PTC*

We’re all just dressing up to go out and play

Keen Targhee Mids

Ah bugger, I didn’t mean to make these into a memento. I came home from the WHW, took them off and stuck them on the shelf where they stayed until today. They’re still covered in dirt and they show every one of the hundreds of miles they’ve now done. I don’t think I can wear them [...]

IceBug Navigators review

I’ve done plenty miles in these now, trekking, running and scrambling. I used them on Beinn Narnain on Friday night and that finally decided where I was with them. Although they have a good steady heel, nice forefoot flex and suppleness enough to allow your foot to respond to the terrain, they’re a robust shoe and have [...]

Backpatch

Must of been the lingering strains of Overkill from Friday night that put this fella in my mind. It had to be the best thing to put on the middle panel of your denim cut-off back in ’81.

Alpkit Pipedream 400

What’s this unexpectedly sneaking out of the shadows here? Alpkit’s Pipedream 400 down bag is what. I’ve used a Pipedeam 600 in the past and found it a decent bag with a couple of niggles. This is the latest version which they’ve let me have a shot of, there’s been some wee tweaks here and [...]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ…………….

I was fall-over tired. But on my way to the duvet I was distracted by Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson. Now Family Guy is on. Will this day ever end? I may have to count sheep to unwind. Arse, that didn’t take long.

Beinn Narnain

It was a bit of a last minute decision, but the sky was clear, the gear was already packed, so I was off. I was meant to be away up north, but tiredness and a lack of enthusiasm for driving meant a visit to home ground and to my favourite hill, Beinn Narnain. I took the new [...]

Haglöfs Rugged Mountain Pants review update

I’ve now worn these a lot since my first look at them. I wore them through winter where they shed snow and sleet, on walks in the park with the girls, I’ve slept in them a dozen times and I’m now going to try and to make them work in the height of summer regardless of the [...]

Jonesy?

Crash…smash…bang…tinkle…What the…? I lept out of bed and out into the porch, but it was down the stairs. I put on the first pair of shoes I could find, ten year old Merrell sandals. In the racks of trail shoes the first thing that came to hand was a pair of old sandals that I [...]

PHD 900 Down first look, Minim Ultra Bag and Ultra Vest

It’s the oddest thing when you talk to a company about test kit and they say “Okay then, we’ll make you those items”. That doesn’t happen every day. That was last week, and this morning a tiny parcel arrived containing two items of jet black lightness. First up is the Minim Ultra 900 Down Vest. [...]

ists and isms

I was thinking about this when stuck in traffic yesterday. I believe (or indeed disbelieve) in various isms, but I’m not an ist.  You can be many ists, but that’s hedging your bets. Probably best to set your own agenda. Anyway, enough of that pish. In the night, the hood was up and a Ford DFV [...]

Dirty Girl Gaiters

There’s things you just have to have. Even the website makes you smile. The product is clever and well, look at them. How could you not want mini gaiters that come with purple flames on them? Even the packaging with its home made/garage style endears you to Xy Weiss, the sewer of these items. But [...]

Big Agnes Competition, We have a winner!

Holly picked handfuls of names, she dropped some and shook her hands to test the suitability of each entry. It came down to two, one in each hand. But with careful consideration of all the factors necessary for a successful mission, Holly released one and the choice was made. We’re off to the far North West [...]

Just in case…(Montane Cold ’08 Workbook)

That there is page 53 of Montane’s Cold ’08 Workbook. Top right it says “Unknown runner on the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, Scotland”. Luckily I can fill in the blanks. The Unknown runner is Craig Zielinski, the photographer is me. This was taken in June last year (in snow, I know…) when we were route [...]

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