Starting out?

Hello!!!

Following on from my HELLO post, i've now managed to sort out my main routes for my mega LDW trips throughout the UK in august & September (and beyond!) - Pennine Way from Manchester, Roman Heritage Way, Borders Abbey Way, Southern Upland Way, route to Ayr - Clyde Coastal Way, West Highland Way. I'm full of excitement but also a lot of nerves, not doing the routes before.....I have hardly any kit, as i've sold most of my stuff off as im returning from living in New Zealand. So its like a fresh start!  and of course the trend being lightweight.....

Here is what i have so far - any advice to lay rest my nerves about it all would be welcome,  an * means i will buy from a retail store to ensure a proper fit, other than that www.outdoorkit.co.uk is looking good, if anyone has any other well know places (who perhaps have some kind of loyalty scheme) please let me know.

Equipment :

TENT - Vango Ultralight 100,   SLEEPING - to be decided, MAT - Kathmandu 3/4, LIGHTING - Solar 12v rech.head torch, COOKING - MSR extreme, titanium pot, Orikas origami mug, Ti SPORK,  FOOTWARE* - tbd (trail running based),

PACK - OMM VILLIAN 45+10RL with MSC

Clothing :

JACKET *- (autumn,winter) LIM OZONE or Northface Goretex PACLITE, (spring, summer) MACPAC outer shell with removable arms.   PANTS* - Craghoppers Nosquito Lite Convertables, BASE LAYER - i have tons of s/s and l/s merino tops from NZ ,  MID LAYER FLEECE - full zip fleece.  SUMMER SHIRTS* - 2x Craghoppers Nosquito Lite L/S. SOCKS - bridgedale!!!! + SealSkins Waterproof socks. HEADWARE - thin merino cap, baseball cap (jacket hood when raining). HANDWEAR - windproof/waterproof gloves - TBD, have inner 'liner' gloves for extra warmth.      (RUNNING : thin running shorts, running socks, thin running vest.)

Day to Day on the trail stuff:

Maps (harveys and guidebooks), Silvia Compass, C5050Z Olympus Camera (4xAA), MP3 player/Radio (12v solar recharable),  Binos - tbd, sunglasses (rudy project multi lens).

Evening 'off the trail' stuff:

Ultralight towel, skin balm with sun protection, multi-wash (hand/clothes), mossie repelant and mossie head net, toiletries - including toilet roll and hand shovel!, Adverture Medical Kit + painkillers, washing line + pegs, multitool with knife. Mobile phone for emergencies (12v solar rechargable)

Food / Drink :

Hydration bladder 2l, Variety of energy/nut bars and Electrolyte replenishment tablets (nuun or isotar) - eating main meals in villages or towns, pack of porridge for breakfast, filter coffee bags, milk powder. stock up as and when required.

I was thinking of the jetboil as a stove, but i think with it being a longer trek, the MSR will be more versatile, and i can stock up on food to cook on the trail when i would not be coming across towns/villages etc.   The OMM pack is good for that too, as it can expand  / contract as required.

My main concern is i cannot mentally picture all that gear and picture the pack size so i wonder if it will all fit in   I'm going to be ordering almost all that above online so its ready from when i get to the Manchester mid july.

I was also looking at getting an 'adventure' watch, like Suunto, something with a digital compass , alarm, etc.

I'd like to be able to jog on the footware i walk in, either on the trail fully loaded, or just casually when i stay over at places  - so i'm looking into whats best for that at the moment.

Phew - thats it - thanks for reading!!!

Tony,

the only shop i know with a reward scheme is www.facewest.co.uk

Mike,

"Tropical"

 Scotland?

Nae chance!

Tony is leaving the tropics for nirvana.

Nodrog. 

But, Mike,

Tony starts in the tropics of England and enters Scotland - aka nirvana - at which point an insulating top will become necessary! IMHO

I agree with your suggestions otherwise.

Nodrog.

On the watch front it may be worth getting one with a barometer to help you predict bad/ good weather.  My watch has a graph displaying pressure rises/drops as well as the option to display millibars, and for the most part it can help in decision making when taking weather conditions into consideration eg-

I recently used it to aid my decision to wild camp on a very exposed but very aesthetic peak in scotland.  Had I not had the watch I may well have headed fro lower ground than risk a wild night. 

BTW pressure rise usually indicates fine weather aproaching whilst pressure drops indicate poor weather on the way...

Tony, you say youve loads of ls and ss merino tops. Do you fancy selling me a couple?? gbjogeorge@hotmail.co.uk

Ever the opportunist, I just had to ask, please forgive if you think im too cheeky. G

lol glenngeorge if i had i'd give you first dibs!!!

but i need them all, esp. coming back to the UK / Scotland !!

Thanks for the advice Hayden on the watch front- sounds like a good idea - anything that might give you a heads up on the 'rain' front

thanks for the advice everyone....