seeing as so many OM members were out and about in the wintery weather of the last weekend, i thought it might be an excellent opportunity to highlight bits of kit that had delivered and bits that had failed.
for myself, camping near aviemore and walking on Cairn Gorm on sunday, the bits of kit that worked surprisingly well were a £15 gas burner that gave great service despite the ridiculouly low temperatures and meant i didn't have to faff about getting the MSR going every time i wanted a brew, and my snugpak softie shirt. it stayed warm and comfortable despite getting soaking wet on friday night, and dried out pretty quickly just by me wearing it.
the dodgy bit of kit was a mountain equipment compression drybag (orange, 25ltrs, a roll-down top with an air valve) it kept my sleeping bag dry, but it 'reflated' and took up a vast amount of room that i needed for the other stuff i was carrying.
I went up Coniston Old Man on Saturday with the odd heavy snow showers on the tops and some really strong winds. I wore my new Haglofs Triton Hooded Fleece, the addition of this piece of kit is a big bonus, the hood kept me warm and out of the blasting wind and snow all day!
I also had my new Berghaus X-Static Zip Base Layer on and for the last two times I've worn it now it hasn't smelt or sweated once, I must have done over 50 outings before those two times and everytime I came home stinking and sweating but the new base layer from Bergy is excellent!
Had a pair of the new Manta`s for a few weeks now, been out and about int ehm in dry, wet and deep snow and they`ve been briliant! No hot spots, no blisters, warm, dry comfy feet all the way!! Oh, and went ice climbing at the Ice Factor, used them in conjunction with Grivel G12 crampons and they both worked a treat, 12 or thirteen pitches no problems at all. They`re pricey but as long as they dont fall to bits within a year i`d recomend them to anyone out and about in the winter.
I was up the snowdon south ridge in pretty rough conditions at the weekend, and was well pleased with my new mantas too. Got a real good soaking in 6-8 inches of snow, and didnt let anything through. What didnt work was my Outdoor designs winterflex gloves - once wet they didnt offer any warmth whatsoever :o(
My kit all kept me warm at the weekend in semi-arctic conditions in the Lakes, but the best thing of all was my Buffalo mitts. My hands get frozen and painful very quickly, but each time I put the mitts back on (after eating, photos, getting kit out of sack etc) my hands were warm again within a couple of minutes. I've never had that experience in my entire life with any sort of glove: I love the Buffalos :)
I was also very happy with my lovely ME Ama Dablam overtrousers, which were warm and comfy and easy to get on over my boots in freezing, windy conditions. They were a bargain in late Spring from the Magic Mountain shop, and I've waited until now to have a chance to use them :)
My Paramo Cascada trousers were also great - comfy and warm and easy to vent, as always. Highly recommended.
Oh, and my little ancient fleecy neck gaiter was great on my head in bed, on my head on the hill and round my neck as well :)
Beinn Chabhair, near Crianlarich on Saturday. Seriously cold winds, & a fair bit of wet snow on top of very wet grass. My Marks & Spencer merino thermal vest worked a treat. My legs, however, clearly require upgrading for the winter. Absolutely puggled, I was.
I was very pleased with how warm a basic layering system kept me last weekend: Top: powerdry baselayer, thin tesco fleece, eVent shell. Bottom: cheap peter storm leggings, schoeller trousers
The trousers kept off all the driving rain and sleet lower down, and shed snow perfectly higher up. I didn't need to change layers at all, except to throw a duvet jacket on for a lunch stop.
Boots (SM Lites) once again lovely. I only wore them twice last winter since I bought them late in the season. Feet were comfy and warm all day, no slipping on verglassed rocks, and I continue to think highly of them.
On the downside, none of my gloves kept my hands warm in the severe windchill. I wore thermal liners, with first Extremities Winter Gauntlets over the top, then when these got wet (even though they are supposedly goretex lined), I changed them for some Lowe Alpine winter gloves. Still no good. I've since bought some mitts, and hope that these will work better for the rest of the winter season.
I was on Baugh fell near the Howgills at the weekend.i was wearing my new Paramo Vasco jacket it was freezing and blowing a gale.i have to tell you it works a treat at keeping the water out and body heat in i puts you in a comfort zone.(never too hot never too cold.)
On the down side i bought a pair of Hi Tec Apex boots (eVENT lined)for low level walking but thought i'd give them a go in harsher conditions,that was a mistake,they leaked like a cullender..
Lakes meet this weekend: Hart Crag to Red Screes on Saturday, High Street on Sunday, both positively wintery...
Perfectly comfortable all day both days in lightweight Smartwool merino baselayer, Paramo Cascada trousers and a Paramo top (Velez on Saturday, Aspira smock on Sunday). Also used a Rab Photon smock over the top for lunch stops (but didn't really need to).
On my hands - an old pair of Extremities Sticky Thickies, the most practical gloves I've ever used - hands stayed warm whether dry or wet, I can operate cameras etc. with them on, and if I trash or lose them they only cost about £14.
And on my head, toasty warm throughout, just a buff...
(....reminds me, nearly time for that Naked Rambler program!)
Paramo Cascada trousers were great this weekend in the lakes, however as I run hot my paramo top was a tad warm for going uphill but was great in the wind as the gradient eased off.
My Meindle Borneo/burma (cant remember which) were adequate, but I'd have preferred something with a stiffer sole for edgeing in the icy conditions
My new Mountain Equipment Makalu jacket is absolutely fantastic: comfortable, far more breathable than I'm used to (having used HyVent for a spell), and waterproof. The hood is superb. Although the main pockets could do with being a bit bigger.
Haven't had a chance to try out my Lowe Alpine Mountain Hat yet--too self-conscious on the last Fell Club trip--but the new gloves worked wonders scrambling over frozen rocks on Bristly Ridge. I'm also well pleased with my new rucksack, a TNF Terra 35 ... absolutely ideal.
Of course, the real test will come over the New Year in the Lakes!
