Here we go again – another walk, another injury. This time, its my left ankle bone rather than the right one. To recall a little history for those at the back, I bought some new Scarpa SLs, which were fine initially. However, after the second walk, I noticed my right ankle swelling up and becoming quite painful. Over the last few months, I have continued to wear them using various pieces of physiotherapy padding to relieve the pressure. This has had mixed results but after last week’s Scafell descent in pain, I decided to sell these, and buy some trail shoes which hopefully wouldn’t touch my ankle bones. (more…)
Archive for May, 2007
Ruddy ankles
Sunday, May 27th, 2007Scafell Pike – success at last
Monday, May 21st, 2007I am still recovering today from the weekends efforts and a couple of fillings at the dentist. However, I am also jubilant from Phil and my successful attempt on Scafell on Saturday. (more…)
Tent pegs? Sorted!!
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007Spoke to Terra Nova and The Outdoor Shop today to sort out knackered carbon fibre tent pegs. Terra Nova wouldn’t move from their default ‘we can replace like with like or offer a downgrade to aluminium pegs’ – not good. Luckily The Outdoor Shop was a little more sympathetic. They hadn’t heard of other stories of these problems but agreed in principle in replacing the pegs with like for like – including same price replacement. As the only good lightweight skewers offered by Terra Nova were the Titanium Skewers, they offered me these provided I pay the difference – normally nothing, but their discount price means I have to pay £6.02. I am not too peeved but think they could have offered them for nothing.
Still, hopefully next I should be the proud owner of some more titanium to go with my MSR cutlery set. Oh yeah, and I go to the lakes in only, er, 45 hours or so:)
Worries about Terra Nova Laser Comp
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007As stated recently, I have brought a Terra Nova Laser Competition tent forming the shelter for Project Peaks. After listing to a recent backpackinglight.co.uk podcast about rucksacks, I decided to review how to pack my rucksack. I had tried last week to get my stuff into a Deuter 32 Futera unsuccessfully. The podcast suggesting separating the various parts of the tent / shelter across different parts of the ‘sack.
Whilst reviewing the bits of the tent, I noticed one of the ends to a peg had come lose – remember I haven’t had one (tent) erection yet! Em. not good. Whilst looking on the net, I found the pragmatic solution would be to superglue the ends onto the carbon fibre peg poles. However, should I really be resorting to superglue on my new 240 quid (RRP) toy? I think not.
I know Terra Nova produce some Titanium pegs for a the same RRP as the carbon fibre pegs I have. Therefore I think a straight swap or replacement guaranteed carbon pegs would be in order. I don’t think tent pegs are the kind of things I can p**s around with as failure is more than a mere inconvenience.
I am eagerly awaiting Terra Nova’s customer services reply.
Final preperations for Project Peaks Scafell attempt 2.
Monday, May 14th, 2007After the previous attempt, I have rallied the troups and refined the plans for the 2nd attempt on Scafell Pike (I know, I know, not quite the Eiger). Unfortunately it appears two of the original troups might not be able to attend so it falls on Phil and myself. We have walked together a few times and I have little doubt that we will make it this time. However, I am in doubt that I will be able to walk again after it – general erosion of the feet is assured by the 15 mile / 1670 metre ascent route (yeah thats 1.7 Scafell Pikes). This was brought about the by equally stupid ideas:
- to walk from the campsite at the other end of Wastwater which is 3 miles long!
- to do both Scafell Pike and Scafell and the further re-ascent needed to gain Illgill Head overlooking Wastwater.
Still, if you are going to do the highest mountain in England, you might as well do it right, and whats more traditional than in the driving rain forecast.
The rest of the plan is roughly, drive quicly from work to Lake District and hopefully traverse the Wrynose / Hardknott pass road to Nether Wasdale by about 8pm (did I mention I was optimistic). This will allow for a sunlit erection of the tents and maybe a pint or 3 in the Screes Inn.
Saturday, we cook, walk, sleep.
Sunday, I hopefully have my way and go to Winwood Outdoors to try some lightweight backpacks. However it’s Keswick Mountain Festival time I think so I am not looking forward to the crowds. Sunday afternoon, time to drive home me thinks.
Project wildcamp is a go…..
Monday, May 14th, 2007I have been finalising my kit list and purchasing to allow project wildcamp to start. A descent backpack is my last purchase, and this was unexpected – I was maybe a little optimistic to think my semi lightweight would fit in my 32l Deuter 32 Futura. This Friday is the day of reckoning, where I will test the tent, stove and sleeping bag and judging by the previous few days, a baptism of fire (well rain / mud) is looking likely.
In parallel to planning Project Peaks, I have started to devote time to planning at least one full length walk of the Peak District and possibly a a solo crossing the Shropshire hills before letting the tent loose in the Lakes.
Project Peaks update
Thursday, May 10th, 2007Been a bit lazy with the blog updates over the last week due to other priorities – coding HDB Filestore, suffering painful broken teeth and most exciting of all…. planning my new project – Project Wildcamp but more of that in a future post. (more…)