The Anglesey Coastal walk measures in at around 125 miles in total, though handily there are 20 towns/villages located directly on the route. This means taking on just part of the walk is easily done, making this walk accessible to most levels of walker at some point. Overall it took us 8 days walking to complete the full distance, plus one more day we spent in one of the villages on the route – from the information I can find it can take anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks to complete the full distance.

Be sure to checkout the amazing South Stack Lighthouse. Source Trinity House

We started walking from the Roman Fort (which encircles St Cybi’s Church in Holyhead), this is also the end point of the full circular walk. On the walk we saw some spectacular scenery, there is some really quite cool wildlife including; puffins, guillemots, seals and even the odd dolphin! as well as beautiful Anglesey coast line.

Taking in the views of Anglesey

Along the route there are 4 working light houses, including the South Stack Light House – famous for being one of the UK’s most spectacular light houses, positioned on it’s own little island on the west coast. Local to the light house is also a nature reserve, so when visiting the lighthouse you may want to take some binoculars and do some bird watching. To get to the light house you cross a bridge after contending with some 400 stone steps (not the 365 mentioned in local legends), and yes that does mean would need to walk back up those steps! This for me was one of the more tiring aspects of the walk, but it was well worth the visit and the views from the top of the light house are amazing. If this is the primary point of interest to yourself you maybe interested in the Cybi Circular Route which is a few hours walk at just 4 miles long.

Although we went to Anglesey for the views and the good company, one of my primary wants was to see the famous Telford Bridge. Spanning almost 180m the Menai Suspension Bridge is considered by many to be Thomas Telfords finest work – and I agree. Along with this amazing bridge is the Britannia Bridge, which has seen both rail and road service over the years  but today is the only non-dual carriage way section of the A55. Both bridges link Anglesey with the UK mainland.

The amazing Telford Suspension Bridge joining Anglesey with Wales (mainland). Source Flikr by The Ancient Brit

One final attraction and association of note is that which is of course the longest single-word place name in the world, with 58 english letters (51 welsh) Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is a real tongue twister (seriously give it a try). The name means: St Mary’s Church (Llanfair) in a hollow (pwll) of white hazel (gwyngyll) near (goger) the swirling whirlpool (y chwyrndrobwll) of the church of St Tysilio (llantysilio) with a red cave ([a]g ogo goch). The best way to begin pronouncing it is to take a side step from the coastal path and visit the local railway station, on the platform is a fairly decent approximation of how to pronounce the name in english – though I did ask a local who told me simply to call it St Mary’s Church.

Anglesey Coastal Walking Advice

Covering the terrain is no easy task, indeed you need to be pretty alert most of the time as injuries on this route are fairly common place (another reason its better to do this walk in a group and not alone – though this I think was primarily people scrambling across areas of dangerous land), but the rewards are well worth it. The whole walk is pretty well sign posted, a saving grace if your map flies away in the wind like it did ours. Due to the nature of the walk it is advise you wear high quality walking boots throughout, ensure you’ve always enough drinking fluid (a hydration pack of 2 to 5L will be more than enough to get you through the day really) and of course you never know what will happen with british weather so take some wet weather gear with you. Obviously if you’re doing the whole walk you will be carrying more clothes with you too, investing in some walking poles will help take some of the strain (plus they give you some leverage on the tougher terrain). Also it is inherently a great idea to take your normal walking emergency supplies, so a torch, whistle, a knife, a compass, high visibility vest and don’t forget your dry liner.

Finally I have two pieces of advice:
1 – Ensure there is at least 2 mobile phones within the group and turn one off until it’s needed, running out of battery is a very bad idea in an emergency!
2 – Enjoy the local food and drink, the local (non-chain) bars are amazing value and there are some amazing people to meet (who I am sure can tell you many more interesting facts and stories that I ever could).

If you want to know more about walking or camping in Anglesey, or just want to know what there is to do other than walk in Anglesey it’s worth taking a look at the Visit Anglesey website.

Interested in Coastal Walks? Take a look at the “UK’s Best Coastal Walk” Pembrokshire

From experience we all know what it is like to get a few miles down the road or even to be at the camp site only to notice that you have forgotten some vital piece of kit. To ensure you never have this problem again CheapTents has drawn up a checklist of equipment and supplies, essential to all families going camping this summer.

Where You Sleep

• Tent(s) – including pegs, ground sheet & mallet.
  Check our guide to choosing a perfect family tent.
• Sleeping Bags
• Roll Matt or Air Bed (with pump)
• Blankets, Sheets & Pillows should be considered

Explorer First Aid Kit - £19.79

The Basics Camping Equipment

• First Aid Kit
• Torches & Lamps
• Fold-Up Chairs
• Matches & Lighter – take both
• Multi-use Tool / Handy Knife
• Spare Rope
• Map / GPS

Camp site Cooking

• Camp Stove & Fuel
• Cooler / Cold Box
• Pots, Pans, Cooking Utensils, Plates, Cutlery & Glasses (plastic is best)
• Tin Opener & Sharp Knife
• Thermos Flask(s)
• Bin Bags
• Washing Up Bowl & Liquid (plus cloth/sponge)
• Food & Drink Supplies

Personal Care / Camping Hygiene

• Soap & Shampoo
• Toothbrush & Toothpaste
• Towel(s)
• Toilet Roll
• Antiseptic Wipes
• Any medications

Clothing

• Waterproof Clothing – Jackets, Trousers etc.
• Walking/Hiking Shoes & Boots
• Summers & Winter Hats (plus gloves)
• Normal Clothes (of course)
• Underwear
• Beach Wear (also stops embarrassing shower moments)

Miscellaneous Camping Gear

• Mobile Phone (plus solar charger)
• Spare Batteries
• Toys & Games
• Pen and Paper
• Safety Pins & Sewing Kit
• Duct Tape
• Cash (there is never a cash point when you need one)
• Midge Repellent
• Sun tan lotion
• Travel Clock

So, if you and your family are going camping this summer don’t forget a thing. Use our checklist and have a fantastic holiday.

Tell Us about your camping holidays
Have you been camping this year? let us know about it, where you went, what you did, would you recommend it etc … To tell us about your camping adventure simply leave a comment below.

The Travel Trekker Pro 70 + 17 consists of a large 70 litre rucksack and a small 17 litre daysack. The travel daysack fits snuggly onto the back of the rucksack, secured by clips and is semi-covered by protective flaps, described by Lowe Alpine as a clamshell pouch. This clever design will help to protect the daysack from being accidentally torn off the main rucksack whilst your luggage is being man-handled during your travels.

The ultimate adventure travellers bag. The TFX Travel adjustable back system ensures comfort when carrying heavy loads and yet folds flat for mechanised transportation. The Pro comes with a small day bag for city tours and day hikes. Lowe Alpine.

Travel Trekker Pro 70 – Main Rucksack

There are two carrying handles, one on the top of the rucksack and one on the side. These handles feel strong, and with ample padding so that the bag can be picked up quite comfortably. There is also a detachable strap that enables you to sling the rucksack over your shoulder, so that you can easily carry your travel luggage around when the proper back system is stowed away. However, this strap and its clips seem a bit flimsy.

Lowe Alpine Travel Trekker Pro 70 + 17 Rucksack: The best travel luggage!

Lowe Alpine TFX Travel Back System

The back system is Lowe Alpine’s TFX Travel back system, which can be shut away underneath a zippered panel. When the panel is unzipped it can be rolled up and stored away behind a velcro fastening. It is a little awkward to roll the panel and stuff it away, but having the panel eliminates the risk of the shoulder and waist straps from being accidentally torn off during baggage handling, so it is worth the inconvenience.

The back system itself consists of height adjustable shoulder straps and waist straps. These padded straps are quite stiff but surprisingly comfortable, even when the rucksack is fully loaded up. Adjusting the height of the shoulder straps is relatively simple: unclip the cover and slide the shoulder harness up or down as required, using a wide strap. There are markings to give an indication of where shoulder harness should be for a person of your height. The shoulder straps have tension adjusters and clips so that you can attach the travel daysack in front of you. There is also a chest strap which has a plastic buckle with a built in whistle. With all these features, the TFX back system makes the pack suitable for hiking and is far more than just a means of carrying the rucksack through the airport or across the station.

Rucksack Pockets and Storage

The rucksack has a generous 70 litre storage capacity and is opened by a zipper that runs around the pack in such a way that it opens up like a suitcase. It is possible to lock the zip together with a padlock, providing some security for your luggage.

The Travel Trekker opens like a suitcase and has plenty of pockets

Inside the main compartment of the travel backpack there is a big mesh pocket on the back of the lid, handy for storing dirty clothes. There are also two smaller pockets along the sides that connect together with a clip, which can help to keep your gear tidy. One of these is a mesh pocket and the other is not. Finally there is a large circular bucket pocket which closes with a draw cord. These pockets and compartments enable you to keep your gear reasonably organised without losing the large empty space that you would be use to if using a suitcase. There are also compression straps on the outside of the rucksack, just in case you have some space in your bag when embarking on your travels!

Backpack Luggage Features

It is made from “N630, 1680 Poly Ballistic” Fabric, which is fairly tough, yet still flexible. At 3.5 kg it is a relatively lightweight when compared to other popular luggage such as large wheeled suitcases, but heavier than backpacking rucksacks of a similar size.

A rucksack rain cover is stored in a small pocket at the top of the rucksack, where it is handy for quick deployment to cover your backpack should you encounter a sudden downpour.

There is also a large mesh stash pocket at the front, underneath the daysack storage clamshell.

Travel Trekker Pro 70 – 17 litre Daysack

The travel day pack has a number of features that are particularly suitable for the traveller. There is a hole at the top for a head phone cable with a pocket just inside for your iPod or mp3 player. There are also two secret pockets, one on the front and one at the back, which are ideal for keeping your passport, tickets and other important travel documents. The secret pocket at the front also contains a clip for attaching your keys. As with the large part of the rucksack, it is possible to secure the zipper with a padlock.

There are two mesh pockets on either side of the daysack and a compression strap. The only disappointing feature are the straps, which are very lightly padded and not really suitable for spending a whole day carrying the daysack sightseeing around a city or on a short hike. A small waist strap would also be a welcome addition, if for example you were going on a day hike or cycle ride.

Lowe Alpine Travel Trekker Pro 70 + 17 Review Summary

The Travel Trekker Pro 70 + 17 from Lowe Alpine is a well thought out rucksack which is ideal for gap year and world travel luggage. The large 70 litre backpack has a solid, comfortable and stowable back system with suitcase opening. The 17 litre travel day pack fits securely onto the main rucksack and includes features specifically for the traveller such as secret pockets. The shoulder straps on the daysack could be improved but would be acceptable for most people.

Have you got a Lowe Alpine Travel Trekker Pro 70 + 17 or similar rucksack? What backpacking luggage would you recommend? Tell us what do you think and add to the review. Click on “comments” and let us know!

Why not write a review about your outdoor kit?

• What time of year will you be going?
• What are anticipated weather conditions?
• What is duration of trip?
• Where will you sleep overnight?
• Will you be visiting a bird sanctuary?
• Will you be using in a hide?

A suitable pair of binoculars are essential birdwatching gear. Source: Flickr by CarbonNYC

It will also depend upon how seriously you take ornithology and the bird watching element of your trip. Will you be on the look out for birds in a general sense, or perhaps you will be hoping to spot a specific species or individual even if it means waiting in the same spot for several hours.

The equipment that you need can be broken down into two categories. Gear that is specific to birdwatching and gear that is not specific to birdwatching.

Gear Specific to Bird Watching

Choosing Bird Watching Binoculars

There is a vast array of binoculars available, but which are the best for bird watching?

Magnification for Birdwatching Binoculars

Binoculars are usually specified by two numbers, for example 8×40.
The first number denotes the magnification of the binoculars. The higher the magnification the more detail that can be seen. For general birdwatching low magnification (low power) binoculars are usually preferred, since they are easier to hold steady. Typically the magnification should be 7x, 8x or 10x, with a higher magnification recommended for use in hides or for viewing at estuaries and reservoirs. The combination of a telescope and a pair of lower magnification binoculars is often a good combination.

Objective for Birding Binoculars

The second of the two numbers used to specify binoculars is the objective, which gives an indication of image quality and image brightness. The objective is the diameter of the large lens. Birdwatchers recommend an objective of between 30 to 40 as being the best for birdwatching.

Birdwatching Binoculars Field of View

Another important feature of binoculars is the field of view. Binoculars with a wide field of view are especially suitable for scanning large areas. It is often easy to locate the bird in the sky with your eyes only, however once you start looking through the binoculars it can be difficult to find the right patch of sky. Also, when a bird is flying across the sky it can be difficult to follow its flight path. Binoculars with a wide field of view make locating the bird easier. However, having a wide field of view is not as important a feature in birding binoculars as good image quality.

Other Important Features for Choosing Binoculars for Birdwatching

Binoculars with a large exit pupil deliver more light to your eye. If you will be birdwatching when the visibility is quite low, for example at dawn or dusk a large exit pupil can make all the difference. The same is true if you are observing a bird that is perched in the shadows.

The weight is also quite important. If the binoculars are heavy you will not be able to hold them steady. And remember, you will probably need to carry them out to the hide or on your walk.

The ability to focus quickly using a centre focus is advantageous when tracking a bird in flight

Your birding binoculars should have multi-coated lenses. These lens coatings can increase light transmission and therefore make the image brighter.

Since you never know what the weather might do, your binoculars should be waterproof and fogproof.

Popular binocular manufacturers include Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Opticron, Swarovski and Viking.

Birdwatching Telescope / Spotting Scope

A combination of low power binoculars and a spotting scope will enable you to observe birds across a wider range of distances and habitats than having a single pair of high power binoculars.

The recommended specification for a general observation birding telescope is a compact 60mm spotting scope which has a wide-angled eyepiece with 20x or 22x magnification.

Many modern telescopes have interchangeable eyepieces allowing for a greater range of magnification from a single scope. For general observation wide-angled eyepieces of 20x to 30x are ideal, whilst 40x magnification enables you to make longer distance observations.

Capturing great pictures of birds is an essential part of birdwatching. Source geograph.co.uk. © Copyright sylvia duckworth and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

Other Gear for Birding

For most birders taking a snapshot of bird in action is an essential, but by no means easy task. With the ability to rapidly take many shots, a digital camera increases the chance of getting that perfect shot, when compared to using the old-fashioned film camera. Of course, patience and luck have a lot to do with it too! A detailed discussion about digital cameras is outside the scope of this article. However, it is worth mentioning that the quality of the lens, pixels and processor should be considered when choosing a digital camera. The number of pixels is commonly used to assess the quality of a camera and whilst this does matter, having a high number of pixels merely indicates that you can print out your photograph on a large sheet of paper.

A particularly useful bit of gear for birdwatching is a Digiscope or Digital Camera Adaptor (DCA). The purpose of this device is to connect a digital camera to a telescope, enabling you to take close up shots over a long distance.

A tripod, monopod or hide clamp can be used to keep your telescope steady and save your arms from aching! If you are planning to take photographs via your scope the use of a support will help ensure that your photograph does not come out blurred.

Most birds limit their flying activities to the day time, however some birds do fly at night, for example, owls and geese. For bird watching after dark you can use night vision goggles.

With all the optical equipment needed for birding, an organiser bag
will keep your gear organised and help prevent it from becoming accidentally damaged. A mircofibre lens cleaning cloth should be used to clean any dust or smears from the lenses of your binoculars, spotting scope or camera.

A Birding Vest, Gillet or Jacket with lots of pockets is an asset when bird watching. The pockets are ideal for keeping safe your lens covers and having quick access to your essential bird identification book and bird log.

The annual BirdFair at Rutland water provides an excellent opportunity for purchasing bird watching equipment. Many specialist birding retailers exhibit at BirdFair so all the latest and classic gear will be on sale.

Outdoor Gear Not Specific to Birdwatching

Whether you are going bird watching for a couple of hours or for a couple of days or weeks, you will want to stay warm, dry and comfortable. If you are blessed with good weather you will want to stay cool and may even need to protect yourself from sunburn.

Outdoor Clothing for Birding

You are likely to be motionless for long periods of time whilst birdwatching and so you could easily become cold. Therefore clothing with a high degree of thermal insulation will be vital if you are to keep warm.

To provide warmth and flexibility of controlling your body temperature wear several layers made up from a base layer, mid layer, outer layer and waterproof layer.

The most suitable mid- and outer-layers are fleeces. Tops and jackets made from fleece material provide thermal insulation and will keep you warm. For when the weather is really cold, a down jacket or synthetic insulated jacket will ensure that you stay warm whilst you are bird watching. Even during the summer it can be surprisingly cold at night, especially on hot days when there are no clouds. If you have had to hike a long way to your chosen bird watching site you are also likely to become cold after burning up all your energy.

A lot of your warmth can be retained by wearing a hat and a scarf.

Fast drying, moisture wicking walking trousers such as Craghopper’s Kiwi Trousers are comfortable and are highly recommended for hiking, birding and general use.

Waterproof Jacket and Trousers

If you get wet, your bird watching trip is likely to be a cold and miserable one, even if you do spot a rare species. If the weather looks good when you set out, it could still rain later. Therefore it is always worth taking a waterproof jacket and over trousers. The most comfortable waterproofs are made from fabric that allows you to breathe, such as Gore-Tex, eVent and Gelanots. Manufacturers that use these fabrics include The North Face, Berghaus and Sprayway. If you go walking and birding during the summer, lightweight waterproofs are best. For all year round birding, 3 layer waterproofs are worth considering since they are more durable.

Most waterproof jackets have a hood, which obviously helps to keep your head dry and prevents water dripping down the back of your neck. However these hoods do not tend to have any insulation, so it is worth taking a warm hat too. Also hoods can restrict your vision, so they are not always suitable when bird watching.

As mentioned above, a jacket with lots of pockets can help keep you organised and prevent you from losing small items such as lens covers.

If you do decide to buy breathable waterproofs, their life can be prolonged by following good fabric care advice.

Walking Boots

When going out bird watching you are likely to be walking at least a short distance. RSPB nature reserves can have several miles of footpaths which you can explore. These footpaths tend to be well maintained so sensible shoes or trainers will be adequate.

If you are planning to walk or hike further off the beaten track then you will need some stout walking boots. These will help keep you feet warm and dry, as well as protecting them from rough uneven surfaces. Hiking boots with ankle support will help to prevent you from twisting your ankle. Choosing a pair that fits well is important, so it is worth reading our walking boot advice page. For maximum comfort and to help prevent blisters, wear both a thin and a thick pair of walking socks.

Tent / Bivi Bag

The early bird catches the worm and the early rising bird watcher sees the bird! Sleeping in a tent or bivi bag makes it much easier to get up at sunrise in order to see birds that are active first thing in the morning. If you go wild camping in remote areas you should be able to see birds that do not venture into villages, towns or cities. The most suitable types of tent for bird watching will depend upon the exact terrain and time of year that you are making your trip. An ultralight tent or bivi bag would be particularly suitable for wild camping.

If you are camping you will need a sleeping bag and camping mat or Therm-A-Rest inflatable mattress.

Other Outdoor Gear and Accessories

If you hiking to a particular location then you will need a map, compass, emergency whistle. You could also take a GPS unit.

Canada Geese at the RSPB's Leighton Moss Reserve. Source: Flickr by Gidzy.

Other useful gear includes a sitmat, survival bag, insect repellent, anti-bacterial hand wash, sun glasses, sun lotion, sun hat and waterproof hat. More information about general walking and camping equipment can be found on our camping gear advice page.

If you are hiking remember that anything you take will add weight to your rucksack. Your birdwatching gear will add to the weight too, so it is best not take any unnecessary items!

Birdwatchers’ Code

When you are out birdwatching or twitching, always remember the birdwatchers’ code:

1. Avoid disturbing birds and their habitats – the birds’ interests should always come first
2. Be an ambassador for birdwatching
3. Know the law and the rules for visiting the countryside, and follow them
4. Send your sightings to the County Bird Recorder and the Birdtrack website
5. Think about the interests of wildlife and local people before passing on news of a rare bird, especially during the breeding season

Share Your Bird Watching Log

When out on hiking trips we often see grouse, buzzards, skylarks and lapwings to name a few. If you have sighted any birds whilst out hiking or camping please let us know. Use the comments link below to tell us what you have seen and where! There is an excellent bird identification guide on the RSPB website.

The RSPB are currently campaigning to protect birds of prey, so we would be particularly interested if you have seen any birds of prey.

The award winning and much loved ME Kongur at £252 is a lot of money, so why wouldn

Breathable waterproof fabrics such as Gore Tex, eVent and Gelanots are highly technical and can be expensive. So it is not surprising that there are numerous products on the market that claim to protect and prolong the life of waterproof clothing. Is it necessary to use these fabric care products or will my waterproofs be ok as long as I simply look after them?

In this post we’re going to look at how best to care for breathable waterproof fabric by categorising garment care into three areas. They are storage, cleaning and re-proofing.

Before looking at these areas of fabric care, a brief sortie into the science of breathable waterproof fabrics is needed to answer the question of why do my jacket and over-trousers need so much TLC?

Why look after Breathable Waterproof Fabric?

If breathable waterproof fabrics are not looked after you will see a reduction in the performance life span of your clothing. To keep your waterproof jacket and trousers in tip top shape there are two main areas to look out for. They are protecting the durable water resistant outer layer and keeping your clothing clean.

Breathable waterproof fabrics (Gore-Tex, eVent and Gelanots) are made up of a number of layers, for simplicity we only need to look at two. These being

1. Waterproof membrane
2. Durable water resistant (DWR) layer.

The waterproof membrane is exactly this, a membrane that does not allow water to pass from the clothing to the skin, whilst allowing your sweat to pass out into the atmosphere.

A simple animation explaining how Gore-Tex works

DWR waterproofing provides water repellency by making water bead on the outside of the fabric, thus stopping water soaking into the outer layers. Without the DWR layer your clothes will still be “waterproof” and you will not get wet from external water. But by repelling water, the DWR layer allows all the layers to breath. If layers cannot breath the heat and perspiration from movement is trapped inside the clothing and turns into condensation. This makes you feel wet and probably very uncomfortable. This is why it is important to use fabric care products such as re-proofing and re-conditioning agents.

Dirt is the other major enemy of water proof fabrics, heavy or prolonged soiling clogs up the fabric, thus reducing breathability and increasing moisture that is trapped inside, a secondary effect of dirt it the abrasion is causes on DWR layer, this is why it is essential to keep your waterproof clothes as clean as possible.

Storage

Most people seem to store smaller waterproofs in a stuff sack or in their rucksack and so long as it is a dry clean environment then this is fine, in an ideal world putting your waterproof clothing away properly is best. Coats and jackets need to be hung in clean dry place, a clothes hanger which distributes the garments weight more evenly is advised.

Cleaning

Keeping waterproofed products clean is vital because dirt impedes the beading of water and breathability. Always make sure that your clean your jacket or trousers when you have finished using them. Simply shake any dust particles off and if needed clean small amounts of dirt off with a damp cloth or, if it is dried in dirt clean with a soft brush. All cleaning will degrade the DWR a little as cleaning is abrasive, but this reduction in water repellency is less than if you leave the item dirty.

Like all clothing, waterproof products have to be washed from time to time especially after heavy soiling. Using the manufactures washing and drying instructions is best. (As in the unlikely event you product is faulty you can not be blamed for its failure.) But for those of us who don’t read instructions, never use Non-Biological washing products as they will strip off the DWR layers. If you don’t use the recommended washing brand (normally Nikwax or Grangers) use biological soap flakes with no perfume, detergent or softeners.

Non-detergent, biological treatment such as Nikwax Tech Wash are designed to protect waterproof fabrics especially DWR layers whilst removing dirt and contamination, and then if needed to apply a reproofing agent such as Nikwax TX Direct Wash which will then re-protect the DWR layer.

Reproofing

It is a common misnomer for people to think that we re-proof breathable fabrics (Gore Tex, eVent & Gelanots) because an item is no longer waterproof. Technically this isn’t correct. If, for example, you never reproof your clothing, the item should still be waterproof, it just will not work so effectively.

Water beading on a surface. Re-proof when beading no longer occurs. Picture by Andrewk100

The six million dollar question is, how often do you need reproof your items? The answer is very simple. It’s entirely up to you! Not a very helpful answer is it? The problem is that your DWR layer will degrade at differing rates depending upon how dirty you get and how much you use your clothing etc. It is also worth noting the UV from the sun will degrade your DWR finish. A simple rule of thumb is that when water starts to stop beading off your clothing properly then this is the time to reproof.

You don’t need to reproof every time you wash your clothing, but it may be a good idea if preparing for a holiday, multi-day walk etc. then you reproof to make sure that your clothing performs well.

Re-proofer generally comes in a spray or liquid to be washed in. The spray although quicker will not provide as good a coverage due to the fallibility of the human eye (you may miss bits!) Therefore at CheapTents.com we recommend using liquid (wash-in) re-proofer which soaks into the item of clothing and will cover all surfaces with an even finish.

Breathable Waterproof Fabric Care – Summary

So there you have it, the best way to look after your waterproof clothes and get a lot of use out of them is to:

1. Store them properly
2. Keep them clean
3. Re-proof when needed

Storing breathable waterproofs correctly helps to reduce wear and keep items clean and dry. Cleaning is vital as it removes dirt and debris from clothing and allows the item to breathe. Re-proofing recreates your garments outer DWR layer to restore water repellent qualities and protect breathabilty.

Tents

Tent Flysheet or Groundsheet protector

- sail for a sailing boat
- curtains

Tent Poles

- wind chimes

Tent pegs

- cooking / kebab skewers

Tent mesh inner

- bee keeping hat
- light boxes for photography

Rucksacks

Rucksack

- flowerpot, as illustrated by BestHike editor Rick McCharles in the photo below:

Outdoor gear can be re-used for many purposes. Source: Flickr by Rick McCharles.

Rucksack Cover

- emergency parachute

Sleeping Bags

Sleeping bag

- elephant’s trunk warmer
- enormous Christmas stocking
- thief’s swag bag

Outdoor Clothing

Waterproof Jackets and Trousers, Fleeces, Softshells…

- cut them up and use them as rags
- make a (waterproof) patchwork quilt
- take them to Oxfam where they can be recycled as part of the Fabric4Life Campaign.

Socks

- sock puppets
- put a tennis ball, cricket ball or baseball in the sock and peg the sock to the washing line, ideal for practising your swing

Gloves

- cut off the fingers to make egg cosies for Quail’s eggs

Climbing Gear

Climbing Helmet

- when held by the chin strap they can be used as a basket

Karabiner

- rucksack decoration

Rocks On Wire

- Christmas Tree Decorations

Walking Boots

Walking Boots

- pen holder
- door stops, you may need to fill them with something heavy
- plant pots
- cut the leather into little squares to make a decorative bed head (as seen on The Discovery Channel’s “The Salvager”

Walking and Camping Accessories

Trekking / Walking Poles

- cleaning gutters and drains, by leaning out of the window (yes I do actually do this)
- growing runner beans (in place of garden canes)

Crampons

- turned upside down they would be ideal for serving olives or even cheese and pineapple squares at dinner parties

Ice Axe

- assassinating Bolshevik revolutionaries
- back scratcher

Camping / Sleeping Mattress

- kneeling mat for gardening, praying or any other activities that require kneeling

Orange Survival Bag

- sledge
- cut side and bottom edges, open it out and use it as a tarpaulin

Dry Bag

- bucket, water carrier or water butt

Platypus Hoser

- a distillation still for making liqueur

Trangia Bowl / Cookset Bowl

- World War One soldier’s tin hat
- hairdresser’s basin for basin haircuts
- plant pot
- dog’s bowl

Ordnance Survey Map

- wallpaper, you can plan future hikes next time you find yourself staring at the wall

Camping Stove

- attach them to the back of your car to make people think you have jet fighter plane style afterburners

Your Ideas for Re-Using Outdoor Gear

Think you can do better or worse? Let’s us know your ideas for re-using outdoor gear, just click on “comments” below…

The North Face Mica 12 Lightweight tent with and without flysheet

The tent isn’t exactly cavernous but its big enough to sit up in and as long as you’re not too much more than 6ft you shouldn’t struggle. Again the vestibule of the tent isn’t big but considering the tents light weight and its intended use it’s more than adequate for cooking, storing wet gear and fitting in a 65l rucksack. The inner has quite a few mesh pockets which always come in useful for helping to stay organised in a small space. Glow in the dark zip pulls also help increase livability. The tent is also compatible with the north face gear loft although fitting one does drastically impact available headroom.

The vestibule door is angled well which provides a drip line well away from the inner which makes it easy to get in and out without letting any damp in. The tent is well contructed with strong yet lightweight DAC Featherlite aluminium poles in a sturdy “kickstand” arrangement. The bathtub floor is fully taped which provides even greater security on very wet ground. The High-low ventilation design of mica 12 works well to help expel moisture vapor and prevent interior condensation.

Pitching the Mica 12 is easy when you know how with microclips and colour coded poles, although some of the pole clips can be a bit fiddly and it can only be pitched inner first.  We’ve made the following video as a guide to pitching the north face mica 12.

Video guide of how to pitch The North Face Mica 12

Pros

• Lightweight
• Stylish
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• Can only be pitched Inner first
• Cramped if you are much over 6′

Summary of the tent

The North Face Mica 12 is a good 3 season ultralight tent ideal for anyone who wants a more comfort than a bivi but doesn’t want to take the hit of carrying extra weight.

They are usually made from lightweight, waterproof, ripstop fabric and are secured around your rucksack with elasticated drawcord. When not in use they can be packed away into their own little stuff sack.

Trekmates Backpack Covers are available in small, medium and large to fit different sizes of rucksacks. Small fits 20-45 litre rucksacks, medium fits 45-65 litre rucksacks and large fits 65+ litre rucksacks.

Do I Need a Rucksack Cover?

The purpose of rucksack / Backpack covers is to protect your rucksack from the rain, but are they really necessary?

A wet rucksack is heavier than a dry rucksack, so the rain cover will help keep your rucksack lightweight. It will keep most of your backpack bone dry, although it does not cover the shoulder straps or hip belt. If you have been out all day hiking in the rain, bringing a soaking wet rucksack into your tent can make the rest of your outdoor gear damp. If you are staying at a hotel or guest house, or simply going home you will still need to dry out your rucksack if it is soaking wet. The rain cover will dry out much faster than a rucksack.

When packing a rucksack most people would use a rucksack liner, Mountain Equipment Wet & Dry Stuffsack or plastic bags to keep their outdoor gear dry. Therefore the rucksack protector is normally unlikely to keep your kit much drier than it would otherwise be. However, water does have a knack of finding its way into places, so if you are on a long hike and unfortunate to be in constant bad weather, the rain cover might be the difference between damp or dry camping gear. Camping can be bad enough in the rain, without having a soggy sleeping bag!

One thing to watch out for is that since the cover does not form a watertight seal, water can get inside the rain cover where it collects in a puddle at the bottom.

Rucksack covers do not only protect your rucksack from rain. If you are cycling with a rucksack, the cover will provide protection from mud on splattered up from your bike’s rear wheel.

If your rucksack has garish colour that is just too bright, then a black rain cover can be used to keep your back pack looking more sombre.

One of the cons of using a rucksack protector is that they are a hindrance if you want to carry things on outside of rucksack. Items like sleeping mats do not fit easily underneath rain covers.

In high winds the rucksack cover can get blown off. Therefore, after putting the cover over your rucksack and pulling the drawcord tight, it is worth tying the drawcord to the rucksack’s grab handle. Then if the wind blows the cover off, at least your cover won’t blow away down the mountainside.

In my experience, using a rucksack protector is worthwhile, but they are not everybody’s cup of tea.

Rucksacks with Built-In Covers

Some rucksacks have the covers built into them, for example, some Lowe Alpine and Berghaus rucksacks have built in rain covers. The raincover is normally zipped away in a pocket. When it starts to rain the cover can be pulled over the rucksack and is normally held in place with elastic. These covers are a much better fit that the generic rucksack covers since they are designed to fit a specific rucksack. They also have the benefit that they will not get blown off your rucksack in high winds.

Rucksack Covers for Travelling

If you are travelling a Life Venture Combi Transporter Rucksack Cover would be useful. This type of cover is not only a rain cover but also a transporter cover. It keeps all of your rucksack’s straps tidied away, preventing them from getting snagged and broken during flights or train travel.

Another worthwhile product if you are going travelling with a rucksack is a Pacsafe Luggage Protector. This is a wire mesh which prevents thieves gain access to your rucksack by slashing it open with a knife.

Review a Rucksack Rain Cover!

What is your opinion of rucksack rain covers? Are the worth the bother or are they your kit’s saviour from the rain? Let us know, click on comments below!

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.

There are two dangerous gullies which must be avoided. Falling down them is likely to result in fatal injuries. They are Gardyloo Gully and Five Finger Gully. To avoid these gullies, from the summit trig point follow a bearing of 233 degrees for 150 metres (roughly 100 double steps), and then a bearing of 284 degrees. These are magnetic bearings that should be followed directly from your compass alone.

Ben Nevis summit seen from Gardyloo Gully. Source Geograph. © Copyright Angus and licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Licence.

What is the Best Route up Ben Nevis?

The route that most people take up Ben Nevis starts in the valley of Glen Nevis, near the campsite. The footpath is well maintained. It runs along the side of Meall an t-Stuidhe, up towards the Lochan. At 640 m there is a T-junction where you turn right and head south across Red Burn, before the path zig-zags up a boulder field on the side of Ben Nevis. The final approach to the summit is a more or less a straight run up a gently undulating plateau. The route back down is simply the reverse. This tourist route is known as the Pony Track or the Motorway, due to the number of walkers on it! As a rough guide it takes about 9 hours to walk up and back down the mountain.

The first half of the Ben Nevis ascent is green and pleasant, the second rocky and mountainous. Source: Flickr by coda.

There are also scrambling, mountaineering and climbing routes to the summit, such as Carn Mor Dearg Arete.

Ben Nevis Best Hiking Gear

It is shocking to see what some people wear on Ben Nevis. On the two occasions that I have hiked up to the summit there were lots of people wearing jeans, t-shirt and trainers. Whilst the valley was lovely and warm with late April sunshine, the summit was cold. There was a thick covering of snow over the top 200 m of the summit. The visibility from summit was clear the first time that I there, but the second time that it started to snow and there was a white out. Visibility was down to a couple metres. This experience demonstrates the importance of being prepared for all weather conditions when hiking up Ben Nevis, or indeed any other mountain, such as Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

Kit list for Ben Nevis

Essential Gear and Clothing:

• Rucksack, 30 – 50 litres capacity should be sufficient
• Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
• Fleece Jacket
• Long Sleeved Mid-Weight Fleece Top
• Wicking Base Layer
• Waterproof Gloves
• Warm, Waterproof Hat: a Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap of course!
• Hiking Trousers, such as the Craghoppers Kiwi Trousers. Zip-offs are a good idea when it is warm in the valley, then you can put your legs on when it gets cold further up.
• Two Pairs of Trekking Socks, one thin and one thick.
• Stout Walking Boots
• 2 litre Hydration System
• Packed Lunch
• Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 392: Ben Nevis & Fort William
• Silva Compass

Emergency Survival Equipment:

• Emergency Rations
• Mobile Phone
• First Aid Kit
• Emergency Whistle
• Survival Bag
• Head Torch
• Spare Laces for your Boots

Optional Kit:

• Scarf – provides a lot of extra warmth for its weight
• Spare fleece top
• Gaiters
• Walking Poles
• GPS
• Sun Glasses – the snow gets bright when its sunny
• Sun Tan Cream / Sun Block
• Anti-bacterial handwash
• Flask
• Terra Nova Bothy Bag
• Victorinox Swiss Army Penknife
• Cigarette Lighter
• Camera

It is quite a list, but all this outdoor gear should ensure that you keep comfortable, warm, dry and blister free. Hopefully you will not need any of the survival kit, but its always best to take it.

Crampons and Ice Axe

Is it necessary to take crampons and an ice axe? In winter conditions, yes it is, and it is also necessary to know how to make a self arrest using an ice axe. The YouTube video below, from the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, shows various techniques and is well worth watching.

In late April / early May when I walked up the summit was covered in snow. Providing you keep well away from the edge, the plateau is relatively flat and walking in the snow is easy enough without crampons. There were a few places further down the path which were covered in icy snow patches, several metres in length. At the time I did not have crampons and they would have been useful for these short sections.

It is important to be aware of cornices, where the snow overhangs the edge of mountain cliffs. These can give way under your weight, leading you to fall to your death. As mentioned above, keep well away from the edge when there is snow!

Best Avoided

During the summer months, Scotland is famous for its midges. Fear not, there are plenty of ways to avoid getting midge bites.

And don’t forget to take with you a Model T Ford car, a bed, a wheel barrow, a piano and barrel of beer. All these items have been taken up the top of Ben Nevis for either publicity stunts or just for a laugh. What bizarre item(s) would you take up a mountain? Let us know, click on “comments” below!

The Fusion 2 back system is comfortable and well ventilated.

The Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem rucksack is a high end pack suitable for climbing, scrambling, mountaineering, ski mountaineering and ski touring. It is made from durable fabric, has a solid construction and is packed with features.

It has a Fusion 2 back system, which comprises of non-absorbent thermo-moulded back panels with a large air gap in the middle. It is surprisingly comfortable and the air gap provides ventilation, helping to stop you getting too hot and sweaty.

Both the shoulder and chest straps are height adjustable. The shoulder straps are not uncomfortable, but could do with a little more padding. However it is worth bearing in mind that too much padding on rucksack shoulder straps could restrict your arm movement. The length of the hip belt is adjustable from both sides so that the buckle remains in the middle.

The Berghaus Arete opens up like a suitcase.

Rucksack Features

The feature that struck me as being different for a rucksack of this size is that it is entirely “unzippable” allowing you to open it up like a small suitcase, for quick and easy access to all your equipment. This feature is typical of rucksacks designed for ski touring. However, being able to get to any piece of your gear without having to empty the entire content of your rucksack is a benefit on any walk, climb or expedition. Let’s face it, no matter how well you pack your rucksack there will always be something that you’ll need in a hurry and you can guarantee that it will have found its way to the bottom of your rucksack!

Inside the rucksack, underneath the lid there is a bivi draw cord to seal in all your outdoor gear and a Y-shaped rope compression strap for securely storing climbing rope. The lid is fastened down with a single buckle, although personally I prefer rucksacks to have two buckle attachments on the lid. The buckle is mounted on an adjustable strap so that it can be used to compress your gear, increasing the stability of your pack. It also has side compression straps to help stop your gear moving around sideways.

Opening the lid reveals more features: bivi draw cord, rope compression strap, mesh pocket and safety instructions.

A very versatile rucksack big enough for hut to hut routes, designed for cragging and rock routes where you plan to be out for the day. Berghaus

The Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem rucksack has more pockets than you can shake your walking pole at, which is great for organising your gear. There are large external pockets both on the lid and at the bottom of the pack, ideal for getting quick access to your waterproofs. The hip belt (waist belt) has small pockets on both sides and there are elasticated pockets at the bottom on either side on the rucksack. Inside the rucksack there are also many pockets and compartments: a large internal pocket, a mesh pocket on the lid and two elasticated pouches, one of which is for holding a hydration pack. There are also two long thin internal pockets which are “shovel and probe storage solutions”. If you’re not going out in the snow you won’t need your avalanche probe, in which case these pockets are ideal for stowing sticks of seaside rock.

The large outer pocket has two zips fasteners. One is red and one is grey, which I assume is to help stop you from accidentally moving both zip fasteners at once, thus opening and closing the pocket in one movement.

Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem Mountaineering Rucksack

Outside the rucksack

On the outside of the rucksack there is a grab handle at the top and there are plenty of straps to hold gear, such as walking poles and ice axes. On each side of the rucksack there are straps designed to hold your skis which have removable, anti-slip pads. The only outer feature that it does not have is an elastic bungy that can be used for holding a climbing helmet or wet clothing.

There are built in safety features such as a small whistle in the chest strap, reflective lettering and safety instructions inside the lid. The whistle is not very loud so it would be best to take along a proper whistle, especially if you are skiing or mountaineering.

The Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem has a capacity of 40 litres, its dimensions are approximately 65cm (H) x 32cm (W) x 25cm (D) and its weight is 1.41 kg.

Arete Tour 40 Extrem

The Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem is a solidly constructed, well thought out rucksack. It is comfortable, adjustable and offers easy access to your gear. With plenty of pockets you can stay organised. It is highly suitable for climbing and mountaineering and, in particular, for ski mountaineering and ski touring. Definitely recommended!

Have you got a Berghaus Arete Tour 40 Extrem or similar rucksack? What do you think of it? Click on “comments” and let us know!

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