 If you're staying in gites in the Atlas, you'll find you have access to mains power in some places at least, sockets are the two-pin euro style ones. I'd take lithium cells for back-up and high-up cold conditions and back them up with Eneloop rechargeable, as suggested above, or the 7 Day shop equivalent for their ability to hold charge. Second all the stuff about keeping the batteries and camera warm, though beware of condensation issues. I used a Goal Zero solar charger kit in the Atlas last month, but viability is a bit hit and miss depending on levels of sunshine. Viz, there has to be some for it to work effectively.
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 I have just invested in some enloop cells and a new charger so interested to see how they perform. I am looking to use them in PMR radios my current cells have variable performance to say the least. 7 Day Shop may not be around too much longer, they rely on the Low Value Tax concession we get over here from the UK to sell stuff below £17 ex-VAT. The UK government has just dropped that to £15 and are looking to remove it altogether next year (but only for the Channel Islands so it is ok if 7 Day Shop relocate to Switzerland!). Steve D
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Several months ago I bought a pack of 4 eneloop AA batteries from ASDA for c. £5.00, so it pays to keep your eyes open in the supermarket.
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 Cheers people.
Won't be charging as I don't think I'll be able to fit another thing in my Villain. It's full!!! Some bivying, some in huts. Only want a few pictures really, when the power runs out it runs out. The headtorch is the priority.
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 Take an 'old-fashioned' disposable wind-on as a backup... You can't fit stuff in your Villain as the lid design is all wrong 
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Seeing as my sleeping bag takes 20ltrs and that lid makes sure it only holds 45... I'm stuffed. Or rather - it is. Travelling minimal in winter with that bag means no food 
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 That's what Guides and Porters are for Kelvin!! IIRC. I think the huts supply meals. Or you could take some food like choc bars, energy bars, they'll freeze but can 'defrost' in mouth. You could strap a small bag of some sort to rucksack with cord.
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 Seeing as my sleeping bag takes 20ltrs
Bloody hell, Kelvin. Most folk buy a seperate duvet for camping! Surely you could leave it on the bed? 
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You could always borrow a Crux AK57....
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 I'm told by my Mrs they're not exactly fashionable, but i tend to wear a bum bag when out hiking. Only i swivel it round so the pouch in at the front, this way it doesn't interfere with my rucksack. Great thing about the bum bag is you have stuff you can get to straight away, it doesn't interfere with normal walking plus i can still use my rucksacks side pockets. In me bum bag i usually have my phone, GPS, Compass, Monocular, torch, wallet, spare batteries, very very basic first aid kit (really just plasters wipes and eye wash) and my multi-tool and or knife. Also wear it when i'm on my holidays as i hate having pockets full when wearing shorts in summer, plus when sight seeing it's a hell of a lot more secure than pockets. Not everyone's cup of tea, but if you value function over style they can be handy on most hikes up to scrambling climbing level of terrain. Cheers Mark
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| Edited: 21/12/11 19:59 |
 My Mrs has zero hand-bags & just the one bum-bag. I have an old one somewhere - now I have a gps I might dig it out - agree with all you say there Mark, got out of the habit! I can normally get a week out of a regular set of Nimh rechargeables but obvioulsy it depends how many pics you take.
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My Mrs has zero hand-bags & just the one bum-bag. I have an old one somewhere - now I have a gps I might dig it out - agree with all you say there Mark, got out of the habit! I can normally get a week out of a regular set of Nimh rechargeables but obvioulsy it depends how many pics you take.
It's weird because over here in Greece most blokes wear a bum bag or even a handbag type thing. If i'm back in England though my mates find it hilarious if i wear a bumbag. Most be something to do with the climate. Other problem for me is my left arm is paralysed, so i really only have 2 pockets i can access without looking like i'm miming a game of twister. Wallet is fine that can go in the back pocket. But then i've got my keys, phone, change and usually a small torch, if they're all piled into 1 pocket it's a nightmare getting just 1 item out and my phone gets scratched to buggery.
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Ed - tried one for size a few weeks bag but with a heavy load, it just didn't sit right on me. Certainly need something bigger in a practical sense but when I'm scrambling and axing up ridges I'll be glad the Villain is small. I may go have a raid of Tim's gear cupboard when I'm down there boxing day.
Mike - I blame Paddy for selling me it, for 50 notes with the queens head on them, I'm pretty happy. It's bloody lovely, lofts amazingly but it's mahoosive and I'm too tight to go and buy a WM thingymabob like Edward. That and the Whisperlite and the only 'heavy' goods in my bag, plus I guess the 12 point crampons.
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I see - mine will stay in the cupboard then! Be interested to hear about what you've been up to when (if ) you return...
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hahaha people keep saying this to me  am I so bad in the mountains? Cheers tho chap.
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| Edited: 22/12/11 07:08 |
Batteries came yesterday - top service!
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 Have a great trip Kelvin
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