The Weekly Newsletter - 14/09/06

It's been full steam ahead on OUTDOORSmagic this week, yep, the kettle's been boiling away as we drink endless cups of tea and ponder the meaning of, well, everything really.

Our man Gear, Richard Gear, has taken the lead as he applies himself to crucial questions like which jacket to choose for Alaskan winter use, explains the basics of bivvy bags and gives his long-awaited views on pillows.

More verdicts on test kit as well, with tests of Rab's excellent women's Quantum 600 sleeping bag, Montane's Bionic baselayer tee-shirt and the radical new Aku Spider mountaineering boot. And on top of that, there's our latest Buyers' Guide to lightweight packs.

And that's on top of the regulars, like the excellent weekly Gallery Round-Up - from the Alps to Scotland via a circuit of the Welsh 3000s. And talking of circuits, this week's walking route takes in Ben Wyvis one of the most isolated Munros in northern Scotland. Worth the trip?

Last but very definitely not least, this weekend's OUTDOORSmagic Meet in Eskdale has had a last minute change of venue. We're now staying at Hollins Farm, just up the road from the original campsite.

We'll see some of you there, but whatever you're up to this weekend, have a good one.

Jon and the team at OUTDOORSmagic.com editor@outdoorsmagic.com

Elsewhere on the site Leo Houlding's Autumn Tour- 'The End Of Abseiling' To keep your winter adrenlin supply topped up, Leo Houlding is touring the UK with footage from his free climbing and BASE jumping antics - or 'Para-Alpinism' - along with a few more relaxed coastal moments ... More here. ViewRanger Surges Into Software Final The innovative ViewRanger system that turns a mobile phone into a nagivation device is the sole UK finalist in a competition to find the best software developers for the latest Nokia smartphones. More here. Welcome To Walking Week - 16-24 September The Ramblers' Association's week-long festival includes some 400 free led walks throughout England and Wales with many suitable for beginners and families interested in getting into walking. More here.

Latest user reviews

GoSystems Trail Classic Camping Stove 'In use it is pure simplicity and the piezo along with the rest of the stove has a good solid feel - nothing flimsy here. Ok, so it weighs a few grams more than a micro-tinfoil-ultra-tiny, but how picky do I need to be about a few grams?' More here.

Scarpa Helium 'I've worn these for quite a few munros now, and wish I'd discovered them years ago. The sole's more flexible than I expected, given the blurb about being made on a boot last, but that just makes them comfier than I expected.' More here.

Macpac Minaret 'I've had this tent longer than I've had my wife and she's still going strong! It's been in Scotland, Lakes, Dales, New Zealand (showed it its birthplace) in wind, rain, snow, sun, wind... sorry did I mention WIND and still no problems.' More here.