Tag: hiking

Why You Should Invest in the Outdoor Gear You Love

by Alison Ingleby on April 4, 2017 in Outdoor Gear • 0 Comments

Just some of my much-loved outdoor gear that’s over a decade old

I was rooting through my hiking and camping gear today and came to a shocking realisation. I could find barely any gear that you can still – right now – buy in the shops. This isn’t because I don’t have much gear (trust me, we have a loft, garage and climbing room full of the stuff), but rather that most of the gear I own, I bought a long time ago.

So am I hobbling around in tattered clothing, with an ancient, creaking rucksack that’s about to spill it’s cargo of holey tents and rusted metal stoves? Not at all. I’m not adverse to buying new kit, but I only tend to buy things when I need them. Though admittedly that hasn’t always been the case.

The three gear-buying personas

In my eyes, there are three approaches to buying outdoor kit:

The fashionista / outdoor shop worker: Changes colour with the seasons. Always on trend and hankering for the latest piece of shiny kit. People who work in outdoor shops also fall into this category. As you’re surrounded by beautiful kit all day and have a nice staff discount to play with, this tends to translate into frequent gear purchases. (I know, I used to work in one.)
“It’ll do for now”: Buys what they need, when they need it. Ever budget-conscious, these people always have an eye on the sale rack, never mind if the down jacket is two sizes too big and canary yellow.
Buy what you love: Justifying expensive purchases by calling them an ‘investment’, these people have an eye for quality and a passion for research and comparison tables.

I have been each of these people over the years, but much of my kit that’s still going strong today was bought when I was in a ‘buy what you love’ frame of mine. This happily coincided with my student days, where I was dedicated enough to survive on kidney beans and chopped tomatoes for weeks at a time, in order to invest my student loan in beautiful new outdoor gear. And I had the excuse of climbing trips to the Alps and expeditions to Iceland and Greenland, all of which required KIT.

Yes, they may be a bit worn and tattered (though my down jacket’s in such good nick no-one ever believes it’s over twelve years’ old), but these pieces of gear are like old friends. Take my Macpac Pursuit rucksack. It’ll carry any load without complaint and somehow manage to balance it perfectly on your hips. It’s been dragged up rock faces, dumped in snow and once had a rather wobbly, overloaded trip on a mountain bike. I’ve used it travelling in New Zealand and on multi-day hikes in the UK. On every one of my mountaineering adventures, it has been my constant companion.

It wasn’t the cheapest rucksack at the time, but it has repaid the investment ten times over. So why did I choose this rucksack, when I was a skint student and there were many cheaper models? Because I loved it. And because it was about the roughest, toughest alpine rucksack around at the time.

Why you should buy things you love

Having experimented with various philosophies of buying, I’m now convinced that buying what you love is the best option for you, the environment and your bank balance (all things I care deeply about). This can be hard when money is tight and option two (“it’ll do for now”) seems to be the only viable route. But I know, from bitter experience, that if you buy something that’s merely ‘ok’, said item will rarely be used and is likely to end up lurking under your bed gathering spiders.

If you buy something you love on the other hand, you will cherish it, wear it often and, most importantly LOOK AFTER IT. This is why my down jacket still looks shiny and new. And yes, I admit I can be a bit pedantic about not chucking my stuff in the dirt. But even my very dear friend (who shall remain nameless) who attracts mud like a headtorch attracts mosquitos, has taken such great care of her beloved new coat that it still looks almost new TWO years after buying it. Which, for her, is something of a record.

It’s a no brainer: looking after your gear will help it last longer. So rather than buying a sleeping bag every three years, you may buy one every ten or fifteen years. Which means you’re actually making a saving by buying more expensive gear. And it’s better for the environment. Less waste, less energy and non-renewable resource use in manufacture, and fewer carbon emissions from transporting goods.

5 outdoor gear companies I love

What gear you love and what gear I love may be quite different. But, if you’re interested, these are my favourite outdoor gear companies at the moment.

Patagonia: Fondly referred to by one of my friends as Patagucci, Patagonia kit is definitely at the more expensive end of the outdoor gear spectrum. But it does last – my R1 fleece still looks good today, eight years or so after I bought it. Compare that to other fleeces which go bobbly within the year, and well, do I have to sy anything more? Plus, they do a lot of environmental work and campaigning and let their staff go surfing.
Macpac: A New Zealand brand, Macpac make, hands down, the most durable rucksacks on the planet (in my honest opinion). I’d beg them to bring back the Pursuit Classic into their range, but quite honestly, I’m not sure I’ll ever need to replace the one I’ve got.
Alpkit: Alpkit is proof that quality kit doesn’t have to have a super-high price tag. I can still remember the murmurs on the outdoor scene when this British company broke into the market, and they continue making waves (so to speak) today.
La Sportiva: The La Sportiva Nepal Extreme were the alpine boot of choice back when I was actually doing alpine climbing. They’re a bit on the heavy side now, but I still love my old, battered pair to bits. They are also my favourite company for climbing shoes, though if anyone from La Sportiva is reading this, you need to sort out the rubber delamination issue and PLEASE stop cutting the Miuras so high round the ankle bone.
3rd Rock Clothing: This small, British clothing eco-company is single-handedly responsible for the resurgence of ’80s style fluro-patterned leggings at the climbing wall. They’re made from recycled material though, so I’ll forgive them. Plus I absolutely love their comfy, durable clothing and environmental ethos.

What’s your favourite beloved old bit of kit that’s still going strong? Get in touch on Twitter to tell me all about it! If anyone would like to send me gear to review, please get it touch. Especially if you’re one of the companies listed above. 🙂

16 Christmas Gifts for People Who Love the Outdoors

by Alison Ingleby on December 7, 2016 in Misc • 2 Comments

Find the perfect Christmas gift for outdoor-loving people

As we’re well into December now, I thought a bit of Christmas gift inspiration was in order. You may all be more organised than me and have your presents bought, wrapped and under the tree. (Is it wrong to admit I haven’t started shopping yet?). But if you’re stuck about what to buy for friends and family who love the outdoors hopefully this guide will help.

I’ve tried to keep it budget friendly (under £50) and included a few more unusual options, for the person who has everything.

Christmas gifts for runners

I was really jealous of my fiance’s merino buff when we were running in snowy Scotland recently. For warmth without weight (or itchiness), check out this stylish selection of buffs. Plus, 1 percent of the proceeds will be donated to non-profit organisations working for the environment. From £22 at www.buffwear.co.uk.

At this time of year, most runners are having to train in the dark. To get away from the roads and have a real run, a headtorch is a must. Alpkit’s Prism 630 is reasonable priced, water resistant and kicks out an impressive 630 lumens. Perfect to make sure your runner gets out and home again in time for dinner. £43 from www.alpkit.com.

If your running friend really doesn’t need any more socks, trainers or running mementos, why not consider a subscription to a magazine? Trail Running is the only UK magazine dedicated to off-road running and packed full of inspiration. From £24 with a free baselayer top from www.greatmagazines.co.uk.

Christmas gifts for cyclists

Every cyclist likes a tick-list and this is one of the best. Great British Bike Rides covers 40 of the best road rides across England, Scotland and Wales. The book gives a detailed breakdown of each route with downloadable GPX files. £25 from www.v-publishing.co.uk.

Combining a tyre lever, spanner, screw drivers and a host of other tools, the Nutter Cycle Multi Tool is a neat, lightweight tool that should fix problems a cyclist may come across. It even has a bottle opener (though no drinking and cycling please!). £39.99 from www.fullwindsor.cc.

If you’re looking for an off-the-bike gift, this recycled punctured inner tube belt may fit the bill. Or these bike chain earrings made from upcycled bicycle chains. Belt, £34 and earrings, £8 from www.cyclegeezer.com.

Christmas gifts for climbers

I have been a religious fan of Climb On! bar for years. It’s about the only thing that sorts my dry skin out after a day of climbing – and gets it ready for the next day. £9.99 from www.urbanrock.com.

3RD ROCK is a family run clothing business based in the Peak District with an environmental ethos. I’m a huge fan of their clothes for climbing in: if you’re looking for presents for the climber in your life check out the Orbit Vest (£22) and Luna Recycled Bra Top (£33).

Keep your climber injury-free with Dave Macleod’s excellent book, Make or Break: Don’t Let Climbing Injuries Dictate Your Success. Drawing on his own experiences and existing research, Dave covers both prevention and treatment of different injuries with advice and techniques specific to climbing. £29 from www.davemacleod.com.

Christmas gifts for hikers

A set of Contoured Coasters from Alp & Ash would be a great present for anyone who loves the British Hills. Handmade, you can pic ‘n’ mix across the range of English, Welsh and Scottish hills to create a bespoke collection. From £8.

I was lucky enough to get a Sigg Hot & Cold ONE bottle for my birthday and so far it’s shaping up to be the best thermos flask I’ve owned. It has a handy one-hand opening system and it guaranteed to keep your drinks hot for hours. (Though be warned – I actually burnt my mouth forgetting how hot the liquid could be!) £22.99 from www.uk.sigg.com.

A map is a great gift for any hiker. But what about a whole set of them? A 12-month premium subscription to OS Maps gives unlimited access to Standard, Aerial, OS Explorer and OS Landranger maps, plus over 400,000 suggested routes for the bargain price of £23.

Alternative Christmas gifts

Still struggling for ideas? If your intended recipient doesn’t want ‘things’, how about these alternative presents:

If your cyclist has one too many bikes, how about donating one in their name? World Bicycle Relief donates sturdy bikes to students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs across Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Looking closer to home? The Bike Project is a London-based project that takes second-hand bikes, fixes them up and donates them to refugees.
One gift that will go down a treat for any active person is a sports massage. Whatever sport they’re into, a massage is a great way to loosen up aching muscles after a hard training session.
Treat your explorer to a bushcraft course to learn the basics of surviving in the wild. Various companies run weekends and longer courses across the UK. For a lower cost (and lower commitment) alternative, TheCanoeMan runs taster sessions from £30.
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour87 brings the magic and adventure of the Banff Festival to cities across the UK. The films cover a wide range of sports and adventures, so there’s something to inspire everyone. Tickets are £14 (or £12 if you go to both shows).

These gifts can also make great birthday presents at any time of year. If you’ve got a suggestion for a great gift, add it to the comments below! I should also say that none of the links are affiliate links and I get no compensation from any of the companies listed for promoting their products – I just think they look great!

Wild Walks: Hiking the Routeburn Track

by Alison Ingleby on September 6, 2016 in Hiking • 0 Comments

Feel like you’ve stepped into Middle-earth? Harris Lake, near the high point of the Routeburn Track.

Voted one of the World’s ‘Top Ten Classic Hikes’ by Lonely Planet, this multi-day hike takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery New Zealand’s South Island has to offer. If you’re visiting New Zealand this is the hike you don’t want to miss out on. Here’s everything you need to know about the Routeburn.

So what is the Routeburn?

The Routeburn is a 32-kilometer walk through part of New Zealand’s Fjordland National Park. It’s a one-way walk which most people hike from east to west, starting from the Routeburn Shelter (near Glenorchy), and finishing at the Divide Shelter (between Te Anau and Milford Sound).

Sounds good – tell me more!

The Routeburn is one of the shortest of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks, and arguably the most popular. It attracts thousands of hikers a year, but even in peak season, you should experience moments of solitude along the trail.

The Routeburn is well signposted and most of the way you’re on a wide, easy path. Take advantage of the good conditions underfoot to admire the views!

How long does it take?

Most people take two or three days to complete the hike, staying in one or two of the DOC (Department of Conservation) huts overnight. If you’re very fit you could complete it in a day, but you’d need to plan your transport carefully to make sure you don’t end up stranded at the far end. Better to take your time and explore the two worthwhile detours off the track: Conical Hill and Key Summit. Both offer stunning views.

Highlights of the Routeburn Track

One of the best things about the Routeburn is that it packs in a lot of variety. This is one trek you won’t get bored on.

Setting off from the Routeburn Shelter, you start by meandering up gently through woodland to the Routeburn Flats. Here the track divides – if you’re stopping here overnight, head right to get to the Routeburn Flats hut and campsite, set in a peaceful, grassy meadow.

For most people, this is a little too early in the walk to be stopping. Continue on the main path as it steepens and zig-zags up through the forest. You gain a lot of height quickly, but the path is good and occasional glimpses of the spectacular views back down across the valley give you motivation to keep going. There are a couple of fun suspension bridges to cross on the way up and a rockier section (with a handrail) near the top.

At the top of the zig-zags, you reach the Routeburn Falls hut; a large hut perched on the hillside about 8.8km from the start of the tramp. There’s no camping, but it’s a popular first night stop and there are great views from the balcony. The walk between this hut and the next (Lake Mackenzie hut) takes 4.5 – 6.5 hours, so you’ll probably end up staying at one or both of these huts.

Looking back down the valley from above Routeburn Falls hut

As you continue beyond the Routeburn Falls hut, you leave the trees behind and enter a more rugged, mountainous landscape. The path gets a bit narrower here, but it’s still clearly marked by red sticks. Don’t forgot to stop occasionally and look behind you to drink in the views. In this Tolkienesque landscape you half expect an Orc to jump out at you from behind the nearest boulder.

The path continues up, past a high mountain lake to the Harris Saddle, where there are a couple of small shelters (overnight use prohibited). This is the high point of the official Routeburn Track at 1,255m and offers breathtaking views of the Hollyford valley and Darran Mountains – definitely a good place to stop and eat your lunch.

If you have time (and enough energy in your legs) I’d definitely recommend the detour up to Conical Hill. It’s a 1-2 hour round trip, but harder going than the main Routeburn track. The path is steep and narrow, and there are a couple of sections of easy scrambling. Your reward when you reach the top is a spectacular, 360 degree vista that not even the best photographer can do justice to.

Back down at the Harris Saddle, continue along the main track down across the exposed Hollyford face, gradually descending to the Lake Mackenzie hut, which nestles among the trees by Lake Mackenzie.

Leaving the Mackenzie Hut, the track climbs slightly before descending to the impressive Earland Falls. From here the track carries on down through beech woodland to Lake Howden Hut, from which it’s a further 3.4km to the end of the Track at The Divide. It’s well worth taking a slight detour (signposted) up to Key Summit, where there’s an informative nature walk round the Alpine wetlands and great views of the surrounding mountains.

Can I just do part of the Track?

If you only have a day or you can’t afford the expense of accommodation and transport services, you can hike the first part of the Track (from the Routeburn shelter) as a there-and-back walk. Go as far as you feel able, but remember you’ll be more tired on the way back. I took a long day and made it all the way to the top of Conical Hill and back, but it was a tough hike! Likewise, if you’re driving down to Milford Sound, it’s worth stopping off at The Divide to walk up to Key Summit; an easy hike that rewards you with amazing views.

How fit do I need to be?

This really depends on your itinerary. You need to be happy carrying a pack with everything you’ll need for the hike and overnight stays, but it’s easy to split the trek into manageable sections. The main track is well maintained all the way and never too difficult.

Hiking the Routeburn outside of the main Great Walks season (which runs from 25th October to 27th April) should only be attempted by experienced, equipped people who are used to walking in the high mountains in winter. Deep snow can hide the route markers and there are over thirty-two avalanche paths that cross the Track.

What about accommodation?

There are four huts and two campsites along the Routeburn Track, owned and maintained by the DOC (Department of Conservation). These must be booked in advance during the Great Walks season and can book out months in advance, particularly for peak times. Wild camping elsewhere on the trail is not permitted.

Facilities at the hut include bunks with mattresses, flush toilets, cold running water and cooking equipment including fuel. You’ll need to take your own sleeping bag, cooking utensils and food.

A bed at a hut costs $54NZD and campsite fees per person, per night are $18NZD (2016/17 prices). You can check availability and book online at the DOC website.

Outside of the Green Walks season, beds are on a first come, first served basis and facilities at the huts are significantly reduced. You’ll need to buy backcountry hut and campsite tickets before you set off – these are available from DOC visitor centres.

Transport and logistics

The Routeburn is a one-way trail, so you’re going to need some help with transport. There are various transport and car relocation services available (all prices listed below are for the 2016/17 season). If you’re looking to do the full Track in a day, then car relocation is really your only option as the bus schedules assume a multi-day trip.

Bus services

Info & Track offer a bus service to take you to the beginning of the Track and pick you up from the end (whichever direction you decide to walk in). From Queenstown, the return trip costs $126NZD per person.
Kiwi discovery offer drop off and pick up from either end of the trail, returning to Queenstown for $119NZD per person.
Tracknet offer transport from either Queenstown or Te Anau for $119NZD. There is some flexibility to include a short stop off in Te Anau if you’re heading back from The Divide to Queenstown.

There is also the option with all of the above to get a return trip to Routeburn Shelter if you just want to do a day walk, or to add in a trip to Milford Sound after finishing at The Divide, before heading back to Queenstown.

Car relocation services

Easy Hike will transport your car from the Routeburn Shelter to the Divide (or vice versa) for $285NZD
Trackhopper will take your car from Routeburn Shelter to the Divide for $264NZD, or from the Divide to the Routeburn Shelter for $230NZD. You may spot Michael or Kiyomi running back home along the track after dropping your vehicle off!

Find out more

The DOC website has a wealth of information on the Routeburn and the other Great Walks. You can download a brochure for the Routeburn Track which includes a very basic map of the route.
If you want a bit more reassurance on the trail, Ultimate Hikes offer a 3 day guided walk of the Routeburn from $1375NZD including basic equipment and accommodation in private lodges (no sleeping bags needed!).
Easyhike has a useful list of 21 tips to make your Routeburn experience an outstanding one.
If you’re tramping the Routeburn during the main (summer) season, the path should be clear, well signposted and easy to follow. You can purchase a map of the trail, which also includes the Greenstone Caples track.

Wild Walks: The Dales Way

by Alison Ingleby on July 26, 2016 in Hiking • 0 Comments

Characteristic Dales’ landscape

Wild Walks is a series of blog posts covering some of my favourite walks in the UK and overseas. The Wild Walks may be short or long, but they all take you to beautiful places and give you moments of solitude.

I’m starting close to home, with a meander through the rural countryside of the Yorkshire Dales. Rolling hills scattered with dry stone walls, a treasure hunt in a church and many places to bathe your tired feet are just some of the highlights of this multi-day trek.

So what is the Dales Way?

A 81 mile ramble through the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the lowland hills of the Lake District, in the heart of Northern England.

Sounds good – tell me more!

The Dales Way begins in the popular market town of Ilkley and follows the rivers and valleys up through the Yorkshire Dales north and west to finish on the shores of one of England’s most famous lakes, Lake Windermere. If 81 miles isn’t enough of a challenge then there are three optional extensions to the walk which run from Leeds, Harrogate and Bradford.

How long does it take?

Most people take between four and seven days, depending on how far you want to walk each day. Your leg lengths may be determined partly by where you choose to stay (see below). The walk is signposted along the route, but these can sometimes be hard to spot so take a map and compass to double check your route.

Wild Walk highlights

Some people choose to end their first day of walking at the dramatic ruined Priory of Bolton Abbey, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re just passing through then there’s a cafe and some handy toilets.

The section between Bolton Abbey and Grassington has some of the prettiest river walking on the route, though on a sunny weekend, you won’t be the only one enjoying it. Look out for the spectacular Linton Falls, just before you get into Grassington.

After Grassington you get your first real climb of the walk, up through the site of medieval villages onto the limestone hillside. This is my favourite part of the walk, with beautiful views across the valley to Kilnsey moor.

After Kettlewell you leave the crowds behind and set off up to Buckden and into the more remote parts of Upper Wharfdale. Hubberholme is a secluded village with a small Norman church that is definitely worth visiting, if it’s open. The crafter of the oak pews left his trademark mouse carved into them – see how many you can find!

Langstrothdale is a valley of solitude. Enjoy the river whilst you can, as you eventually turn off onto open (and boggy!) moorland and climb to the highest point of the route – 520m. As you drop down, you’ll see the famous Ribblehead viaduct in the distance – it’s not strictly on the Dales Way, but you may deviate if you’re staying at the Station Inn.

Back on route, there’s some more boggy moorland to negotiate before you drop down into Dentdale, and civilisation (of a sort). It’s back to the valley and river walking through to Sedburgh and on to the Lune Valley – definitely one of the quieter parts of Cumbria. Look out for the impressive viaduct (well, you can’t really miss it…) just before you cross the M6.

From then on it’s rolling hills (more tiring than they appear), until at last you finally see the waters of Windermere ahead of you. Dipping your toes in the lake is surely an obligatory end to the Dales Way.

How fit do I need to be?

The Dales Way follows rivers and valleys for much of its length. Whilst there aren’t too many steep hills, the terrain can be rough in places and there is a bit of a sting in the tail towards the end. You’ll need to be fit enough to walk for consecutive days and have waterproof boots for the boggy sections!

What about accommodation?

There’s a huge variety of accommodation along the route, from hotels and B&Bs to camping barns and campsites. The middle section, between Grassington and Dent is remote, and places to stay are few and far between, so it’s best to book ahead. You can find a comprehensive list of accommodation on the Dales Way website.

Transport and logistics

As with many long-distance walks, the logistics of getting to the start and back from the finish are not straightforward. If you’re coming from a big city, such as London, Manchester or Edinburgh, the simplest way is to get the train to the start at Ilkley (regular services from Leeds and Bradford) and back from Windermere station (a short taxi ride from the end of the walk). It’s worth having a look at train times in advance for the return leg – the train from Windermere will take you to Oxenholme where you can jump on the mainline up to Glasgow, or down to Manchester and London.

Getting back to the start from the finish is slightly more complicated and will require additional changes in Manchester and Leeds. Alternatively, Lakes Village Taxis can take up four passengers across to Ilkely for approx £90.

If you don’t fancy carrying everything on your back, The Sherpa Van Project offer a door-to-door baggage service from £8 per bag per day.

Find out more

The Dales Way has it’s own website, which has a wealth of information on the route, accommodation and public transport links
Harvey Maps have produced a Dales Way map, which contains the entire route on one lightweight, waterproof map – I’d definitely recommend this if you’re thinking about doing the route.
The Dales Way guidebook by Colin Speakman is the definitive guide to the route.
And if you prefer two wheels then why not try the Yorkshire Dales Cycleway, a 130 mile circular routes that visits most of the dales in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.