Break-up Food

I got these for a pal yesterday, when I was in Matthews Chinese supermarket yesterday.

It just reminded me of the joke that ends “well, sometimes the bull wins”.

Akto, an II

At the beginning of July, 2006, my Hilleberg Akto arrived. Last year I marked this with a post called: A Year With An Akto. So, what has happened in Year II? The only maintenance on the tent was the repair of a hole that appeared.

Kit

I pack the night before an early start, and find that laying my kit on the bed is a great aide memoir. I make piles of clothing to wear, carry and so-forth. Unlike what follows, which doesn't go into each nook and cranny of every pocket.

Footwear

My preference is still for the Scarpa ZG65 boots. I had swapped out the footbeds with the moulded superfeet. I use Nikwax cleaning products after brushing or washing off excess mud.

Recently I have tried the TNF Hedgehog XCR trail shoes, swapping out the laces with those from my old Inov8 Terrocs. I picked up some blisters in Dartmoor and tightened up the lace fittings on return, no problem walking in last week, but picked up 1 1/2 blisters on the return as I had forgot to change out of the Sealskinz socks I was using as camp shoes.

My favourite pair of socks are a black & grey pair labelled "Ultimax", and have a spare pair of socks in my kit. I find that the Air Force X-socks make my feet smell.

Pack

I am still using the Osprey Atmos as pack of choice. In fact, for overnights to longer, it is a comfortable pack that handles what I throw at it. I could shave some weight off by using a smaller pack for short trips, but I can't afford it and just tighten the straps on the pack.

I bought a new Camelbak hydration sack during the year, and now use the insulated one. I might be imagining that it keeps the cold water colder.

Poles are still the PacerPoles. They are good at doing the job, and I break them down after hikes, and sometimes at night too, to stop the mechanism seizing.

Kitchen

On my last two trips, I took the MiniBullDesign Blackfly 3 meths stove. I never liked the open fire meths stoves as they seemed too uncontrollable to me. This small stove uses two ends of a wick to boil enough cold water for a brew in about 10 minutes. Slower than my Primus Micron, but I can merely refill the fuel bottle at the end of a trip. I cannot do that with gas. After about 4 days, the size of a gas canister starts making it viable again.

The mug/bowl combo from GSI is great, and I've been using the folding spoon instead of the folding spork (photos). I still have food to sort, and haven't had a serious attempt at freezer bag cooking. I have a cupboard of supplies, and just grab what I need.

Bob kindly sent me an AquaGear water filter to test (and I've still got the write-up to complete). This lives in the side pocket of a pack, and I use it to drink at a packs-off stop. I also fill the hydration bag from it.

Sleep Kit

My bag is still the Cumulus Ultralight 350. It does the job. I can unzip it and use it as a duvet. I slide the Insul Mat Max Thermo Lite down the inside of the pack. It is full length and I didn't find it cold when out in the low temperature. Having failed to replace it with an Exped, I might try next year's Thermarest release.

After seeing an Ajungilak Air Pillow in use, I upgraded from rolling up clothing into and around a stuff sack. Mine now lives in a small waterproof Exped stuffsack.

From the washing line I have rigged from ties in my tent, I can hang a small torch, as well as the more Alpkit powerful headtorch (I've not used the e+lite since the meet at Brecon last year). My pack stays at the foot end of the tent, kitchen outside in the porch, and fragile things safely up at the head end.

Clothing

With Sunday's purchase, my base layer is all merino wool. Shreddies, long-johns and longsleeve t-shirt.

Beyond that, my trousers are Paramo, meaning I can leave the waterproof overtrousers at home. Above that is a TNF fleece, and Montane primoloft lined windshirt. Buff and maybe a bonnet live in the pockets, along with liner gloves and Garmin Geko 201. In the top of my pack is a Montane Quickfire waterproof jacket.

I replaced my 'Ultimate' hat with a cammo one from Mackays, and sprayed it a couple of times with Nikwax waterproofing. The brim keeps the sun and rain off, and it folds into my pocket.

Housekeeping

The first aid kit, toilet bag and lotion & potions make up most of the rest of the kit. The small containers that I got this year allowed me to take various items like germolene and soap in smaller bottles.

Hiking

Last year finished with illness outside Killin, the pain returned and I got little hiking done as I was concerned that whatever it was would return. A trip to the physiotherapist ruled out a hernia. I got some short walks in, and bagged no further Munros until late Spring. In early summer, I was signed off with cellulitis. As it was still itchy and swollen, I wanted to keep pressure off it, so used that as an excuse not to get much done before a trip to Dartmoor in the summer.

So, in the last year, despite illness, I have hiked 132km (80 miles), spent 7 nights in my Akto, and bagged 1 Munro. Not as good as I could have been, but my motivation has been hit by concerns about another bout of pains. The main lesson this has raised is, whatever you do, don't say you go hiking, as the medicos seem to jump on that as the causes of illness. For the pain in my side, it was caused by my rucksack. I tried to explain to the doc that the pains started in my flat, before I went near my pack. And the infection in my leg was due to a tick (there weren't any) or a midge (ditto).

Some pitches

And now, some pitches with the best all-round solo tent in existence. I store the fabric in its carry bag, and then put that inside an Exped compression bag. This lies across the rucksack, near the top. The peg bag and pole all fit into the supplied bag, and that goes inside the rucksack on the side opposite the hydration tube exit. When I pitch the tent, I make sure that no gust of wind can lift empty bags, so clip the compression bag to my rucksack, and put the empty tent bags into it as I am pitching the tent.

Happy trails.

FBC: Soya and Rice

Tried out a Freezer Bag Cooking recipe from Sarah last night after coming back from the beach. I couldn't get hold of meat that was pre-packed in pouches (apart from fish), so had previously decided to use soya (aka TVP).

Mix it up, add boiling water.

Put in the cozy and set for 10 minutes.

I overdid the proportions and half of the pouch filled me. I'll try some more over the weekend.

More recipes and details across at Sarah's site.

Stonehaven Fish Supper

Haddock supper from Carron chippy. Well, there's an artillery link there. Mike wanted something that wasn't fried, so i left him going to other places. Where he failed to get served, so left. After eying up some crows on the beach, he heads back into the square to see if anyone is now willing to take his money - especially as cashmachine broke down with his card still in it.

NeviSporTirect

Hearing the news about the buyout of NeviSport by Sport Direct I nipped in at lunchtime to see what was in the mega-sale. Hopefully the store stays open, as it didn't bow to stocking urban fashion (which can be obtained cheaper in Primark anyway).

Picked myself up a MSR MugMate, so I'll be able to drink ground coffee and real tea. The fact that I probably won't is beside the point, the filter was discounted by £2.

Kanpei

Finishing the last of the sake in my tent, eating the Belgian cooking chocolate, I notice on the map places called 'bwlch'. My pronunciation guide says that 'w' in welsh is pronounced 'oo'. So that would be boo-lach. Maybe. Sounds similar to bealach, and in passes too. Similar but different.

The seaweed soup was great, the almond & fungus pudding less so, nori crackers made a change from crisps. All good fayre from the oriental supermarket. Variety is the spice of life.

It was great to have Alan Sloman look over my Akto and point out the improvements that Hilleberg have made. I tend to be lazz when it comes to guying, so good to get pointers. Other new people i've met: Mike the chef (just so passionate about food) and Ali, who braved the llyn (loch) for a swim.

Shaken, Stirred, Powdered

Katadyn are selling powdered red wine (link). Sounds fine for celebrations. Think the mulled wine would be good for taking the edge off, but I'm not keen on alcohol in the bloodstream when cold and out on the hills.

Whilst I think about it, I'll have a hot chocolate with a sloog of malt from the thumbflask.

Mixed Bag

I saw these bags of mixed fruit and nuts down at Asda. 'Power' and 'vitality' i can understand, but how can a snack bag make you beautiful. Only the truly marvellous can be truly beautiful.

SUW T-3

Dropped in to PC World at lunchtime to see about USB connectors for the mobile phone, as I have a couple of mobile phone chargers that are miniUSB out, but I need to convert them to accept the normal USB in. They suggested Maplins, so I'll drop in there on the way out to the Benn' tomorrow (in my B-kit).

Went to the oriental supermarket for some seaweed cakes. I read that they are good as trailfood, as they contain vitamins and suchlike. I don't know for sure, but a few won't do me any harm. Tried them before with riceballs - tastes like I imagine seagull vomit does, but has that exotic kick to it. Went in with my scavenger eyes in, and came out with a couple of packs of pickled vegetables, some more noodles, and a strip of "Hello Kitty" sweets.

Saw the photo of the aircrew holding a Garmin eTrex out of the door of his hello, and I thought - you want to have a lanyard on that, as they're slippery wee things.

Signed up for the UK Outdoor Bloggers Forum.

Got the charity page up and running at: www.justgiving.com/duncanmacleod-suw

Mike came round after work, and we watched Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man" about Timothy Treadwell. A thought-provoking movie. Most of my thoughts were "no - don't do that, these are wild animals". An example of the movie can be found here. It was a good movie, leaving me with questions and thoughts about reality and sanity, but I definitely felt more sorry for his companion, Amie Huguenard, who died with him. She does not get a wiki entry.

Alan Sloman has beaten 25% of the UK on his (truly) big walk. 423 miles in 28 days.

There's an exhibition about Aberdonian volunteers in the Spanish Civil War at the art gallery - I must get to see it. When I was looking in to the conflict, I found this page of Spanish children's drawings from 1938. A photo-diary of the war can be found here.

On a cheerier note, Simon's photos of Beinn Dearg and An Teallach can be found here.

Update: WD has some good tarp pictures and advice here.

SUW T-4

Is it? I've lost track. Am I supposed to be counting to Friday midnight, or Saturday (SUW d1)?

Went to Boots at lunchtime, and got some batteries. The ones the e-Lite use (CR2032's are on 3-for-2 just now), also some steri-strips for the first aid kit, and some more AAA's for the gps and phone. Stopped off in the Polish deli to get some traditional sausages for the backpack. I couldn't see the ones I liked from last week - I reckon I must have finished the off. Oops.

After work, I mainly went to the supermarket in "hunter/gatherer" mode. As well as rice, beanfeast and cous-cous, I got some stock cubes, chocolate, coconut milk, chocolate, peanuts, chocolate, health bars, chocolate and syrupy porridge for breakfasts. Also some healthy drinks and fruits for the rest of this week, as I must get the dregs of this cold shifted.

My PC's been processing cd tracks down to a manageable size for the 2gig player. I'm using an old version of dBpowerAMP music convertor, and knocking tracks down to 12kHz mono at 24Kbps sample rate. To give you an idea, Sam & Dave's album on the iPod weighs in at 47.9MB (from the CD). The same album is only 7.21MB on the wee mp3 player. Quality is lost, but what the heck, I've only a wee cheapo pair of headphones anyway. That's about 30 albums and podcast folders, and I've still about a 800MB left. That'll be enough for photo-storage if I can get to a Net cafe.

Off to get some Wildebeat (ooh, a new TWiT is out). Shame that Andy's blogger-interview isn't up yet, as I'd love to hear that.

SUW T-10

Picked up some Polish sausages to try on the trek. I had Bohan's for tea, and a nice snack. The Uhlan's I'd had before, but preferred the type that was new to me. The woman in the shop said it was dryer, and she was right. Also pulled me up for calling them 'salami'. That's me told.

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Added a diary to the sidebar.

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I normally collect the "sorry, you were out" cards from the Post Office and drive to their sorting office to reclaim my property. I cringe when I have to deal with these guys. For one thing, they aren't "sorry" as the post used to be delivered when people hadn't gone out to work. So scrub the "sorry" comment and change it to:

"it is cheaper for us if you collect your own mail, which I'm sure you appreciate as it means stamps are a bit cheaper; but we don't care if you don't cos there's nothing you can do about it"

Just off to try there redelivery website for the first time. Well, they spent a lot of government money on it, so it must be worthwhile.

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I've started a kit list of things to get after the SUW (thanks, Stef/BG, for item one on the list).

SUW T-11

Snow came (yippeeee) and went (oh, now I have to walk home in Scarpas as they won't fit in briefcase). Definitely in a countdown to Easter mood. I can't help but think "in two weeks time how will I cope with this weather". So far the answer has always been - better than in my work suit and overcoat.

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Got a call from Ian at Expedition Foods. He called to make sure the pemmican wasn't a wrong order as it's normally for colder climes. I explained my situation, and I'd have liked to have chatted for longer, but I was in a cupboard at work (doubles as a telephone booth) and had to nip off.

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One of my colleagues at work remembers eating dehydrated baby food when inter-railing it round Europe in her younger days. May be a line of investigation.

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Post Office delivered my wee mp3 player from eBuyer. So, in answer to the guy from Comet who said "if you can find a player with 1-2gig storage and and mp3 player for under 80 quid, let me know". Job done. With 60quid spare.

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Card from the Post Office. I'll go and collect it. Either the multitool (still no sign), or the folding spork. If there is no sign of the multitool by the weekend, I'm reckoning on canceling the order and going with one from the shop. The eBayer can then take it up with the Post Office complaints at the loss of trade. It's not the first time the PO has screwed things up, and the lack of customer-centred ethos from their senior management stinks.

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John Hee's been writing up his reports from The Outdoorzzz Showzzz at Walkabout in the UK.

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Cameron's site is still dead due to bandwidth issues. Across on iTunes, no-one has written a review yet. I'm sure some blogger elsewhere will rectify that omission.

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I'm off back to my secret project. That's not the same secret work project. Listening to the new TWiT podcast. I still reckon that there is a niche for a 'round table' outdoors podcast of a similar format. news roundup, and generally chewing the fat - something that Andy Howell was getting accidentally with his "interview the bloggers".

Interesting talks about conferences - "constructive rather than instructive". New tech to me: Talkshoe (live and recorded interactive podcasts).

SUW Planning 4

Ordered in some Drytech meals from Expedition Foods. Plus some Pemmikan, which I've never tried.

Did some work on some cunning background ideas.

Waiting for Godot

Nothing much happened today.

I stopped off in WH Smiths and noticed they had "Free Today" marked on some books. When I read the small print, there was some free nonsense if you spent money on other things. Same sort of chickanery that was in the adverts in Harpers Weekly in 1862 - SPLENDID GOLD WATCH. 145 years and a different era, oh how we have advanced.

There is a good selection of maps, and was tempted to get a spare OS map for the SUW, Tour or Travel, one had the Way marked. But I resisted as I've the guidebook and maps too.

I had a look at a book on the British Citizenship Test, and was astonished to learn a couple of new facts:

• Gaelic is the native language of Scotland.
  
• A Levels are studied in Secondary School. (note - not mentioned "except in most of Scotland")
  

If you spot the errors, please don't tell me. I'm not trying the mock test, as I'll be deported from the mainland, but here's the link.

No sign of the book I was after.

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Some new faces on the Frappr map, and 169 members.

George (the real one) got his picture uploaded, and BG/Steff is present (looks like his breachclout is on too tight). Chasrle's is sporting his name-badge, which is sweet. A new addition from Nanuet, NY state. In England, new APs in Preston and Exeter, down on the south coast.

Still not completely tying in with the automatic system on ClustrMap.
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Zooomr is still offline, being upgraded. Bit of a nuisance, but I think the PhotoStory of the trek down the beach worked out okay.
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Useful site: http://www.videojug.com/tag/camping

Discovered whilst looking up to put a face to the voice Kirsten O'Brien who appeared on the Steve Merchant show; which I listened to to hear I'm So Dave's update.

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I'll need to spend some time at ExpeditionFoods.com - to see about...well, I'm sure you can figure out what I'm looking at. Also see what the delivery time is on BokkeFoods.com

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By the way. I think I've figured out what the 'format' of this blog is. I'm probably stating the bleedin' obvious, but I reckon it is a visual radio show about an apprentice hiker. Any thoughts?

Crying Rabbit

Stopped off at Sainsbury's on the way back from the PO Sorting Office this morning. Ostensibly to look for a dehydrator as they stock the Tchibo range. No joy, but found that they have the "Look what we found!" range of ready-real-meals. Sampling the venison sausages for breakfast, I wouldn't class it as a meal. As a large lad, I reckon it is more of a snack.

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Five's "The Gadget Show" tested mp3 covers for iPods. The Otterbox came out well. Details on their page. A bit lost on me, as I don't take my iPod out on the hills. I took the wee stick-mp3 player a couple of times, but prefer the solar-powered radio. Or a book. Or my own thoughts as I look over a stunning view, listening to the local wildlife. If you need to carry in a full opera company, you're not trying hard enough. But each to their own.

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Lower Pacerpole section definitely jammed, so I'll contact them to return for a repair. I don't know my own strength sometimes.

I'm off to crush a grape.

Couch 2: Hike Wales

Chris Cowell's got a good looking blog across at Hike Wales. Just makes me realise that I must tweak the template here. My couscous recipe is blander than Chris' so I haven't posted it yet:

Boil water, use some to make brew, pour some into bag of flavoured couscous, close bag, put bag into the pan of hot water and leave until you finish cuppa. Stir and eat couscous.

Many of my 'recipes' are boil-in-bag, or eat out of bag. Shame the pizza delivery service uses mopeds and not mountain bikes. When I get more organised, I'll do things like Chris has, and follow up the real recipes in Freezer Bag Cooking. The author, Sarah Svien, was interviewed by Practical Backpacking in their third podcast. I heard it at Geldie Lodge earlier in the year and it piqued my fancy.