CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog

This coming weekend (6 to 10th of June) all the top orienteers will be turning their attention to Salo, Finland, for the 2009 Nordic Orienteering Championships. This event takes place in a different Scandinavian country every year. It is a highly competitive event with technically challenging orienteering races. The event also has races that are open to the public. It has been organised by the NOC2009 Organizing Committee and Finnish orienteering club Angelniemen Ankkuri.

World Champion Orienteer Graham Gristwood will be representing the UK. In an interview with CheapTents.com in March this year, he told us that

• A Brief Introduction to Orienteering
• British Orienteering Championships 2009
• Exclusive Interview! Graham Gristwood Professional Orienteer

Snugpak Sleeping Bags Win Queens Award

Before commencing the round up, congratulations are in order for Snugpak. A Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category has been given to Snugpak! The sleeping bag manufacturer, who still manufacture in the UK, won the award for increasing their export business by 77% since 2006. They export to 28 different countries across the world, from Latvia to Australia and to the USA. Over 50% of Snugpak’s total production sold overseas.

We are thrilled to receive this award as recognition of our hard work and success at developing high quality, durable products that can withstand rigorous use in harsh and sometimes extreme conditions throughout the world.

• Cumulus Quantum 200 Sleeping Bag Tests and Review
• Cumulus Sleeping Bag Reviews
• Cumulus Mysterious Traveller Reviews & Tests

The UK Government has today revealed plans to microchip walkers in a bid to cut down on the time it takes to return lost hikers to their families. The Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith MP, told us that

The number of walkers becoming disorientated and lost is on the increase. When they are found, many of the lost walkers are dazed, confused and have no idea where they are, they are often suffering from amnesia. Reuniting them with their families takes time and uses up resources.

• Online mapping tools to stop getting lost!
• Green is good, so don’t wait for the weekend!
• BMC gets reception at 10 Downing Street…

Here at CheapTents.com we all love the MSR Hubba tents, but do find the naming system slightly confusing at times.  So we got in touch with Mountain Safety Research to find out where the name comes from.

What is a Hubba?

The Hubba name is something we (MSR) came up with, based on the tent’s unique hub and pole frame. The “hub” is the circle that connects various tent poles sections together, thus cutting down on the total number of poles needed. In the photo below, you’ll see how the pole branches out into two legs–the sections join together at the hub.

• Lightwave Tents Coming Soon!
• Review of Terra Nova Voyager Superlite Tent
• Vaude Taurus Ultralight Tent Review

The latest Irish bouldering guide was released last week and contains 115 pages, packed full with almost 1500 problems and about 200 maps and topos.

This guide is intended to be reasonably definitive but just because something has been climbed doesn’t mean it is worth documenting so I haven’t detailed every variation, elimate, lowball sitstart or squeezed in micro line. From a personal point of view I attach the highest value to logical, independent lines with good moves and good landings and every problem that fits this criteria is described. Though I welcome other opinions on omissions and inclusions.

• Introduction to Bouldering – accessible Climbing across the UK
• Beginner Climbing, Ferrata Style!
• Talented Youth Climbers Day, Rochdale, UK

Stanage is a large and very impressive gritstone edge. It’s in the Peak District north of Hathersage and stretches out for about 6 km from its northern tip at Stanage End to Cowper Stone in the south.  Stanage Edge is an almost continuous line of cliffs including Burbage Rocks, Froggatt Edge, Curbar Edge, Baslow Edge and Birchen Edge.

The area is extremely popular among climbers due to the large grit crags, easy access and range of climbs, although due to its popularity the rock is quite polished in some places. Stanage isn’t just good for climbers though, as there are plenty of excellent routes for mountain bikers and walkers through the stunning scenery of the Peak District.

• UK Mountain Webcams
• Climbing Restrictions to Protect Birds
• Interview with Mountain Leader Training Association UK

At CheapTents.com we’re offering 10%  off an online purchase* when you write a review for the blog. It couldn’t be simpler, first check that we stock the item you want to review.  Next write your review and send it in to us, we’ll  then send you out your voucher code to use online at cheaptents.com.

As I said before it really is simple, but sometimes its hard to  get all your thoughts on a product from inside your head down on to paper. To help with this I’ve jotted down a few ideas to help you focus and structure your review.

• REVIEW YOUR OUTDOOR GEAR…and get 10% OFF at CheapTents.com
• Berghaus Tech-T Review by Country Walking
• Got any outdoor news you would like to share?

Just a quick post for all of our runners out there,  a new off road mountain marathon has been announced recently, taking place in the Mournes,  Co Down on June 13th.

This is a Marathon which is almost entirely off road. The event date is Saturday 13 June 2009.

In addition to the Marathon there will also be a Half Marathon and a 10k run/walk incorporated into the route – these races, like the Marathon, will also finish in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor. There will also be a “Challenge Walk” on the day along the full 26 mile route of the Mourne Way.

• Lakeland 100 Ultra Marathon
• Mountain Marathon Training Tips
• Nordic Orienteering Championships 2009

Responsible Climbers Protect Birds

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) will be publishing a list of current and new climbing restrictions later this month. These are voluntary restrictions put in place to prevent nesting birds and their chicks from being disturbed.

The BMC asks all climbers to read up on the restrictions for the areas in which they climb. Climbers have an excellent record of respecting bird nesting restrictions and continued good will is important to develop and maintain good relations with landowners and conservation bodies.

Tony Ryan, the BMC.

• Stanage Bus Starts for the Summer
• Talented Youth Climbers Day, Rochdale, UK
• Where’s my nearest indoor climbing wall?

The 2009 Ordnance Survey Outdoor Show is just around the corner on 27th-29th March, so we thought it would be wise to provide a bit more information of what goodies are in store for those people looking to attend!

Outdoor Sports, Gear and Entertainment

Each year, the NEC outdoor show stuffs itself with everything outdoorsy, including a a huge range of outdoor equipment,  sports and entertainment all following a camping and outdoor theme.

Over the weekend you’ll be able to spend time around some of the best athletes in the outdoor industry, learn about gear, techniques, and totally immerse yourself in all things outdoors…including the opportunity to be inspired by Sir Ranulph Feinnes!

• Multimap does Ordnance Survey Maps
• 2008 Outdoor Industry Consumer Survey Results
• Kendal Mountain Festival Update