Just in for test, two new models from Montrail. Above we have the Rockridge trail runners. The upper is layers of mesh overlaid by a stitched and welded synthetic web which gives the top of the shoe a nice flex. The heel and toe are both reinforced externally and stiffened internally. The sole is typical Montrail, [...]
Posted on May 31st, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Kit Reviews | 13 Comments »
When I blinked through the wind blown snow into the coire to finally pull the Wheelie across the flat, even if that flat was soft snow, I’ve rarely felt so misplaced in Scotland. Loch Etchachan sits over 3000ft, but the peaks all around rise a 1000ft more, the high dark cliffs plunged from the seething cloud deep into the dark and frozen [...]
Posted on May 31st, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Adventures, Items Various | 20 Comments »
I try to do first-looks when kit comes in or when it’s still clean, but the Haglöfs Vertigo Hi GT’s went straight on my feet and they’ve been out a couple of times now, so is this a double-take maybe? I like mids, they don’t interfere with your ankle movement if they’re cut well around the [...]
Posted on May 30th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Kit Reviews | 5 Comments »
I’ve got a wee exclusive shot of a new bit of Loki wackiness that’s not in the shops until 2011. It’s basically an update of their Levity Alpinist Shell, their top-end mountain jacket in eVent fabric. It has the usual built-in fleece face guard and fold-away mitts in the cuffs, but it also has a pocket in [...]
Posted on May 29th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Kit Reviews | 6 Comments »
Sittin’ by the river, havin’ a wee cuppa, a wee rest before the walk out… sunshine… erm, it’s kind of all over really. It’s been fun, s’been different. Very different having wheels in the mountains that aren’t one in front of the other. Oh, I’ll have more to say on this!
Posted on May 29th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Adventures | 2 Comments »
It’s been I while since I had a Rab sleeping bag on test, the Quantum Top Bag AR. So, I’m pleased see that just in is the the new Neutrino 200, very much in the lightweight bracket and part of the all-new Rab sleeping bag line-up. It’s a cheery looking bugger in that bright yellow [...]
Posted on May 29th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Kit Reviews | 1 Comment »
Well, it was quite a night, snowed quite a bit. Eh, but I got woken up by the sunlight hitting the tent, still bloody cold though. And, I decided to leave Wheelie at base, and we’re about… ooh, watch here… get to the summit of Ben Macdui. And a little spot of lunch I [...]
Posted on May 28th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Adventures | 4 Comments »
Hanging on with all their might, regardless of the passage of time, like a 41 year old in a KISS t-shirt, the Scots Pine is a wonder. It’s an eternal touch of green to diffuse the light and lift your spirits as you take the long walk out or it’s the silent bleached bones of [...]
Posted on May 28th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Items Various | 12 Comments »
Nearly at Loch Etchachan. Ah, it’s getting dark, there’s sleety rain… It’s been feeling a bit looser (underfoot) for a while now, but Wheelies’s doing his best… and doing very well. It’s definitely dinner time though, it’s getting a bit wild. Aye…
Posted on May 27th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Items Various | 6 Comments »
I’ve got a camp cooking piece in the current Trail where I had look at what was a little more usuable for making proper food at camp rather than just boiling water which is all I seem to do these days. I was just going to stick in one of my tried and trusted stoves [...]
Posted on May 27th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary | 8 Comments »
Just crossed a burn, a very full burn, and fast flowing. Wasn’t easy. Eh, I’m well up now, I’m opposite Derry Cairngorm. The track’s a lot rougher now, I tried putting Wheelie’s wheels… ? Wheelies wheels in the kinda close-together format, but it’s like wrestling an octopus*, so I put them back, and I’m taking [...]
Posted on May 27th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Adventures | 2 Comments »
Funny how given a gap, not even the biggest of gaps, that almost anything can feel new again. Be it Galaxy Counters, Black Sabbath’s Sabotage album, that thing we did last week or walking in the Cairngorms. My heart swelled at the beauty of the trail through the trees, and it soared skywards as my [...]
Posted on May 26th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Adventures, Items Various | 15 Comments »
Now, you may think that rattlin’, is this auld guy’s knees. But it isnae. I’ve got something behind me. And, I’m pullin’ it through the Cairngorms. As you can see it’s a lovely day. I’m no exactly sure how high I’m gonnae get this up a hill… Oh, water crossing, let’s see how this goes… [...]
Posted on May 26th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Items Various | 6 Comments »
