As I have said many times, you don’t have to break the bank to go hiking. I have been eyeing off various Dyneema packs on eg Aliexpress for years but recently (it was my birthday – 76. Who’d have thought?) I decided to buy yet another unnecessary pack. The ‘choice’ was between a ‘conventional’ (ie […]
The Toothbrush Spoon was not my original idea but had been patented way back in 1934 as I discovered when I re-invented it back in 2020. Still Della and I were both very pleased with it/them and have been using them ever since. I realise now that I could have drilled a hole in it
New Zealand’s Dusky Track a wonderful challenging 8+day trek in Fiordland. At 76 I am spending most of 2025 preparing for one last foray there next autumn. My son Bryn promises to come with me. My post from this day in 2014: ‘Expect a break from me: tomorrow I am off for ten days’ hiking
Sea to Summit have an ‘Air Chair’ which is a fair replacement for Big Agnes’ ‘Cyclone Chair’ (no longer available) – though a bit heavier (plus 60 grams). We have been using our Cyclone Chairs now for over 20 years. They just use your sleeping mat to form a comfy. chair. The biggest pluses about
There are a few essential knots (for hiking etc) some of which can save your life. A piece of string and the knowledge of how to form such an essential knot may be the ultimate ultralight ‘tool’. One such knot is the Taut Line Hitch or Midshipman’s Hitch (shown below). It is an adjustable knot
We were feeling the need to perfect our double hammocking skills as preparation for yet another wilderness trip. As we often hike in Fiordland NZ where it is apt to rain on average an inch a day and it can be difficult anyway to find a level spot for a tent, it is well to
Making calls to satellite phones has been restricted, though most will not know. Because we have cause to use one (both a satellite phone and satellite messenger) This is deeply worrying for us. About a year ago Telstra decided you now have to have a new dedicated SIM for your sat phone (without telling us)
O, the enchantments of Fiordland: Time and again I have been drawn back to this lush green Eden questing after one of these surviving prehistoric giants, which though sundered from their ancient homeland in the vast boreal forests of the North, still linger there today. For me it is a tale which began when I
If you are not into DIY. Also a great weight (390 grams in silnylon – even lighter in DCF which I eschew) and price (US$220 Dec 2024). What’s not to like? It is very like my Siligloo (but a little simpler). I have MLD‘s ‘big brother’ the Supamid which I can attest is well made
Yes this really does work. This is my ‘Poor Man’s Satellite Phone‘ after two weeks at between 3.000-6,000 metres elevation during our recent EBC trek. As you can see still 94% charged. ‘Normally’ such battery devices would be pretty much flat after just one day (even without use) – as I found out on my
Preventing Batteries From Going Flat at High Altitudes: Read More »
