tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post6955493873895117090..comments2023-10-30T10:54:32.716+00:00Comments on AktoMan: WHW AARAktoManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-56603899345861396512008-10-29T05:31:00.000+00:002008-10-29T05:31:00.000+00:00Thanks, Sarah. I hear that these toe-separating so...Thanks, Sarah. I hear that these toe-separating socks are good. I'll need to give them a go before the next multi-day trek.<BR/><BR/>I'm off to a conference in Stirling (hence early post time), and was looking for my warmest civilian socks and wondering if I could get away with wearing my merino wool leggings under my suit trousers.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-79231408806268059652008-10-29T01:03:00.000+00:002008-10-29T01:03:00.000+00:00Best socks ever:http://www.injinji.com./tetratsok/...Best socks ever:<BR/>http://www.injinji.com./tetratsok/outdoor_c.htm<BR/>They stop nearly all blisters and hot spots from starting :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-76129718803664636772008-10-28T19:46:00.000+00:002008-10-28T19:46:00.000+00:00@Baz - I sometimes have problems with blood/sugar ...@Baz - I sometimes have problems with blood/sugar levels, but nothing out on the hills. I'm generally healthier as I'm not comfort eating.<BR/><BR/>@Chas - good idea. I prep at the start and end of days, but didn't find the foot rubs work to prevent blisters. I'm up for trying again though.<BR/><BR/>@Robin - thanks for the link, at least it shows I'm not the only one with the problem. When I come out of the winter diet, I'll get another pair of merino wool shreddies. As to bailing, well, I wasn't the only one, and didn't feel bad until the Troll got nasty. Shame, as it was a good, fun holiday.<BR/><BR/>But, I'm back at work, and need to focus on that, catching up with paperwork and getting out when I can.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-61430625725839008002008-10-28T19:16:00.000+00:002008-10-28T19:16:00.000+00:00Hey, Duncs, I'm a bit late on this, it's no dishon...Hey, Duncs, I'm a bit late on this, it's no dishonour to bail out if you need to. I've done it before. Especially if your boots are causing problems. On chafing, you might want to look at Sportslick, which swimmers (and me!) use: http://www.swimshop.co.uk/product-Kiefer-Sportslick-Anti-Chafing-Cream-ANTICHAFCREAM.htm<BR/><BR/>It was fun to follow your live blog BTWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-80879129455565946572008-10-28T01:01:00.000+00:002008-10-28T01:01:00.000+00:00That book's been on my "must get round to getting"...That book's been on my "must get round to getting" list for a while now. I may well end up BPL-ing it as well.<BR/><BR/>I've tended to stick to a routine of massaging my feet with vaseline in the morning before setting off and at the end of the day - which also allows a chance to check for sore spots. I've no idea if it actually makes a difference or has just become a hocus-pocus routine, but it seems to be when I forget to do it that I get the blisters.chasrlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17480525640187673922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-37358369690434928832008-10-27T20:57:00.000+00:002008-10-27T20:57:00.000+00:00Duncan,WHW was my first long distance path a few y...Duncan,<BR/>WHW was my first long distance path a few years ago now. Little previous experience so jumped in at the deep end. Thanks to a huge pack full of inappropriate gear I gave myself an ingual heria on the shores of Loch Lomond. However I didn't realise this until after finishing the WHW and the doctor told me so with a very stern look on his face. I then swore never to do anything like that again and told friends and family to beat me around the head if I ever again mentioned walking in their presence. As you may guess that was many trips ago, covering the full spectrum of experiences and emotions. Do what you need to do to enjoy your trips. Hope to see you on the track some day, Cheers.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03938774457242935634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-53690515596440453622008-10-27T19:52:00.000+00:002008-10-27T19:52:00.000+00:00When the weather is bad I tend not to eat - always...When the weather is bad I tend not to eat - always regret it later. And it's probably not a good idea for anyone let alone a diabetic.baz carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18316818349601585501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-89353896412173922092008-10-27T19:18:00.000+00:002008-10-27T19:18:00.000+00:00@Dawn - I'll drop you a message over the weekend a...@Dawn - I'll drop you a message over the weekend after I've had a think about the gore tex socks.<BR/><BR/>By coincidence, one of the chaps at OM asked about using the SnowPeak 900 lid as a frying pan, and I said I'd test it making bacon butties. Just back from the supermarket with the test essentials and will do something tomorrow evening.<BR/><BR/>TBH, I really didn't eat much when I was walking on the Way. There was no place to hunker down, and I just wanted to push on. I doubt it had any effect, but I just wanted to get a move on. I think my heart has to be in it to achieve something, and I really couldn't be arsed as I'd done it before, had nothing to prove, and was in pain. My morale wasn't low, but my motivation was poor.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-46290804492281734072008-10-27T19:09:00.000+00:002008-10-27T19:09:00.000+00:00Yes, those appear to be they. You know, I was just...Yes, those appear to be they. You know, I was just thinking Duncan. You where missing the bacon butties. After your breakfast of bacon butties in the Cairngorms you where going very well. DawnDawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09839157927650251268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-30869610722591347762008-10-27T18:33:00.000+00:002008-10-27T18:33:00.000+00:00Duncan - if you pop over Darren's site I think you...Duncan - if you pop over Darren's site I think you'll find that I was caught on candid iPhone!<BR/><BR/>@Martin - I found out about the poles that Bob at BPL will be selling so will probably invest in a a pair of these. After all I'll need them to pitch me tarp.baz carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18316818349601585501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-85295120749118669062008-10-27T11:23:00.000+00:002008-10-27T11:23:00.000+00:00@Geoff - that's a bit worrying for liners, hopeful...@Geoff - that's a bit worrying for liners, hopefully my tests will how if they have failed or not. Rolled-up newspaper and a bucket of water.<BR/><BR/>@Dawn, is that the Gore tex oversocks, like <A HREF="http://www.outdoorgear.co.uk/eshop.asp?wce=34242001&wci=product" REL="nofollow">these</A>?AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-57307179708230954832008-10-27T09:09:00.000+00:002008-10-27T09:09:00.000+00:00Getting water in to boots with liners does pose a ...Getting water in to boots with liners does pose a problem. It is something I have suffered with too. However, finding sealskins too uncomfortable and restrictive I now have a pair of bootee liners from Ellis Brighams. Again, goretex but have never had problems with them. A few years back, in appalling conditions, I was daily emptying my boots, my feet remained quite dry. A little dampness but not wet. My solution with anything you want to keep dry is to wrap it in poly bags. Duncan, I would be happy to pop in to Brighams and get you some bootees if you want. When I was doing a bit of walking back in April, just to put miles in, there where times when it just got gutty. Long plods, mile after mile of boring reservoir road an forestry track. We all go through things like that. You certainly where doing ok in the Cairngorms. Ok, you got a tad tired, but hey, it was me, not paying attention, that took two falls. Hang in there and put this trip down to experience. Dawn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-11602806669589242422008-10-27T05:02:00.000+00:002008-10-27T05:02:00.000+00:00Bad luck but good experience anyway, it's somethin...Bad luck but good experience anyway, it's something to talk and laugh about later in the locker room!.<BR/><BR/>Wet feet on a long trek - yuk, a guarantee of problems. Boot liners can fail very quickly depending on the terrain you walk through: if I buy a pair in Spring I'm pleased if they last to August bank holiday, but I walk through <I>very</I> rough terrain.<BR/>You won't be disappointed with Bodyglide, amazing stuff. Not sticky or greasy, you don't know it's there but it completely eliminates chafing and one application lasts for days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-23324592766757125612008-10-26T23:57:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:57:00.000+00:00@Martin - one of the reasons I got a trekking pole...@Martin - one of the reasons I got a trekking pole at the end of my second hill (Clachnaben) was the pain I felt in my calf muscle, the same pains I sometimes get at night and have to jump out of bed (talk about a comic effect), and spray on deep heat or walk it off.<BR/><BR/>As to Blogger, yeah, I had a #error t'other night when browsing from my tent. Luckily I noticed and went back and copied the comment and then reposted it. Sometimes life is like that.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-55080339077266279542008-10-26T23:53:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:53:00.000+00:00LOL - okay, so just turn round sharpish with it wh...LOL - okay, so just turn round sharpish with it when you here the tap, tap, tap of him blogging behind you. Maybe one of the dogs will mistake it for a chew-toy, just for added comic effect.<BR/><BR/>Darren never reads these comments, as they don't show on his Google reader, so he'll never find out. Muahaha.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-38585214903679187902008-10-26T23:51:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:51:00.000+00:00He Baz I have come across many a person who had kn...He Baz I have come across many a person who had knee issues and found trekking poles helped them carry on walking.<BR/><BR/>PS Duncan I know you dont deleat etc I wonder if bloger had a hissy fit. As it can now and then.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-35083061101867461642008-10-26T23:39:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:39:00.000+00:00Well as it happens I've put a pole in just in case...Well as it happens I've put a pole in just in case my bleeding knee starts to play up.baz carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18316818349601585501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-79976550264175321952008-10-26T23:35:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:35:00.000+00:00When I was chatting to Mick and Gayle about the we...When I was chatting to Mick and Gayle about the wet sleepmat, Gayle pointed out that she had a similar problem on their Lands End trip, but only after x nr of weeks. I had the problem and came to same solution within 3 days.<BR/><BR/>Yup, have problem, fix problem. Some people might be happy to repeat the problem and ignore it, I like solving problems.<BR/><BR/>Speaking of problems - can you accidentally break Darren's iPhone, Baz. Just swing a trekking pole when he's blogging on the trail, accidental like. he's just too smug about what it can do, I bet it can't self-repair like a von Neumann machine.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-28890127398522728842008-10-26T23:23:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:23:00.000+00:00From experience I usually have one or perhaps two ...From experience I usually have one or perhaps two things happen that I learn from each trip out but looks like you hit the jackpot with this one! I hope your next trip doesn't have such a steep learning curve.<BR/><BR/>As for those that posted disparaging comments - !!!baz carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18316818349601585501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-32034675151693196682008-10-26T23:22:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:22:00.000+00:00Nope, I'm not seeing it in my email notifications,...Nope, I'm not seeing it in my email notifications, Martin. You know I don't delete. Maybe it was elsewhere, eg Mick and Gayle's, or Robins, etc.<BR/><BR/>Oh, we had good larfs comparing Mick and Gayle's Terra Nova tent with mine. Especially when they thought their groundsheet had failed.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-9005205325709234662008-10-26T23:08:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:08:00.000+00:00Maybe I am going blind but I posted some where a c...Maybe I am going blind but I posted some where a comment saying you made the right call pulling out of the WHW due to the foot problem. Seems to be missing. Anyway chin up you did good.Martin Ryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03719332121719827761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-77923957562722272102008-10-26T23:03:00.000+00:002008-10-26T23:03:00.000+00:00Using my reimbursement coupon from BackPackingLigh...Using my reimbursement coupon from <A HREF="http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/catalog.html" REL="nofollow">BackPackingLight.com</A> (on top of their 20% sale), I ordered:<BR/>bodyglide trial size: anti-blister, anti-chafing.<BR/>"Fixing Your Feet" (4th Edition)<BR/>and a pair of Possum Fur/Merino Wool mix gloves.<BR/><BR/>I couldn't find the fox hat to wear the next time I end up in Crianlarich.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-11846280171602178442008-10-26T22:35:00.000+00:002008-10-26T22:35:00.000+00:00Paramo short gaiters ordered from foothillsclearan...Paramo short gaiters ordered from <A HREF="http://www.foothillsclearance.co.uk" REL="nofollow">foothillsclearance.co.uk</A>AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-24586238853761381892008-10-26T22:27:00.000+00:002008-10-26T22:27:00.000+00:00@Martin - I'm planning on getting the boots into t...@Martin - I'm planning on getting the boots into the basin and see if the water is coming in through the lining.<BR/><BR/>@Mike - I'm a bit tired, so off for an early night before work tomorrow, other than that, just wading through the washing (I must get that pump fixed), and drying gear (Akto fabric drying on the shower curtain rail, along with a pile of damp dry sacks). A few of us are arranging trips across on the Outdoor Bloggers Forum, and maybe something long distance next year if <A HREF="http://londonbackpackers.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">LondonBackPacker</A> doesn't make it from the TGO Challenge reserve bench.<BR/><BR/>But, as I mentioned to Taffy elsewhere, these digs from folk to get to me. But it is the price of free speech. In days gone by, I'd just disappear into the background and leave it at that (eg, the gym, RPG, tai chi, dSLR, canoeing, knot-tying, fixing the washing machine).<BR/><BR/>But I rarely get depressed, there's too much in life to be happy about, seeing a cow staring at me on the Way cheered me up, so morale wasn't a real issue, just not enough to counter the physical pain caused by moving my legs. When I was walking recently in the Cairngorms and my Paramo trousers failed, my legs were soaked through, but I was still thrilled to see a rainbow, or concerned at Dawn falling (twice).<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the thoughts, Mike.AktoManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00464579446969241392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34967887.post-61606169992380074992008-10-26T22:05:00.000+00:002008-10-26T22:05:00.000+00:00You sound quite depressed by the experience, Dunca...You sound quite depressed by the experience, Duncan. I wonder if, in fact, you've been nursing a little virus or something like that - and, lets be fair, the conditions were quite challenging. Let the water pass under the bridge is my advice... perhaps not the best wording....Mike Knipehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792636586674245725noreply@blogger.com