Less Talk, More Action

Okay, not much action either but at least I did manage to get out for an overnighter. I had the idea of biking up to the hills for a quick overnight camp, mainly just to get out but I had some gear to try and a few mods to test. I had intended to bike up to Quolie Dam, ride in the lane as far as possible before ditching the bike and heading up Mid Hill to pitch just NE off the top. Mid Hill being the highest top over looking Upper Glenariff Mountain I was hoping for a cloud inversion at best or a nice sunrise at least. I decided to stay lower as it'd been thundery over the past weekend and I got hit with a persistent shower on the way up and I wanted to avoid being the highest object in the area.

I took the Phreeranger and sleeping kit consisted of an ME Xero 250, Alpkit Wee Airic and luxury item, a Tesco inflatable pillow. I wanted to try my new Karrimor Trail Run 83 shoes and LIM 45 and only took the EK Kombi Meths burner, Mitymug and Heinie 330ml mug. I wore a pair of Columbia light trousers, H/H t-shirt and my old ME Ultrafleece jacket, headwear consisted of a Buff and Technicals (Blacks) Bush Hat.

I left at about 7.00pm and biked as far as the upper Quolie reservoir, walked the bike up the Soarns burn a bit before leaving it behind and continuing on foot. I looked for a spot that was flat, level, with short grass and well drained close to a supply of reasonably clean water, in the end I settled on a reasonably flat, pretty level pitch with long grass and rushes beside the burn.

By this time it was after 9.00pm and I was steeped to the knees what with having no gaiters or goretex socks but the tent went up quickly, the Silnylon footprint went in a treat hooked to the inner/fly hooks and with sleeping mat and bag laid out it was time to think about getting the stove fired up. I was beginning to feel the chill but pulling on the ME Xero soon had me feeling comfortable even with wet feet.

The 1st and thankfully only problem reared it's head when I went to set up the stove, I hadn't taken the woodstove but had forgotten to take the meths burner pot stand which was still stored in the woodstove. I initially thought of simply propping the Mitymug up on some stones but I had a Foil windshield and some spare tent pegs, 2 Vargo Nails later and I had a windshield and pot stand and the water was on the boil.

There wasn't quite the sunset that I'd hoped for or if there was I was too low to see past the surrounding hills so with little else to do I turned in after changing into a pair of dry socks and fresh L/S T. I must have got over to sleep quite quickly but wakened again at about 1.30. A drink of water and a chocolate biscuit then back to sleep and it was 5.30 when I awoke again. Looking out the door it was a bit misty so another drink and another 2 hours sleep. I wakened again at 7.30 to brilliant sunshine hitting the back of the tent and this time I decided to greet the day. There were 2 wee birds flitting around the burn, probably after the midges and stuff which surprisingly weren't a problem possibly due to the light breeze and the remains of the midgie repellent from the previous night although I stuck the headnet on to begin with. I draped my wet socks and rain gear over the fly and tramped around with no socks and wet shoes while I got coffee, hot Museli/porridge mix, coffee, coffee & coffee on the go. I footered around for quite a while content to sit in the sun and let the gear dry off but was on my way back to the bike by 9.30or so.

The bike was where I'd left it and it wasn't long before I was back on the road. I'd worn the Buff in Pirate configuration when biking up the previous evening but decided to wear the bush hat with the result that my shadow looked like a bike mounted Pony Express rider, That amused me and I tried to take a self portrait while biking along but it didn't work, I settled for a shadow shot instead but it wasn't quite the same. I rolled into the yard at 11.00 and sat around to let my feet dry before getting the kit sorted out.

All in all it was a nice wee camp out, the tent was fine, the footprint worked but needs a shockcord loop on the porch side corner tabs. My Heinie 330ml mug worked but needs a silicone band round the rim and grip wrapped, I've already got some kevlar wick on order from Tinny along with one of the bigger cans to use as a pot. My accidental pot stand works well enough that I won't need the welded wire mesh one. I broke my disposable plastic teaspoon, the second time that's happened so a plain kitchen one will be used from now on and sod the extra grammes. The LIM 45 was fine although I didn't hike far so I can't say how comfortable it would be over a longer hike. The trail shoes performed pretty much as I'd expected, I have a pair of goretex socks ordered but without gaiters in long grass I'm not sure how effective they'll be, no matter they'll work in certain conditions and when they don't I'll just deal with wet feet/socks. My MP3 player turned out to need charged and my Hayes front disc squeaked endlessly but apart from that.........

A nights camping always makes me hungry for more but the longer the time gaps the harder it is to get in gear and do it again. My shifts rotate monthly with the last month being the least favourable for nights away, hopefully I'll get a couple more in before it swings back again. That's the problem with work, it gets in the way of life ;-)

Less is More, LIM 45 and Trail Shoes

I sold my Laser recently and for the time being I'm not looking for a replacement so I thought I'd invest the money wisely......... in a new rucksack and trail shoes. I liked the look of the Haglofs LIM packs and managed to find a LIM 55, it seems that the 55L version has been dropped either by Haglofs themselves or by the importer. I found that while I liked the pack it didn't fit very well, others have had similar complaints so maybe there's a reason why it's been dropped. In any case I liked the design and taking into account that I wasn't even close to using the 55L capacity of my Gregory Z55 I returned the LIM 55 and exchanged for a LIM 45.



I really like this pack, it holds a surprising amount for a 45L, the roll top closure is I guess something you either like or dislike.






The small top pocket is indeed small but I can manage, it also has a key clip. The side and front pockets are really stretchy and unlike the Gregory take the form of 3 individual pockets rather than one large pocket that wraps around the pack. The side pockets have an internal compression strap and dual openings, one horizontal at the top and one vertical at the bottom which allows you to use them as normal wand pockets or use the bottom opening for easy access to a drinks bottle.



There are two mesh pockets on the hipbelt with a rigid plastic loop to help open them (the side pockets have a similar loop)They don't have a zip but the plastic loop can be tucked under the pack/hipbelt stabilising straps to keep them closed.



The hydration bladder sleeve is on the outside between the main pack and the padded back panel, again I like this as I find it easier to reinsert a filled bladder when the pack is fully loaded. The hydration pocket also has a short mesh pocket for valuables and a key clip.

The pack weight is 1035g according to Haglofs, I haven't actually weighed mine yet but it looks like a 500g saving over the Gregory.

The pack is what I would call an Internal/External frame and the frame and shoulder straps take the weight rather than the pack due to the way the straps go under the pack. It also has a perforated foam backpad so is more prone to causing a sweaty back than a true external frame or indeed the Gregory Z55 which has a Mesh back and a good air gap between mesh and pack but possibly not as bad as a pack with a simple foam/aluspar back system. The fit works for me and I expect I'll use it unless I need the extra capacity of the Gregory in winter (the back system of the Gregory might be better in winter too)




As usual I added a few bits and pieces to suit my needs, 2 x dogclips added to the top tension straps same as I did on the Gregory and a shockcord and lock through the webbing loops on lid to hold my Aquaguard Eliminator filter and Source feed tube.



It's different and possibly wouldn't suit everyone but well worth a look if you want a 45L pack at around 1kg.





This little lot all packed in, Left to right, ME Xero 250 in S2S Ultrasil Roll Top, Wee Airic, Tesco Pillow, Phreeranger (Blue Stuff Sack), Spare base Layer/socks (orange Stuff Sack), Windshirt & Micro Fleece Gloves (Black Stuff Sack), Above those, Spares/Repair (Small Red Stuff Sack), 1st aid, Trowel (Red Stuff Sack), Above that Food and Cooking Gear (Orange and Camo Stuff Sacks), Camera Batteries, Gorillapod, MPS, Glasses, Wash Kit and Midgie repellant, ME Xero Duvet Jkt (S2S Blue Ultrasil), Above that Rain Gear and Hydration kit, Top Right ME Ultrafleece. Thats everything I need, the only thing that would change depending on duration is the amount of food, I carried 1 x day ratpack above. I used the lid pocket, one side pocket and the Hydration Pocket but still had the front pouch/pocket, one side pocket and both hip belt pockets spare.

What about the trail shoes? I've never used trail shoes before only moving to fabric boots last year but I thought it would be worth trying a pair. I looked at Innov8 but happened to see the Karrimor trail shoes on the Field & Trek website at £18. They're unlined which is what I wanted and weigh 770g/pair size 9. In Black with Lime Green trim they almost match the LIM 45, not that it matters of course, but one doesn't want to be too clashy ;-) I've no idea how well they'll take the abuse but at the price I figured it was worth a shot in case I find out that I prefer boots.