Crux Scout B1 Bivvy Bag

I’ve owned a few bivvy bags over the years but not found one that ticks all the boxes. The main things I look for in a bivvy bag are: Large enough not to compress my sleeping bag Breathable Water resistant Non-slip Light and packs small Bags I’ve owned: Rab Ranger eVent– best bag, only issue was width, but very breathable Alpkit Hunka XL – perfect size but had condensation problems MLD Superlight XL – far too slippy and a naff zip, constantly snags So I’ve sold the above and bought a new bivvy that I’m hoping performs better. Crux, a new name …

TGO Challenge 2017 – Planning so far

So..I have a place on next years TGO Challenge!! Over the last few weeks I’ve been refining the kit list and working on the route. I’m fairly happy with the kit I’m taking as its pretty much the kit I’ve used over the last few years with a few minor tweaks and additions for the longer duration (spare clothes/socks etc). There are a few items I’ll decide on in the week before I set off e.g. Ice Axe and Crampons being the most significant. It’ll be a tough decision depending on the snow conditions. The route dones’t include very much time …

TGOC 2017 The very draft route….v1

There are many more hours of planning and refining the route yet, however this is the basic route I’m working on. Camping locations are approximate and will be properly defined as the planning continues. I also need to plan the Foul Weather Alternative (FWA) route which will stick to lower levels and skip out the Cairngorms. Once my route has been submitted to TGOC and vetted I’ll upload the final version.

TGO 2017….Application

  Well my application for next years TGO Challenge has been submitted!!! Apparently I’m the first applicant for TGOC2017, I happened to notice the online application form became available last night so without hesitation I submitted it. The application process involves answering a few questions to assess your experience, competence level and reasons for wanting to enter. This is then assessed by the Challenge coordinators and once accepted places are confirmed early November. Depending on how many applicants they receive it may result in a draw being held. Spaces are limited to 350, the unlucky few are then added to …

2016 Update from UKWildCamper

It’s been a while since I posted anything on my website so I thought as Christmas and New Years eve celebrations are now out the way it is time I updated my blog. The last wild camp seems a lifetime ago back in August 2015 when I camped on Brecon. Wild camping has been on hold since then, as my wife and I were planning for the arrival of our daughter. Hettie arrived a little later than expected on October the 9th weighing 9lb 3 and perfectly healthy, couldn’t ask for more! So over the last few months I’ve being elbow deep …

Monarch Chair – Alite

Bought: 2015 Tested: Yes My rating: 9.5/10 The Monarch folding chair by Alite. The solution to comfortable seating around camp! This may be extravagant, unnecessary, extra weight, extra bulk and a bit of a wimpy accessory but I think it’s amazing. For years I’ve complained about back ache after a long days ramble carrying a huge pack. When you finally drop the pack off your back and setup you tarp/bivvy and get a brew on the go, you then spend the rest of the evening sat on the damp cold ground or on an uncomfortable rock. Even sitting on you sleeping …

Wilderness Down 4 Season Quilt – Backpackinglight

Bought: 2015 Tested: Yes (summer) My rating: 9.9*/10 The Wilderness Over/Under 4 Season Down Quilt by Backpackinglight. I’ve always struggled to sleep in a mummy style sleeping bag, I tend to move about in my sleep and move my legs around occasionally sticking a leg out to regulate my temperature during my sleep (odd you say!). Having tested a number of sleeping bags of different styles I’ve never managed to find one that provide me with the warmth and the freedom of movement…until now! Quilt style sleeping bags have been around for a while and some of the top sleeping …

Alpkit Hunka XL Bivvy Bag

Bought: 2015 Tested: Yes My rating: 9.5/10   The Hunka XL Bivvy bag by Alpkit is a great bit of kit. Alpkit have identified one of the most annoying things about a bivvy bag and solved it. Divvy…bivvy bags tend to be small so they can pack down small. However, the smaller they are the more restrictive they are and what’s worse how much they reduce the loft of a sleeping bag (less loft = less insulation). The Hunka is very large, plenty big enough to allow my winter sleeping bag to fully inflate. Another advantage of the larger size …