one variant for washing clothes with insulation layers.

 

[mid_gen]

How much was the Lhotse? Mine must be approaching 8-9 years old now and has never ever let me down buuuut I’ve shed a few pounds so wouldn’t mind a smaller one! Solid jackets regardless.

£280 it was, better than anywhere I've seen online. Glad to hear it lives up to its reputation!

I've learnt not to skimp on technical gear, it'll be the difference between a good day out, or a miserable slog.

I was just going to reproof my North Face Summit gore-tex shell which is about 15 years old now....but I'll sell it on instead.

Gonna have to go back to that sale though, all the climbing gear is cheap too...

 

[Rimsy]

£280 it was, better than anywhere I've seen online. Glad to hear it lives up to its reputation!

I've learnt not to skimp on technical gear, it'll be the difference between a good day out, or a miserable slog.

I was just going to reproof my North Face Summit gore-tex shell which is about 15 years old now....but I'll sell it on instead.
Gonna have to go back to that sale though, all the climbing gear is cheap too...

That is a great price good find! Hope it lasts you as long as mine has.

 

[mid_gen]

That is a great price good find! Hope it lasts you as long as mine has.

Better do! I need to stop going back to the sale, stocking up on more quickdraws, slings and stuff yesterday. May treat myself to a new pack today. Got a Patagonia cragsmith 32 which is great for sport cragging, but want something more comfortable and a bit bigger for yomping about Scottish hills in winter. They have the Osprey Mutant 38 and Montane Fast Alpine 40 in stock still....leaning towards the Montane...mainly as I prefer brightly coloured gear for solo activities, so I'm not invisible...

 

[Street]

They have the Osprey Mutant 38 and Montane Fast Alpine 40 in stock still....leaning towards the Montane...mainly as I prefer brightly coloured gear for solo activities, so I'm not invisible...

I've got the old version of the Montane 40l and for me it's perfect for Scottish winter/alpine climbing. I prefer as slightly bigger pack so I can get everything inside as I hate having things dangling from the outside and my helmet, harness, rack, crampons etc fit with room for clothes/water/food. Some packs seem to have convoluted rope and axe attachments which are a faff when it's dark and cold but the ones on the Montane are quite good and I've never had an issue with them.

 

[mid_gen]

I've got the old version of the Montane 40l and for me it's perfect for Scottish winter/alpine climbing. I prefer as slightly bigger pack so I can get everything inside as I hate having things dangling from the outside and my helmet, harness, rack, crampons etc fit with room for clothes/water/food. Some packs seem to have convoluted rope and axe attachments which are a faff when it's dark and cold but the ones on the Montane are quite good and I've never had an issue with them.

Ta, grabbed one today. 40l I think is definitely worthwhile, after stuffing things like a belay jacket in it'll fill up easy.

Nabbed a set of DMM Alpha Trads as well. Really need to stay away!

Long range forecast is looking decent for when I'm on Skye....fingers crossed.

 

[Jonnybmac]

Dangerous clearance sale on at Go Outdoors in Derby. Went in for some tech wash, left with a Mountain Equipment Lhotse jacket and Montane Super Terra trousers...late bday present to myself

Spending a couple weeks on Skye over Xmas and hoping to get up some proper climbs in the Cuillins if the weather gods smile.

If not I'll just trudge up some munros in the rain to get my money's worth from this gear

Do you have any in mind? I recommend adrians trendall skye's cuillin ridge traverse it has 10 scrambles rated to build you up for the full traverse listed in order of difficulty. I did a grade 3 and it was probably the most terrifying yet exciting scramble I've ever solo'd but worth buying the book for just that.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZkD14BmBF5Vs8uK46


Also did bla bheinn from camasunary bay after sleeping in the bothy there which was a decent trek.

Never experienced weather like skye one minute it's clear skies and the next it's just pure mist. took me nearly 2 weeks before there was a good enough window to go up the cuillins but there's lots to do around skye I can drop a load of locations if you're interested.

 

[Jonnybmac]

Decided to make a video of my trip to western Scotland this year.
I'd just finished studying 7 years part-time at uni with 2 years part-time at college before whilst working full time so it took a lot of my life.
I travelled around Scotland for nearly a month to celebrate the completion and it's by far the best holiday I've ever had. I met so many people and crammed so many things in without feeling rushed due to how long I had.

Scotland's a beautiful place and this is only a slice of what it has to offer.

Links to the things I visited in Scotland for anyone interested.
Click the link and select save and set it as a "Want to go". Every time you open google maps it will be saved on there so if you're ever in the area you'll have something nearby to visit.
I've added everything I think most people should be able to do bar grade 3 scrambles I'd only recommend to someone who knows what that means. It's worth doing research on some of the places as they are treks in and require a different location to start but if you're interested give me a message and I can explain or just google it.
Worth having at least one mapping program such as os maps and an offline sub and offline saved tiles (buy a single month if you have to so you don't get lost) as signals can be hit and miss sometimes.


Loch Lomond camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/NtZ4Do3TNPCsybVW8
Rowchoish bothy
https://goo.gl/maps/knmJ3QkRwjAwW4Yy6
Inversnaid Falls
https://goo.gl/maps/1FFCsWgqMXQ9ifB47
Doune Byre bothy
https://goo.gl/maps/9RC5QFquXiY3MFDF9
Falls of Falloch
https://goo.gl/maps/8fVa1wkX1oibrRj29
Rannoch Moor camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/aKPA1L3g9w5J3udF8
Old military road Kinlochleven camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/9aTW8UL3yurKwnEX9
Glen Etive camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/DRF7XW2uacu1JapX8
Glen Etive mini gorge swimming
https://goo.gl/maps/uLZpnYbQF7SprCL46
Kilchurn castle
https://goo.gl/maps/yBKzGSAQMcG7NW1G8
McCaig’s tower
https://goo.gl/maps/1PZytRQFYBoMeXxy9
Steall falls camping spot & rope bridge
https://goo.gl/maps/9DqFu9pg1YUUqaYK7
Glenfinnan Viaduct
https://goo.gl/maps/3x8GYqSFLNPUbWB58
Urquhart castle
https://goo.gl/maps/tqRYUjiEJjaMtSFo8
Wailing widow falls & camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/AciHkopbgzEVKjXCA
Old man of Stoer
https://goo.gl/maps/MxLoJ9HF84Az8X266
Suilven & Meall Meadhonach (easy hike/camp & grade 3 scramble)
https://goo.gl/maps/NkCCivbKWjhCZivq8
Lochinver Larder (unreal pie shop)
https://g.page/LochinverLarder?share
Suileag bothy
https://goo.gl/maps/7imuofFB1JrF5et57
Sands (camping spot)
https://goo.gl/maps/8QJmHA69GE5BFBnm8
Applecross pass (Bealach na ba)
https://goo.gl/maps/bTcwQjbcAL1oZn8GA
Eilean donan castle & camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/oQk48upZB7FkPnSk7
Curved ridge stob dearg buaachaille etive mor (grade 3 scramble)
https://goo.gl/maps/oQk48upZB7FkPnSk7
Lower falls, glen nevis (start of ring of steal)
https://goo.gl/maps/vwaUcciaKfxFqscq8
Fort augustus
https://goo.gl/maps/boaaUD2Uui1JdhDu7
decent swimming spot
https://goo.gl/maps/rjZ1v1cyBWh7CTYB7
Old man of Storr
https://goo.gl/maps/sf2KvT6DGfbPCRLB9
Lealt fall & An leth-allt
https://goo.gl/maps/5ivBdhNuKHWz2pTj9
Kilt rockl & Mealt falls
https://goo.gl/maps/jtPBigKqUgavNeXW7
The Quiraing
https://goo.gl/maps/3oaNNnt7ijxei9m36
Rubha hunish looking bothy
https://goo.gl/maps/ewsGAm35QjsmHUac9
Duntulm castle
https://goo.gl/maps/i8Ewpb5qXP4auUT28
Skye museum of island life
https://goo.gl/maps/SdaA5TREpvgUhM8j7
Fairy glen
https://goo.gl/maps/a5zojJ8uQnHx5ibB7
loads of random waterfalls
https://goo.gl/maps/f79ECtHcVYATFfBc8
Dunvegan castle
https://g.page/DunveganCastle?share
Dun beag broch
https://goo.gl/maps/dQ3sfrR5rrenvnpf8
Fairy pools (camp & park here for free https://goo.gl/maps/NMZa45buznzHJTYs6 )
https://g.page/fairypools?share
Glen brittle campsite
https://g.page/GlenbrittleCampsiteCafe?share
Eas mor waterfall
https://goo.gl/maps/fBbWJwK6K5LwjKcs5
Dunscaith castle & camping spot
https://goo.gl/maps/CeqrmQd6c7rWYKFs5
Camasunary bothy
https://goo.gl/maps/vKY12qXeEUJFgp6PA
Bla bheinn
https://goo.gl/maps/Dd91Wu23DgAPnxk77
Sgurr na banachdaich (go up an doris and it’s simple enough scree)
https://goo.gl/maps/etdyxG97UcNMBTe46

 

[#Chri5#]

Has anyone tried gear from SportsPursuit's own brand Fjern? I'm thinking of a new shell jacket in the new year - the zip puller came off my Montane eVent jacket earlier this month, so there's a small cable tie doing the job for now. I know the RRP and thus saving on the SP own brand stuff is somewhat wide of the mark given nowhere else sells it but £160 isn't bad for this:

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1820449

 

[Jonnybmac]

Has anyone tried gear from SportsPursuit's own brand Fjern? I'm thinking of a new shell jacket in the new year - the zip puller came off my Montane eVent jacket earlier this month, so there's a small cable tie doing the job for now. I know the RRP and thus saving on the SP own brand stuff is somewhat wide of the mark given nowhere else sells it but £160 isn't bad for this:

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1820449

Event isn't the best fabric from what I've read. Rab used to use it and I read loads that failed though it might of got better I'd stick to pertex, goretex or paramo for a waterproof fabric

 

[#Chri5#]

Event isn't the best fabric from what I've read. Rab used to use it and I read loads that failed though it might of got better I'd stick to pertex, goretex or paramo for a waterproof fabric

My existing Montane jacket is eVent and that's seven years old now. I think my previous Montane jacket was also eVent and that is still going as a emergency coat in the car boot. That said, I have noticed few, if any, of the major brands use it anymore, though I did wonder if that's because Gore discourage them for using another branded fabric (other than a own-brand name)

 

[Jonnybmac]

My existing Montane jacket is eVent and that's seven years old now. I think my previous Montane jacket was also eVent and that is still going as a emergency coat in the car boot. That said, I have noticed few, if any, of the major brands use it anymore, though I did wonder if that's because Gore discourage them for using another branded fabric (other than a own-brand name)

I read that also but surely that's a flag to say gore is better as most opted to go for them dispite them being a bully.
Personally it should be illegal to do that as it's sort of monopolising

 

[mid_gen]

Has anyone tried gear from SportsPursuit's own brand Fjern? I'm thinking of a new shell jacket in the new year - the zip puller came off my Montane eVent jacket earlier this month, so there's a small cable tie doing the job for now. I know the RRP and thus saving on the SP own brand stuff is somewhat wide of the mark given nowhere else sells it but £160 isn't bad for this:

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/1820449

Pretty sure Montane will fix it for free, most of the reputable brands will.

I stick to Gore for a hard shell. My North Face Summit is 15+ years old and still looks like new. Doesn't bead as well as it used to, even with a reproof though, so has just been retired, or relegated to snowboarding at least. That saw me dry through the epic storms at Bestival 2007, heaviest rain I've ever seen, and I lived in the tropics for years!

 

[£15]

I have a pair of Montane eVent waterproof trousers that must be at least 15 years old. They're regularly washed in nikwax and they're still going strong. They perform amazingly and I've never had any reason to try anything else.

They are starting to show signs of wear on the inside though and I'll be gutted when I eventually have to replace them.

 

[mid_gen]

Visiting family on Skye, had some rare nice weather, a glorious day up on the Cuillin Ridge. Didn't manage to sort out a guide for today so just soloed some grade 2 stuff. A lot of verglas on the north slopes so quite exciting Not much snow left, but enough ice and neve on one top that I had to get the crampons out.

Very happy with all the new gear, although my old fitbit strap broke and is lost to the mountain. Guess I need to get a proper Garmin unit or similar to replace it



Glorious scrambling up and down the NW ridge of Bruach Na Frithe....

 

[FloppyPoppy]

Also, my dad gave me some books with various walking routes and maps around the Lake District/North West. Would anyone want them or is everyone just GPX based for routing?

It feels a shame to just throw them away!

just wanted to thank you again for these! been reading for the last couple of days