I lugged one of these around the TMB. I fell for all the macho toughness hype and it seemed like a good idea at the time. Got at least half back on Ebay, though.
I now use a 520g 20 litre OMM Adventure Light for the same thing, although I've obviously gone a lot lighter since then.
Hi Ben and welcome to Edinburgh. I moved here a few years ago and absolutely love it. As you say, the Pentlands are great for a quick hill fix and we tend to do the Scald Law ridge every couple of weeks or so. It's like hillwalking in miniature, with all the weather variables you get on the bigger stuff, but very close to town. In terms of metres climbed, it's similar or more than some of the Glenshee munros, so not bad at all.
We tend to just do either the main ridge or the 10 mile loop which you do by carrying on past West Kip, head north and then turn east to go along the side of the next small hill, taking you back via the two lochs along the paved road. Near the end, you'll see a gate in the stone wall where the trees finish. Go down there to have a woody walk back to the carpark. You'll also see a big waterfall on the right after you go through that gate, which can be really spectacular after heavy rain.
If you fancy a change from a hill walk, we also like the walk along the coast from the Cramond Brig to South Queensferry and back, about 12 miles in total, taking 3 hours. You could extend that to walk over the bridge if you like, adding maybe 3 or so miles return. It would also be worth looking at the various guide books detailing local low level walks, many of which take you past lots of historical sites.
I'll need to check, but I'm sure the full-size Senzes are (I suppose fairly obviously) made in a very different and much more robust way. The Mini seemed to have a lot of folding bits because of the trailing shape and I think it was towards the rear that mine failed.
I know the Mini has a much lower wind rating, so one shouldn't expect too much, but I'm just not prepared to throw any more money at it. My XL's a very different kettle of fish and I'm confident that there's nothing better for the wind. That was a real bargain at £25 new on Ebay a year or so ago.
I'll check out the Rohan and if it looks sturdy enough I'll get that. If it's nothing special I'll buy something half the price and be happy if it lasts a few day walks.
I knew about letting the Senz swivel with the wind and normally followed that rule, but sometimes a gust can catch you unawares.
I was probably holding too tight when they all broke, but that's just real world conditions for you and not a Senz lab where all you have to think about is facing in the right direction and loosely holding the brolly.
Lucky you Paddy. Montane seems like a sensible choice for something you'd hope never to wear in summer, being light and packing small, with an umbrella being first choice. When's the Iceland book coming out, by the way? That's on our list of to-do places, so we're looking forward to seeing the guide.
As for the Rohan umbrella, it comes in a nice little cover with a clip, so looks all walking-y already. Also, the frame's made of fibre-glass, so might take winds a bit better than cheap metal ones. My metal Senz's all buckled in side winds, so fibre-glass can't be any worse. This could be The One!
Eric Smith
