... off to arguably the Lake District's most atmospheric valley to meet Brasher's new Hillmaster 2 - Hurrah!
Just about to head off to Wasdale Head for the Halloween launch of Brasher's new Hillmaster II and fair buzzed, not just because I find boots disconcertingly exciting though - if you're reading this, Brasher's PR team - I am of course fair, erm, 'stoked' to see the new boots and go for a Halloween walk tonight, and blimey, the event even has its own twitter hashtag - #HillmasterII if you were wondering, alternative, #morebadweatherwithbrasher if you're me...
... anyway. No, equally, he said, choosing his words carefully, I'm buzzed because Wasdale is one of my all-time favourite places. A stunning, remote, broodingly beautiful Lakeland valley that echoes with personal memories: the night as a student, I punched my mate gently in the stomach in a vain attempt to stop his diesel-level snoring. A moronic winter attempt to descent Broad Stand that ended in a very sensible retreat round the back. And more recently a genius snatched pub lunch at the Wasdale Head during a one-hour cloud burst in the midst of a cracking weekend wild camping trip with the best of company.
But most of all, the pic at the top of this blog brings back happy memories of dragging one Orange Alex, erstwhile OM forum regular straight up Kirk Fell on the path you can see above. I'm not sure why we did it and I'm not sure I'd ever do it again, but it had a pleasing mix of logic and effort and, let's be honest, a certain amount of what, from a distance, I might just call 'discomfort' but at the time could have been mistaken for 'pointless pain and suffering'.
Just a great place. If you've never been, put it on your list. More from the launch tomorrow. I'd suggest following the OM twitter feed, but in reality, I suspect there's no signal at Wasdale Head. Another reason to love the place.
Catch ya soon.
Jon
