At 1,344 m, Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. As such it is a very popular mountain for people to climb. It is often attempted by inexperienced hikers who have no idea of the scale of the task or of the potential dangers involved. Many people attempt the summit of Ben Nevis without taking proper outdoor gear.
Ben Nevis Escape Route
If you are planning to walk up to the top of Ben Nevis the first thing you need to know is the escape route from the summit. Regardless of the weather in the valley or on the mountain tops when you start your hike, by the time you reach the summit the weather may have closed in, resulting in near zero visibility. This has happened to me.
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In this series about bicycle touring, we have looked at the types of cycle tour and sleeping and shelter issues. In this article the question of clothing is examined.
The Mountain Equipment Mistral like the Salomon Fast Wing Hoodie is versatile, lightweight, windproof and stowable.
Clothing
The order of the day is versatility. Versatile clothes are essential when space and weight are important, Zip-Off Trousers are ideal when travelling light as they can be worn as a pant or shorts. Wicking items can be easily layered, washed and dried.
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The Route to Scafell Pike via Mickldore
Recently I wrote about doing a hike and scramble up Scafell Pike in the Lake District. What outdoor gear should be taken on a day walk up the highest mountain in England? This would obviously depend upon the time of year and the expected weather conditions. Below is a list of the outdoor gear that I took with me on my hike, indicating what gear I used and did not use.
The Walking Gear I Took Up Scafell Pike
The hike took place in mid June, not far off the longest day of the year. The weather forecast was for glorious, uninterrupted sunshine all week.
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Ouch Charlie!! At least your body isn't sunburnt thanks to your UV protective clothing!
Source: Flickr by A.M. Kuchling.
Read on for some helpful advice on the ratings used for sun protection clothing, and enjoy the sun this summer if you are camping, hiking, climbing or even just in the garden relaxing.
The days grow longer as we enter June; July and August fast approach. With baited breath the UK waits for the advent of the British Summer. Will it be hot, cold, dry or wet? Will we have biblical floods, hurricanes or snow? The Met Office has predicted a “Barbecue Summer” with temperatures above average and highs above 30°C (86°F) we wait to see if this prediction is taking the precipitation!!
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If your compass is going haywire, your GPS isn’t working and you can’t see the sun then how do you find your way?
Get out your sexy underwear of course!
Ann Daniels displaying the sexy navigation aid - Source : Martin Hartley
This might not be the first things that springs to everyone’s mind, but it is exactly what the Catlin Arctic Survey have been doing.
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After my recent post on bamboo fabrics Graham left a comment stating that bamboo might not be as environmentally friendly a fabric as I had first thought. Had I been greenwashed? Is bamboo eco friendly? Well after some research I discovered the answer is yes and no.
The process of producing the raw bamboo does have a low environmental impact. However when it comes to processing the bamboo into a fabric there can be a significant ecological impact. Basically there are 2 ways in which bamboo can be turned into a fabric, mechanically or chemically.
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Nowadays everyone is becoming more environmentally aware, trying to be carbon neutral, buying organic, and minimising their impact on the environment. Outdoor gear manufacturers have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and are offering outdoor clothing made with eco friendly fabrics. What I want to know is what exactly are these green fabrics, how do they preform and are they actually any good for the environment?
Bamboo Clothing
Bamboo growing - Source : steve webel flickr
What is Bamboo fiber?
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You’ll be pleased to hear we are passing on the VAT price reductions!!!!!
We are now charging 15% VAT on all our camping equipment and outdoor clothing…
…when you place your items in your shopping cart the correct price will be calculated using 15% VAT.
There are some pages on our website that still show the old prices. Please bear with us while we update our website. The correct, lower prices with 15% VAT are shown on our “view all” pages. Thank you for your patience.
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Live for the Outdoors (LFTO) wrote a serious, advisory post following an article in Trail Magazine about reasons that should make you think about turning back before reaching the summit. Whether you are a walker, mountaineer, mountain biker, skier, runner or other, these reasons are certainly worth considering:
- Bad Weather – snow, rain, cold and wind can all come in severe doses, so make sure your prepared but sometimes preparation isn’t enough, so know your limits!
- Weather Hazards – associated consequences from bad weather such as rockfalls and lightning
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I like Nikwax. I really do. I think it is really good value stuff, especially when you consider the value of the outdoor clothing and equipment it protects.
Every so often we like to do a little write-up about the manufacturers of outdoor equipment, simply to show you why we choose to sell the one’s that we do. And this time, lucky Nikwax has hit the limelight.
Nikwax for Protecting your Gear and Outdoor Clothing
Nikwax helps ensure that your clothing continues to do what it was supposed to well after you bought it. Over time, and wear and tear,
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